I've spent hours searching and reading, and although I don't like to make unnecessary threads, I'm sure someone here could save me hours and headache.
Does anyone here know FOR SURE that an ECU from a 2003 V6 4WD M/T Tacoma will work in a 2001 4Runner?
TheDurk pointed me in that direction, as he recalls the 2003 Tacoma is Throttle By Wire(like 01/02 4Runner), has VSC, and was available in M/T.
I'm not asking "what parts do I need?", as there are plenty of those threads.
What I am wondering is- if anyone has done this swap- should I ask the yard I'm getting the ECU from to cut me as much wire as they can for the trans wiring? Along with clutch start cancel switch and wiring, and clutch pedal wiring? I've read about using certain circuits for enabling the cruise- is this complicated in 01/02 swaps?

Thanks for reading, and hope someone is able to help me out. I wanna get this ECU comin to me, but only if it's gonna work for me.

May I ask why Tacoma 2003 ? And not a different 4runner ?

Of course!
Because 4Runners weren't built with Throttle By Wire and a M/T; Tacomas were
The ECU is what controls the TBW, so an ECU from a 96-00 wouldn't work at all. I'm not looking to swap out the intake, TB, wiring harness, etc. I believe it can be done without too much hassle.
I've manual swapped a few of my vehicles, so I'm expecting the usual wiring. But I'd like to know that the Tacoma ECU plugs are the same, and that it will actually run my runner properly.

One of the members on here has done it (Anniesball) He said it was pretty much plug and play as (unlike earlier models) the plugs are all the same. I would grab the whole engine wiring harness if you can get it as it will make everything easier. Hopefully he will respond as he is the only one I know of who has done it

you could rent the FSM for $15 for 2 days and compare the plugs and ecu just to be safe. They usually have photos of the every plug.

Yeah, I'll definitely be doing that when the time comes for wiring.
Cool! Thank you! Now that I think more about the engine harness, does that have all the trans plugs as part of it too?
@anniesball ?

Engine harness will have all the plugs for the manual trans including the reverse lights. You will need to run the starting circuit back over to the clutch you put in.

I'd do that now. Why wait ? You can download them while your at it. This way you will 100% know that the plugs match, and the EWD is identical.

@anniesball has been inactive for the last 13 years and only has one post.

I think the member you are looking for is @anniesball72

Just for the record, I wasn't sure about the year, or if there was more than one year that worked. 2003 was my best recollection of a post I read months ago.

I'm pretty sure more than one has used this approach. Search on that user name, and look for some people chiming in when you find the right thread.

The approach I took was to not replace the harnesses at all. I jumpered my harness at the A/T plug to make it run. The truck ran fine with the 2002 4Runner ECM with a check engine light on.

I subsequently installed a 2004 Tacoma manual transmission 4x4 ECM and that cleared the check engine light. You will have to unplug two bulbs in the dash for the traction control which will no longer work but it's much better with out it.

The only ECMs that will work for our trucks are 2003 and 2004 year tacomas due to the drive by wire throttle body. These are getting difficult to find. I looked for over two months to find one reasonably priced.

Much much easier to just jumper the harness that swap it out.

PM me and I can tell you everything I did to make it work and look factory.

Are you building the ultimate 3rd gen??? 01-02 - Thunder Cloud Sport - Manual 5 Speed!? Dont forget the S/C & E-Locker & I will be totally jealous!

I guess I'm not the only one that thinks that's the ultimate 3rd gen!
It's not a sport. I actually didn't want a sport, as I don't like the gray interior. All the 01/02 sports I've seen have had gray cloth; I love my Black and Tan and leather! I do want a sport hood though- who doesn't?!
Well, you remembered correctly. I'll try to find the thread, and read through it.
For my own knowledge- as well as future searches- what causes the VSC/traction control to no longer work? Don't the Tacoma's have the same system?
I'm not arguing it's better without it, but there's something in me that would rather have it and be able to defeat it, rather than having the system malfunctioning and just pull bulbs.

It would be great if you could post the information here so people on future searches can use it and find it as well.