2004 Tacoma 4x4 conversion

I have a 2004 crew cab TRD two-wheel drive automatic transmission and would like to know if anybody can tell me if a 2000 4Runner 4x4 5-speed transmission parts can be used to convert the 2004 Crew cab to a four-wheel drive

 

Are both trucks V6's? If so tranny and transfer case should work. But I think you're likely to run into issues with the wiring (I've heard it's better if the model years are closer). But CVs, spindles, tranny, transfer case, front diff and front drive shafts should all be good. Other problem will likely be that your current rear end gearing won't match the 4 runners front diff gearing. So it's doable but won't be the perfect donor and will require the sourcing of additional parts

 

unless you are converting to manual as well you should be able to make it work. As mentioned above all other parts for the 4x4 conversion should work TC, difft ect...
check the code on the door jam to see what gear ratio the 4runner has. OEM Gear Ratio Chart | Tacoma World

 

Are you converting to 5 speed as well??

Then it is a simple matter to convert your Truck to a 2000 4Runner using the engine harness and ECM

Then rewire the 4th ECM plug from your cab harness most of the hard electric is finished .

just the clutch and neutral safety switch to figure out.

 

What about the gearing issue? Can he take the 3rd member from the 4 runner rear-end housing and put it in his Tacoma? Otherwise there's no way his 2WD Prerunner rear end gearing matches the front diff gearing of the 4runner right?

 

seems like OP has a TRD so it has a locker which wont be compatible with the 4runner

 

Good point. Unless he's really lucky and the 4runner also has a locker, but I assume not.

 

I was only quoting the electrical end.

Without looking knowing what any gears are we would all be guessing

2000 4Runner no idea if it is still stock.

 

So he's most likely going to have to re-gear the 4runner's front diff? Or find a new rear end for his truck and sell his TRD rear end off his Tacoma to make some money back

 

well I know some of the 3rd gen 4runners did come with lockers but its year specific and according to a 4runner forum they are hard to come by. So unless the 4runner OP is getting parts off does have a locker AND the gears ratio is the same then yea he can use it. If one of the 2 dont match then no he wont be able to use.

 

Yea I have a '98 3rd gen 4runner [quite a jallopy of a project right now], with the locker on the rear.

 

yea thats why its always a good idea to crack the diff open and count the ring/pinion gears

 

FWIW, my front diff is out of a 2002 4Runner. I didn't crack it open. You can count the teeth via the drain plug hole as they are visible

I also did the ECGS bushing swap and durobump bushings swap. Replaced the god forsaken drain/fill plugs with Lexus plugs, 90341-24016 (drain) & 90341-18060 (fill). Last item on the front diff was replacing those headache inducing torx head bolts with these -

$23 (5pcs) BelMetric M12X1.25X20mm JIS Hex Head Flange Bolt 17mm Wrench, Class 10.9 Plated Yellow Zinc for Automobile, Motorcycle, and Mechanical Applications BF12X1.25X20YLW

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07JXZ6RZ2

Transmission -
Now I didn't have to worry about ETCS-i obviously since I'm rolling around in an 02 so my A340F transmission came out of a 99 4Runner Limited. A quick swap in with a new Tacoma park/neutral switch and a new throttle cable, it was ready to go. Kept the torque converter which came with the transmission.

Transfer case -
Transfer case out of a 95.5 tacoma. I opted to completely rebuild it internally since I had to repair a small issue with the cover.

 

great useful information your shared here. Them drain plugs on those diffs are a nightmare