another 4x4 conversion. 03 - 04 differences?

Hello,

I have started my manual & 4x4 conversion process. My Taco has a bent axle housing, and in the process of looking for another one I found a 96 chassis with part of the cab still attached. PERFECT!! It has everything needed for the conversion minus rear & middle driveshaft, and flywheel. I paid $500 for it.

I was under the impression that any 1st gen 4 cylinder 4x4 transmission would work. This is until a few nights ago, I was reading 01tacoprerunner's thread, and he said that 03 - 04 taco's need 03 - 04 transmission because of the drive-by wire.

My Tacoma is 2004 and has drive-by wire. What are the differences between the early and later 1st gen 5 speed transmissions?

Will the manual trans, and drive-by wire work fine without the kickdown cable? There is a cable that goes from the gas pedal to the throttle body, but it passes through a box mounted on the passenger fenderwell.

Any help would be really appreciated. I have found a 2003 5 speed w/transfer case for $650 and would like to jump on it if I need to. Thinking it might be a good idea anyway as the transmission that came with the chassis I bought has 250,000, its covered in oil, has a cracked bell housing, and I do not know the condition.