4x2 to 4x4 conversion?
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Zachpins34
New member
check out COB's build thread, he just did it a few weeks ago
Beach Runner
New member
No, but this guy does!
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/61636-cobs-4runner-timeline-pic-heavy.html
Edit: Sorry, Zach beat me to it!
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/61636-cobs-4runner-timeline-pic-heavy.html
Edit: Sorry, Zach beat me to it!
Last edited:
potomacduck
New member
The best way to convert your 2WD to 4WD is to sell your 2WD and buy a 4WD.
The conversion will cost you a lot of money and it will never be as good as a 4WD designed and manufactured by Toyota.
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The conversion will cost you a lot of money and it will never be as good as a 4WD designed and manufactured by Toyota.
.
BrianSD_42
New member
COB's build is pretty amazing but you might be better off selling your 2wd and just buying a 4wd. Very few people could do what he did.
Dous
New member
I've got the 2.7 as well, and it won't be long before my conversion is a reality. One of my possible options, is to get a 2.7 4wd Tacoma and swap over the 4wd parts. Finding a 2.7 4wd 4runner is damn near impossible, but its Tacoma counterpart is far more abundant in salvage yards.
The other option is what COB did, but he spent quite a while sourcing parts and figuring it all out
The other option is what COB did, but he spent quite a while sourcing parts and figuring it all out
PitbullRescuer
New member
This. Not to take away from CoB, his is very nicely done and is a pretty bad ass truck. But I think even he would agree that just buying a 4WD is the way to go.
Dous
New member
Yea if it's stock. Personally, I have too much invested in mine and I would hate to part with it after all we have been through! I know CoB felt the same way too
Gerdo
New member
Buy a 4x4 and swap your parts over.
ChildrenOfBodom
Moderator
Yeah, I would advise against the conversion for most people. It is costly, at first, but people often forget that you can part out the rest of the parts truck. I've made about half of my money back and I haven't even sold the motor, old 2WD trans, doors (holding for a friend), rear axle, or seats yet. I still have pretty much all of the main expensive parts to sell. Between selling parts and swapping better parts into my own truck, I'm definitely making a profit on this conversion.
If you're like Dous or I with a huge sentimental attachment and the ability to convert, then conversion is the way. It's not like 4WD conversions all require what I went through, some completely avoid the aspect of wires with mechanical J-shifter T-case, manual hubs, and non ADD diff. It's doable and without $$$$$$. Still takes a lot of work, but not as much.
If you're like the other 99.9%, buy a 4WD. Most of the guys on here don't really have that much done to their trucks, converting a relatively stock truck would be costly and pointless.
The things that pushed me to convert:
1. Anyone can buy a 4WD. Not everyone can take a 2WD and make it into a legitimate 4WD.
2. Would you guys be mentioning my name if I just went out a bought another truck? I highly doubt it, my build would be 1,000x less interesting and would be a testament to wasted time. 4WD conversion makes for one unique truck, IMO.
3. Satisfaction. I can't even explain the feeling of completing a project of this magnitude. This was my first huge project and I would do it again just for that feeling of accomplishment.
Thank you fellas, for the support and mentioning my build. It's quite the turnaround for me, I was shot down by everyone I ever told about converting to 4WD. Another reason I converted mine was to shove it back in everyone's face who told me that I should buy a 4WD, or that couldn't successfully convert.
To those people who doubted me: :flipoff: In your face, you nonsupporting jerks.
:nicethread: OP, do whatever you please, my post is merely a suggestion for you. Seeing that I am one of very few who have completed the conversion on this forum (Scotty from AddictedOffroad comes to mind), I would advise against it unless your build is extensively in depth. Ultimately, it is your truck and your decision.
If you're like Dous or I with a huge sentimental attachment and the ability to convert, then conversion is the way. It's not like 4WD conversions all require what I went through, some completely avoid the aspect of wires with mechanical J-shifter T-case, manual hubs, and non ADD diff. It's doable and without $$$$$$. Still takes a lot of work, but not as much.
If you're like the other 99.9%, buy a 4WD. Most of the guys on here don't really have that much done to their trucks, converting a relatively stock truck would be costly and pointless.
The things that pushed me to convert:
1. Anyone can buy a 4WD. Not everyone can take a 2WD and make it into a legitimate 4WD.
2. Would you guys be mentioning my name if I just went out a bought another truck? I highly doubt it, my build would be 1,000x less interesting and would be a testament to wasted time. 4WD conversion makes for one unique truck, IMO.
3. Satisfaction. I can't even explain the feeling of completing a project of this magnitude. This was my first huge project and I would do it again just for that feeling of accomplishment.
I respectfully disagree, I converted mine to Toyota specifications, wire by wire, bolt by bolt, using OEM Toyota parts. I guarantee that anyone sitting in the driver's seat, operating either the manual transmission or 4WD, would not have the slightest clue that it was converted. All of the 4WD lights work, the transfer case shift procedure card in the sunvisor is there, the ECT button is blank, and PRND2L is gone. Works nicely when you have a perfect template.
Thank you fellas, for the support and mentioning my build. It's quite the turnaround for me, I was shot down by everyone I ever told about converting to 4WD. Another reason I converted mine was to shove it back in everyone's face who told me that I should buy a 4WD, or that couldn't successfully convert.
To those people who doubted me: :flipoff: In your face, you nonsupporting jerks.
:nicethread: OP, do whatever you please, my post is merely a suggestion for you. Seeing that I am one of very few who have completed the conversion on this forum (Scotty from AddictedOffroad comes to mind), I would advise against it unless your build is extensively in depth. Ultimately, it is your truck and your decision.
Dous
New member
Never! Believe me the thought has crossed my mind, BUT, we have owned this thing since it was brand new. All the places it has taken me, it's sentimental value at this point.
Singtoe
New member
Plus, his parts are welded on.:cheers:
brian2sun
Elite Member
I agree with COB. Converting a 2wd to a 4wd, using all OEM parts, is just as good as a truck that came from the factory with 4wd. You could even argue that COBs is even better because he went through just about every 4wd component with a fine tooth comb and he knows for a fact that everything is in good working order. A factory 4wd that has hardly (or never) been engaged in the last 10 or 15 years (like many of them out there) can turn into a headache.
I do think it's a lot easier (and probably a lot cheaper in most cases) to just buy a 4wd rather than convert a 2wd, especially if you aren't VERY mechanically inclined. But if yours is already modded out, I would ask myself this.. What's worse, moving all my mods onto a new truck, or doing the conversion. Chances are, unless it has a huge sentimental value, it'll be easier to just swap your mods.
If I had a 2wd, I would seriously consider going straight to an SAS. It's harder and even more pricey than an OEM 4wd conversion, but then you can choose your axle, suspension, t-case, steering system, etc.. and really make it a one-of-a-kind beast that will blow an OEM/IFS system outta the water (ala Scotty).
Props to COB though. He can enjoy the trails with the rest of us now, and that's gotta feel really good. I'm happy for ya! Now you just need some lockers and 35s! :naughty:
potomacduck
New member
So, if I read this correctly, the very best way to get a 4WD drive Toyota 4Runner is to buy a 2WD drive and convert it yourself.
That way you will have one built better than Toyota could have built it.
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That way you will have one built better than Toyota could have built it.
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Dous
New member
maxspeed96ct
New member
I recommend selling your 2wd and buying my tastefully modded 4x4 2.7 listed in the classifieds
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