TheManOutside
New member
Here are the two 4wd pages :
I'm not really sure where the relay is (unless its the 4WD ECU?)... I still gotta read up A LOT on this stuff... anyone know a good place/way to learn how to read these diagrams?
2wd Automatic to 4wd Manual Swap - Need some help/have some questions.
- Thread starter TheManOutside
- Start date
Here are the two 4wd pages :
I'm not really sure where the relay is (unless its the 4WD ECU?)... I still gotta read up A LOT on this stuff... anyone know a good place/way to learn how to read these diagrams?
TheDurk
Elite Member
Yeah, that's the push-button 4wd diagram. So that has the 4wd ECU in place of the '4x4 relay which is used with the J-shift. I've been assuming that the trans/TC you will source will be a 5-speed J-shift like mine. I'm not even sure you could get a push-button TC and 5-speed in '97, but that's more of a guess. It would be a much bigger job to retrofit than a J-shift.
The EWD diagrams are explained in the front of the EWD manual, if you have the whole thing.
Still, since your harness is an auto, it may be wired for the push-button. Let me study your pictures with this in hand. I'll get back to you.
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TheManOutside
New member
Alright, sounds good. I would prefer (and am probably going to be only getting) a J-Shift. Seems like not only the best but the easiest option as well. Let me know if you need any more pics!
IBallEngineer
New member
This is the place!! And the way to learn is to use them. If you notice at the end of any section there is a legend of sorts. That will guide you in figuring out WHERE a connector is, and the general layout. Look at the symbol and lettering on the diagram, for example a circle with 1F inside. Then check the legend it will tell you "driver's side junction block" or Engine Bay Fuse Block. It isn't always easy, but it isn't that hard either. And you can always ask for help.
You have as good as it gets helping you already.
op2:
TheManOutside
New member
:bump2: :bump2:
Alright, so I havn't had much luck finding any decent donors (i found one, however it was $1.5k and automatic), so that got me thinking - would it ultimately be easier to add 4wd with an automatic tranny (as opposed to manual)? or is there really no huge difference?
Also, are any special tools required for this swap, besides a jack? Thanks!
Alright, so I havn't had much luck finding any decent donors (i found one, however it was $1.5k and automatic), so that got me thinking - would it ultimately be easier to add 4wd with an automatic tranny (as opposed to manual)? or is there really no huge difference?
Also, are any special tools required for this swap, besides a jack? Thanks!
IBallEngineer
New member
Well a jack is hardly a special tool. Lots of tools, nothing truly "special".
If you are going to do this, do what you really WANT. I'm partial to automatics, long days on the rock crawling trail get old using the clutch. Of course if you gear it down enough you can drive it like an auto.
Whatever you like is what to do, for sure.
:cheer2:
TheManOutside
New member
To be honest, I could care a less about 4wd indicators and computer stuff (it would operate almost like a really old 4x4 I would assume).
So, if I were to get an automatic 4x4 transmission (+ t-case and everything), could I plug it into the 2wd ECU, or not wire anything 4wd related on a 4wd ECU, and still have fully functional 4wd?
So, if I were to get an automatic 4x4 transmission (+ t-case and everything), could I plug it into the 2wd ECU, or not wire anything 4wd related on a 4wd ECU, and still have fully functional 4wd?
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TheManOutside
New member
Bump?
I know what I'm asking is possible, I'm just not sure with the 4Runner t-case.
I know what I'm asking is possible, I'm just not sure with the 4Runner t-case.
Scramble
New member
I'm not a mechanic but I think you can swap out the ECU with a 4WD one. You wouldn't have any indicator lights or anything but I've seen people here add them. [MENTION=25058]ChildrenOfBodom[/MENTION] did an amazing job on his. I bought a used one from the junk yard for my old Honda for $30. Personally I would go with a Manual. You have more control over the vehicle. AND you wont have the tranny searching for gears when you add larger tires. No separate tranny cooler, no pink milkshake...
Scramble
New member
COB has done more mods to his truck than anyone & does them well.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/61636-cobs-4runner-timeline-pic-heavy.html
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/61636-cobs-4runner-timeline-pic-heavy.html
ChildrenOfBodom
Moderator
So long as you use a J shifter T case, you can do that... Although as mentioned, a 4WD ecu will plug right in as long as it's from the same engine/year
ChildrenOfBodom
Moderator
thanks for a the kind words, Scramble!
TheManOutside
New member
Yeah, I can swap out the ECU I just might have to re-pin some stuff but I should be fine... And as for manual, yeah I'd prefer it but it's all about finding one lol. I'm still searching for that "perfect donor."
