Just out of curiousity, how much modification would it take to swap the fulltime system from the Limited into an SR5 or Trail?

Thanks

It would me a massive amount of work I assume and void the warranty on drivetrain components. Not worth it. It would be easier to buy a limited and swap on Trail/SR5 wheels and other part like Harper7 did. Edit: I don't know if you could just walk into a dealer and ask the parts counter for a t-case for a limited. That would be another source of frustration. Also, I assume the electronics are different in the full time t-case.

Just out of curiosity, why would you even ask such a thing? Seriously, answer please.

What you suggest wouldn't be cost effective after the fact, especially on a brand new or even slightly used 5th Gen. If you pursued this as an option for your planned SR5 purchase, you'd eat up any savings by not purchasing the TE, TEP, TRDPRO, and now, the Limited in the first place.

I've had plenty of Full-time AWD and Part-time 4WD vehicles -- full time AWD is great, but the part-time systems I've drove weren't lacking by any means.

Agree w/ Philsey -- why would you want to do this?

Get 20-30 grand and call Slee Off Road outside of Denver.

... and have them install an Atlas 4...

Atlas4 : Atlas 4 Speed Transfer Case | Advance Adapters

I have never owned a part time 4wd vehicle and up here in NY we can get a lot of snow...

My current vehicle is AWD and is great in the snow, and I cant help but think that a vehicle that Id have to keep in RWD in a torrential downpour or semi-plowed roads and city streets would be at a disadvantage versus a fulltime 4wd vehicle.

As an overall package I like the Trail Premium more than the Limited, except for the part time system.

So I was just curious what a swap would entail.

Great question and one I have pondered. While the above comments i think are less then helpful they are on the right track. It would be expensive and still no stronger , yet it has more appeal to me then doing a SAS swap etc. From what I have looked into the swap is doable mechanically but as no one has done it there is limited information. The electronics side of it is where I am concerned, I know I could get it to work but getting it to act/look like it came that way would be my goal.

The cases are not the same dimensions as the Full time is longer due to the Torsen center diff. What I do not know (could check parts diagrams) is would you need both a new front and rear drive shafts or only 1.

*New front and rear driveshaft (not sure if both would be needed)
*Either swap front axle housings/diff or permanently engage the ADD
*New transfer case (either from a limited or my preference would be a MT FJ so you can keep the lever actuation.
*new 4x4 edu (likely- again may cause if the rear diff lock runs though the 4x4 ECU as the limiteds don't have a rear diff lock....MT FJ's might)
*new gauge cluster (not sure if the trail has the center diff lock icon and not sure if the limiteds have the kiss light so this may not even be possible to get true "factory look"

Anyways I have no plans to do this in the near future but thought I would let you know ( I actually posted a similar question not long ago and got the same sort of responses)

Agree w/ you. There is a certain amount of comfort w/ the AWD system. However, I've lived in some cold and snowy climates and it seemed that the AWD and even 4WD systems caused drivers to be over confident in their and their vehicle's capability, as they found themselves in the ditch as often as a RWD or FWD vehicle.

You'll get used to the 4Runner's RWD/4WD functionality quickly and realize that it's a very capable system. You'll just have to remember to make the shift to 4WD when the conditions warrant it, and switch out when the roads no longer require the use of 4WD.

As you can see from some of the more seasoned vets of this forum and Toyota ownership, switching after the fact is not an inexpensive endeavor.

Why not get a limited and give it whatever it is you like about the TE or SR5? Cheaper and easier.

Cheapest alternative?
1.Three grand for cosmetics
2. Three grand to remove XREAS and install decent suspension.

So now for 47K total you have a TRDPRO with full time 4WD.

You need to take some extra time to think about your dilemma. As they say, sleep on it.

" ... In short, sleeping on a decision allows us to differentiate between the vital and the irrelevant aspects, ultimately leading to higher quality decisions. Our unconscious can process large amounts of information — as long as we give it time to do so."

https://hbr.org/2011/05/a-counter-intuitive-approach-t/

Im asking for information about different aspects of the vehicle so that I can be informed and determine the best decision to make regarding a 4Runner.

Your post suggests that I do not have the capacity to think for myself and come to an informed decision. It neither answers my question, nor helps me come to a decision as I am not 5.

But thanks

Thanks for the input. It was just a curiousity, but now I know it wouldnt make sense to attempt. Much appreciated.

I want Auto Climate control, keyless start/entry, KDSS, Softtex Seats, AWD, Rear Locker, Black interior trim pieces, a lever actuated T-Case, a center display with more then just a clock, the updated interior of the 2014+'s and the rear window that roles down via buttons not key on the outside........Should I start with a limited or a trail? And buying a land cruiser or Lexus is not an option, must be a 4runner?