4WD conversion

[Swap Guy]

Interesting choice to keep the 2WD crossmember and mount. The 4WD one is a bit beefier, FYI (not the crossmember, the mount). Also, your 2WD crossmember doesn't line up with any off-the-shelf skid plates, so that could be an issue for some. It is still helpful to do some welding for the shifter hole to get all the weld nuts in the right place for the 4WD shifter assembly.

The electrical is 100% due to ADD, though if you want a 4WD indicator on the dash you need to wire that up. The plugs are there under the dash for the ADD Relay, but the engine bay wiring (driver's side fender and engine harness) need the wires added. This is all assuming you are putting in a j-shift case, of course.

There are technically different tunings for the ABS system and the auto trans shift points, so the 4WD parts there can possibly help. I still use my 2WD parts for both of those since I use a '97 as the parts truck for my '99.

-Charlie

That's really good information. For the mount I did use the 4wd mount as the 2wd mount would not bolt up to the transmission. I used the factory bracket from the 2wd as it bridges the gap of where the 4wd crossmember would sit. I am actually moving to a Trail gear skid/ crossmember. I had to shim the 2wd bracket as originally it was rubbing on the frame and causing some vibration. I got it to sit right however it is sitting just high enough that when I load the truck up with weight and the body mounts compress, the trans rubs the frame and causes an ever so slight vibration at idle. Its really hard to notice and I could shim the mount more to alleviate it, but I figure its a good time to upgrade to the big beefy trail gear crossmember.

Its also funny you mention the shifter assembly nuts as I just drilled holes and used self tapping screws along with some high qualify rubber sound deading to insulate the threads and cover the shifter hole (Me and gramps went to town with the grinder lmao). I didn't think to weld the nuts in place before.

I was planning on wiring the dash light and I'm playing with the idea of installing the center locking diff t-case in the future....just gotta figure out how to wire in the 4x4 control module into the dash.

As far as abs goes, my light is on and im using the hubs/ bearings from a 1st gen tacoma since I went with the manual hubs. Im wondering if its an issue with the sensor since I had a shop press in and assemble my spindles. I saw your right up on this before hand (very informative btw) and swapped in a 96 auto from an SR5 into my 99 Limited and its been running smooth as butter.

 

[phattyduck]

As far as abs goes, my light is on and im using the hubs/ bearings from a 1st gen tacoma since I went with the manual hubs. Im wondering if its an issue with the sensor since I had a shop press in and assemble my spindles. I saw your right up on this before hand (very informative btw) and swapped in a 96 auto from an SR5 into my 99 Limited and its been running smooth as butter.

The tone rings are probably missing on the hubs in the front...

-Charlie

 

[phattyduck]

Why in the world would you convert a 2wd to a 4? Didn't the factory make 4wd from the factory?
Why not just find a 4wd?
Seems like a ton of work for nothing.

This is three old thread, why are we re-hashing stupidity?

My 4Runner was free and my parts truck was $300. How much did you pay for your 4WD?

-Charlie

 

[brillo_76]

Why in the world would you convert a 2wd to a 4? Didn't the factory make 4wd from the factory?
Why not just find a 4wd?
Seems like a ton of work for nothing.

This is three old thread, why are we re-hashing stupidity?

I Know of a guy that do it then sale the converted rigs off. Mostly the 2wd were really plentiful in the south and rust free clean. So He converts them then sales them off. Lives in the northeast here I believe.

I really cant say its for nothing. If there is a market for it and people are buying them. That would be up to the owners and their choice. Many of people had done 2wd to 4wd conversions because it was a lot cheaper then buying factory 4wd.

This is no different then people converting automatics 4 runners to manuals. As
with only 3% of the factory made manuals from 1996 to 2000 and the rest being automatics. I can see people doing either if they wish.

People need to realize the rust belt is now out of 3rd gens. Unless they were taken care of or brought in from a non rust area. The rust free ones and ones with good frames bring decent money at least around here. There is only a handful around here now in my area. The rest are all gone. With more and more gone every year.

 

[Swap Guy]

The tone rings are probably missing on the hubs in the front...

-Charlie

Good guess, but I made sure to check that they were installed properly (you can see them through the ABS port on the spindle). I'm thinking its an issue with the ABS sensor itself.

 

[Swap Guy]

$7500. Right Now probably have $12k in it, but the money is relative. If you've got it then it's not a factor.

Do you know what a socket is? Lmao what you’re saying makes no sense anyways. It’s not all about the money some people enjoy building something and being able to call it their own. If you have ever worked on your truck before or done a project by yourself then you would understand this.

Besides if money is no object why do you even have this truck ? 12k is considered a cheap vehicle today so why don’t you go buy a new TRD 4Runner off the lot. I mean money is relative right?

You see, there’s always a good reason to work on your own car…

 

[phattyduck]

I still hold the opinion that converting something that can be bought is a proposition undertaken by a certain type of individual with a certain type of need. Others agree that finding the model they desire is readily available with a little search effort and, that the effort to acquire the model they desire outweighs the effort and headache of a complete conversion.

Anyway, You're opinion is great, thanks for sharing.

Merry Christmas.

I'm not the one you are replying to here... but well, they aren't making anymore 4WD 3rd gen 4Runners. Building one helps keep these vehicles on the road. I was able to take a good condition (rust free) nice- condition 2WD 4Runner and parts from a rolled 4WD 4Runner that was already going to the junkyard (that someone had used the motor from already) and make something that otherwise wouldn't exist.

Oh, and I got to spend a couple weekends with my buddies wrenching on a vehicle, which I find fun and relaxing.

It isn't for everyone though - I only suggest doing it if you have the time, space and tools to do it... and a back up vehicle, and, and, and...

-Charlie

 

[rallypoint_1]

I am looking forward to the write up! Duck has a real good one but hey what’s one more.

Mine is 2wd. It was my Dads so it has sentimental value to me. I would not get rid of for anything.

 

[Swap Guy]

I am looking forward to the write up! Duck has a real good one but hey what’s one more.

Mine is 2wd. It was my Dads so it has sentimental value to me. I would not get rid of for anything.

I'm most likely gonna make a youtube video before I make a write up on here as there is a lot of information to cover and a video is just easier. I'm thinking I will make the video within the next week, I'm still tinkering around with things....

Ducks write up is great, but as someone who knew almost nothing about this truck before hand I was pretty confused reading through it and he did a couple of things differently or that I just didn't do at all. I'm hoping to show a different perspective!

 

[Swap Guy]

Mount Video out on youtube

Its been a while since I last posted about this, but I made a video showcasing how I mounted my transmission. I'm sure I left a few things out so if you have any questions let me know!

I haven't made a full video on the 4wd swap process and I'm still deciding if I should. If there's enough people that want to see a video like that then I'll make one, but the process is pretty straight forward.

I think the biggest hang up for a lot of people is this mount and/or the effort of swapping or modifying your current trans to 4wd. I've definitely seen a lot of misinformation out there about it that I'd like to correct, but idk if its worth the effort lol.

Anyways, if you want a way to mount the trans or see the 2 ways I did it without cutting or welding, then check it out.

Youtube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCV07WTL-yQ