FrenchTacos 2003 4WD Conversion

A buddy of mine that did the 4x4 conversion used the add front diff and j shifter and transmission told me that lol,,,

I am gonna sas my Tacoma have most of all the parts just need to finish the 4wd part I have the the 4wd outpushaft so will swap it with my 2wd tranny outpushaft,, did you have to use any other internal transmission parts or just the output shaft

 

Interesting, I don't see the relationship with those components.

All you need to convert the transmission is the output shaft correct. Then you need tail housing for transfer case etc.

 

That's what I was saying lol ,,well I know it does make a difference with push button
Tranfercase

Yea have have everything just didn't want to use a random 4wd transmission I like the output shaft idea better,, well good job with the swap!!

 

Any chance you have the part numbers for the 4WD hub bearings, inner seal, outer seal, and snap ring? I'm just prepared for everything to be broken when pressing the hubs out so I'll just get the parts now.

 

Are these Tacoma manual hubs with the dials painted red, or are they 1989-1994 Toyota "Pickup" manual hubs?

 

Was it cheaper than finding a new tranny?

 

If you have an 03/04 Tacoma converting your current 2WD transmission is generally a lot cheaper. Transmissions from previous years won’t work because ours have an electronic throttle “by wire” vs a cable.

 

Yeah, that's the dilemma. I'm thinking about just using my tranny. The thing is I dont know how I'm gonna do it because my truck is my daily and dont have the option of pulling the tranny to take it to a shop. Would it be easier to fo it myself? Never worked on a tranny before so I have no idea .

 

I personally don’t trust myself doing transmission work. That’s a decision you’d have to make. It’s cheaper doing it yourself for sure. I’m waiting on my fall semester to end before I take the two transmissions in to get their output shafts swapped. I’ll just be out of my daily for a bit.

 

Yeah I would leave it to a professional for the transmission. No doubt about it.
I was quoted ~250 where I live to get the shaft swapped out: That is me bringing the transmission to them out of the vehicle and not including parts (shaft).

Just be smart. Do the front end one weekend, super easy.
Then do the transmission one weekend. Arrange your timeline so you don't need to drive around .
Would prob be best for a 3 day weekend, buffer.

I recommend hunting down a A340F output shaft for now. Look on ebay and call transmission shops around you. I got lucky and found mine on ebay but it looks like it's hit or miss.

 

Actually, if anyone sees this post and is serious about looking for a shaft or tail housing I can try to help.
There is a huge transmission shop around here with shelves of used parts. Only ask if serious though since I'd be doing this as a favor on my free time.

 

No clue.
Got em from someone that said they were off a 4runner.

 

How much do they run out there?

 

I'm not sure I'd have to drive to the place and see what they have then ask them how much.
If you can't find one I'll go.

 

Great write up brother! Probably the best I've seen on this subject. I'll definately be referring back to this as I prep for my conversion.

I'm this far in my parts collecting. (yellow highlighted means I have the part)

Hopefully I'll do the actual conversion in December. Right now I'm prepping by rebuilding the CVs, replacing seals etc on the diff, etc... I'll be pressing wheel bearings this weekend.

 

Thanks man!
Looking back wish I took even more pictures. My goal was to at least get a full outline where someone could read it and be like "okay, I see the big picture". You need these main parts.

Nice list. Way more extensive than mine. Now I have to go back and do the axle seals on front diff. Leaking. Do as much as you can when its off the vehicle. Looks like you know what youre doing.

 

Once I start, my plan is to try and take a lot of pictures of the process... but that's hard to do because once the work starts I get all wrapped up in what I'm doing and forget to take pics.

And yes, I am definately trying to get everything rebuilt, and in good shape, before I start going on the actual conversion. And I'm definitely going to do this in 2 parts. @foxrcing07 had already suggested we do the diff, CVs, spindles etc and then come back and do the rest.

I'd be close to doing the diff, but I still don't know what I'm going to do about a locker... and if I do a locker or LSD, it needs to be done before we put in the diff.

 

Yeah take some time to document!

If its your DD then two sections is a good idea. One weekend front diff and hubs etc.
Then transmission and drive shaft for another weekend.

 

Hello, I’m new to this site but I see you guys are working on the exact thing that I’m planning on doing to my 03 Tacoma. I have most of the parts already but I did noticed I don’t have the j-shifter transmission. I’ve read it’s easier to deal with? I’m trying to learn everything i can before I start working on this project. Any tips I’ll greatly appreciate it!!

 

J-shift = Transfer Case not Transmission