4wd conversion - Donor Truck?

Geo's were more reliable, so technically they're worth more

 

Delivered to California?? Fuel might be a tad expensive!!

 

In here late but, I did mine for $2100.

That was with swapping to 4.56 gears, lunchbox locker upfront, truetrac in the rear, and spending more on the spindle/hub setup than I should have.

Definitely possible to do these swaps for under $1500, just take your time sourcing parts. I didn't get a single part local besides my driveshaft.

 

I'm down to help tackle it. I have not done the manual swap, but I have done the 4wd swap.

I started sourcing parts, and then as I got them I made decisions on what needed to be improved or rehabbed while I sourced the other parts.

Things I mean by improved and rehabbed:
- I bought new spindles for the swap. That way I could gusset the spindles and replace the wheel bearings and have them ready to go when I did the swap
- I did a shift kit in the auto trans while it was waiting to go in. (If you manual swap, I would definately recommend a new clutch, because why not? The trans is already out of the truck)
- I rebuilt the CVs I had for the swap, fresh grease and high angle boots inner and outer.
- Unless your LBJs are new, I would suggest replacing those while you're in there
Other things to think about are:
- Drive/pass seals on diff (would be done if you regear and lock)
- Input/output seals on t case
- Carrier bearing
- U-joints on driveline


I have since did a locker, in the front diff. It's expensive (especially with all the other costs of the swap at the same time) but if I had to do it all over again, I would have regeared (front diff and rear axle) and put the locker in the front all at the same time.


If you have all the parts, it really isn't that bad to do. All the "front end" stuff... diff, CVs, etc can be done seperately from the Trans/tcase/drivelines.

I did the front end stuff with just me and one of my sons after work on a Friday, and then the trans/tcase/drivelines on Saturday and finished Sunday. Saturday I had some help from some heavy hitters for the trans etc, though.

 

It is not really the parts that drives up the cost.

It is being able to pay for decent labor as I end up working so often for free or even spending money to help out follow Toyota Owners.

I can respect budgeting the labor into the over all cost.

 

and then just swap the parts?

All bolt-on plug and play, right?

 

I think you misunderstood.

Buy a Land Cruiser, and you have a solid axle. That's it. No plug and play. The solid axle is under the Land Cruiser (like he did).



It's kind of like the "Daily Driver mod" only different.

 

That's the joke...

There's a thread of a guy wanting to use all 80 series parts because apparently that makes SAS idiot proof.

 

LMAO... Although not idiot proof. I would certainly like to get my hands on a full float/disc 80 series rear axle for when I go LT.

 

I converted my 1998 PreRunner 4cyl. It took me a year of collecting parts piecemeal, and two weekends to assemble it. It only cost about… $500-$750 total after I sold my old steering knuckles and A340E transmission.

 

You're a monster

 

If I can get my hands on a front setup with factory locking diff, you're welcome to have mine

Though I should really just focus on the rear first.

 

yeah, that'd be sweet

 

They are not real easy to find. And the ones I have found have been stupidly over priced. (and not close enough to go get) lol

 

I know

 

Just saw this post

Knowing you, there's a chance the rest of us would show up for a mod party and you'd be texting me from the hospital again saying you can't make it

 

I'm hoping my time in hospitals is over for a while.

 

Buying a donor truck is expensive, but if you do, try to find local. Those transporting cost are a monster!

 

Mod Party?

 

Wish we were still dealing in 2017 prices... lol.