2WD Donor truck/frame? 4wd conversion?

[LookAtThatDog]

A 2wd 98 SR5 with a clean frame and 268k on the clock showed up on my local craigslist. Hes asking 1500, but I'm hoping I can get it for cheap. He wrote "Needs rear wheel bearing and axle seal on right rear tire. Mechanic recommends replacing the rear axle assembly." If I bought this thing and swapped in my rear axle, I'd have a rust free 2wd truck.

How hard would it be to make it 4wd? Do I just bolt in the front diff, swap over the spindles, ECU, driveshafts and bolt up a transfer case? Or would I have to swap the transmission too?

He rejected my offer of $500, but I'm guessing he'll reconsider if it sits on craigslist for a couple weeks.

 

[smyrna4run]

I think there is a different version of the A340 transmission in the 2wd and 4wd. May just be a longer spindle - but not a direct swap. If the body and frame are good on the new truck - could you swap the entire drive train? Is your current 4runner a 4wd?

 

[LookAtThatDog]

If I had the capacity, I'd totally swap the whole drivetrain. This would have to be a driveway job though.

My current truck is 4wd

 

[T4R2014]

$500 is a dick offer unless it has a bad engine or transmission. Even $1000 would be the lowest I'd offer.

 

[jmsdad]

How hard would it be to make it 4wd? Do I just bolt in the front diff, swap over the spindles, ECU, driveshafts and bolt up a transfer case? Or would I have to swap the transmission too?

He rejected my offer of $500, but I'm guessing he'll reconsider if it sits on craigslist for a couple weeks.

You need a 4wd tranny. Or buy 4wd conversion plate from Inchwormgear and a t-case to convert the 2wd tranny to 4wd. If using the 4wd tranny you would have to either cut/re-weld the tranny crossmember or fab an extended mount for the 4wd tranny. The 2wd equipped 4runner's tranny crossmember is about 6" towards the rear compare to the 4wd version..


I'd offer him $800 and see where his counter offer is at

 

[PhdNPrerunners]

$500 is a dick offer unless it has a bad engine or transmission. Even $1000 would be the lowest I'd offer.

X2 he will probably easily get $1000 for it

 

[T4R2014]

X2 he will probably easily get $1000 for it

My mechanic got 600 from a scrap yard for a dead Ford Exploder. You're lucky he was nice, if I was that guy I would have told you to go F yourself at the bare minimum.

 

[LookAtThatDog]

I don't have much more than $500 to spend. There's not a lot of 4runner love in Chicago, it'll probly sit on craigslist forever even if he was asking $800. It might fetch $1k if it were 4wd.


I'll keep you guys updated

 

[UnderFire]

I don't know about the Auto specifically, but on the manual trannies the output shaft and tailshaft housings are different between the 4WD and 2WD, you'd most likely be better off swapping the trans.

 

[Begrig]

Same question

I have a 4wd rust bucket that frame broke so I bought a 2wd primo frame and shell for $500 no engine or tranny or interior. My questions are can I swap out the rear gearbox instead of the whole rear axle and install my front actuator to the existing front axle ?

 

[phattyduck]

I have a 4wd rust bucket that frame broke so I bought a 2wd primo frame and shell for $500 no engine or tranny or interior. My questions are can I swap out the rear gearbox instead of the whole rear axle and install my front actuator to the existing front axle ?

A search would probably answer your question. Here's a good thread:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/236572-2wd-vs-4wd-frame.html

If I understand what you are asking, I would suggest putting your body on the 2WD frame. Move/weld the rear trans crossmember in the correct 4WD location, and everything else bolts in. The thread linked in my signature shows what I did to convert my 2WD to 4WD.

-Charlie