4x4 swap

Ok so I've done a bit of research on the subject but not a whole lot. I've got a 99 3.4 sr5 prerunner 2wd auto and I found a 98 3.4 TRD 4x4 5 speed, severe body damage to the entire body, but engine and drive train are in good condition, so essentially a complete donor vehicle. For the price of the donor, I can't pass it up. So in doing the swap, from my auto to the 5 speed do I need to swap the ECU as well? And I believe the front suspension setup is different, making the coil overs not compatible? Any info, suggestions, experiences, things I should know before I dive in, I would definitely appreciate any advice and info. FYI I do plan on swapping out the rear end as well.

 

Definitely pair the correct ECU with the correct setup. That being said, I am assuming both motors are the 5vz-fe block, correct? If so, then it should be a direct swap regardless of your dash configuration. They're both different for a reason. The auto's ECU controls the motor and the shift points, solenoids, etc. on the auto transmission. I don't know how much it matters to you, but you'll definitely get all sorts of codes if you use your auto ECU.

From what I recall with the first generation Tacomas the PreRunners and 4X4s share the same shocks.

Some food for thought and just to put it out there hoping someone else chimes in on this- I've heard many times that people using an auto ecu with a manual transmission experience somewhat of a hickup with the motor, which I would think is caused by the auto ecu thinking/wanting to change gears at a certain point and reducing power momentarily when it does it. I do not have any first hand experience with that at all and with what I just said. Just want to put it out there if for some reason you are set on using your stock auto ECU and in hopes someone else can share their experience with that.

 

I have a few posts started with information listed in the links
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/transmission-swap-write-up-s.384303/

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...on-your-5-speed-transmission-write-up.338836/

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...sions-write-up-your-4-speed-automatic.325531/

 

Ok I'll swap the ECU out as well. And that's a lot of good info on transmissions