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4x4 conversion?

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by EvanHimself, Jan 4, 2013.

  1. Jan 4, 2013 at 12:33 PM
    #1
    EvanHimself

    EvanHimself [OP] Member

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    Evan
    League City, TX
    Vehicle:
    05 Speed-Way Blue PreRunner
    K&N intake and filter, Alpine stereo with compact sub box, Borla catback exhaust, Toy Tec 1/4" front shock spacers, Weather tech black digital fit floor mats
    So I'm still new to the Tacoma's, I want a 4x4 prerunner. I don't particularly wanna sell mine cause I bought it brand new and paid it off. I've been doing a little research on a conversion and I've found people doing them on the older ones, but haven't found much of anything for the newer ones. Anybody know if I could just bolt and go from a donor 4x4? I realize its alot of work and would be easier just to buy one, but again its the first new vehicle I've bought, I'd kinda like to keep it. Also if it's possible to do, anybody know exactly what I would need to pick up? All I can think of is, transmission, transfer case, front housing and mounting brackets, interior plastics, cv axles, spindles, and probably a different rear gear. Anything overlooked?
     
  2. Jan 4, 2013 at 8:58 PM
    #2
    ace96

    ace96 Well-Known Member

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    '11 SWB DC TRD SPORT
    AVS bug deflector, Weathertech digital fit floor mats, TRD skid plate w/ Sockmonkey decal, SOS Cocept sliders w/ Line-x, Pioneer 3500, Hybrid Audio Technology Mirus 6X9s & 6.5s, back up cam mod, Wet Okoles-front & rear, TRD exhaust, 17X9 XD Spy w/ Falken Wildpeaks, Avid light bar
    Why do you want a 4x4 prerunner? There is no advantage to taking a prerunner and making it a 4x4. Somehow you have to get the electronic part to work. Pretty sure you will find its more $$$ than its worth. Oh and I believe rear gear is the same.
     
  3. Jan 4, 2013 at 9:01 PM
    #3
    the.sight.picture

    the.sight.picture Wishes he was in the woods.

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    Nick
    Blue Ridge
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    2018 QuickSand
    Check out my build thread (Beginning of Money Pit)
    I think you would be better off trading in for a 4x4. that way it is under warrenty
     
  4. Jan 4, 2013 at 9:01 PM
    #4
    06 tacoma owner

    06 tacoma owner Well-Known Member

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    Will
    Madisonville, KY
    Vehicle:
    2017 SR5 4x4
    Stock...for now
    If I were you I would just buy a 4x4 and save the trouble.
     
  5. Jan 4, 2013 at 9:03 PM
    #5
    steve o 77

    steve o 77 braaap

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    In a corn field, OH
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    245k+ miles, rust, working AC, bald eagles
    sell it and buy a 4x4.

    It's worth it on the first gens because it's "easy".

    Second gens have way to much going on with electronics to make it worth it.
     
  6. Jan 4, 2013 at 9:03 PM
    #6
    Tommy27

    Tommy27 Well-Known Member

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    Tommy
    Boise,ID
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    White 09 AC 4x4 2.7 5spd SR5
    Leer shell, Bed mat, Grill Guard
    I only know of 1 guy on this site that has done it. It is a HUGE endeavor with many parts, custom fab, tons of money and many many hours.
     
  7. Jan 4, 2013 at 9:05 PM
    #7
    BulletToothTony

    BulletToothTony You’ll have that on these big jobs.

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    You can call me Susan if it makes you happy.
    Keep your taco now and buy a 1st gen 4x4 to wheel
     
  8. Jan 4, 2013 at 9:06 PM
    #8
    steve o 77

    steve o 77 braaap

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    In a corn field, OH
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    245k+ miles, rust, working AC, bald eagles
    Or sell the truck and buy a 1st gen 4x4 to wheel AND daily drive:D
     
  9. Jan 4, 2013 at 9:08 PM
    #9
    BulletToothTony

    BulletToothTony You’ll have that on these big jobs.

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    You can call me Susan if it makes you happy.
    Use the 2nd to tow the 1st to the trails then if you break something you can just trailer it back lol

    Since he already has his truck paid off there's really no reason to sell it.
     
