4x4 TRD to x runner

Listen….. I know I might sound insane for this but hear me out
Okay so I got a 2010 trd off-road 4x4 6 speed manual and I’ve been trying to find any way to drop this truck enough to covert to an XR. I’ve seen the s.o.s drop kit but it’s only 2.5in front and 3in rear, but for this truck to be anything near an x runner it needs to go lower. Obviously the truck is a 6 lug platform so to make it go as low as the 5 lug there has to be some fabrication work. Maybe even “Frankensteining” one with some parts from other vehicles or kits for other vehicles that meet the dimensions and would allow it to go any lower. Anyone out there attempted something like this?

This is how the truck sits as of right now.


and I know it sounds crazy but my situation is I live in an area where the weather is all over the place and I want something that could be able to do pretty good for those winter seasons (4x4) but of course be built more for a street truck. I have pretty big plans for this little truck on the performance side cause it’s not something that you see often with Tacomas. And I know I would be better off just buying a 5 lug but you can never find any for sale in my location.

Plus the truck was originally my grandfathers, who bought it new making me the second owner. it just has some sentimental value considering I practically grew up in it, I could never get rid of it.

PLEASE feel free to give me your ideas and opinions, I’m all ears!!!

 

Interested to hear from the gurus on this one.
You may want to consider cross-posting in the Xrunner sub forum also.

Hopefully it will become both a BEAST and something you can “Hoon” in…

 

Ive always wondered if this was possible. Good luck!

 

@Torspd

 

Thank you for the tag.

Let's see. Ohlins has a set of coilovers that work with lowering the front of the truck. I used their measurements sheet to get the proper dimensions. Then coilovers were delivered. 600ppi to 650ppi, with linear springs is just right. There is another brand, Viking something that make lowering coilovers as well. Members in the Lowered B.S thread, or the other Lowered thread have installed them.

Subaru BRZ rear limited slip differential works in the 4x4 front diff.

If keeping the OEM manual, then find an AWD transfer-case from the 4Runner(?) I believe.

You'll need spring under axle perches. Plenty of companies make those. Keep the OEM rear leaf spring shackles. I used the XRunner leaf springs. They added a small amount of lift versus the 4x4 leaf springs, while also adding a higher ppi spring rate. I also used the XR shock/plate that attaches the axle to the leaf spring with the u-bolts.

QA1 shorter rear shocks.

Then you'll have an AWD XR like Taco.

 

I don’t want to sound stupid but, @Torspd late reply but me working in a part store I can come across parts pretty easily and I’ve been looking at the x runner suspension and I was just genuinely curious on what is holding be back from just swapping all of it out or at least the 5 lug suspension. I tried looking for the coilovers that you mentioned but could not find them. Any chance you got the part numbers?

 

OP

that is exactly what a stock TRD Sport is without any modification needed…

what you are looking to do, that as you may know does not make sense
May not even be doable. As those lower trucks that remove their capability
Do so with different control arms and very likely a different frame with different mounting points for those setups. That don’t come as 4x4.


I see the truck has a big view obscuring potentially illegal sticker
Of that guy who defaced nature and profits selling you Mark ups
And Hoonigan sticker even though that truck has probably never rallied. Which is what Ken Block did.

so let’s hope this is not the continuation of a pattern of stupidity that this appears to be.
Lowered is not going off road and soaking up bumps or fitting tires.
It is not hard to put an LSD if that is what you want, or linear springs from a Sport to switch over from progressive OR springs,
So you can get yourself no additional lift and do a bunch of work to achieve worse ride on pencil shocks.

There are companies that make good RWD or AWD vehicles. Audi. BMW. MB. Etc.
This is not that. This has caveman suspension compared to that. And is less powerful and efficient.

I was looking at LSD in the front diff

however supposedly with the front spinning all the time that would quickly damage any LSD in front
Unless converting to manual hubs which is expensive, may be hard to find
And sounds like a pain in the ass have to pull over stop get out of the truck in and out a bunch of times
Just because it snowed for an hour

 

Let me ask you this. How does a Subaru or Lancer Evo, have a front limited slip?

With a limited slip up front, it would be no different than having one in the rear.

The only difference would be at the transmission/transfer case.

 

Not that I have any expertise in lowering... What if you started with the XRunner front, side skirts and rear kit then get an idea of truly how much you want to lower it before lowering them getting the parts and having a cracked front bumper from hitting curbs ...but I am just throwing out an opinion

 

I have no idea. Just saying heard folks claim on the 2nd gen Tacoma if you put an LSD in front it will have issues. Places like ECGS seem to not recommend it possibly for that reason.

hopefully that is not true. Because I want an LSD in front.

Idk the exact rationale and would need to research it more before going straight to Guinea pig and risk damage

not sure if only part of the diff spins and doesn’t get lubricated during rwd or what.

yes correct front diff LSD on other cars whole thing spinning and getting lubricated
Including VW folks who put LSDs in front FWD like peloquin, wavetrac, etc

 

@TacoTuesday1
Yeah thanks for pointing out my stickers which is completely off topic about the whole entire conversation, as for the big one I’ll worry about how illegal it is when it’s being drove on the TRACK. And for the Hoonigan one I simply put it there for inspiration of the drift 1jz swapped x runner hoonigan built. “Lowering is not going off road” don’t remember the part where I said it’s going off road. I’m very aware other companies make great cars, but as I stated this is MINE and I just threw an idea out there for consideration genuinely being curious. And the less powerful part, this truck is pushing 300k on the motor so wasn’t really looking for much power from the 1gr. But as for the information you stated that was actually relevant thank you for that, I’ll be sure to keep that noted.

 

As my friend that is into old British cars loves to say, “it’s way more fun to drive a slow car fast, than it is to drive a fast car slow”

 

welcome to TW
you should check out Torspd's build thread and then the various lowered threads on here to gain some insites (if you havent already). I think the SOS kit looks great ( have one myself that i havent put on because i got it used and it looks like the fella removed it with a sledgehammer)....
there was a guy with a Speedway Blue one years ago that looked awesome, i will try to find it tomorrow when i'm on the computer.

EDIT: or maybe i'll just do it now...

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/lowered-my-2008-4x4.197176/

 

With SOS kit and xrunner body kit wont be as low as and xrunner but the xrunner kit will make it look lower than one with the SOS kit without a body kit .
@That Rowdy TRD Check your inbox

 

I don't believe that I have a part number. Did a custom order of their LMH(?) coil overs. Used their chart and tore apart the front end to measure everything. Then sent that information back in.

Then I ordered a set of springs from PAC Springs, or PAC racing springs.