2000 Tacoma Prerunner to 4x4 conversion

Well after the first day I'm callin it a night finally, 2wd tranny out... 4wd transmission and t case in. Interior is in for the most part, front driveshaft is the correct length. Today was a good day. Swapping the speedo cable was easy as well just involved opening up the oil pan and accessing from the inside. I'll snag a few pics in the morning!

 

A few pics from Saturday's progress. Didn't even touch the truck today since I just need to pick up parts so should wrap it up here this week if I get some free time.

 

Today I went back to the yard with the two runners and pulled the entire front drive assembly and a steering rack. I only took a picture of the 2000 4Runner I was pulling parts off today. I almost just felt like I should buy the whole thing and build it but another bites the dust I guess.

 

Soo I will have to say, I'm now 4wd. It is amazing how capable being locked in the rear with a good front driveterrain. I hope to take a minute to do a better and more detailed write up but it's the work week and I'm lacking free time. I did get to take the truck out and climb some stuff as I live only 10 min from the nearest recreation area.

Won't let me post video so here's a pic of me stuffing the wheel well on the driver side with my big ol 33s.

 

As a previous Pre-Runner owner, you have brought hope to the rest of us that one day, we can take what little mechanical knowledge we have and believe we can do this.

Seriously, congratulations, this is completely awesome. You need to start converting people's 1st gen Pre-Runners to 4x4, you have a business opportunity waiting for you right there.

 

I'm just like the rest of everyone else, I'm hands on and not a certified mechanic. I learned a lot and did a lot of research and I'm pretty shocked that it only took 3 days of physically working on the truck. My truck was only down for 3 days and only because I did my rear driveshaft last. Im currently looking into the location of the vss plug on the rear of the transmission by the output shaft. There is a similar mounting spot on the back of the 4x4 t case but idk is it just swaps over yet. I will upload to YouTube my small climb in 4lo and I'll be posting pics and such soon

 

So no speedo currently. IIRC, I had to lengthen the wires for the VSS to plug in and had to chase down a different nylon gear for the sensor.

 

@Kens04Taco

 

Looks like we might have do some hunting and find some parts

 

I'm in Arizona and my garage, tools, and assistance is always open if you want to make a weekend trip.

 

Thank you very much sir that's where I'm at. Also I'm from Escondido California and have a house in Oceanside so I'm frequently out there. After I cage the cab I'll be making trips out again maybe we will link up.

 

I also want to say, I have located a grail of a parts selection for the conversion. I'm in friendly with some of the yards that are overflow for the junkyards so most of these vehicles are complete. I got my transmission and transfer case from a member of the AZ Toyota 4x4 Facebook group. The Arizona parts are very nice and never rust.

 

Moving back out to Tucson in the near future. If the parts selection and assitance offer still stand I may finally bite the bullet. Great job btw!

 

Nicely done! Love to see people not afraid to jump into learn what they need and tackling projects.

 

Now after a few weeks of driving the truck I am just as happy. I was able to pass ADOT inspection out here and register my truck even with the front end being exposed still. Good old Arizona and only legally requiring the safe operating lights and such. I'm going to drop a few pictures here first showing my speed sensor install, and harness tap to get my speedo working.

 

First two pictures are of the plug that's in 4Runner 340f transmission and transfer case. Because I did this conversion on a Tacoma I need a Tacoma speed sensor in order to get an odometer reading and display speedo.


This last picture is when I finished wiring up the VSS and put some loom on it and wrapped it up nice.

That's what I call success! No CEL, no issue mobbing down the freeway with the 4wd system installed.


After an alignment we're good to go. Still cruising 80 at 2500 rpm!

 

Here is what my truck looks like, these pictures are from last Sunday. I decided to meet up with the AZ 4x4 group and check out the trail to Crown king. I will be starting a build thread soon, I'm going to Exo my cab so as soon as I get my 1.75" 0.120 wall DOM in.

 

Wrecked Tacomas are incredibly rare AND expensive here in California. I think there's less than 20 registered Tacomas at Pick-n-Pull junkyards in the entire state. 4Runners are so much more common. I was thinking of just picking up a 3rd gen with a salvage title and taking all the 4x4 components off that and selling all the parts I don't need.

Would something like that work, or should I just buy everything individually?

 

You can send me a PM and I can list what you'd have to pickup. I can help you 4wd swap your vehicle if it's a 3.4 prerunner. In Arizona I can get you a transmission with transfer case for a 3.4 for under $400. Swapping the transmissionwas the most time consuming of all the work and it still only takes about 3 hours out and three hours going back in. I'm from San Diego so I'm firmiliar with tacomas being gold out in California, out here in AZ I've gotten in good with a few yards that hold the toyotas off to the side for me. So far less than $1000 spent to do my swap including the $40 in ATF and $60 in gear oil for the diff and transfer case.

 

I'm looking forward to your further write up on this project, as you mentioned. It is something I've contemplated doing for a long time but finding all the parts seems daunting--- and doing it over such a short time span is encouraging. You mentioned your age, I'm 67+ but still love working on tacos and making them better.