What would improve offroad performance the most

The mentioning of KO2s made me LOL

 

They're the worst IMO

 

Just do the IFS elimination.... Will be the BEST mod ever!

No LBJ failure, no rack&pinion issue, no weak 7.5 clamshell, and no broken cvs.

 

40s n tons amirite?

I should be close to selling a bolt on kit, just need to finish up making the rest of the files

 

You can use mine for mock up

 

I'm surprised that @El Taco Diablo hasn't popped in here, given the talk of a first gen Prerunner-to-4WD conversion.

 

Well, this isn't to say anything negative about the OP but he needs quite awhile before tackling a swap.

And as mentioned, tons of threads cover the swap.

 

I think many of have all come very far since our early days at 18.

Not having many tools I am sure I still have some of those first Craftsman tools floating around.

Not really having my own shop I really felt uncomfortable doing a major project in another persons garage.

OP if you can buy a complete donor vehicle have a decent place to do the conversion I don`t see any reason you and your friends can`t get it done in a weekend.

You can swap your low mileage trans in at later date.

@Kwikvette the point about rust was a very valid point . The spoiled people that really don`t see winter chemicals . Stating the times that jobs can be performed in .

Where I live those times can easily be tripled or broken hardware or parts can add days or even weeks.

I was lucky OP I had a few great mentors that could do pretty much anything in the mechanical trades . I learned everything I could any schooling through work I took.

Good Luck!!

If you were close I would help.

 

Thank you everyone for the input it’s been really helpful. Unfortunately I’m not gonna respond later today because I’m on my way to get my wisdom teeth out haha

 

Putting mud terrains on a 2wd truck is the most southern thing ever, lol. You’re living with a TON of downsides for a marginal increase in traction in some scenarios. Imo, it’s a bad idea.

4x4 with road tires will outperform 2wd with MTs. It won’t even really be close in most situations.

Instead, I’d split the difference and get some ATs and add a mechanical LSD. This is probably your best balance between cost and added traction.

 

The people telling you that don't know what they're talking about.

I've read through this thread. From your answers, you have a pretty decent idea what you're getting in to here.

Do the lift, suspension upgrades, and wheels/tires first.

Then I would suggest a winch and a compressor of some sort (to be able to air up)

Then start collecting parts for the swap.

 

Only specialty tools needed are a transmission jack. You don't need it to take the old one out. You can do it with just a regular floor jack (I did that... I didn't get close enough to dying to have nightmares or anything). But putting the new trans in and getting it lined up... you really want that fine adjustment, or it will be a major pain.

Other than that. No, you don't need a single specialty tool to do a 4wd swap on a 1st Gen Tacoma... because I don't consider a torque wrench a specialty tool. That's why I laugh at the idiots that have obviously not done it, yet think they have room to speak when they say it's not worth it.

With the mileage and condition you say your truck has... a swap would definitely be "worth it."

 

good luck!!

 

Awesome okay thank you.

 

Thank you!

 

I have a elocker, I’m pretty sure that’ll do the same as lsd but correct me if im wrong

 

Electronic locking rear (selectable) is far better.

 

An Elocker is much better !

 

One thing remember your front and rear differentials need to have the same gear ratio.

The simple things are so easy to forget.

 

Yes thank you. Is there a visible number on the front diff so I can check that it’s the same as mine?