Cab swap time*QUESTIONS*

So I rolled my tacoma and won't to save her. I am planning on doing a cab swap. So I get the better a match the donner is to original truck the easier it is from less things to swap. This leads me to my questions;

Specs:
Original truck; 2003 double cab 3.4 auto 4wd with some shit done to it.

Have a couple possible leads on a cpl cheap tacomas with a straight cab... No dbl cabs for right price so ext cab it is. 2 are 2000 prerunner 3.4 auto.

-2000 cab should bolt right on to 2003 frame

-will the ecu and 4x ecu from 03' 4wd plug into harness from 2000 Prerunner or is it different? Would I need to stay with a 01-04 cab?

-if I get a 1998-2000 cab from say a 3.4 auto 4x would the ecus from old cab plug right into the 03 frame side plugs?


Hoping some of you have done answers! Thank you

 

I cant imagine a ext cab will bolt to a double cab frame.

 

Besides the rear cab mounts I believe the frames are the exact same!

 

ask the good folks at Toyota, they may be able to offer some advise

 

The cab mounts are the same. You can swap out xtra cabs and double cabs, but not single cabs.

 

You would need to use your current ecu and wire harness. Toyota made some small changes to the wiring. It would all swap over, I'd use your current dash in the cab swap if it is salvageable

 

How bad was the roll? If it's just a play truck and not a DD or important on looks, I would straiten out what you got and not mess with the cab swap. that being said a port-o-power, come along, and 2x4s are much cheaper than buying a good cab, doors, glass ect. If it's toast, it maybe easier to transfer all your goodies to another truck.

Also, pending how bad the roll is, I might be interested in buying some of the body parts from you.

 

That's what I thought, thanks

Ok, well I guess I will prolly need to do full harness n shit...

Ya the cab is toast! All spot welds split, roof is buckled really bad!!! Doors are fucked, all 4! I'm looking now at buying a high mileage cheaper truck to scavenge off the cab and then part the rest.

 

Ok here's another one for u guys


Mines an 03

If I get a 2001-2004 Prerunner V6 auto will the exsisting wire harness work for everything left after old cab n harness are off. Can I use the that harness and swap ecus only. Like the ecu and 4x ecu from my 03?

Basically trying to make the swap as easy as possible. I guess best would be 03 V6 auto 4wd trd but those are pricey!!! So next best thing I can find is everything but 4wd. Got a few 2001-2004 prerunner V6 autos I could swoop up...

This sucks

 

Okay,

the frame is the exact same, you will have no issues.

BUT

the mounts you'll have to move are the rear cab ones and the front bed ones...for obvious reasons..

Everything else will be the exact same.



For the ECU,

if the ECU is the same for drive train..as is its a 4wd V6 auto..or whatever..it'll just be a plug and play job.

Basically you need the EXACT same ECU. So if your a prerunner..no 4wd ECUs and vis versa. Same for motor type and tranny type.

That said..you could make a prerunner one work..but then you'd have to do some custom wiring for the 4wd and ADD actuators..

But really, it'll be super easy to just swap your current ECU over, not sure why you dont just do that anyways.

So if you fine a cab with the same ECU then all you have to do is undo the motor/tranny harness from the ECU. Leave the cab harness's intact. Unless you get a truck with less options then what your current one has. Like power windows, door locks and such, then you'll have to swap the cab harness..which is by far the biggest pain in the ass of this whole ordeal.

 

I "think" the cab will bolt on, IIRC the frames come with places to bolt either configuration and you might just need to move the mounting bracket locations so the only difference you cant overcome is the bed lengths.

plus isn't there a different length bed from crew cab to extended cabs?

 

I think he's trying to get away with not having to completely strip both cabs to swap wiring harnesses. Is that right OP?

 

Ok so I get a 2001-04 extra cab V6 but prerunner, if it has all the same features I can just swap ecus leaving wiring harness or is the ecu and wiring harness stay together.

Sorry for all questions still trying to figure out best way to go about this. And what is involved with it. Need a balance between cheaper but harder and pricey but easier lol...

 

I'm pretty sure the harnesses need to stay with the ecus.

 

Try to get same year and same trim line and same cab config and everything should help

 

I would remove your dash, ecu and wire harness. Label every connector and take it out intact if possible.

Just take apart the entire cab; dash, seats, doors, headliner and get that wire harness and ecu in one piece. Keep your ecu and wire harness for the new cab. It's a lot of work, but I think that is the best way to go.

I can come by and help you if you want.

 

Long as the ECUs and the drive train is the exact same, you won't have to rewire anything. So a prerunner won't work cause you are 4wd. A prerunner won't have the wires your 4wd ECU is expecting to be there. Like..a transfer case..haha

Least not that i am aware. Its possible that the prerunner wiring harness has it you'll just have to "complete it" with parts from your old one.

all the in cab features and dealt with their own little modules. So even then won't matter. The ECU ONLY has to do with the drive train.

I mean...if you have the power lock module it'll know it..but if you don't it doesn't care.

So yes, you can basically just swap cabs without touching the interior harness and such.

 

Ok ok how about this scenario

A 1999-2000 extra cab cab on my 03' frame, use my ecus and dash harness...

-Will the dash out of my 03' assemble back into a 99-00' cab?

-will the 99-00 body wiring for windows and doors n such plug into the 03' ecu/dash harness if not the door/window stuff from mine could transfer over right? Minus the rear door stuff

Hard to find a 01-04 in price range that I am willing to pay to hack the cab off! Lol

 

Aww u posted while I was typing u ninja!

 

All your stuff should transfer right over into an older cab and still act like your 03. Dash, door guts, and electrical.