4x4 conversion ?'s

I'd still want a manual t-case. If everything mounts up right, then I'll convert. Its not about being stubborn. Where's your sense of adventure?

 

After reading a little more on that link I posted, it looks like that guy went from stock 4x4 automatic Tacoma, and swapped in a stock FJ transfercase from an automatic FJ. The next thing I would think OP should be asking is whether or not the Prerunner Taco automatic can be made to accept a transfercase. If it can't, then can the FJ transmission and transfercase be swapped as a unit?

 

He just did a manual shifting case with Tacoma automatic tranny. In this article anyways http://www.rocksolidtoys.com/forum/showthread.php?t=60

 

Thanks or the input, it's gonna be a big help.

 

ur right, but the tail portion of an auto preunner is different than the 4wd auto

u would either need to get a auto from a 4wd taco, or get the adapter plate that inchworm has. http://www.inchwormgear.com/store/product_info.php?cPath=21_53&products_id=1279

 

I like that adaptor!!!!

 

If you go that route make sure you ask lots of questions and find out exactly what it's going to take to get that transfercase mounted. My uncle did this on an F150, he's been a mechanic for 30 years or so, knows a lot about Fords, and has had lots of transmissions apart. He said it was a challenge, and he went out and bought a manual specific to that transmission.

The way I read their statement, it sounds like you still have to buy a 4x4 tail housing and shaft? I would call them and ask. If you have to change the actual tail shaft, that's going to be a big deal if you haven't opened an auto trans before.

 

It's held on with only three bolts - but there's a bit of custom hardware with them and one of them is a weird 12mm eek allen wrench bolt -- all stuff you'll want to get when you obtain the differential and CV axles themselves. I've gotta think the pre-runner has the mounting points for those. I can't imagine it's worth the manufacturing headaches for toyota to have 4x4 vs. pre-runner specific frames to save 5 bucks worth of steel.

Why yes, I did pull my front differential out of my truck last weekend. Thanks for asking.

 

i pulled mine out a few weeks ago to replace. wasnt hard, just time consuming and a pain in the ass to rotate in and out of its spot

 

i'm maybe 1/3 done with the conversion myself.

I paid $1500 for everything (used) from a truck that rolled over...t-case, trans, front diff, axles, wheel hubs, and all the electronics and wiring and plugs...spent about 30 hours pulling stuff off because the body was beat up a bit.

so far i've installed the front diff, axles, hubs and such. I have to cut down the extra driveshaft(from a DC LB) to fit my access cab.

Everything bolts up, even the trans adapter from 2wd to 4wd is modular so hanging up the t-case will be quick. The main challenge will be running the wires and connecting everything correctly. The 4wd computer sits behind the glovebox and further up.

The next part for me is to hang the t-case and swap over the y-pipe and then open up the dash and run all the wires.

I'm in the same boat as the OP, I owe $4500 left on my 07 and only have 47k miles.

I'm a mechanic myself so its all on my time.

I put up a thread on ttora and toyotanation a while back when I started the swap, but got busy with life and stuff.

The bottom line, hope you work out the price before you or have someone start the job...the cost of a brand new t-case is around $3k, just to give you an idea if you have to replace anything.

edit: was my thread. i'll get back on the ball of keeping it updated.

 

^^Finally someone who isn't afraid to go out and get their hands dirty.

This swap can't be that bad. If I had a prerunner that was paid off, I'd be doing this as well.

My buddies did this with an F-250 and it turned out to be fairly straight forward. Sold the stock parts and came close to breaking even on the 4x4 parts.


4x4 is only a $1500 option, so let this be a lesson to the guys looking for Tacomas. Spend the extra money now, you won't have to do this later.

 

The thought has crossed my mind from time to time about trading up as well, the cost difference between 2wd and 4wd here is almost $4k