Ambitious project

Ok so I really need some help, I have a 17 taco its 2wd and I wanna make it 4wd and I know the rough idea but dont know what I need parts wise. I need a transfer case, driveshaft and maybe a dana 60 up front but I dont know how or what type of said parts to use any help would be great

Yes I know it would be easier and smarter to trade but where I am it would not be possible

 

Ambitious is a real understatement.

Trade it in and purchase a 4x4?

 

Electronics, etc. Trade in.

 

It will cost you far more to do this than trade it in for a 4wd.

 

I live in hawaii everything is gonna cost more and for a trade in here isnt worth it

 

you can try an underdrive pulley system.

I know an FJ transfer case can probably work then you'll need two drive shafts, probably SAS up front. I mena I would just trade and buy a 4x4

 

What about an old Ted front axel swap along with the case? And get a new front shaft

 

You have a 17' with a warranty. Not worth it at all. Trade it in. If 4x4's don't exist in Hawaii, then tell the dealer you want to them to order you a 4 x 4. Not that crazy of a concept. No way in hell would I go and do that to a brand new truck.

 

No offense but for this kind of project and with the questions you're asking, you shouldn't even try it. First, you have a couple months of research to do at best if you're serious about doing this. Second, IF you're serious about doing this, you're on the wrong forum. Go to pirate4x4 and document your build there. Those guys have much more suspension and fabrication knowledge that what is available here. Not that there aren't smart people here but the pool of members there have more experience that the typical "what lift do I need" that you'll find here.

 

Just get a rear locker and chains, you’ll go anywhere you want.

 

Do they use the same frame on 2WD's as the 4WD's?

 

I read that as "Amphibious Project"... now I'm disappointed.

 

He would have to add a snorkel, lol.

 

The loss you will get in trade and buying a 4wd will be less than the cost and headache of trying to convert.

 

Then don't trade it, sell it and then buy the truck you want, problem solved!

 

Id either take a loss on sale/trade or get a rear locker and some m/t tires.

 

I lost $1200 in depreciation on my SR5 2WD but traded up to a TRDOR4X4. Leaps and bounds easier than retrofitting 4wd and locker, everything is oem and warrantied. If I were you and I wasn’t able to sell/trade, I’d get a rear locker and good tires and call it a day. 2wd has its perks, less zerks to grease, one less diff to service, no cvs to worry about, better mpg, win in a drag against a 4wd taco....

 

I waited 2 years to build some equity on my 16. I was there, it wast the worst mistake to not getting a 4x4 at the very 1st time.
After 2 years I finally traded in and got the 4x4, I miss the inferno color every day but,4x4 overwrites any color preference and takes me anywhere I want.
Unless you are doing the project just for fun and can afford it, go for it.

 

You could also get a mud tires, rear locker and a front winch. You can take that wheeling. Then realize after the first trip, you sunk all that money into this truck for not much gain. Then proceed to go for a 4WD conversion. After spending $10k+ and countless hours hodge-podging things together. You get fed up constantly tinkering, fixing things, and as you sit on the side of the road with your hazards on, on a rainy night, you come to the realization you should've just bought a 4WD truck.
Skip the middle part. Just go straight to where you'd end up anyway.