So,you are losing the AWD and ability to lock the center diff? I'm not so sure it's an upgrade as far as performance but if it was just the simple auto tranny swap I'd do it but to lose the multi-mode I'm not so sure.

AWD and locking the center locking diff are the same thing...

I dont use AWD really, Im either in 4L or nothing. I used AWD this past year during a pretty nasty winter, and found id rather be in 4HI than a primitive AWD system. With 220k on the trans and converter its only a matter of time before it craps out on me.

AWD and center diff lock? dont need that crap when you know how to drive.

any progress?

Nah nothing yet, its finally getting warm out and Ive been taking full advantage of the nice weather. My autos still doing really well, but I'm pretty excited for the manual.

Record speed if you do it that fast.

BTW, which ECU did you purchase? If I were in your position, I'd use a 99 SR5 4x4 M/T ECU and wire the transmission using OEM diagrams. It's worth it to have a properly wired truck IMO.

The rest is pretty straight forward... much easier when you don't have to completely add in 4WD altogether.

Good luck with the swap.

Any updates on this swap?

Not to toot my own whistle, I think that this swap would be pretty straight forward.

Assuming he got the drive shafts, it should all be bolt in. I wouldn't worry about switching out the ECU. I would trick the stock ECU into thinking that it was in N. I wouldn't worry about a starter interlock or clutch safeties either.

I would hook up the reverse lights and roll with it.

He could keep the AWD but he might have to get drive shafts shorten or lengthen accordingly.

I am going to be devils advocate. I like the automatic transmission. It's easy, fun to drive, smooth and pretty reliable.


It is a tough dissicion to make. Take a perfectly good running 4runner and break it apart to make some thing new. I myself had this struggle not to long ago.



The OP needs to sell the Auto tranny first, then do the conversion. He could let the prospective buyer test drive the tranny first then he feel confident about buying it. Once Sold, he could do the manual swap.

Bump!!!!

Any updates?

So you are saying that the Multi mode case will still function with a manual swap? And all dash lights will work correctly, assuming the ecu thinks it is in neutral? What about the ADD? What wiring does this swap require?

I'm confident with the entire process aside from the multi mode mating the the manual correctly and the wiring side of things. I'm trying to keep my original t-case and ecu and have everything function properly but I keep reading conflicting views to whether or not it will work. Thanks

Yes, it will still function in a manual swap.

There are solenoid wires that will have to have resistors installed to prevent check engine lights but that is easy enough.

The AWD ECM is stand alone any way so even if you used a manual engine wire harness, it could still be utilized, with all the dash lights working.

So I should be able to swap the transmission only? And the only wiring to do would be a clutch start switch and reverse lights? and something to fool the A/T ECU that it is always in neutral?

This sounds like it would work, but it seems like all the swaps I've looked into had an immense amount of complicated wiring and swapping of the ECU as well.

You do not need to do any wiring other than installing a couple of resisters in lew of the shift solenoids. There is a PRND21 switch on the auto tranny, just remove it from the tranny, leave it plugged into the wire harness, leave it in the N position and it will let the 4runner start up as normal.

The reverse light can be tied in here too. just run a ground and a signal wire from the reverse switch of the manual tranny to the PRND21 switch harness. This can be done all under the car.

You do not need to install a clutch cancel start switch. Fwiw, if you handle swapping out a tranny, you can handle to remember to push the clutch in when you start your 4runner.

Not to revive a dead thread, but I have a lot of curiosity in this. I'm getting bored fairly often while driving my auto, so I might be looking into this for future reference.

Did you get it done? If so, what all did you have to do, what were your costs, etc? Pics?

This can definitely be done with the multi-mode fully functional. I have a 2002 that I just swapped the auto to a manual transmission. All 4WD indicators work correctly. I left the multi mode tcase and all transfer case wiring intact. You will have to reverse the transfer case lever to fit on the same side as a "J" tcase would.

In my case all I did was jumper the park/neutral switch on the cable and wire in the reverse light. Everything works correctly.

I had to swap my ECM for a 2003 Tacoma V6 4X4 M/T because I have the drive by wire throttle.

I have no CEL's and pass CA smog just fine.