4wd conversion shops??

No modifications to speak of yet. Part of why I am wrestling with all of this. I don’t want to make a bunch of mods to this to help facilitate more adventurous family camping trips and it all be for not because it doesn’t have 4wd.

 

I guess the next question is, are there any junk yards or specialists that have everything already pulled and set up in a kit that I can buy and have shipped to me or go pick up? I’m afraid even if I did find a compatible truck and a salvage yard I wouldn’t know what all to pull. Lol. That would stink to drive 3 hours and start stripping it and forget something important. Lol.

 

Everything you need was listed earlier in the thread. There are some places that will pull stuff for you, just call around and ask.

 

Here is a good reference thread to start with:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/matthews-jade-green-4x4-conversion-and-other-upgrades.579846/

 

No one sells 4WD conversion kits. You just have to start making a list, calling around, and doing your research. You have to remember this is a very niche swap so most shops will have no experience on the topic.

It took me a little over a year to get all my parts, all the way up to the day I started the swap.

Again, just to reiterate: it’s no longer worth it to pay someone to convert the truck for you. Labor costs will far outweigh the worth.

Take it slow, read up on everything, and you’ll be fine.

 

I should add don’t be scared to make several trips to find parts. I drove all across the Pacific NW and West Coast to collect parts over that year and a half. Reno, Santa Cruz, Chico, etc.

Don’t worry if you don’t get everything from a single truck. All the parts I used in my conversion came from several different Tacomas and 4Runners.

Before you dive into this, study up on the 4WD systems our tucks offer. 4WD HI/LO, ADD vs. Manual Hubs, the difference between J-Shift and Pushbutton 4WD transfer cases, different transmissions (W59/R150F/A340F) as well as the basics, like how 4WD systems work and how the engine and transmission play a part.

This is my parts list that I used. This list assumes a J-Shift transfer case, manual hubs, and an Automatic A340F transmission.



New seals and other items from the Toyota dealer. Not all are necessary.



All in all, I paid roughly ~$1,500. It is not expensive at all. After I sold my old 2WD parts including my original transmission and steering knuckles, my conversion only cost roughly $900.

 

This list is amazing! Thank you!

Yeah, I have a lot to learn about it. I knew that just from reading all the conversion threads already on here. Also watched a short series of YouTube videos on the conversion. Just sooo much to learn, was looking for an easier way but as we have all heard, there are no short cuts in life. That seems to apply here.

 

Add where you're located state wise so people can help. And start a build thread, TW loves helping each other out!

 

As stated before, hardest part of the conversion is finding the parts. Aside from the transmission (which isn’t that bad with a jack and another set of hands) the rest of the job can be done in the garage with basic tools.

 

Why is it a 'must' to have 4WD to go camping?

 

Honestly I do not know if it is. I have asked on the overland bound forum if 4x4 is necessary for the places we want to go and the results are a bit mixed but lean towards needing it for some of the places. Some say with a bit of a lift and proper tires, a winch and recovery tools I can go most places but have to be prepared to abort if road conditions are bad or too sporty. I started the thread to gather info about shops that would do the work. It’s kind of evolved into something else which is what I was afraid of. I did not want it to be another “should I convert” or “how do I convert” thread. Those threads have some salty posts in them. Not how I wanted to start my time on here .

 

Pfft. Pay no attention to the salty posts... TW has its share of salt. Welcome to TW! Your taco will thank you for finding us...

 

Having converted my truck 10 years ago, I know of only one conversion (1st Gen) done at a shop. He was a TTORA member from AZ and had Yotamasters in Corona CA do the work.
Like Tyler, I drove all over CA and AZ collecting parts for my conversion...

 

You should really add up the gas you spent looking for parts in your cost calculations, lol...

 

It depends on where you go camping.

 

That's my point...

That's more than the cost of the parts in some cases... It's a significant cost.

If you're on a road trip and swing by to pick up a part or 2 or something that's nothing, but if you're crossing 2 states to pick up a $300 transmission, you just spent $300 easy in gas to get it. Plus all your time.

In a case like that, maybe a local junkyard trans + a rebuild is the way to go.

options...

 

I have done that before as well, and when that's all there is, you obviously don't have much of a choice. I spent the better part of a day driving around trying to find a tap for the head bolts on my 22RTe 4Runner. ALL DAY for a $10 part.

I'm just saying that if there's a widget for $25 at one store, vs. having to drive around to 3 different towns to find a $15 one, I'm buying the $25 one hands down. I did that even as a poor college kid.

Same with a transmission. If I find some guy in Idaho with a nice one for $300, or there's a local one that''ll cost $600 to rebuild, I'll likely get the local one rather than spending the time/gas money for the cheaper one.

 

The easiest way to do this is find a parts truck that has what you need. Makes sure if you have a V6 auto try to find a v6 auto trans parts truck. If you have a 4 cylinder manual get a 4 cylinder manual parts truck. They are out there and you can get them cheep. I just found this guy in 10 minutes and the guy wants $400 for it.
https://chico.craigslist.org/pts/d/glenn-99-tacoma-parts/6867886922.html

 

sweet, manual hubs, too!

 

Looks like you found your next part out.