05-15 2wd to 4wd conversion guide (for dummies)

im guessing your shifter is hitting something and pressure is being applied to it. Or you don’t have the right detent spring for the 4wd shift rail.

 

Thanks @6 gearT444E I had seen a YouTube vid about detent spring fixing this issue on a Jeep transfer case. Nice to know it's applicable to the FJ transfer case. Your other option is possible too- the shop I went with ran the transfer shifter long (not next to transmission shifter) so that would make sense as well. Moving to PHX next week so I'm hopeful that I can find a good shop there to help me button up a few details... living the apartment lifestyle and working some long corporate hours so I simply don't have the time, tools, space and most importantly skill to KO alot of the things you and so many on this board have accomplished.

For my very beginner level, I'm still happy with the work I didn't outsource, but none of it would have been possible without this board and the contributions of too many to name... many thanks everyone

 

I live in AJ east of PHX. Feel free to hit me up when you move and ill see if i can help button up some of the work! I did about 80% of my conversion myself and dont mind helping out!

 

That would be awesome, thanks @Yacob_D there are some cool trails out your way and a little north of you as well, would be cool to hit some some of them with a fellow 4x4 convert once I make sure I won't fall apart

 

Sounds good to me!
Ive lived here all m life and love the desert trails. Its been very beneficial having converted my taco over. Also a huge plus you can cruise up north into the pines in under two hours for a completely different wheeling trip!
Jump on into the AZBS thread, im getting to know the local TW members in town. They host meet ups and fun wheeling trips. More helpful Tacoma guys who love these trucks!

 

I had to pipe in. I always forget what the order is and if I engage the lever before the button I get a loud bang. So I keep saying to myself "first the button then the lever". Disengaging is the same order. My button won't shut off until the TC is out of 4wd. I do not run with the ADD on and only use 4wd when needed. I went 10 years with only 2wd so 4wd for me is my tow strap. I also drive a lot slower in my old age so I use 4wd to motor thru stuff.

 

Appreciate the info- I'm not planning to run ADD all the time, just as soon as I hit the trail, turn it on and leave it on till I'm done and airing back up.

 

Sorry for the late reply, I went the non ADD front diff. As mentioned before. I can go from 2H to 4H by pulling the lever while doing less than 60 Mph. Great to hear that the truck is moving on its own and I’m almost sure it’s going to be a quick fix. Cheers!

 

Very cool weekend- met up with @Yacob_D who kicked ass & relocated my shifter. Had a great time & went wheeling after & finally got to test that 4x4 out- really enjoyed/ was impressed with 4Low! This was a major milestone in my project, still want to address some driveshaft vibration @ 70-80 mph but the truck is good to go and 4x4 operational.

Before & after pics below- J shift is much smoother in this spot. Can't thank @Yacob_D enough! @6 gearT444E I changed detent springs but it was the plastic from the automatic shifter popping the J shift into 2- relocation fixed it.

Before


After:


A little wheeling after with @Yacob_D- two 4x4 converts!

 

I switched to a one piece shaft, I think I’m getting a lil bit more vibration with that…but I don’t usually go over 70

 

I've got a one piece shaft- it was really bad at 75 at first but they rebalanced it, much better now but I still want to get it down to no vibrations.

 

That was a fun day! Little shenanigans with some silly tack welds breaking, but overall successful. Cheers to another successful 4x conversion with help from this sweet community. Glad we got the angle of the fidangle figured out so your not rubbing sticks! Happy to help out and meet a new buddy to wheel with. Guess I'm not the only 2wd converted in AZ anymore!

 

Hell yeah!!!

 

Did you have a local shop make the one piece for you? Also, is the only downside having less ground clearance?

 

Yes a local shop in ABQ made it for me- Another con as I have read is that if they are too long and circumference isn't large enough you can limit your top speed (more on that in the link below) which I think may be affecting me now. I also just discovered that since the conversion/ transmission swap I am having motor mount issues, getting those replaced today and hoping that was my vibration issue @ 65-75mph as I have had mine rebalanced by the original shop and my PHX shop.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/max-mph-with-single-dc-driveshaft.424628/

Pros: supposed to be beefier & less components (carrier bearing) but if engine mounts & a transfer case mount that @Yacob_D helps me with doesn't do the trick to eliminate vibrations, I may have to go with the more traditional set up.

 

I went traditional and do 80’s all day with no issues. Cheers! Almost Friday fellas!

 

Still following this thread! Someday I'll work up the guts to tackle this or have someone in socal lend me a hand. Until then... Enjoying my Detroit Truetrac I recently had installed. Was a champ on my recent trail ride up to big bear from yucca valley. Huge difference from the worn out Sport limited slip.

Congrats to all of you who have converted to 4x4. Someday I'll pull the trigger!

 

Start slowly picking up parts and shopping for the larger ticket items! I'm about 10k into my conversion and I couldnt be happier spending the coin vs. buying a 4x4. Still my good ole truck with more capability than ever!

 

holy shit. When I did my conversion 7 years ago, I spent about $2k total.

 

10k in mileage! lol
You can still do a cheap conversion, mine was a little more with gears and lockers.