convert to 4wd

Ive never done much 4x4 off road, my truck doesnt do too well, (04 2wd prerunner). i tried getting into a new area me and a buddy wanted to check out for hunting in that area while we were in my truck and pretty damn stuck. had to do everything we could to not have someone come get us out.now we have to take his jeep out there all the time. Anyway that made me decide to convert to 4x4, i was wondering if you guys could help me out with a list of EVERYTHING ill need for this project.
Its a 04 prerunner double cab. i wanna stick with an auto trans and manual lockers in the front not ADD.
thanks guys i appreciate it

 

It's a HUGE HUGE project.

If you're doing it all yourself - I hope you have some mechanical experience working on vehicles. And even so - it'll take a SHIT ton of time, and a shit tone of parts...... You'll be spending more time working on your truck than going out with your buddies.

You are far better off selling your current truck and buying another one that has 4WD.

 

Quoted for truth...

Unless you're a serious off roader and the truck is not your daily driver, it's just not financially feasible unless you can find salvaged parts and complete the work yourself.

 

ok well getting a new truck isnt going to happen, this one isnt paid off yet, in the process of buying house, just not good time to replace a good truck. i can definately do all the work myself, and know most of the parts ill need. i need more help on the parts that can stay, maybe from someone that has seen this done before. will i need a-arms along with spindles? will i need a new rear drive shaft also? any other good info on the project itself appreciated.
thanks

 

Get a locker in the rear and a winch on the front.

 

x2

surf the other tacoma forums and find folks who are converting their IFS to SAS and with them upgrading their transfer cases, you can get a good deal on a used stock transfer case, tranny, and axles... i think you also need a new ECU, but not sure...

or like Chris said, check junkyards...

it's easier to buy another truck if you aren't financially bound to your current one, but if already locked into a finance charge, building your truck may be more feasible...

 

here is silas's conversion build...took his truck from a stock pre runner, made it a bad ass pre runner, then made it a god dam tank of a 4x4

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/1s...gettos-green-dragon-4x4-conversion-build.html

 

right on thanks guys, since i want manual lockers in the front, instead of auto lockers like i have in the rear, will i need a certain transfer case or just a certain front differential?

 

ARB Air lockers are your best bet. I'd install it on a junkyard front end before putting it on the truck. Ditch the e-locker while you're at it and throw an ARB in the rear. Not a bad time to re-gear if you think you'd want to do that as well down the line.

 

I think you mean....Manual HUBS (not manual lockers). There are Manual HUBs and ADD HUBS.

Lockers are completely different from HUBS.

 

ok, how do air lockers work? i dont know much about all of this. whats the advantage of air over other lockers?
and what is the differance between lockers and hubs?
i want to be able to lock my front tires with each other like in the rear.

 

Have you done some research on ....

#1) How much do you OWE on your truck loan?
#2) How much is your truck worth to sell it (in original condition)?
#3) Have you looked at any 4WD trucks in the area to see how much they are going for?
#4) How much difference in cost between your current truck and 4WD trucks?

Depending on your loan/bank/lending institution and amount.....you could easily get into another loan without much hassel and not much additional cost. But - you have to sit down and crunch the numbers and do some research.

A few hours of research.....might be much better than several days/months of headaches putting a truck together.

 

And this is why you probably shouldn't do the project yourself. No offense, just being realistic.

Do some googling.... Lockers are put inside the front & rear differentials to prevent wheel spin. They keep both wheels turning/driving no matter what the terrain is.

Putting a locker in the REAR of your prerunner may help with traction on the trails. But, if you did that...you'd also want to put a WINCH on the front...just in case.

 

i know what the locking does.... i have it on the rear already, it came on the truck. thats what im doing now also, is research, asking people who will give some good advice on what im asking, people who may have done thi or seen it done.

what is the difference between the lockers in the differential, and the manual Hubs

 

You know what lockers do.....

Hubs are only a method of engaging 4WD at the front wheels. There are only two ways (from factory) of doing this, ADD and Manual Hubs.

Trucks with Manual Hubs will have a switch on each front wheel that you need to turn/engage. If this 'switch' is not in the 4WD position, the wheel/s are NOT engaged with the front axle shaft. You will not be in 4WD unless those switches are turned to the 4WD position (even if your truck is in 4WD inside the cab).

Trucks with ADD (automatic disconnecting differential) - the front wheels are permanently engaged with the front axle shafts. The 4WD engagement occurs just outside the front differential and occurs automatically when you put the truck in 4WD inside the cab.

If you're still confused....just google 'Manual Locking Hubs' and 'ADD' or Automatic Disconnecting Differential'

 

Something else I have learned about 4x4s in general.

Just cause you got 4WD doesnt mean you wont get stuck, it just means you will be farther away from help when you DO get stuck.

And thats for real! LOL