Pre-runner manual/4 wheel drive swap

2005 tacoma 2wd pre-runner V6


I have been collecting parts for my manual/4-wheel drive swap and have encountered some problems.

First, I was wondering if anybody knew the measurements for cutting up the cross-member for the manual trans. And if I should buy a 4-wheel drive cross-member then cut it up or use my factory 2-wheel drive cross-member?

I was also wondering what I should do about my ECU. Does anybody know if I can run my stock 2wd auto ECU for a while since I will not be hooking up the transfercase electronics till later down the road?

And if I do end up getting a manual ECU 4wd will the computer freak out that the actuator and transfercase parts are not all wired in?

I plan on doing the 4WD part later down the road, really just want to get the manual trans in first then worry about the 4WD parts months down the line.

 

Check this one https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/05-15-2wd-to-4wd-conversion-guide-for-dummies.716703/. My post is #84 and @Brian422 has a manual. If you have not gotten the transfer then look for a j case and if you have not gotten the front diff go non add. Thank me later.

 

Sounds good, thanks!

 

I have an auto

 

From what I have read the the auto and manual cross-members are the same. The only time they are different is if the truck is 2wd or 4wd. Since my truck is 2wd I am just trying to find the measurements for my cross member to work with the manual trans and transfer case.

 

@jowybyo

 

Did you observed my post and notes?

 

Sorry did not see your post. I saw that you took your 2wd cross member and flipped it upside down then welded on a plate for mounting. How long and wide was that plate, if you remember? I think I am going to go down your route of coverting the cross member.

 

I am new to the forms didn't know what post 84 meant till I looked a little harder. Lol

 

Yeah I tried to reuse the existing crossmember, but it was ridiculous with the curves. So it was easier to fab up one out of 1/4" steel instead.

 

I am thinking about doing it the way Ricardo13x did it. Was his way harder to do or would it be easier to cut out the curve weld in some metal and make it all flat? Any chance you could post the measurements for relocating the bracket and explain how you ended up doing it all? Or if you've already posted about it could you send me the link? Thanks!

 

The quick rundown is I used the existing mounting hole ends cut them off and put the bolts in made sure they were in the same plane across and then measured. This isn't something you can really fab up until your at the step as everyone's numbers I asked for were different. Specifically how high the transmission sits for your truck.

 

Sounds good. How did you know when the trans was in at the right hight? Correct me if I’m wrong but on the pre runner the mount sits an inch back so I’ll have to push it an inch forward? Then adjust the hight of the cross member for the trans mount?

 

The transmission is in the same spot, the crossmember is a bit lower because it uses the different transmission mount. So that's why you kind of have to have it in place to try to mock it up.

I welded the crossmember and then made the mounting holes on a plate that I bolted in and welded it in place just to make sure it would fit. There's is very little tolerance on those stupid things lol.

 

From my understanding I need to get the trans mounted in place support and it with a trans jack then measure for the cross member? Which you route do you recommend cutting the curve out or flipping the 2wd cross member around and then welding in a plate? I do not own a welder so I’m going to have a shop do it for me.