Brians F/R Locked Long Travel Camping and Overland Build

How many wires do you have in that harness? The attached schematic shows which pin # each wire in the ADD connector is for. Map the colors in your harness and figure out what color does what. Then wire it up per one of the diagrams I sent earlier.

 

I hear that, Ideally would be nice to find 2nd gen 4x4 and snip harness connector at cluster, of even a 2wd and just de-pin and use factory pins. I have to cram the lexus pins in there.

 

Well well well look what I found in my photo archive. A pic that you can see the numbers and wire colors!

 

I vote for ADD delete. No wiring necessary. And good mornin gents

 

Just an on off stick sticking out of the console

 

I meant the fj transfer case stick is the on/off stick. I want to delete mine, I forgot to turn it off one day and drove around with front locked in and couldnt even feel it

 

Im a big fan against that actually. The add takes the place of locking hubs so your driveshaft wont spin all the time. Less wear and tear and less resistance over time. The awd fj had it because those systems are created to have them spinning all the time unlike part time 4wd.

 

I wouldnt delete it.

 

I dont feel like there is enough long term testing to say it's bad or not. Mechanically it's an open diff so it will always allow different wheel speeds. AWF Fj's do it and yes I know they have a center diff but that's to split front and rear ratios not side to side

 

All personal preference I suppose, I just like the simplicity of it. For someone with little skill like myself, it made the swap fool proof

Ahhh yes sorry I haven't had enough coffee yet and can't read haha..

I switched on 4wd instead of the AC one time when I first got the truck lol. I decided I needed to change that after that happened

 

All im saying is im going to have my drivetrain setup the way it was designed too from factory lol.

 

You got skill

 

You're too kind buddy. I am nothing but an accountant that fumbles my way through things. TW has been my saving grace on multiple occasions. This site can make a mechanic out of anyone

 

I always say im a professinal DIY'er lol. I hear ya man. I work in insurance and wrench on my truck for fun lol. Thats how you learn things! I figured with the types of remote places i plan on going i better know every in an out of my truck and know how to fix it when it breaks lol.

 

4x4 Conversion Informational Guide​

Finally, the post that I have been waiting to make. This is not a how to, but informational about the process of a 4x4 conversion. The purpose of me putting this together is to give you some more insight into the process and some useful info i have acquired during my process. Hope this helps!


A little background as to what made my decision. My truck started out as a daily driver that i got back in college. I added the typical 3inch leveling kit and 33-inch tires and drove it around town. But as I started to invest more and more time in TW and going on group rides i learned that I needed more capability out of my truck. I started with a rear ARB locker and let me tell you that was the best bang for your buck in performance outside of tires. While the locker gave me a newfound capability it still did not give me all i wanted. So, there was only one way to go.... As my knowledge of these trucks grew i decided it was time to tackle the task of a 4x4 conversion.


Most people will say just sell and buy a 4x4. Well I’m not most ppl. I did not for plenty of reason. My truck is not my DD, it also is paid off and has about 10 grand plus of parts already into it. Low miles at only 108,000 I also like the idea of having a unique vehicle that not many people would have. I also love challenges. This defiantly was a challenge.



The first step into the conversion was doing my hw. Plenty of threads here on TW. (I will have links later to some threads that helped me). I researched for about 6 months before I started to collect parts. Collecting all the parts is the most time-consuming part of this conversion.

How to Instructions:

• https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/transmission-swap-write-up-s.384303/
  
• https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/prerunner-to-4x4-conversion-guide.534480/
  
• https://www.tacomaworld.com/media/albums/4wd-conversion.42715/

You will need the following:


Main Components

• Front Differential (aka Clamshell)
• FJ Cruiser T-case
• Front/Rear Driveshafts
• CV Axles
• 4x4 Transmission (or you can convert yours) I found it easier to just buy a new one.
• Transmission Mount
• Wheel Bearings/ Hub (https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/wheel-bearings-hubs-press-service-4x4-prerunner.537080/
• Cross-member modification
• ADD Harness (if you choose to keep it) I recommend.

Minor Parts

• Hub seals
• dust caps
• tcase bolts
• driveshaft bolts
• breather lines
• lock nuts for cv x2
• front diff mount nut x2
• front diff mount bolt x2
• Front diff mount washer x2
• Front diff mount top bushing x2

Misc

• Transmission Oil (10.8 qt)
• Gear oil (4 qt)
• sound deadening mat to seal floor
• tcase oil
• fuse taps for add switch
• rear main seal
• shifter boot
• 20guage wire (for tcase to cluster for dash illumination for 4x4 engagement)

I sourced most of my materials from:


· https://www.benzeenautoparts.com/toyota/tacoma-all-parttype


· https://racewayauto.com/?gclid=Cj0K...MZnHcbXENZy1sxnTevopAaFcQZu-JOeEaAqytEALw_wcB


· Ebay


· Amazon


Pics of what is needed












Once you have talked all the parts the only thing left is to get them in the truck. I would recommend carving out at least 2-4 weeks for this if you have limited time to work on it. I was only able to work on it on weekends and it took me about 4 weeks to get it finished working all day on sat/sun.

Some tools I found to be extremely helpful was:


· Super long extensions

· Transmission jack

· Jack stands

· Impact wrench

· Welder

· Flexhead ratchets

· Wobble sockets

· Creeper

· Cutoff wheel

· Dremel

· Multi tool


Also helps to have 2 or 3 hands if you can get them during the transmission install.



Once you get everything installed make sure that you have torqued everything bolt and used lock tight where applicable.


Torque Spec sheet: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-torque-spec-guide.318116/


Make sure to test everything extensively before you take out on road. Make sure shifts are smooth and you are not getting any grinding noises.


This happened to me because I left off some parts on my front diff. Thank god, I was still on my property……



4wd Dash illumination

You will need to make a connection from the tcase to the dash cluster directly. (See Diagram of Tcase below) Run some 20 guage wire from the 4wd lead and 4lo lead up to the dash cluster. I just stuck bare wire in there and worked well. ground the other 2 wires. Anyways test your shifter and should light up.





Anyways have fun and be careful. And enjoy your new 4x4!

More Pics

 

Great stuff here Brian!

 

Thanks, I would have killed for somewhere i could go with everylink hahah

 

@jowybyo @BassAckwards @whatstcp when you guys check your trans fluid level do you warm up your truck and let it get to operating temp and leave engine on and check or do you turn it off for like 3 min and check. Ive been getting mixed info and my is reading high even though i only put 9qt and it calls for 10.8

 

Sorry, both of mine are manuals, so i just fill em up like the diffs (that's definitely not right for an auto). I have no knowledge of how to properly check the level in an auto trans.. Sorry i cant be of any help

 

I don't remember what I did. But if your torque converter was already filled with fluid, then you probably don't need to add as much.