2x4 upgrade to 4x4 with ESC can it be done

I am very new to the Toyota world, but would not trade my Tacoma for anything. I am about to be stationed somewhere with lots of snow and in the mountains. I currently have a 2008 Prerunner SR5 TRD off road 2x4. I am curious if anyone has known, or knows if one can change the transmission and front axel/suspension to a 4x4? If so is it better to go through Toyota to have the mods done and pay the extra costs? Or through a third party vendor?

 

I would think it would be cheaper to just sell your truck and buy a 4x4. Anything can be done for a price, but that is a lot of work.

 

You are better off selling it and getting a 4x4 model, if you live some where now where most trucks are 4x2 you are better off doing this before you move....

 

^This. If you intend to just install factory parts from a 4x4, unless you can find a donor truck, the part costs will be prohibitive (tranmission, transfer case, front diff, driveshafts, ECU...)

On the other hand, if you are going all-out with solid front axle, Marlin crawlbox, etc., then a PreRunner is a good place to start. Take the truck to a 4WD speciality shop that does SAS conversions. Budget about $8000.

 

Toyota will not do the conversion cheaper and better to buy a factory 4x4

 

Just nail 2 of these together and you'll have a 4x4!

 

Not sure where you guys are getting your pricing but the swap can be done using used parts for ~$3000ish. Used trannies are on eBay for ~700, fj transfer case for ~500. Axels, 4wd hubs front differential, and random bolts/bushings I haven't look too much into so I can't say the pricing for those. Check this out if your interested in doing the conversion http://www.rocksolidtoys.com/forum/showthread.php?t=396
Its actually not too complicated, more time consuming than anything. Hardest part I see is the custom cross member for the transmission since I don't do welding. But I'm sure it wouldn't be hard for metal shop to fab up.

 

If TxRoo can't do it himself, figure 8 hours shop labor which would be $800-$1000 depending on location. So $4000 total.

Cheaper to sell the PreRunner and buy a used 4x4 of similar vintage.

 

Snow tires and tire chains, problem solved

 

Not quite, you need a 1/2 plywood rip between them.

 

It would be much cheaper and much simpler/easier to just sell it or trade it and get a 4x4.

IF you MUST keep your current truck than a rear locker and snow tires will get you about anywhere a 4x4 w/o a locker would. Chains as a backup wouldn't hurt either.

Your biggest limiting factor with your current truck is lack of weight over the drive wheels. Sand bags or similar to add weight over the rear axle would be the cheapest and simplest solution.

 

I agree. I know several people who get around up here in Winter with 2WD trucks; good set of dedicated Winter tires and some sandbags in the bed over the rear axle. Not as convenient as 4WD, but with some situational awareness and a little finesse, they get around fine.

EDIT: I should add if you're convinced you need 4WD, or just simply want the convenience of 4WD, you should sell your current truck and get a 4WD before you PCS. 2WD trucks don't sell very well here and you'd likely take a hit on true value.

 

I'm in the same boat as you. I emailed rock solid toys. They said all together you would be looking at around 5-8000 this is parts and labor depending how cheap you can find the parts for it is doable for as little as 4k. Vancity did this conversion. You'll have to search him. He has a gold looking tacoma. The only feasible reason to do this is if you are like me. You've already beaten up your pre runner, and you owe much more then it is worth. I owe about 18000 on a 2010 with 120000 miles on it KBB said my truck is only worth about 9grand so I'd be better off going convert then going that far upsidedown on a trade.

 

It can and has been done. THere is a thread on here somwhere with it done and lots of pics.

Swap out the front hubs to 4x4. front dif, fj transfer case, shorter trans from the 4x4, new crossmember, new ECS, front axles. I think thats about it.

 

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-builds/23170-building-beast.html


From the man himself

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b61f6bAuytw