The something a little different build

Alright! Bumper is finally installed! Just have do some trimming, a little paint, and install blinkers.

 

Looks awesome!

 

That’s sweet!

 

Well.... There are a number of things that I still want to do to my truck. Those things are as follows:
1. Winch
2. Sliders
3. Linex rear bumper
4. Midtravel suspension
5. Change tires to something else
6. Light bar up front
7. Sound proof cab
8. Possibly put in bigger air compressor

All of these things are all easy to get done. It's really just saving money and bolting on. There is one mod though that I am really going back and forth on that isn't easy and that's 4x4 conversion.

All of this modding started a little over a year ago with me simply wanting to make my truck more capable off road when I duck hunt and really just wanting to refresh it after having it for 12 years. Earlier in this thread I think I even stated that. However, I am fortunate to be the son of painter who has spent his life painting and restoring cars and the last 25 years painting transport size aircraft. When I asked if he would be willing to paint my truck if I bought all the material and pay him for his work, he was all to willing. He asked how I wanted it painted and I told him to just paint it back to original colors. My dad being my dad said that was boring and that we should put a cool paint job on it. So, I cautiously agreed, gave money for the material, and paid him 2k for his work even though he said I didn't have too but I felt that was just fair. What resulted was the very ostentatious paint job that I now have. Don't get me wrong, I personally love the look and am very proud of it. It is for sure a head turner and I get compliments all the time on it. But.... As stated above the primary reason for starting this all in the first place was to make the thing more capable off road.

This past duck season went fine with the new tires and the locker installed but the truck got some rock chips and as such I concluded that I never am going to be willing to really wheel it. I guess what I'm trying to get at is justifying going through with the conversion. Right now the truck is serving my needs. I don't go mudding, or rock crawling. If I lived out west, there would be no question. The 4x4 conversion would be a must! There's just too many awesome places to off road out there and they would all be calling to me constantly.

For the sake of helping make up my mind I would like to ask a few questions. I have looked at @BartMaster1234 parts list, read through @Lfaub03 write up on changing out valve bodies, etc. I just need some more information.

1. What specific tranny should I be looking for? I know an A340F but what years?

2. Will 4 runner tranny's work?

3. I want manual hubs. Because of this I guess what year tranny I look for matters because I don't want one with ADD?

4. I will obviously need a new rear drive shaft. What year Tacoma do I look for?

These are the most important questions for me at the moment. If I decide to start collecting the parts, I will ask questions as I go. The first thing I want to track down is the tranny. My truck has the 3.4L V6 automatic.

 

Here's another useful thread for converting to 4WD
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-el-taco-diablo-4x4-conversion-and-maybe-some-b-s.562405/

 

It's very easy. Manual Hubs with a J-Shift transfer case will be 100% bolt on. Like I tell everyone, I had absolutely zero mechanical experience before doing my conversion. The craziest thing I did before that was a brake job.

If you do your research, study the FSM, and study videos on individual part removal it's one of the easier things you can do in life. If I can do it, anyone can do it. I did this by myself when I was in high school.

1. What specific tranny should I be looking for? I know an A340F but what years?

2003/2004 Tacoma AISIN A340F's from a 5VZ-FE Engine (R150F if Manual). All others, including 2003/2004 2RZ-FE and 3RZ-FE engines will not work, as they do not have the ETCS-I system.

2. Will 4 runner tranny's work?

Yes and no. I believe SOME 4Runner transmissions had the electronic throttle systems, but I cannot confirm or deny this as I have no remote clue. 4Runners transmissions can be used, however there are slight differences like VSS positions, sensors, and the fact that the 4Runner never came with a 'J' Shift transfer case.

3. I want manual hubs. Because of this I guess what year tranny I look for matters because I don't want one with ADD?

The year of transmission is irrelevant, you can use any A340F transmission with a 'J' Shift transfer case. You can even use a later transmission that originally came with a 4WD-on-the-fly shifter and actuator if you swap the transfer case and potentially tail section for a 'J' Shift one.

Manual and Automatic transfer cases and tail sections ARE DIFFERENT! You will destroy your transfer case, output shaft, tail section, and/or transmission if you mix them up.

The AISIN A340 series is a very common transmission used on everything from the Toyota Supra MKIV to the Jeep Cherokee XJ, to the Isuzu Delivery Truck. There are many variations of the A340, and you're looking for the A340F from the 1st Gen Tacoma or 3rd Gen 4Runner.

4. I will obviously need a new rear drive shaft. What year Tacoma do I look for?

I do not recommend buying a used driveshaft unless you know for certain it came from the same equipped truck as you. Shortening it at a driveline shop is FAR easier, less hassle, and more reliable in most cases. The driveshafts are not marked with a model number, so you're left to guess what truck it came from if it's off a truck.

However, if you do not want to follow my advice then here is some info on it. Front driveshafts are identical on ALL 3rd Gen 4Runners, and ALL 1st Gen Tacomas. The lengths and flanges never changed, as far as I know. Only the front portion of the rear drive needs to be changed (forward of the carrier bearing). The rear portion of the driveshaft remains the same.

If you decide to go with a used driveshaft, match the engine, transmission, and potentially cab style to the donor truck. Single Cabs will be different than Extended and Double Cabs.