2wd to 4wd????
- Thread starter zukrider
- Start date
There was talk of this about doing a Tacoma 2wd to 4wd swap. The gist/general agreement was laughter, followed by "Heck no, it's way too pricey, not simply swap parts." If you need the 4wd that bad, trade yours in for comparable with 4wd and poney up the extra couple grand.
It's not just the axle, it's the electronics to switch the gears, the drivetrain, the locker (and its associated parts)... assuming, of course, that the 4runner is comparable to the tacoma, which is likely given how many parts they really share.
It's not just the axle, it's the electronics to switch the gears, the drivetrain, the locker (and its associated parts)... assuming, of course, that the 4runner is comparable to the tacoma, which is likely given how many parts they really share.
PAToyota
Adventurer
There are only a few ways that the swap becomes a legitimate choice:
The last one can be anything from it was your grandfather's pickup and you'll never sell it to other prior mods (engine swap) that would be more trouble to swap to a new vehicle.
Stock 2WD to (mostly) stock 4WD conversion is never going to be cheaper in the long run than just finding a 4WD version to start with.
- the vehicle was never offered in 4WD.
- you're doing a considerable change from the stock version - long travel suspension, axle swaps, etc.
- the vehicle you have has "extra" value to it.
The last one can be anything from it was your grandfather's pickup and you'll never sell it to other prior mods (engine swap) that would be more trouble to swap to a new vehicle.
Stock 2WD to (mostly) stock 4WD conversion is never going to be cheaper in the long run than just finding a 4WD version to start with.
SAR_Squid79
Explorer
Neliconcept's 3rd Gen 4Runner build (2WD --> 4WD):
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8133
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8133
4runnin4life
New member
Hello! My name is Dan and this will be my first post on ExPo.
I'm not familiar with 3rd gens, but I am definetly more than qualified to answer your question in a general form.
Because your vehicle is newer than my "84-ish" 4Runner, parts are going to be more expensive. The easiest, and possibly cheaper, form of completing such a task is to purchase a 3rd gen 4x4 4runner that has endured extreme body damage and has been totaled out.
Then you take the sheetmetal tub from your vehicle and drop it on the donor frame and drivetrain. Which engine you keep is up to you. You can go by mileage unless you feel that your knowledge on the current health of your motor is more important.
DMV only works off of VIN numbers found on the sheetmetal body structures, thus you can keep your registration intact. CHP and other law enforcement agencies use VIN numbers from both body, frame, and on some occaisons, engine block numbers during case investigations. So as long as you stay out of legal trouble, mismatched frame and body numbers are irrelevant.
As for my 4Runner, I was building from an extended cab truck. So naturally, a new body and frame were necessary to complete my "truck to SUV" swap. The severe mismatch of VIN numbers ultimately led the CHP inspector to classify it as a "special construction vehicle". Though the title is unusual, it has not held me from obtaining a legal on-highway vehicle registration. The truck is my everyday driver:
For my project, I had to cut and relocate certain frame mounts because the donor frame was a short bed/standard cab frame mating to a 4Runner body. However, for your project all mounting points should match just fine as long as you're using 3rd gen 4Runner stuff.
So, give it time to think over such a project. If you're mechanically savvy, and have determination and EXCELLENT organization practices, it can be done. I have had no issues with doing such major surgery, because I thought and planned ahead and checked every bolt twice.
"Oh what a feeling... TOYOTA!"
I'm not familiar with 3rd gens, but I am definetly more than qualified to answer your question in a general form.
Because your vehicle is newer than my "84-ish" 4Runner, parts are going to be more expensive. The easiest, and possibly cheaper, form of completing such a task is to purchase a 3rd gen 4x4 4runner that has endured extreme body damage and has been totaled out.
Then you take the sheetmetal tub from your vehicle and drop it on the donor frame and drivetrain. Which engine you keep is up to you. You can go by mileage unless you feel that your knowledge on the current health of your motor is more important.
DMV only works off of VIN numbers found on the sheetmetal body structures, thus you can keep your registration intact. CHP and other law enforcement agencies use VIN numbers from both body, frame, and on some occaisons, engine block numbers during case investigations. So as long as you stay out of legal trouble, mismatched frame and body numbers are irrelevant.
As for my 4Runner, I was building from an extended cab truck. So naturally, a new body and frame were necessary to complete my "truck to SUV" swap. The severe mismatch of VIN numbers ultimately led the CHP inspector to classify it as a "special construction vehicle". Though the title is unusual, it has not held me from obtaining a legal on-highway vehicle registration. The truck is my everyday driver:
For my project, I had to cut and relocate certain frame mounts because the donor frame was a short bed/standard cab frame mating to a 4Runner body. However, for your project all mounting points should match just fine as long as you're using 3rd gen 4Runner stuff.
So, give it time to think over such a project. If you're mechanically savvy, and have determination and EXCELLENT organization practices, it can be done. I have had no issues with doing such major surgery, because I thought and planned ahead and checked every bolt twice.
"Oh what a feeling... TOYOTA!"
Martinjmpr
Wiffleball Batter
In Colorado? I've seen very few 2wd 4runners here (really, why would you get a 2wd 4runner in CO.)
OTOH, you can't swing a dead cat without hitting 15 3rd gen 4wd 4runners.
I've heard people on the East Coast or the Southeast lamenting that they can't find a decent 4wd 4runner (lots of 2wd 4runners there) but if you're in CO, finding a decent 4runner should be easy. And by the time you convert a 2wd to 4wd you will have spent a lot more money than it would have cost to find a decent 4wd and do what's neccessary to bring it up to decent condition.
In fact, I'd say if somebody gave me a 2wd 4runner, free of charge, the most reasonable way to get a 4wd would be to sell the 2wd on Craigslist and then use the money to buy a 4wd.
AddictedOffroad
Adventurer
I specifically looked and found a 2wd to convert it. (Less to cut off)
My conversion was a little over the top for most guys though.
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=48836
My conversion was a little over the top for most guys though.
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=48836
zukrider
Explorer
not many are reading. i am in the market for a 3rdgen. there are quite a few 2wd in colorado, but more importantly, cali and new mexico have a ton of them. they are much cheaper, and finding a front end damaged 4x4 is real easy.
im not afraid of the work. im a former mwchanic whith a large selection of tools. finding a 3rd gen that is in my budget and one im willing to buy is another thing. hence the 2x4 question.
really, all i was looking for was a yes or no that it is "bolt on". are the control arm mounts the same, the drivetrain mounts there for the t-case? stuff like that. i appreciate all the input.
joe
im not afraid of the work. im a former mwchanic whith a large selection of tools. finding a 3rd gen that is in my budget and one im willing to buy is another thing. hence the 2x4 question.
really, all i was looking for was a yes or no that it is "bolt on". are the control arm mounts the same, the drivetrain mounts there for the t-case? stuff like that. i appreciate all the input.
joe
AddictedOffroad
Adventurer
Yes, it all bolts on. No difference in frame vs 2wd-4wd except a crossmember mount or two. You will need a 4wd trannt/tcase or hit up Inch Worm Gear for an adapter to convert the 2wd case into a 4wd.
Interesting thread, that was a good solution you posted, AddictedOffroad to Sell a Truck Online. I have a similar situation here and looks like it'll help. Thanks
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