1st gen Tacoma 2wd to 4wd conversion

Can I not use the one of of the tacoma? And what wiring are u referring to? I seen where there were only two wire hookups on the trans, one for the Speedo and one for some sensor.

 

I definitely want feedback , cause I haven't done this much to one. But I'm not swapping the motors, just the trans and the front diff and stuff.

 

I may be confusing myself with the wiring needed to do an engine swap.

But the manual ECU won’t work as is with the automatic harness. You’ll need to do some trickery on the ECU side to tell the ECU that there’s a fully functioning automatic transmission still connected to it.

 

Yeah, I read that I have to fool it to make it think it's in park or something like that. But it needs to be done because of the way it gets fuel , so that the mileage doesn't suck. Do you know for sure that I can't swap out the ecu? Cause that's what this guy said he did on the vid I watched.

 

As is you can’t because you’ll keep getting check engine lights. You have to short some sensors and maybe do some re-pinning but take my advice with a grain of salt because I haven’t done it before.

You definitely have to cut and weld the crossmember though.

 

Ok. Got it. I'm definitely wanting to hear from anyone that has done this. I just making sure that the 4runner is the exact same in every way other than the cab. To the tacoma.

 

No it’s definitely not the same in every way except the cab. There are slight differences between the two in terms of vacuum, emissions, fuel, sensing, etc. but the drivetrains should be the same. The harnesses will be similar but obviously different because of the SUV profile.

 

Read this thread, it’s a manual swap along with the 4x4 conversion but he did an awesome job with info and parts needed. Also he did manual locking hubs which I would recommend. Also check out @SafetyDang auto to manual/4wd conversion.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/yet-another-dc-manual-swap-thread.661925/

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/safetydang-dc-build-4wd-swap-manual-trans-swap-thread.247243/

 

@SafetyDang

 

Hey thanks Ccrowe323. I'll definitely take a look at that. This is just the kind of stuff I was hoping to find.

 

my advice would be to stop and sell the rwd and fina 4wd

 

Well if you would have read my original post u would know why. I Got a 98 4runner 2wheel drive with a great body and motor and everything else but the auto trans. All for 600. Even the clear coat on the paint is good. Then I got a 98 tacoma ex cab sr5 4x4 that had been rolled for a parts truck for 600. It had a new 3.4 and 5sp manual trans. So now that know. I don't think you would sell the rwd and buy another 4wd? I'm planning on taking out the 5spd and the front diff and all the stuff needed and putting it all in the 4runner. Then that will leave me with a lot of extra parts and new 3.4 motor from the tacoma, and I'll have a perfectly good 4runner. So now you see?

 

Lol about 2 years too late on that quote my man
That was the first post of the thread back in Jan 2018

 

wait so did he finish the build?

 

I just trying to make sure I got everything I need to do it with. And if there's anything I might run into that I haven't thought of, so that's why I'm asking for info from someone that HAS DONE IT! But all 2 cents are welcome.

 

Got it. Well I'll put that with my 2 cents and I'll be a little better off. But thanks for the link. I was over there reading. Just what I was wanting to find.

 

I have no clue, I just found this from ToyotaTod98 revival of the post looking to do something similar with his.

Damn $600 for a clean truck with just a shit trans is a deal dude, nice find
Again,
@osterhagen ”Yet another Manual swap thread” will have everything you need in terms of parts. I didn’t read the entire part of the 4x4 swap as I’m only doing the manual swap but what I did read was very detailed and he gave a complete parts list on his last posts of absolutely everything he got for it. But just go through all 7 pages and find the ones that pertain to the 4wd stuff. It’s a little scattered but he didn’t miss anything on listing the parts. Makes me not even want to make a manual swap thread haha

 

Ok. Thanks again. Yeah I got a good deal on the 4runner. I seen it sitting at a repair shop on the side of the Hwy a couple months ago but never thought much about it till I just stopped in one day and asked. The owner of the shop said the guy drove it in and said the trans was slipping. They dropped the trans and told the owner it was bad and the owner said he didn't want to put the money into a new trans and to sale it. So he said he would take 600. Around here in AR. U will not find a first gen or a 4runner in a salvage yard ,so u have to order parts so most people do what he did. But a few days ago I was driving down the road in another town and seen the rolled Tacoma in a car lot. So I stopped in and talked to him and he said a local guy had it and rolled it and he bought it for parts. So I looked at it and noticed it had a lot of money put into it before he wrecked it and it had a new motor and 5spd trans. And of course a lot of other usable parts. So I made him a offer for 600 and he took it. Since I already have a beautiful 98 limited 4x4. I thought it would be a good investment. Then I remembered that 4runner. So I drove over there and gave him the money for it and bingo. So now I'm shittin in high cotton! As us southerners would say. I know I can swap over the trans into the runner and have a good runner. But I hate 2wd so I'm gonna swap over the front diff and stuff and have a 4runner. And hopefully I have everything I need to do it with and I'll end up with a 4runner 4wd and a new EXTRA 3.4 for my original 98 if I ever need it. And all for 1200 bucks and a case of beer for the help of my buddy and his tailor I used to get them home. Oh. I will have to get a driver side knuckle , cause the Tacoma had it taken off already. But that was the only thing that had been stripped. It would have had a decent repairable body, but they used the jaws of life on it and cut the post for no dang reason.

.

 

Yes, you can swap the front diff, hubs, front driveshaft, transmission, and transfer case from the 98 Tacoma over to the 98 4runner. At TTORA, we had a crack team of like 5-7 members doing the swap all at once and sharing all the information. One member, (JEFF) mosk22rte, decided to match up all the wiring diagrams and created an ECU Wiring Guide found here: . If I remember correctly he did not check cross-platform. However, you might get away with following his diagram if they are the same year and same motor. The only other thing I can think of right now is that the rear driveshaft might not fit (two short or too long). I don't check Tacomaworld often, feel free to message me on Instagram with questions. https://www.instagram.com/safetydang/

 

Thanks safetydang. Yeah they are both 98 models and the Tacoma is an extra cab. So I'm thinking the frames were the same so hopefully the driveshafts will fit. They both have the 3.4 . But if I have to use a spacer on the rear driveshaft or get it cut down that not something that will be too bad.
But I was thinking that the wiring harness was the same on both because everything other that the trans is just alike. I know that there is a lot different wiring for the cabs but that wouldn't effect all the electrical for the motor and stuff under the hood? Or at least I was hoping. But I'll definitely look at that thread and see what I don't know. Thanks again.