4WD to 2WD Conversion

I'm currently running a back halved 4 link rear w/ 16" shocks & Total Chaos 3.5" Race LT up front with 4.56's & front/rear ARB locked. The OEM CV's were binding pretty early in the travel, so I switched to RCV ultimates and I'm going through boots left and right along with a recently broken spindle. I can't even remember the last time I needed to engage 4WD, and my future plans are center mount w/ LS3/T56 during the front half, so it'll all be getting pulled eventually. Right now, rather than keep messing with 4WD components, I think I'd be better off just running a fully fabricated, internally gusseted 2WD spindle.

It seems like it'd be as easy as pulling the front driveshaft, clamshell, CV's, and then just throwing the spindle in. Am I overlooking anything important here that would cause issues?

 

I've seen a lot of shit here

That's a first for me. Good luck OP

 

Nope, that's pretty easy. You'll have a dead weight tcase until you swap in the chevy stuff but you can sell all the parts cuz lots of guys wanna go the opposite route

 

Thanks! That's exactly what I was looking for.

 

Ya bet, and please make a build thread when you swap the drive train!

 

I started one and have some pics up. Haven't updated it in ages though, the truck is all gutted right now. Plan on yanking the drive train in February and documenting the experience with video/pics as I go. This is my first big automotive project, so it'll probably be a little embarrassing while I fumble around lol. Wishing I'd have just bought plans and welded up a 6100 chassis at this point. I didn't realize how much stuff would break when a street truck leaves the ground.

 

I mean, if your 4wd parts are just gonna be collecting dust, id be happy to find them a good home on my truck and take em off your hands, free of charge
Really though your build sounds like its gonna be really nice ! looking forward to the final product.

 

Pretty sure it's the part where it hits the ground that breaks shit lol

 

April fools was months ago brother, quit it
That's like me saying I'm gonna find two totaled chevy volts, pull the 87kw motors out, swap my 2wd spindles for 4wd, build a cross member that will hold both motors side by side, run custom length axles from each motor to the two front wheels, plop the 14kwh battery into the bed, wire and plum cooling/power accordingly, and run a standalone psu that controls the motors based on movement of the truck, gas throttle position, and braking/regen, etc....
Or maybe I will. Please for the love of taco's make this a build thread for that drivetrain

 

You in CA? I need that front diff lol

 

I head down to the Palmdale/Lancaster area pretty regularly. I'll probably make a for sale post when I pull it and try to sell it all together first though.

 

There is a nob on the righthand side by your steering wheel. Make sure its pointing to the 2WD.
And there you go, free conversion.

Have no idea why anyone would lower the value of their vehicle by thousands and desire to make it less capable.

 

I don’t understand what you guys don’t get about him wanting to go to 2wd. This is a long travel truck ment for one porpose. He doesn’t need 4wd if he hits the jump at 70mph.

And if your jumping a truck you give zero fucks about resale value.

Good luck OP.

 

Did you read what he's done to his truck and how he uses it? The resale and trade-in ship sailed a long time ago, this truck is nowhere near stock anymore and not easily made to be again. And capable? I'm guessing it'll already drive circles around most trucks.

In his case 2WD is a problem because even in 2WD the CV axles and spindles can get damaged.

 

OP. I say keep the 4wd. I know someone on here did a setup with U joints at the spindle and CV's at the inner that worked pretty well..... i can GUARANTEE as soon as you get rid of the front driveline components... you will get stuck, and a stock 4wd tacoma will come trotting along and pull you out.

dont worry hes already done that by chopping the back half of the truck apart.

 

@ilubtimmyhos here are all your front end parts

 

Whoa. What are we looking at for pricing? Where are you located?

 

If you wanna save the weight, pull the tcase and tranny. Then install an automatic 2wd tranny. You will need to have the rear driveshaft rebuilt and the 2wd tranny the slip yoke at the output.

 

This is only temporary. Looking like $1200 for the Camburg spindle & hubs. I'll probably just leave the transfer case and sell the drive train complete when I pull it.