4x4 Conversion or Purchase?

I have a V4 prerunner, 04 access cab. I really would like 4x4 for when I go off roading. So question being should I make my prerunner a 4x4 with its smaller engine, or should I purchase a 4x4 with a V6? Looking for pros and cons of both, also if I do the conversion I would pay a shop not do it myself.

 

While some mechanically handy folks have converted PreRunners to 4x4, it is NOT cost effective to pay a shop to do that work. Way too much labor. Sell the PreRunner and buy a 4x4.

 

If I were to convert a prerunner, 4cyl or not, I'd do a SAS, with a 3 to 1 t-case. If you're talking about buying Toyota parts to do a stock conversion, sell it and buy a 4x4.

 

Just convert it man! It's easier to do than on a second generation....

 

I just said screw it and traded it in. see my build thread...lol

 

If i knew how to ship bigger oversized items I can sell everything 4x4 related (except cv axles) off my parts truck as a kit.

 

Thanks for the input everyone.

 

Not hard at all to ship things Contact a freight carrier that services both your location and where your shipping to.

Get a rate Build a secure box or two that fits on a 40"x 48" pallet Pack parts to prevent movement and damage.

Either have it picked up if you have a fork lift to load it or take to the nearest terminal

After getting paid first of course.

That is the basics not really hard.

 

Conversion, way cheaper and can be done in less then a day as far as install. Ask me how I know

Edit: just saw you said you'd pay a shop.... Thats gonna get pricey if they even agree to do it. No local members around you ?!

 

I'd personally sell and buy a 4x4. I wouldn't want to take the chance of something going wrong and having to be responsible for the issue. Then again, some people have no problems converting, but that's just my theory.

 

Rough estimate and parts list


Keep in mind if you're paying a shop to help, you don't have to get it all up in one session. You can do like tranny and t case first then hubs/cv assembly, driveshafts etc. at another time.

 

Hahahahaha a salvage yard? All the yards around here don't ever have any Tacoma parts.

 

Sounds like a personal problem.

 

Probably is, but it's really rare to find a scrap yard Tacoma unless some parts have been pulled. In your "quote", you don't consider shipping prices let alone taxes. Yeah your listing the parts, but it's going to be well past the $1000 mark. I believe it would be much simpler to sell and buy a 4x4.

 

That's why I said rough estimate (+/-)?

You're a 2nd gen anyways. These parts are super easy to locate, there's also something called car-part.com

These prices vary, you can snatch it all up for under $1k if you really wanted to. Factoring it all in you save more to convert than if you were to sell the truck, and buy a 4x4 - it'll just be marked up more since the guy wants to pay a shop. Do some homework.

 

You may save more money by installing it yourself, but a shop is going to kill him on the prices. Let's not forget, he won't get that money back when/if he decides to trade it in. Too much risk for me in converting a 2WD into 4WD, especially when you can go out a buy a newer vehicle. Hell, that $1500-2000 he will spend at the shop would be a good down payment.

 

No I agree on the shop part, but like I said he can get certain pieces installed in different days, that might cut back on the shops charge so the labor isn't all in one go, if that is the route he wants to take.
But bottom line is converting a 1st gen isn't all that bad. Whatever he decides to do.

 

Doing t yourself can easily be done for around $1000 but definitely not with a shop involved

 

$1000 for parts then the labor would most likely be another grand or so.

 

Although he's new it would be smart for him to set up a mod day or ask around. That would save a couple bills I'm sure.