Rwd to 4wd

I have a 3rd gen Tacoma with Rwd. I don’t want to trade it in but I want to have a 4wd. Is it possible to convert my 3rd gen 4x2 to a 4x4 without having to trade-in? If so, how?

 

Theoretically, yes. Practically, no.

 

Its not well documented on the 3rd gen Tacoma (because most discover that it isnt worth it or they don't have the skills), but it is possible.

Its not easy, but it is possible. Some welding will be required.

 

All of these conversions you will find it cheaper just to sell your truck and buy one with four-wheel-drive.

 

Might aswell add in a SAS and 2uz while your at it be about the same amount of effort by the time your done.
It's not practical in any sense sell/trade it in and start over

 

Welcome to the forum

With enough time & money anything is possible -- practical however no.

They sold about a quarter million of these trucks a year, go out and find the one you want.

 

If you did convert it to 4wd it would be worth less than a 2wd. Lots of people want the simplicity of a 2wd Tacoma. Sell it and get the truck that you want.

 

First truck I was shown was 2WD, dealer told me people in Florida don't need 4WD,
Well I wasn't anywhere near Florida so dumb thing to say and definitely not what I wanted

I don't think there was a big price difference between the two, hindsight says you should of gotten 4WD

 

Welcome!
As others have mentioned; yes you can, but it’s not going to be practical to do so.

The days of simply bolting on such an addition have long since passed. I’d bet dollars to donuts there are ECU, wiring, programming obstacles that far exceed the capabilities of the shade tree mechanic and many shops as well.

 

2WD Tacoma's are still capable trucks. I do quite a bit of hunting and drive a lot of dirt roads. I haven't truly needed 4WD, but I suppose I do have a bit more of a sense of security knowing that it is there.

Unless you absolutely need it, I would keep it as-is. If you do need it, I would sell it and look for a 4x4.

 

From other threads, you need a 4x4 transmission, but then you have to have a t case from an FJ. The front end is a bolt-on swap.

You have to get the transmission to play nice with your ECU (which I've heard it's not terribly difficult, but you need to have your wiring skills down) then you need to cut up your center console and jam your t case manual lever there. You will need to wire up an indicator light, but as far as I know the ECU will never know if it's in 2 or 4. It's a full, dumb, non computerized manual transfer.



Oh, and you will also need to cut the trans frame cross member and move it 2 inches north, and then reweld it.

Of all of it, in thinking the hardest part is sourcing the FJ case. They're desirable and their quantity can only decrease.