Hypothetical - 2.7 AWD conversion considerations (xpost from technical)

Yup. Great point.

 

@HomerTaco has the twin stick version, but maybe his research into the FJ drivetrain itself might be useful.

 

You rang?

 

Not sure of the current specs of the op's truck.

There are two FJ cases - the one out of an auto trans which is the same size as the Tacoma case and the only difference is it has a manual shifter. This comes stock with a J shift and most folks will separate them into having two separate shifters, hence "twin-stick". This allows for the option of selecting 2 low and eliminates the electric shift motor.
Then there's the one out of the manual transmission FJ which is full time 4wd. This unit is also quite larger.
The manual transmission FJ does not have the ADD in the front diff - it is a straight tube and it is always engaged.
This is interchangeable with the add in the taco and essentially keeps the front axles engaged all the time and illuminates an electric motor that unfortunately for some has failed.
I have to direct you to @Torspd to discuss AWD on the taco. My experience is just with adding the FJ case and a crawlbox for low low range.

 

@replica9000 was that useful Jason?

 

Might help the OP. At the moment, I'm content with my stock t-case. I had looked into maybe tricking the truck into engaging 4-lo, without actually engaging the front wheels to basically get 2-lo. But I guess it's not possible, which led me to follow what you did.

 

It's possible.

 

2 low is really just a novelty. The real win is compound low - especially with the manual trans. However, with the actuator motors failing the mod eliminates that possibility which is also a win.

 

Links? Last time I looked into it, no one had a solution.

If it matters, I don't have any traction aids.

 

How resourceful are you? How much time do you have? What is the depth of your budget? How badly do you want to complete the project?

 

4Runner transfer case gives you 4Hi and 4Lo with an unlock center differential, this is the same as a AWD. You can lock center differential an then have 4WD.

 

It’s a cool concept, and something that would be useful to those like me in snowy climates. I’ve had AWD vehicles most of my driving life, WRX, CRV and now 4x4. I can say that having full time AWD was great but not needed most of the time, with 4x4 when it gets back I turn a button and have traction. I hope you complete this mod if it’s something you wanna do, but it seems like the gains would be negligible.

 

How is the AWD on the T4R and FJ on gas compared to 4WD on our tacos?

 

we have an AWD FJ and consistently get 16mpg

 

I think my Taco gets 10mpg when in 4wd.

 

My wife’s forester gets 34+ and it’s AWD.

 

Dudes, thanks for the info! I'll dig into the 4Runner transfer cases a bit more. I should also check and see if either the FJ's or 4Runner's rear driveshaft would work, vs getting the Tacoma's shortened.

It seems like the basics would work:
• FJ/4Runner T-case,
• Shortened rear driveshaft (or maybe FJ/4Runner driveshaft?), and
• FJ/4Runner Front diff/Carrier axle
would net me AWD, 4Hi and 4Lo (Courtesy of the FJ/4Runner locked center diff)

More tricky would be
• FJ/4Runner T-case,
• Shortened rear driveshaft, and
• Stock Front diff/Carrier axle with ADD system
would net me AWD, 4Hi, keep 4Lo, and potentially keep 2wd. (Courtesy of the ADD and manually locking the center diff at the same time)

Technically less to swap, but the electronics of all of it, that's another conversation...

Good questions to ask!
I'm pretty resourceful, and plan/research nearly every side of something before I dive in. Timing wise, this is more of a brain exercise than anything else. I still have the Audi (affectionately known as Tammy2, hence the avatar) waiting in the garage pending an engine swap, and taking priority over this "project". Budget is something I'm always keeping a pulse on, but I'm not naive in understanding the costs of doing something correctly. If the project never happens, I won't be heartbroken. But the idea of a "Quattro Taco" is something that is really appealing to me.

 

I have 2wd low range. There's a DIY version and a plug and play version, made by @Up2NoGood

I have the plug and play version and couldn't be happier. $250, ten minute install, 100% reversible, no more roasting your clutch backing up your trailer, no more fearing the destruction of your CVs when you need low range in high traction surfaces while backing up said trailer.

 

Thanks man. Part of this whole thing is deciding on the level of benefit I'd get. Snow is front of mind, but so is traction in the rain and general driving dynamics. (As was rightly mentioned earlier, I know a solid set if tires go a long way). Obviously the Tacoma will never handle like the Audi on twisty backroads, but there is something to be said for not spinning tires or sliding out around town when it's a little slick out.

 

I feel that I am lacking some knowledge, so could someone inform us how to mate an FJ or T4R transmission to a 2.7L 2TR?

That being said, are there already foreign models which have AWD mated to the 2TR? Such as the Prado perhaps?