Prerunner to 4wd conversion

Has anyone converted a 2nd Gen pre-runner to 4x4?

I see threads in 1st Gen but nothing on 2nd.

 

If you want 4wd you’d be way way way way better off to sell your truck and buy a 4wd truck. In addition it would be expensive to switch over to 4wd from 2wd and a major hassle and project.

 

There are dozens of members in here that have done it and it is quite simple.

Do an Add delete, FJ transfer case and all you'll need after that is good fabrication, welding skills and high mechanical inclination. Other than that it's easy.

Dig deeper into your searches. There is nothing that anyone would disclose easily here in a short sentence with enough information to be useful. You need to be doing your own due diligence and asking the right questions.

Those few tips I gave you took me a few months, maybe years of reading on TW. I still find new material to read about it to this day.

 

It’s been done.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/prerunner-to-4x4-conversion-concluded.468300/#post-14061322

 

Some of my reference links to help you out. Start reading

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/prerunner-to-ifs-4x4-fj-case-list-of-conversions.286106/

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2nd-gen-prerunner-4x4-conversion-parts.629500/

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/prerunner-to-4x4-conversion-guide.534480/

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/prerunner-to-4x4-conversion-concluded.468300/

 

All you need is the tranny and tcase out of an FJ, new cross member, front differential, drive shaft, axle shafts, hubs and cut rear driveshaft. It's really not that much.

Or, FJ tranny/ tcase and SAS the front.

 

Why bother.
Think of the time to find all the parts and install time and the hassles. Unless you are really bored and like being under the Tacoma.
Now if you are going to build a big jacked up beast that will require a lot of work anyway with gear changes or you want a front solid axle (see ECGS), then go for it.
Otherwise buy a 4wd and enjoy it and save yourself the trouble.

 

Some people prefer to modify their vehicle to their liking. Sure it's easier to sell and get another but vehicles build sentimental value and some people like improving on an existing chassis that has been with them for years.

I personally love diagnosing and running into issues. It's my nature. Doing things the easy way was never satisfying. I need to understand every system and how it works and what I can do to improve it. My work is literally that, engineering. I always tackle the difficult jobs and end up knowing more about the trade than most. You don't learn anything being complacent and comfortable.

Sorry kind of a rant, I train alot of recruits and they have your mentality. "Why go through the trouble" but I realize this is just a vehicle and not really on the same level as that lol.

 

Unless you have a 2nd vehicle along with mechanical experience to pull this off, this project could go south pretty quick. Like most would agree, sell yours and buy a 4WD. The cost difference is minimal and it's been already installed from the factory so no worries on parts not being compatible.

 

What majo modifications and cutting you are talking about?.

 

Do electronics and install a t4r case. You’ll get awd as well as all the other normal options!

heck, I’ve got my old crossmember I can sell ya so everything is a direct bolt on

 

That's just not true, only thing you need is a 4wd crossmember. There is no cutting involved. Define "major" modification. OP, don't be pursuaded by one guy's skewed view, if you are mechanically inclined it's no different than doing a few of the simpler jobs, only combined.

Replace tranny, replace t-case, replace wheel hubs, modify/install crossmember, install front differential/CV axles. Modify driveshafts. If you get the measurements for the driveshafts before hand you can have this one in a weekend.

 

https://www.rocksolidtoys.com/