Wow! Hello! First of all your build thread is awesome and it's been extremely helpful to me so far, so thank you! Anyway, what do you mean by "I can do that"? Do you mean I can have 4wd without any wiring as long as I have a J-Shifter? And will 4wd work if I plug in my 2wd harness into a 4wd ECU, even though it's missing 4wd wires?
Here is a pretty cool example of 4wd I found without any wiring (he still has his 2wd ECU and shifter):
Is something like this possible with the 4runner T-case? He used an 80 series land cruiser one, IIRC.
Here's his build thread. It's quite the project if you havn't seen it.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/128755-johns-99-4runner-rebuild-build-6.html
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TheManOutside
New member
Unexpected turn...
Alright. so, I have some pretty bad (yet also good) news regarding this project. I'm going to try to make this as short as possible. I'm also going to say this in a fast way and then the more detailed, reason-why-I-did-it way.
Super fast lame way : Swap's not happening
cry, I got a 1st gen.
Long way : First of all, I'd like to say that there's nothing I hate more than a person that's all talk and no show, and I hate myself for being one of those people, so forgive me
Anyway, I've been searching all over (junk yards, craigslist, etc) for a truck suitable enough to be a donor for the swap. Unfortunately, I couldn't find any rolled vehicles or anything worthy of using for less than $1500 :scared: however, I think I found something better, for me at least. While I was searching for the donor of my dreams, I came across something very interesting. A 1985 SR5 Toyota 4runner, 22re with a solid front axle. At first, I ignored it, but then it kept popping up in my searches. I decided to check it out just because why not. So I did, and somehow I ended up buying it, for just under $1000. The reason it was so cheap is because a tree decided to attack it, so the roof is slightly dented, sunroofs done, and windshield is cracked. The reason I bought it, however, is because of its mechanical condition. The thing runs better than my 97 4runner! It starts up instantly, and it has almost no major rust and a handful of new parts. Unfortunately, I am selling my 3rd gen to a friend of mine, and will be building up this 1st gen as an extremely offroad capable daily driver. I am extremely exited to start this project, as I've always wanted a project car/truck.
Unfortunately this is the only pic I have as of right now, I will be starting a build thread soon though!
I'd also like to say that I am extremely sorry for dropping this project so suddenly. There have been many other "complications" with this swap (that I don't want to get into detail about) that have been holding me back. I'm also sorry for wasting peoples time answering my many questions (at least I feel like I wasted others time, and I love parentheses). Thank you everyone that took the time to respond and deal with me, I still greatly appreciate it, and I honestly learned a lot.
Sorry, and thank you.
Alright. so, I have some pretty bad (yet also good) news regarding this project. I'm going to try to make this as short as possible. I'm also going to say this in a fast way and then the more detailed, reason-why-I-did-it way.
Super fast lame way : Swap's not happening
cry, I got a 1st gen.Long way : First of all, I'd like to say that there's nothing I hate more than a person that's all talk and no show, and I hate myself for being one of those people, so forgive me
Anyway, I've been searching all over (junk yards, craigslist, etc) for a truck suitable enough to be a donor for the swap. Unfortunately, I couldn't find any rolled vehicles or anything worthy of using for less than $1500 :scared: however, I think I found something better, for me at least. While I was searching for the donor of my dreams, I came across something very interesting. A 1985 SR5 Toyota 4runner, 22re with a solid front axle. At first, I ignored it, but then it kept popping up in my searches. I decided to check it out just because why not. So I did, and somehow I ended up buying it, for just under $1000. The reason it was so cheap is because a tree decided to attack it, so the roof is slightly dented, sunroofs done, and windshield is cracked. The reason I bought it, however, is because of its mechanical condition. The thing runs better than my 97 4runner! It starts up instantly, and it has almost no major rust and a handful of new parts. Unfortunately, I am selling my 3rd gen to a friend of mine, and will be building up this 1st gen as an extremely offroad capable daily driver. I am extremely exited to start this project, as I've always wanted a project car/truck.
Unfortunately this is the only pic I have as of right now, I will be starting a build thread soon though!
I'd also like to say that I am extremely sorry for dropping this project so suddenly. There have been many other "complications" with this swap (that I don't want to get into detail about) that have been holding me back. I'm also sorry for wasting peoples time answering my many questions (at least I feel like I wasted others time, and I love parentheses). Thank you everyone that took the time to respond and deal with me, I still greatly appreciate it, and I honestly learned a lot.
Sorry, and thank you.
