2wd to 4wd conversion

Has anybody attempted a conversion to 4wd yet. If so, any tips would be greatly appreciated.

 

Nope, easier to trade in the 2wd for a 4wd.
Too expensive with all the parts needed for it....
Rear axle, all wiring harnesses, dash/interior components, ecus.... nope.

 

Plenty of 1st and 2nd gen users on here who have done so. Haven’t seen a 3rd gen yet.

But with the work involved, you should seriously consider selling your truck and buying a stock 4WD. Especially with the market where it is, your truck is worth a lot of $

 

The 4wd are only 2wd in 4wd anyway. Save yourself the money.

 

Back in the days when cars had carburetors and breaker points I changed from 6 cylinders to V8s and automatics to manuals. It was a lot of work with variable results.

I figured out that it was much easier to just buy what I wanted and probably get a better vehicle too. Toyota makes over 200,000 of these a year, it shouldn't be too difficult to find one that suits your needs.

Sure, you can do it with enough time, money and effort -- that doesn't mean it is an intelligent use of your time.

 

NORMALLY the best advice is to trade your 2wd for a 4wd. In NORMAL times it is a lot less expensive to do so. Unless you can do the work and not pay to get it done you might break even on doing a conversion. My time is worth something to me so I'd just trade for a 4X4. But if you enjoy doing the work, or if you're too sentimentally attached to the old truck. If it is a 1st gen that belonged to your dad and you just can't sell it, then maybe.

But the truck market right now is far from NORMAL. I'm not sure how the old rules apply anymore. In 2022 it might be better to convert, or it might be a horrible idea. There are some threads here where people have done it. Read through those and get a feel for what you'll need and how much work it will be.

 

I believe a couple of people have attempted this and didn't trade due to sentimental reasons. Never heard about the final outcome though. However, absent a reason like that, it is not worth it. It's not as simple as adding a transfer case and changing the front end. As others have mentioned, ECUs, wiring harnesses, switches, etc. You're likely to screw something up in the process as well. Even in today's market, it's still easier to trade for a 4x4.

 

There are existing TW threads, perform a search for threads with more technical details.

 

Carvana can perform the conversion in your driveway in a few short minutes, they're the pros at it.

 

LOL at ppl who say sell and buy 4wd. Yall def don't know how easy it is and better than that electric actuator. Everyone always comments sell your truck and buy 4wd. I spent $2,500 bucks and 3 weeks of my time working on weekends lol. @pdaddy has a great how to thread on second gen and 3rd gen almost identical just have to get corresponding parts for that year. I also have some info in my signature

 

This would be my advice is to forget the electronics and just put in a fully functional mechanical 4WD front end with manual locking hubs and manual transfer case. That’s the only thing that really makes sense.

 

Thats really the only way to do it unless you rewire the truck. Ive seen like 2 ppl on here thats done that but its a worse end result and takes alot longer. FJ case is the way to go.

 

I'm gonna convert my Tacoma into a Power Wagon.

 

a 6.4L V8 tacoma with front and real locking diffs would be ideal

 

The easiest way is to drive into a dealership and trade it in for a 4WD. Easiest and cheapest.

 

Do an auto to manual conversion next.

I have done them in the past on 90’s Civics while doing an engine swap to a JDM engine swap. It was simple on 90’s Hondas .

The ecu is what scares me on newer cars.

 

Yea I did my conversion in 4 weeks by myself with basic hand tools. And I’m someone who’s mechanically declined, I have to watch youtube/read forums to change oils and stuff lol OP read my thread to get an idea of what you would be doing

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/05-15-2wd-to-4wd-conversion-guide-for-dummies.716703/

 

Not on an off-road truck, Autos are the only thing ill ever drive off-road. Stalling the clutch on a 40* incline sucks man.

 

That’s what makes it fun!!!

Actually yeah I am getting too old for this.

 

It’s been nearly 7 years since I did my conversation. Everyone had the same advice, “Trading it in is easier and cheaper”. But converting worked out cheaper for me and I have no regrets.

I spent about $2k on parts and it took me 3 weekends to finish it up. My truck is a daily driver and I was only without it for 1 week while I swapped the transmission.

You don’t need to change anything with the factory ECU or wire harness.

It’s not for everyone but if you plan to keep your truck forever and you can do the work yourself then it might just be worth it.

I was so pleased with the results that I did a auto to manual swap a few years later.