  10. Jan 4, 2013 at 9:09 PM
    #10
    steve o 77

    steve o 77 braaap

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    In a corn field, OH
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    1990 Chevy Siveraydo
    245k+ miles, rust, working AC, bald eagles
    haha or that.

    But I thought we all bought toyotas so we don't need a tow rig? Tow rigs are for jeepers.
     
  11. Jan 4, 2013 at 9:11 PM
    #11
    BulletToothTony

    BulletToothTony You’ll have that on these big jobs.

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    You can call me Susan if it makes you happy.
    Lol yeah. I want a 1st gen one that way I can wheel it hard and don't have to worry about losing my DD...
     
  12. Jan 5, 2013 at 6:12 AM
    #12
    EvanHimself

    EvanHimself [OP] Member

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    Evan
    League City, TX
    Vehicle:
    05 Speed-Way Blue PreRunner
    K&N intake and filter, Alpine stereo with compact sub box, Borla catback exhaust, Toy Tec 1/4" front shock spacers, Weather tech black digital fit floor mats
    Wow, I didnt realize it could've been that much harder than a 1st gen. Oh well, I'll just stick a turbo on it then. :)

    Oh, and I don't need anymore ideas about building a trail rig. lol. I have enough projects now that need to get finished.
     
  13. Jan 5, 2013 at 6:31 AM
    #13
    bulhas

    bulhas the habs fan

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    Joe
    Edmonton, Alberta
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    LS Swap 500 hp......
    Contact Awesumdc, also known as Wyatt, they have done it, check out this build


    the best part about it, you skip the electronic transfer case and go to a fj-case right away :D
     
  14. Jan 5, 2013 at 12:11 PM
    #14
    awsumdc

    awsumdc Well-Known Member

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    O.C. Cali
    Vehicle:
    SASED '05 Taco
    SAS, crawler box, 14" coilover shocks, 39.5 tires,dual batteries, and a bunch of other stuff
    It can be done. I've done this swap now on a 4Runner and a second gen tacoma. Both of the people who have them are very happy with their trucks now.

    We have some further EXTREME plans for the Tacoma though. It's going to be really nice once finished.
     
  15. Jan 5, 2013 at 12:54 PM
    #15
    The Traveler

    The Traveler Desert Chief

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    Matt
    SoCal
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    I've seen Ray's truck in action before, that thing is SICK. The crawl box is amazing on his truck.
     
  16. Jan 5, 2013 at 8:01 PM
    #16
    EvanHimself

    EvanHimself [OP] Member

    Joined:
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    First Name:
    Evan
    League City, TX
    Vehicle:
    05 Speed-Way Blue PreRunner
    K&N intake and filter, Alpine stereo with compact sub box, Borla catback exhaust, Toy Tec 1/4" front shock spacers, Weather tech black digital fit floor mats
    After reading this reading they're build, I've come to notice that It's really not as difficult as everybody is saying. It's just alot of work is really it. Thank you for the link to this build.
     
  17. Jan 5, 2013 at 8:54 PM
    #17
    ee1284

    ee1284 Well-Known Member

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  18. Jan 6, 2013 at 12:42 AM
    #18
    Jux

    Jux :D

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    Steve
    Northern Colorado
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    The only benefit I saw was the "to say I did it" factor. Wish I had that money and automotive know-how.
     
  19. Jan 6, 2013 at 8:34 AM
    #19
    awsumdc

    awsumdc Well-Known Member

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    O.C. Cali
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    SASED '05 Taco
    SAS, crawler box, 14" coilover shocks, 39.5 tires,dual batteries, and a bunch of other stuff
    Actually there are more benefits than just the "say I did it factor".

    Ray had a ton of money invested in his truck already, plus he knew his truck. to try and sell it and then buy something else it was not only cheaper for him to do it this way but he got to build it and play with it much faster than if he would have sold it and then try to not only recreate what he had before but also add the crawler box and FJ Case to it as well. Plus now he doesn't have to worry about that funky Tacoma t case and that 4x4 computer either.
     
  20. Jan 6, 2013 at 11:12 AM
    #20
    ee1284

    ee1284 Well-Known Member

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    I would like to start buying parts for the conversion, but I've had trouble finding a 6 speed 4wd transmission.

    Anyone know where to find one?
     

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