What would improve offroad performance the most

Reading some of the comments, you can tell those apart that;

- are completely unfamiliar with 1st gens and the ease to convert them

- grew up being told 2wd is completely worthless

- probably don't even run technical trails and consider mud puddles as the only real wheeling

- have no experience wheeling with a 2wd truck

Like I said, I've run into many that immediately go putting their trucks into 4WD when I was running my Prerunner. Nice guys but they were convinced they needed to be in 4WD to not get stuck anywhere.

 

You just count the number of turns with the third member out.

If yours is an automatic V6, you'll have 4.10s.

 

Nope but it is easy to figure out by counting input turns to the turns of the axle.

i don`t have the formula close at hand.

 

You’d be surprised how far my Fwd Jetta made it on some trails Hahah

 

In my case 2WD trucks were worthless from experience. I only ever owned one what a mistake .

I was to the point I carried extra wheels with chains installed to get into some start up job sites

 

Well I would have bought a 4x4 version, but I bought the prerunner at an amazing price and it was incredibly maintained so I couldn’t pass it up.

 

But Tacoma wasn't even out during that time, and 2WD trucks had much less ground clearance

 

Why does that matter?

The had lots of ground clearance .

You were not even born yet youngin!

 

No you're right, your wheels gave you all the ground clearance you needed

 

You're doing better than I am if you're able to get by with a 30% cost overage

Be careful. Pitlamping trees is illegal in my province, and many states.

Since you put it out there, you will never be able to get stuck in the same remote places if you only have 2wd vs. 4wd Good tires will extend your range somewhat, but 4wd absolutely trumps 2wd any day of the week.
Initially, having ground clearance was enough for me, but I missed going a lot of places because of lack of traction.
Weight probably made the next biggest difference, IMO.
However, I once got stuck on a boat ramp with my last 2wd truck and the tide was coming in. Between this, snow, and a driveway that has an incline of about 10%, I am now firmly in the 4wd camp.
If it was me, I would completely avoid the work involved with a 2-4WD swap, and just drive the truck as is.
I'd collect soda cans and take extra shifts at work and buy a 4wd.
Yes, I know you said you will not consider this, but your 40 YO self will thank you. I used to always scoff at my friends who bought $5000 cars in the 90's while I worked through a collection of 10-12 $500 cars.
Sure, I learned a lot about fixing cars, but I also spent a lot of wasted time fixing cars and getting stranded places. I do not miss those times hitchhiking, or riding my bicycle back to my abandoned car with a backpack full of tools, and in the end I spent as much $.

At the end of the day though, if you're up for it, do the swap. You'll learn a lot along the way, as long as you don't run into too many seized bolts, etc.
Good luck and great to see someone your age wrenching!

 

The dismissive nature and sarcasm in the answers directed at the OPs age are really not helpful. They are really, actually, kind of stupid.

It sounds like this kid really has done some research. Has a pretty firm grip on what's involved here (skills as well as budget). Maybe he will do the swap, maybe he wont. But to act as if a 17 year old isn't capable of it is lame. There was a time where 17 year old kids will building drag race cars in their garage. Believe it or not, pulling and installing a Classic Chevy motor is probably harder than doing a 4wd swap on a 1st Gen Tacoma.

Then we have the "You need experience little man" posts. If I was going to give advise about getting in to offroad, I'd say familiarization with the mechanics of your rig is equally important to seat time driving that rig. Offroading, you WILL break shit, you need to know how to fix that shit too.

DIY lift, DIY 4wd swap certainly checks the box on familiarization with the mechanics.

Lastly... I just find it dumb for people tell a kid (that has some realistic ideas about what he's getting in to) to NOT take initiative. Especially these days and times.

 

Rather have 4wd and not need it versus need 4wd and not have it. 4wd FTW!

The worst feeling is going to places typical 2wd can get to until it rain or have unscheduled snow while you're there. Happens a lot here in the Sierra Nevada mountain. It be sunny in the valley and as soon as you get to 7k+ elevation, rain clouds are present and road you travel on is questionable because of slick mud

 

-2wd is decent
-4wd is better
-4wd w/ rear locker is ideal
-4wd w/ front and rear lockers is the answer for most operator
-4wd w/ FR&RR lockers & crawlbox is money
-4wd w/ FR&RR lockers, crawlbox w/ SA and 40s is the only solution

been there, done all. OPTION 6 IS THE ONLY ANSWER FOR A TRUE OFFROAD PERFORMANCE AND EXPERIENCE

2wd is really 1wd
4wd is really 2wd
4wd locked rear is 3wd
4wd locked front & rear is a true 4wd

 

If anybody, @Kwikvette should know. Prerunner ---> IFS 4wd 4R ---> FJ80

 

I gave my opinion of what I would do in his situation.
The truck runs now.
It’s his only vehicle.
If things go wrong, I bet 99% of us won’t be there to help him.

I never said he wasn’t capable.
I’ve said, It could get expensive and take longer than expected.
If that’s a risk he is willing to take, go for it.

If he needs his truck to make money to pay this project.
I hope it works out just as planned. Other wise he might be walking to school and work.

To be real honest.
My advice would be to keep the truck the way it is.
Save money up and buy a 4WD truck.
That is not going to be a popular opinion, especially not with a teenager.

 

My 2wd locked is actually 2wd

 

He’d be the guy to ask.

 

I understand what you’re saying. And yes it’s a risk, but it’s a calculated risk that many more hours will be spend learning the ins and outs of this truck. But thank you TnShooter I appreciate you. I’m sorry if this response is lacking, I current have no wisdom teeth haha

 

No. I appreciate you bud.
You have actually taken the time to read all our responses.
And that’s more than some do.

Should you choose to do the swap.
Maybe post up your parts and plan.
Maybe some of the guys experienced with the swap can help you out.
If they see a flaw in the plan, maybe they can help you before it’s all apart and you’re stuck.

As for the wisdom teeth, I had mine out when I was 17.
I didn’t have any problems. I was back at it by day three.
The worst part is rinsing with salt water for the first few days.

 

Calm down boo.

My comment wasn't directed at anyone in particular. Just, in general.


As far as it could get expensive and take longer than expected. If you have ever done the swap, you would know, you spend the money and collect the parts BEFORE you do the swap. The amount of time it takes to do the swap is about 2 days. If you are any more than at a bare minimum of functionally, mechanically, literate.

Saving up money and buying a 4wd isn't the better option. Because the truck he has is a sound truck with low mileage (relatively speaking for it's age). A 4wd is A LOT more likely to have been abused than a Prerunner, as well. Insurance on a 2wd is also cheaper than a 4wd. His VIN is a 2wd. We can do without all the supposition on what the ramifications are of insuring a swapped 4wd as a 2wd. It's all theoretical and a waste of time. Unless OP does something fundamentally stupid the insurance would never know, or care, if it's swapped. But his rates will be lower.

The alternative to saving up for a 4wd (and selling his current truck) in your suggestion... is that you are suggesting he save up and buy an additional truck... please don't tell me you think a 17 year old owning 2 trucks (and paying insurance on both of them) is a better idea... or cheaper. Or, in any way not a completely dumb idea.