Looking For 2nd Gen Prerunner to 4x4 Parts

Hey TW dudes and dudettes, approaching my second winter in Colorado as an engineering student (I was a CU Buff last year, I'm a Colorado Mesa Maverick this year) who frequently mountain bikes, snowboards, and goes on adventures in the mountains, I have often found myself in desperate need of 4x4. I've spent some time surfing the forums and I've decided that a 4WD conversion is what is right for me. I'm not making this post to argue about whether or not to sell my truck, I'm just looking to see if any TW members can help me source economical, or possibly free parts for the conversion (trans, T-case, preferably the FJ case, front driveshaft, front diff, CV's, etc.) I know there are more parts involved, but if someone can help this college kid get started on this thing that'd be great. I'm originally from the Dallas area, but I spend a lot of time in Grand Junction, CO and Boulder, CO.

 

I know what you mean .
My parts gathering mission is almost complete. Only missing wheel seals and Wyatt's manual ADD controller switch.

 

Might be able to find a salvage FJ near you.
Copart
Not sure on your local laws but you might have to go through a broker to place any bids, that's how it is here in Utah.

 

This link may help
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/transmission-swap-write-up-s.384303/

 

Black and white to color conversion without missing any shows.

I just finished my pre-runner to 4x4 swap and I'm bored so I'll tell my story.

I started 7 years ago collecting parts and more importantly--MONEY. When my flywheel/torque started making noise in May it was time to start the swap. The trans R/R was the hardest part of the whole deal. I had a diesel mechanic friend help and I think his finger tight is about 50 ft lbs of torque! Starter out, flywheel bolts out, trans swapped and all bolted in. Now to make the cross member. I had a 4x4 trans mount from the donor trans. I cut my 2wd mount and made it into a mount using 1x4 steel. Just like the one on the RST page. Now the trans needed fluid, the drive line was out and exhaust. So I towed it to shop for transmission fluid, towed it to exhaust shop for exhaust cross-over while drive line was being made. Back in the shop it was time to cut the hole in the floor for the shifter. I wanted it next to the shifter in the small cubbie. A few bends and welds and trial and error and bingo, shifter where I wanted it. Truck is drive-able with 2wd low range and neutral. This is important because I flat to my truck behind my motor home.

Fast forward to Oct 1 and I make the decision to not go to Baja for the week and put the money I saved for Baja into finishing my project. My truck is LT with Chaos front end so I needed the Chaos Axles which would be the biggest expense. I already had the front diff, mounting bolts, axles and now a driveline. ADD switch is ordered from RST. Three Saturdays planned. This is still my daily driver. Saturday 1: modify my Fox shocks with the longer eyelet and flip the top mounting plate, revalve shocks and move my bypass upper shock mount. check. Saturday 2: mount the front diff and redo my skid plate mounts. check. Satuday 3: wheel bearings, axles and cv's are built, and mounted in the truck. Where is my wire harness? 5:30 on the Friday before Satuday 4-test day- the harness is here and two hours later the dash is torn apart and switch is mounted--WORKING 4X4!!

Saturday 4--test day. Drive out to Prairie City SVRA, shift to 4L, push the button, climb the hill. All smiles.

If you're thinking about doing this the hardest part is the transmission, cross member and making the shifter. The front end was VERY easy. It's not cheap either. I don't know how much total I have but since Oct 1 I've spent over $2000.00. That's not including the transmission, transfer case, front diff, axles/cv's, exhaust work and driveline work.

 

More pictures

 

Oh, and when buying axles from a wrecking yard you don't know if you have aftermarket, factory or Tacoma or 4Runner until you cut them in half.

 

Nice!
Hey when you hit that RST rocker switch (top) the ADD engage and does the light stay on??

 

I hope it's wired/plugged correctly. When the ADD is off there is no light, when it's switched on the light comes on and stays on. The light in the switch provided isn't very bright for daylight use.

 

I think my ADD harness is put together wrong. When I press upper portion add fork go left disengage. Light doesn't stay on.

 

@PacoPreRunner I'm also a college student (Mississippi State forestry major). I converted my prerunner over the summer. All my major parts were sourced from http://www.car-part.com/. They list like 11 pages worth of used FJ t cases, most of which are priced the same as a tacoma t case