97 manual to 99 A/T trans swap question

[toyotaspeed90]

Our 97 T4R M/T (v6 set 4wd) was wiped out in an accident.

We are eyeing a 99 SR5 A/T....

I assume a 96/97 would be roughly as simple as a trans/transfercase/driveline swap, and ecu pin outs are the same, so then just bypass the starter NSS.

Wondering if a 98-2000 is different in the ecu and whether the swap is about the same.

Understood I would probably run the AT ecu and just throw a code, not would rather not.

Any input would be great. The 97 is drivable, but no not going to repair. The MTs here are insanely expensive or several hundred miles away.

Thanks.

 

[Quantumkiwi]

Having just finished my manual swap (auto-manual) I can safely say that its probably more work to do the transmission swap than it is to do the repair work on the crashed car. Going from auto to manual is significantly easier than the other way, since going from manual to auto will significantly add electronic complexity.

The mechanical part is by far the easiest part.

Wiring harnesses are pretty different, you would pretty much have to pull the whole harness and swap it over. In addition, there are some fundamental differences in the electronics between early (96-97), middle (98-00), and late (01-02) year 4runners that might make the swap so much harder. Stuff like abs system, speed sensor, emissions, and interior electronics are all different between the two and not worth the time to fuss over.

At that point, its definitively easier to do a full frame and body swap.

 

[phattyduck]

I'd suggest waiting to find a same-year truck to do the swap with. Everything will be plug-n-play... (also, same engine and trim - the dash wiring changes a fair amount between base/SR5 and Limited). It should be much easier to find an auto 4WD... Or, if you have a bit of welding skills - start with a 2WD auto truck. Move a crossmember and modify the trans tunnel to save a few thousand $$$ probably.

The year groups are basically 96-98, 99/00, and 01/02 - though there were changes between each year.

-Charlie