I'm not sure if this will help you or not, but here is my write up. I just swapped a 2000 r150f in to my 2002 and kept the multimode.

I would really like to read it!

Indeed I do. I want to start putting info into a notebook for a manual of sorts before spring gets here. That was why I posted this thread. I've seen a lot of swap threads but nothing with a crazy amount of detail at all. But also I'm not intimidated at all. I'm very very mechanically inclined and I'm a smart dude. 3.9 GPA in college right now full time work full time school. I dont have a lot of time to search around the interwebs at the moment

whoops... thought I posted the link... lol

2002 Toyota 4Runner 5sp swap

Ar15 trigger spring jumper. That’s a first!!

Hello everyone. Resurrecting this thread with yet more questions. Last year I swapped out the transfer case in my 1997 SR5 for a multi-mode case from a 2000 limited donor. My truck is an automatic. The swap involved taking the 4x4 ECU from the 2000 donor and doing a little bit of fiddling to adapt it to the 97. Part of the issue was creating longer pieces of wiring harness as the 97 4x4 ECU locates in a different part of the truck then the 2000 did. Of course there were other issues, but nothing insurmountable. All in all, it was a pretty straightforward modification. And having the multimode case is a fantastic upgrade for daily driving here in western Canada.

But....a month ago, I picked up a wrecked 96 Hilux surf, and my plan was to swap engines and transmissions, to give myself the 1kz along with the mated automatic transmission that comes with it. While I'm still down to do this, anyone who's done the research knows that the KZ is not an ideal diesel platform. It's not very fuel efficient, doesn't have a lot of power, and about the only thing it has going for it is Toyota reliability and the cool factor.

I had been looking at doing a 1.9 L TDI swap, but a few different people have said that's impossible while keeping the automatic transmission. Fair enough. But if I wanted to switch to a five-speed behind the Volkswagen engine, I could theoretically run the multimode case. With the correct adapters, of course. Has anyone done any Research into going this direction?

I've looked into it a little, but couldn't tell you about the multimode electronic side.

Engine to R150F adapters: VW 1.9 TDI to R150 Adapter Kit | Doomsday Diesel or VW ALH And AHU To Toyota R150 Adapter Plate - Includes Crankshaft Spacer ***CALL FOR AVAILABILITY***

As long as you are using a R150F then the multimode case will bolt right up. You might have to get different driveshafts depending on where the transfer case flanges end up due to engine/transmission placement. Manual transmission is also shorter than the A340F automatic transmission. You'll also have to modify the body for the manual transmission shifter and master cylinder, but manual transmission swap people have documented the necessary steps on the forum.

There's a youtuber that did a TDI swap on a 2004 Tacoma. Here's the playlist: 2004 Tacoma Build - YouTube

EDIT: I plan on keeping my 4Runner for as long as physically possible. It fulfills all my needs/wants and is the perfect size for everything I need it to do. I'm waiting for my engine to blow up and hopefully by then I will be in a place financially to swap a Cummins R2.8 engine in. The Cummins conversion will not be cheap or for the faint of heart, but it will be a brand new modern diesel engine.

Thanks for the reply. Yeah, the way I did my multimode upgrade it is 100% independent of the '97 ECUs except where it ties into the speed sensors. I figure that will make it useable with whatever swap I go with. The shaft lengths will be one of those issues to map-out toward the end, but not too complicated. Between the different shaft lengths of the later Limited and early SR5 3rd gens, and the bevvy of other Toyota combos out there there's bound to be a match.

I had honestly never considered mating the MM with a manual box before but I think it would be a great combo.

That Cummins swap will be a beast. Looking forward to subscribing to that one.

The trigger has been pulled. Sold the Surf and instead went with a 2.0 BHW from a Passat TDI mounted to the R150F and V53AM. Trans and case mated perfectly. Engine is bolted up but waiting on a new cam and valve work. Details to follow once it's all stuck together....

Diesel manual multimode - woohoo!