Hi guys

I've had a look at a few of the 2WD vs 4WD threads here, but they all seem to be more geared towards a comparison in performance.

I would like to know, what the difference is in the frame (chassis) itself.

For example, what are the differences between a 2WD 2.7 5-speed frame and a 4WD 2.7 5-speed frame?

I'm guessing front diff mounts and transmission cross-member location???

Anything I'm overlooking?

Thanks,

EO

There is no difference between the transmission crossmember or mount on a 2wd 2.7 5speed and a 4wd 2.7 5speed. The transmission mount is under the transmission itself so it does not matter which transfer case bolts off of it. The transmission crossmember only changes location between a 2.7 and a 3.4 as the 2.7 is a longer engine and shifts everything back a little. The difference between an auto and 5speed of the same engine is only the mount itself. front diff I cannot help you with

OK, good to know. The mount on the 2ED must be right at the back of the transmission though, as on the 4WD it is on the extension housing between the transmission and transfer...

Thanks

EO

For the V6 auto:

The 2WD frame has the frame horns for the transmission crossmember about 6" farther to the back of the truck. Oddly, the transmission mount come forward on a bracket from that crossmember to about the same position as the 4WD mount. The 2WD crossmember/frame horns are in the way of where the transfer case drops.



In that picture, the clean crossmember is in the 4WD position, the dirty, more rearward one is in the 2WD position. The frame horns themselves are exactly the same (same Toyota PN) and the crossmember is very similar (same basic design, a couple differences in welded-on parts). I took that pic in the middle of my 2WD to 4WD swap...

-Charlie

Interesting!

Can you tell me if the front crossmember which supports the front diff is the same on 2WD vs 4WD??

Thanks

The rest of the frame is exactly the same, as far as I can tell.

There are minor differences on the body (shifter holes and some other very minor brackets inside).

-Charlie

Position of the trans crossmember on the frame is different, that's it.

So then basically all that needs to be done when swapping 4x4 equipment onto the 2wd frame is relocate the trans crossmember? I’ve read some things about body mounts being an issue?

Body mounts changed through the years a bit, but nothing affects the 4WD system.

The upper rear suspension arms are a different length, there are body differences around the shifter hole... and a few wiring differences depending on what you are using and starting with.

But its all easy stuff, in the grand scheme of things.

-Charlie

Thanks Phattyduck for getting back to me I know it’s an old thread I just have a gem on my hands from what I’ve been told and would like to just swap in a rust free frame. To give you more info on my setup and plans..I have a 2000 limited 4x4 with frame rot and I found a rust free 98 limited 2wd. Another thing I’m wondering is if I can just swap my 3rd member into the 2wd rear end housing? As I have quite a bit of rust on that too.

Yup, it is a direct swap. I have a '97 4WD rear diff in my '99 2WD rear housing. Expect to do the rear axle seals while you are at it (look up the Timmy the Toolman video on it).

-Charlie

Hey guys, not sure if y'all are still on this thread, but im looking for help and info. Thanks for the information on this thread. Awesome.

My 14-year-old daughter and I are tackling a frame swap on our (soon to be hers) 97 runner limited 4*4. The doner is a mint 98 2wd limited. Both are 3.4L V6 Auto. We are trying to gather as much info as possible before starting this upcoming thanksgiving.

The 97, a Canadian runner, has been mine daily for the past 10 years. moved to Texas 3 years ago from Canada. We were in the process of a 3" lift and saw the dreaded frame rot in the rear... So we decided to tackle a frame swap and found a 98 mint texas 2wd; identical runner to ours (other than it's a 2wd)

We plan to keep the 97 body (we just re-did the leather and interior), keep the engine, front end, trans (completely rebuilt last month) 4wd riggen from the 97, and use the frame and rear end housing out of the 98 2wd.

The questions im trying to figure is:

- How does the front driveline bolt in, and do I need to weld/hack trans cross members to get the transfer case/trans to bolt in?
- Can I swap the internals of a 97 electric locker to the 98 2WD rear diff housing?

Looking at the above string, looks like one needs to weld in a new cross member and possibly remove the other?

Thank you in advance for any help.

Dylan

You will have to move the transmission crossmember since you are using a 2wd frame with a 4wd powertrain.

Rear differential will not swap into the 2wd rear axle housing. The elocker axle housing has a different flange and bolt pattern for the 3rd member compared to a non e-locker housing. The easiest thing to do would be using your entire elocker axle. Your elocker axle gear ratio is most likely 4.30 and the other axle is probably a 4.10 gear ratio. If you decide to use the 4.10 axle you will need to find a 4.10 front differential to match it.

Yes, you need to move the 'frame horns' on the 2WD frame to match the 4WD frame and bolt on the 4WD crossmember between them. Everything else will bolt in exactly the same. While you are at it, make sure you use your rear 4WD upper arms. The rest of the 2WD arms/links are the same as the 4WD. Front driveline mount points are there on the 2WD frame. Front knuckles can be converted to 4WD with 4WD wheel bearings + hubs or you can move over your 4WD parts to the 2WD truck.

As mentioned already, you would have to modify the non-elocker housing to fit an e-locker diff. Probably better to clean and re-use the e-locker housing.

-Charlie