Is is possible to make a standard Taco into a Prerunner?

[ERdept]

I know you can do anything with enough money. But, I'm tryng to outsmart Toyota by doing it myself, IF IT'S DOABLE for cheap.

The standard crew cab V-6 is much cheaper than the same version in Prerunner.

Is it possible to practically convert it to a Prerunner. In my short sighted feeble mind, all I have to do is lift it and install a rear locker.

Is this right, or is there MUCH more to it than that?

[wormhole7]

I'm pretty sure the suspension is different. You'll have to wait till some of the knowledgeable people chime in beyond that.

[007Tacoma]

There is no such thing as a "Standard Suspension V6" in the 2nd Generation Tacomas. You can only get a V6 in the X-Runners, PreRunners, and 4WD configurations.

[nd]

007: i think you're wrong (although im not positive and it may be a regional thing) but i think you can get the doublecab V6 with "standard" suspension. i'm not totally sure but i think i remember that being an option when i built my truck

[007Tacoma]

If you look on the Toyota website...

http://www.toyota.com/tacoma/specs.html

...the largest "Standard Suspension" that you can get is an AccessCab 2.7L. The 4.0L automatically moves you up to the PreRunner or the X-Runner as a minimum.

You can get a 1st gen V6 in "Standard Suspension" configuration, but that hasn't been an option in a long time.

[SLOTaco]

The toyota sight is notoriously wrong though, before I bought my taco, I went on to build a taco, with the 4x4 sport v6 6spd and it told me the only color option with those specs was the raceway blue, that is obviously not true since I bought one in silver streak, and many other people on this sight have other colors. From what I can tell the Toyota sight has a few bugs, and doesn't allow you to choose all the options that are actually available.

[SLOTaco]

However, I don't know anything about a V6 in standard suspension.

[nd]

I dont know enough about it to argue but since 007 is a texan i'm just gonna assume he's wrong...

[humanoid]

Here in SoCal, I don't think I've ever seen a 5 lug 2nd gen Taco with a V6.

[morcheez]

if its not a 6lug or an xrunner then its a 4cyl

[Janster]

Are we comparing the differences between the MINI and the PreRunner?

From what I understand, the MINI is the short 5 lug version tacoma.

I'm not sure about the suspension parts themselves (coils/leafs) - but I'm pretty sure the MINI is sprung-under axle configuration in the rear and the Pre-Runner is sprung-over axle configuration in the rear.

When you convert from Spring-under to a spring-over ....you get approximately 5 inches of lift in the rear.

I'm not sure how they are different in the front suspension or how you'd gain 5" of lift in the front on a MINI.

[007Tacoma]

Originally Posted by SLOTaco

The toyota sight is notoriously wrong though, before I bought my taco, I went on to build a taco, with the 4x4 sport v6 6spd and it told me the only color option with those specs was the raceway blue, that is obviously not true since I bought one in silver streak, and many other people on this sight have other colors. From what I can tell the Toyota sight has a few bugs, and doesn't allow you to choose all the options that are actually available.

Yeah, that is the "build-it" section. This is the Specifications section.

Originally Posted by ndcouch

I dont know enough about it to argue but since 007 is a texan i'm just gonna assume he's wrong...

See you assume - that is why I am right.

Originally Posted by morcheez

if its not a 6lug or an xrunner then its a 4cyl

But not all 6 lugs are v6

Originally Posted by Janster

Are we comparing the differences between the MINI and the PreRunner?

From what I understand, the MINI is the short 5 lug version tacoma.

I'm not sure about the suspension parts themselves (coils/leafs) - but I'm pretty sure the MINI is sprung-under axle configuration in the rear and the Pre-Runner is sprung-over axle configuration in the rear.

When you convert from Spring-under to a spring-over ....you get approximately 5 inches of lift in the rear.

I'm not sure how they are different in the front suspension or how you'd gain 5" of lift in the front on a MINI.

You know, I never thought about how they are different. That makes sense.

True. Lifting a "Mini" is completely doable, but there is no "mini" that has a V6.

[ERdept]

So from what I gather, it can't be done easily and is better to just buy the Prerunner as is, already made?

[Toy4Life]

It's hard to say. Everyone discussed your engine rather than your question.
I would guess it's just a matter of changing the suspension and adding the locker. I don't know how that may affect the warranty. Consider cost involved as well. Would you install everything yourself?

[ERdept]

Yes, I was afraid of the sideline questions and answers. But it happens as seen here.

Most discussion was elsewhere, not whether it could be done for the same performance, but cheaper.

I wouldn't install it. I'd have to get a shop to do the work as I'm only mechanically inclined for the most simple things.

[TuRDTACO]

Originally Posted by ERdept

Yes, I was afraid of the sideline questions and answers. But it happens as seen here.

Most discussion was elsewhere, not whether it could be done for the same performance, but cheaper.

I wouldn't install it. I'd have to get a shop to do the work as I'm only mechanically inclined for the most simple things.

instead of turning it into an actual prerunner, consider just using a procomp 6 inch lift kit that comes with the bilstein shocks and springs, and then buying the locker for the rearend. that way you'll have your lift and off-road capable suspension in one, and then just do the rearend at the same time. i believe the lift kits with the new shocks and springs are between 1500 and $2000

[TuRDTACO]

here are a couple links to procomp's website so you can take a look at it. i think this will be the best route for you if u have a tacoma with standard suspension.

http://www.explorerprocomp.com/

http://www.explorerprocomp.com/PDFs/07cat/54-59.pdf

the second link is to the page with the 05-07 tacoma kits

[ERdept]

Now that's what I"m talking about. Thanks so much man!


I assume the rear end gearing is the same as the Prerunner.

[L_Jackson]

Assuming 007’s idea is wrong because he is from texas.... that is a very well thought out logical deduction.... and an extremely creative way to research the matter and conclude a definitive answer to the problem at hand.

-just for clarification, I am being sarcastic-

[TuRDTACO]

Originally Posted by ERdept

Now that's what I"m talking about. Thanks so much man!


I assume the rear end gearing is the same as the Prerunner.

the gearing in the rearend of the prerunners are 4.10, i am 99% positive of that because i always see people complaining on here about how badly it kills the gas mileage on the prerunners. if i were you, speaking from experience i would have the rear end rebuilt with a 3.73 or a 3.90 gear set at the most. a 4.10 set will let you accelerate a little better but there will be a good sized mpg difference between a 4.10 and a 3.73 gear.
if you're going to be going offroad often, you'll definately want a rear locker if your truck isnt 4wd. however, be sure to track one down that is electronically controlled, or find an OEM prerunner rear end at a salvage yard or something and throw the entire rear end in your truck. the problem with a full time locker is that your inside tire will always hop, skip and chatter when you're turning. a limited-slip differential eliminates this by allowing the outside wheel to rotate slightly faster than the inside wheel, compensating for the turn. a limited slip differential will kick in if you're in the mud or low-traction situations, as it will only allow a small difference in speed between the two wheels and it will lock them and split the power evenly when one wheel spins too much faster than the other