2wd to 4wd conversion questions

4Runner8

4Runner8

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I was looking to convert my 2wd 03 4runner to 4wd. i have been looking around for quite a while now and i have found a brand new toyota 2003 factory front axle assembly for 450. is this a good deal and would it be worth it because i dont want to have to sell my baby just to get 4wd. tell me what u think i should do
 
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I have not heard of anyone doing this, it would be quite the undertaking. There is a lot more going on than front axel assembly...

Good luck though and if you go forward with it make sure to keep us updated!
 
My vote would be try to sell your 4Runner and get a 4wd one though.

I know, I know its hard to part with your baby like that, but its just my 2 cents...
 
BlairB said:
My vote would be try to sell your 4Runner and get a 4wd one though.

I know, I know its hard to part with your baby like that, but its just my 2 cents...
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:iagree: If someone gave you an axle, t-case, transmission housing and driveshafts for free it would still be cost prohibative IMHO.:jaw drop: Why? Just to swap out necessary electronics and add the 4wd specific relays, harnesses etc would run $2k+ I am guessing.

:cheers:
 
yea thats what i figured someone would say but i got under 100k miles and a v8 with a nice and i mean nice sound system. JL audio component speakers. And 2 12 inch boss audio subwoofers. also have an alpine head unit that cost me a good 250 bones. haha but i might have to sell.:cry: I mean its my first car that i ever bought i would have gotten 4wd but i really wasnt into 4 wheelin 2 years ago so.
 
Recently traded in my '03 with all my stereo equipment in it...I figure I'm getting too old for it and can't listen to it loud anyway cuz my ears are so shot. If you don't want to lose the stereo just replace it with stock before trading it in...not that hard and would save you money, plus you would get a newer truck with less miles (well usually people do).

I'm on my 3rd 4runner and upgraded each time...
 
4Runner8 said:
well i am goin to go to my local 4wheel shop and ask them what they think
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Well they're gonna tell ya anythings possible with enough money.....I looked at doing this with my '02 Tacoma and got over it pretty quick with the amount of money that is involved.......instead I put a lift on it, 33" mud tires and had my rear locker, and could get pretty far with that......then when I was ready for my next car purchase....I def. got a 4x4 and will always have one from now on.....
 
i say, if your not willing to spend big $ & cant/ dont want to part with your baby, get a locker & call it a day.
 
4Runner8 said:
well i am goin to go to my local 4wheel shop and ask them what they think
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They're going to be salivating at the prospect of someone spending so much $ with them.

Seriously, as others have said, the expense of this conversion would be far too high to be practical.
 
Yeah I don't even think I would try to attempt that concerning the money issue plus the labor that is involved. You are way better off just buying a 4Runner 4WD. Just think about this. You probably don't want to get rid of the 2WD one but you can get the same vehicle, probably a little more updated yearwise and have the 4WD.

Now if you want to keep the one you have I would look into getting the lift, upgrading the tires to A/T tires. A 2WD 4Runner with some mods is still pretty good even though it isn't a 4WD. Unless you do some heavy duty offroad I would stick with those mods. Alot cheaper than trying to install 4WD on it.
 
I have looked into this quite extensively. After talking to just about all the shops out there, I came to the realization that I should just either save the money and purchase a 4WD 4runner or take the money that I would put down on a new car and purchase an older 4runner and call it a day.

FYI, quotes I have gotten on the rear locker are in the $1,500 - $1,700 range for parts and install. If you find it for less, let me know.

Hope this helps.
 
In all honesty, you could probably keep your 2WD since you like it so much - and you should, they're nice rides - and find a used 4x4 model that would cost as much OR LESS than the cost it would take to convert your 2WD to a 4WD.

Such conversions were much easier back in the day prior to computer-controlled-everything. As CJ3 above said, even if someone gave you all the drivetrain components, getting the proper electronics in hand, installed and working properly would cost you a mint, or two...You could probably find a decent V8 4WD 4th Gen for less than the $25k or so it would likely cost to adequately perform your conversion idea.
 
i just found an 03 v8 4wd for 12880 with 89k miles on it. its nice but i dont have the money right now unless i sell mine first
 
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