03 4x4 conversion/build thread

On the pre '03 transmission, there is a cable that runs to the transmission (enters the trans on the driverside), the throttle 'kick-down' cable I believe. Your '03 uses electronics in place of the physical cable - I believe what you have is also referred to 'drive-by-wire'. AMHIK - the first transmission I tried swapping into my 98 was from an 03.
On a more positive note, the '01 and '02 4Runners were drive by wire. Tacoma's didn't switch till '03.

 

thanks pray n surf yeah I figured that all out now

 

If its one of those transfer cases that's shifted with that one touch button shifter thing, think I'll have a problem getting it to work?

 

Yes. Then you start getting back into the electrical part of it. It's not worth it Imo. And the actuator fails pretty consistently on them.

 

He speaks the truth. I'm in the middle of converting my 2004 right now

 

Hey Rob. How's it going? You find those connectors? Feel free to pm me anytime if you need help...

 

If you are going stick shift t-case and manual hubs, then this is a pretty easy conversion. You shouldn't have any issues. Sounds like you are pretty competent. I did the same process (swapping the output shaft) on a '14. Worked out fine.

 

The only one I need is the front ADD. I'm thinking of dumping the push button for J-shifter, I have an interior harness ready. I've already swapped the engine harness and getting ready for tranny swap tomorrow.

 

What are you swapping engine harnesses for?

All my other cars are stick so I want to leave this one an automatic haha. I shouldn't have any trouble doing the work, I just wanna make sure I get all the right parts, would hate to have to buy the same part twice. I do not mind having to tear into the transmission

 

New question found another transmission...donor car was a 03 taco but with a 2.7. Does the engine matter?

 

Shouldn't - you'll need the bellhousing and torque convertor from your truck

 

I am swapping the engine harness so that it is completely plug and play, which after installing the transmission and transfer case, it was as easy as connecting all the connectors.

 

How much of a pain was it to swap the harness? Where did you find one?

 

It wasn't bad, just had to take the plenum off to get to all the injectors. So replacing the gaskets and what not. I got one off here. But car-part.com is a good place to find one, that's where I got my interior harness to swap for the 4x4 computer.

 

Why do you need the 4x4 computer? Because your using the push button TC and ADD?

 

Yes because of the ADD and Push Button

 

And that push button only came with the limited Tacoma's correct? Sorry I'm new to this whole taco game

 

I'm not too sure about that. I've seen several TRD V6 tacomas from 2003/2004 with push button.

 

This was originally posted Jan 27th But I guess I posted it in a conversation instead of the thread. Whoops still learning the forum.

Well my transmission got here today. I originally hoped i would just be able to swap bellhousing and converters, unfortunately it will not be just a plug n play transmission like I had hoped. This transmission came out of a 03 Tacoma with 60k and a 2.7 engine.

The problem is the 2.7 used throttle cable transmissions as well. So looks like I mightbe using the output shaft and extension housing of this transmission and swapping them to mine.

There is another option that might work that I can't find any information about and that's swapping valve bodies in the transmission. I have included a pic of both valve bodies. I'm still don't know if this would work though.

Won't give up on this project that easy!

 

This was an update from February 9th that I also posted in the wrong area.


Been awhile since the last update. Transfer case and front diff are in..now just need to buy a few of the smaller pieces and the project should begin