4x4 Conversion on my '12 PreRunner

Put a lot of thought into it. I have considered trading which would be far easier but I just love the way my Tacoma sits and the sound system and the few mods I've done so far.
I thought about doing a desert runner build with LT suspension but seeing as I live in Tennessee there wouldn't be any point in it. you cant Desert Run your way through a mud hole.
Now that I have come to this conclusion I need some help on how to accomplish this. I have thought about several ways to accomplish this and I think finding a '12 4x4 and switching out the complete undercarriage would be my best bet but I don't know if that is really possible.
My question is what is my best bet and option of going about doing a 4x4 conversion? Is my idea even an option?

 

You can, I'd check with Wyatt and check out rocksolidtoys.com I think he would have the most knowledge on the subject. You need a new T-case, transmission and front diff with CVs, new spindles and wiring it all up. Plus a new cross member to hold up the T-case/tranny. There is a member selling a front diff in the BST section and it's cheap and he will ship it..

 

I'm by NO means an expert, and there will be multiple people along shortly who will know far better than I...

...but I believe the common response you'll get is "you're better off to just trade it in on a 4x4."

Put your sound system back to stock and take the gear with you if that's all that's holding you back.

As long as you're not upside down on your loan, it's probably cheaper, too.

**stated with no expert knowledge of any kind...just regurgitating what I've read from similar threads...YMMV**

 

Ground hog day

 

ive read it is very difficult to do on 2nd gens, best bet is just to trade it out.
1st gens are a different story though.

 

do et

 

haha Ill show all of you! I can do it! But its going to be expensive

 

I just hope you guys don't find me curled up in the fetus position crying in the corner of the shop. Its gonna be a rough ride

 

Its up to you but its way more planning and work then you think. You'd be swapping out parts from a year old truck for parts from a wrecker or used which im sure will be older.

I'd goto your dealer first and see what you can trade your truck in for, it's prob not worth the effort on such a new truck. It would kill any future resale value you'd have.

If you do feel its best for you and wana go for it check my build and pm me if you have any question.

 

Some other options using FJ t-case.

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/286106-prerunner-ifs-4x4-fj-case-list-conversions.html

 

I don't think anybody has done it with a Tacoma tcase, the wiring for a 4wd ecu would be a nightmare. Way easier to cut a hole in the floor and put a fj tcase

 

I have done it for a customer but not using the Tacoma . Lets just say that the truck sat awaiting parts for a long long time . Impossible ? not at all , but you wont be driving the truck anytime soon . A great way to learn about 4 wheel drive , how the electronic controls function etc etc .
You best bet is a complete 4X4 donor truck of the same year for parts and thats half the battle . Maybe a truck that was rolled and now beyond repair . This is going to be the cheapest route for you .If you had to purchase each part individually , your gonna spend minimum of $30 k

 

Per Forrest Gump....

"EVERYWHERE is in walking distance if you have the time"

You can convert a Ford Pinto into a Boss 302 Mustang if you change every part.

At some point you have to say to yourself "why?". Why not trade? You made a mistake buying a PreRunner, which is the mechanical equivalent of a transvestite.

It is dressed up to look like something it is not (4wd). It can do SOME of the things a 4x4 can do, but not everything, because it LACKS THE PARTS!

If you want a 4x4 BUY a 4x4! What you want to do is akin to sex reassignment surgery. Much easier to start where you want to end up.

 

Ie if your current girlfriend is a man, you can have her parts changed, but you'd be WAY better off finding one who was a girl to start with. Or vice versa, depending on your point of view.

 

I have a front diff, lightly used minus the actuator, $200. If your serious about the swap, I'd go with the FJ case that was posted about previously

 

I'm sorry if that came across harshly but I just don't get it. If you want 4wd BUY IT!

GM has recently (in the last few years) begun the same nonsense. You can buy a 2wd Z71. I have to ask, WHY? The only answer that comes to mind is you want to look like you bought something you didn't. The original PreRunner idea was for trucks that run the race courses and check them out. I doubt if 1% of PreRinner's do this.

I'd be willing to bet the conversion can be done for less done for HALF what it would cost to trade.

 

If I were you I would trade it in or do a SAS in order to make it worth the price.

 

What would be the resale value of a prerunner to 4x4 conversion?

 

Less than what a prerunner goes for .
It will be an abortion of a truck . People dont want trucks that are messed with too much . A lift kit is easy to reverse . Swapping from an original 2wd to a 4X4 . Can you imagine how much trust you have to consider ?

 

Something for the OP to consider I guess. I always shy away from used modded up vehicles.