2wd BS and SoCal meet ups and Tacoma fun

Yeah, that’s what I’ve been seeing. I’m probably looking to get all the parts in order then take a weekend to install. It really depends how hard it is to do. Overall, would you say it was worth it?

 

Almost done, still getting the tranny in. I haven't even finished it but yes it is well worth it considering the prices of 4WD trucks here in Cali.

 

Thats what I was thinking. Did you get most of your parts online?

 

Not at all, only got one or two things online maybe four if you count this website (all small specific things like a black transfer case shifter, and differential brackets). Everything online will hold a premium price, you will find better deals if you shop through car-part.com or locally.

 

Good to know. I just started my search. How much did it cost you so far if you don't mind me asking?

 

≈ $1,700

I expect to pay at least $2,000 when I'm done with the cost of alignment and other misc. parts - keep in mind I replaced A LOT of seals and preventative maintenance items (like the rear main seal) that other people would otherwise disregard. I also spent extra time and money getting my instrument cluster to say 4HI and 4LO, something as far as I know no on on this forum has ever done.

 

That's not bad at all. I love the breakdown. The problem is going to be sourcing all of the parts. I have a 4 banger too, which makes it a little harder. My rear diff is a 4.56 which makes it even harder as well. Hoping it's still possible.

 

The front differential became one of the hardest things for me to find. I have rear 4.30 which is very rare in the front on Tacomas, most yards I called told me they never even came in Tacomas for the front because they were uncommon.

I was sold a differential being told it was 4.30, but when I popped it open to swap the ADD gear stub for a manual hub one it was indeed 4.10 after counting the ring and pinion. You really have to trust the wrecking yard's word that it is the right gear ratio.

Dejected, I looked on ebay for it and they cost upwards of $500. I put the search on hold when I went to pick n pull to get some tweeter panels from a 1996 Limited 4Runner they had for a friend. Turns out the gearing it had was 4.30 which was more common in 4Runners. I brought a friend with me to take it out. Paid a whole $110 and sandblasted and painted it myself.

 

Bellhousings and transfer cases ARE DIFFERENT between 6 cyl and 4 cyl. 6 cyl is forward shift while 4 cyl is top shift for the transfer case. You can use your old bellhousing. Any A340F will work

 

I take it all back. You have a 2004, that makes everything 100x harder. 2003 and 2004 trucks used Toyota's ETCS-i electronic throttle system with the transmission kickdown cable. You can only use 2003/2004 v6 Tacoma transmissions, and maybe select 4Runner ones. Those ETCS-i transmissions are a lot lot lot harder to find.

EDIT: Actually, I don't recall if the 4 cylinders had it. I think only the v6 but I'm not sure. Those two years were a little weird for Toyota drivetrains.

 

Can I not just find a transmission off of a 4x4 2.7?

 

You see 03/04 were one of those weird years Toyota changed the drivetrain. Most 03/04 trucks had an electronic throttle while 95-02 had a mechanical cable. I'm not sure if the 4 cyls hadf it but 6 cyls definitely had it.

 

Ah got it. That's going to suck. I've seen you can also do an output shaft swap as well. It just costs more.

 

Good morning ladies! When is the next trail run? I want to do something this Saturday

 

I am sick again and so is my son and wife. We got home on Monday evening and my son spiked a 105 fever.

 

Hope you guys get better! Keep us updated.

 

Thanks

 

That’s awesome. All you need now are some elephants and a clown car. JK

 

I'm just curious, are Tacoma parts are hard to find down there as they are up here in SF? I have to drive way North by Chico and Reno find any truck parts. You just don't find anything in the urban areas.

 

It depends what you need. It seems the central valley has a lot of parts yards and so do random areas in the LA area.