4wd conversion shops??

Gettin this truck up to date on maintenance was already costing me...might as well keep going with the DIY's. I also vote to DIY.

 

Like I said it’s all plug n play. You use your stock computer, stock harness, everything. You don’t need to cut or splice anything.

 

rear drive shaft from a 4x4 - J-shifter - a340f - front hubs if ADD => ADD knuckles - ADD front diff - front drive shaft - ADD axles
- front hubs if manual locking => manual knuckles - front diff - front drive shaft - manual locking hub axles

 

Major fabrication??

1st gens are entirely bolt-on. It's even easier if you go with manual hubs, but will just require a little wiring for ADD hubs.

@Natenite, converting to 4x4 does sound like a pretty intimidating job, but it's honestly not that bad. @BartMaster1234 said, he did his conversion with basically NO mechanical experience, and it cost him like ~$1500. You just have to take your time and build up your parts list.

People always talk crap about why bother converting a Prerunner to 4x4 when you can go out and buy a 4x4. The problem is that a 1st gen 4x4 (in good condition - no rust) is either nearly impossible to find, or they cost an arm and a leg (certainly more than the ~$1500 for a conversion). So if done right, it can end up cheaper than finding a 4x4.

 

You can even do it for cheaper, I’ve seen people do it for under $1,000 in some cases.

Fabrication is required on 2005+ I believe.

 

Yeah, OP doesn't exactly specify which truck he had, but since he posted in the 1st gen section, I assume it's a 1st gen.

I think for the 2nd gens it's just fabricating a cross member for the trans, right?

 

Yeah that’s really the most fabrication you have to do for 2nd Gens.

A solid axle swap requires major fabrication, but a simple IFS 4WD swap is simple.

 

The other thing is that 2nd gens are a dime a dozen so it doesn't make as much sense to convert as for the best gens.

Plus, they're 2nd gens, who wants one of those?!

 

Its still possible with a 5lug. Just a lot more parts you need like a new frame. Took me a week to do the actual work and with only basic tools and a shit tun of tree rounds.
Before.

after

 

Check your regional forum I bet there has to be people close by that would help

 

Well, I heard back from them. $9800 including parts and labor. One year warranty. I will continue looking for other shops or options.

 

Thats pretty expensive seeing as how some guys on here say its a direct bolt on

 

That's including shop labor which more than half the cost of what those parts go for used

This is only worthwhile if you do the work yourself

$10k can you get a solid used 4x4 1st gen

 

Wyatt's probably got a ton of work already. If you wheel you know of Rock Solid Toys. He's a very solid dude with a very solid shop. That combo ain't cheap.

 

The vast majority of the labor is going to be hunting around for the parts. As has been said, $1500 for parts is pretty easy to achieve, less if you are willing to put some more time into finding good deals, etc...

A shop is likely going to either throw new or remanufactured parts at it, too, since that's easier (labor wise) to find. It costs the same for them to throw a new part in as it does a used one, so they might as well save themselves the time/effor, and pass the extra cost of the new parts on to the customer.


@Natenite, for $10k, you can find a complete 4x4 truck for that much. I doubt you're going to find too many shops willing to do it for too much less. You're fighting a loosing battle here, your choices are either do it yourself or sell it and buy a 4x4.

If this is a spare truck (i.e. not a daily driver), just take your time, gather the parts one at a time, and start throwing some wrenches at it. I'm sure if you ask nicely (i.e. offer beer), there may even be someone local that can come over and help you out with a few things, too. There are groups that have build/mod parties from time to time as well.

You can do it, we believe in you!

 

find a 5 spd. and clutch pedal while your at it.

 

Maybe it’s just my market but looking through Tacoma’s for sale right now I would have to spend a decent bit of $ to move to a 4wd truck that would not be a step backwards from the truck I have currently. I obviously don’t mind spending something but man... 200k miles or a rough hard rode younger model at 170k miles are the kind of options currently. I guess I start looking for the parts and hope I can get it done another way since there doesn’t seem to be any shops that do it for a “reasonable” amount. I guess we really got lucky on the purchase of this truck and going away from it is gonna be tough.

 

Yea, round up your parts. You'll get it done.

 

There are 2 1st Gen 4x4 on my local Craigslist for cheaper than that. Lol

 

If you're referring to modifications you've made to your current truck, you could always swap those over to a 4wd Tacoma.