How long before someone swaps the 2016 transmissions into a 2nd Gen?

I have the 4 banger which would really benefit from the extra gears and the lower gearing overall. Anyone have any thoughts on the swap? I'm in the mists of completely a 4wd conversion. This might be next on the list.

 

Dang, you're doing a 4wd swap and want to do a trans swap? you should just buy a new truck, lol

 

Haha, I did the swap for cheaper than the tax on a new truck.

 

Even if you found a 2016 6 speed auto from a totaled truck later this year, the cost to buy it and retrofit it would be so high that you're better off buying a new truck. Unless you can do it yourself but even then I doubt it will be worth it.

 

I'm looking for more technical answers. Does anyone know what goes into swapping in a completely different transmission? I've swapped trannys before but only to replace with the same model. I already know most people will say it's not worth it, but that's your opinion and doesn't help the few of us who are crazy enough to tackle a project like this.

 

I've heard the new 3rd gen frame is stronger than the 2nd gen frame. You wanna swap that too?

 

Not worth it.

 

Possibly. I'll build me a 2016 Tacoma Johnny Cash special. One piece at a time.

 

Why do I need the engine? The 2.7 is the same in the 2nd and 3rd gen, correct? And why would I need the dash cluster?

 

What ideas do you have? I was thinking something more like a 2.7 Ford Ecoboost swap.

 

Just me asking. But why all the frankenstein work? Swapping tranny I kinda get ( well not really considering you have a 4 cylinder) but swapping engine as well, hmm. Seems like you would have been better off trading up to the 2016?

 

Wish i had money and time to even consider something like this.

 

I'm not really considering swapping the engine. But the 4wd swap wasn't all that hard. The way people on here flame about how it's not worth it, I was able to complete it for much less than the tax on a new truck. So it got me thinking that maybe swapping in the new transmission wouldn't be terrible either.

 

I don't have much of either, but I still like to consider it.

 

Did you do the work yourself on the swap, that would definitely save you some coin.

 

Yup, definitely a requirement to do the labor. But it wasn't that hard. I'm not a mechanic, but I have more courage than most. There were really only two moderately "difficult" parts and it was only because of 1. lack of knowledge and 2. buying shitty used CV axles. Otherwise, it wasn't that bad. I had to piece together a lot of information from different builds and that left some unanswered questions. Hopefully, if I can get my write up done, it will serve as a knowledge base to help others with their conversions.

 

Good on ya than for taking the leap. Factoring in the cost of labor definitely changes which way to go when it comes to certain builds and mods .

 

You might drop a note to Marlin at Marlin Crawler, though the tranny is so new they might not have an answer yet. If the size is close and the bolt pattern and such is the same it would most likely be an easy install. The big issue would most likely come from electronics required to get it to work right. Computers and such vary from vehicle to vehicle so it could end up being a fiasco. Would be cool if it works, keep us posted!

 

I didn't experience any flaming because I never asked for anyone's opinion before doing the 4wd conversion. But I read every single post on every thread on TW about doing the conversion. Many were pretty negative about attempting it.

No doubt it's way easier to trade your truck in and buy a new one, but that's the case for all mods. Easier and cheaper to just buy a Tacoma with skid plates, sliders, HID head lights, a lift, etc.

 

Good call. It would be awesome for someone to put together a whole kit for this swap. Likely, there won't be enough interest to make it worth it to any company.