Anyone tried mating FJ manual transmission to a 4R?
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Tuco Ramirez
New member
The majority of people here seem to struggle with replacing their stock bulbs to LEDs and changing their own oil..... swapping a trans out would be like trying to split an atom to them.
BadTrainDriver
New member
Anything is possible with enough money and skills. Do you have either of those?
A transmission swap is more involved than you might guess. A couple of questions someone considering this might want to find out:
Make sure the pedal box mounts in the 4Runner properly. Theoretically it should but there could be ancillary equipment in the 4Runner under the dash that interferes once you install a pedal box and a third pedal.
Make sure you can mate the electronics properly to avoid idiot lights and what not on the dash board;
Are the drive shafts of compatible length? If not is there a solution in the aftermarket or custom fab? Do you need to change over the transfer case or any other part of the driveline to make it work?
What are the rear end ratios of a auto trans 4Runner and a manual FJ? Do you need to change out a rear end to make it all work appropriately from an RPM/ fuel use standpoint?
What are you going to do to the resale value of the 4Runner?
Personally, having investigated swaps in other cars I can tell you it is almost always more involved and more expensive than you would anticipate, and doing it “right” so you don’t trash the resale value, and ensuring you have a turn-key reliable daily driver (who drives a Toyota when reliability/durability isn’t prized) is a big job.
Make sure the pedal box mounts in the 4Runner properly. Theoretically it should but there could be ancillary equipment in the 4Runner under the dash that interferes once you install a pedal box and a third pedal.
Make sure you can mate the electronics properly to avoid idiot lights and what not on the dash board;
Are the drive shafts of compatible length? If not is there a solution in the aftermarket or custom fab? Do you need to change over the transfer case or any other part of the driveline to make it work?
What are the rear end ratios of a auto trans 4Runner and a manual FJ? Do you need to change out a rear end to make it all work appropriately from an RPM/ fuel use standpoint?
What are you going to do to the resale value of the 4Runner?
Personally, having investigated swaps in other cars I can tell you it is almost always more involved and more expensive than you would anticipate, and doing it “right” so you don’t trash the resale value, and ensuring you have a turn-key reliable daily driver (who drives a Toyota when reliability/durability isn’t prized) is a big job.
Whippersnapper02
Senior Member
Wouldn't be worth it.
Agreed that adjusting the ECU is a concern since the truck gets itself in a titter even with a rear locker swapped to aftermarket. But based on the consensus of replies, it doesn’t sound like anyone has done it so far. Would be an interesting idea if one is removing the transfer case and replacing drive shafts to put in a crawl box.
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TEujunga
New member
Yeah, the problem with any late-model trans swap is that the ECU relies on communication with the trans for so many aspects of vehicle function that you could never work all the bugs out.
On another forum, I read an extensive thread documenting a guy's amazingly involved effort to do a manual swap into an AT late-model sedan. Everyone warned him it wouldn't work, but he was determined. He found a wrecked manual coupe version somewhere, bought the drivetrain, pedal assembly, all the wiring harnesses, etc., and started whaling away. He invested months into meticulously identifying every single part that was different between the two vehicles -- there were hundreds -- and methodically swapping them all out. Months later, he had to give it up. He couldn't even get the engine to start due to ECU incompatibility issues between the two vehicles.
On another forum, I read an extensive thread documenting a guy's amazingly involved effort to do a manual swap into an AT late-model sedan. Everyone warned him it wouldn't work, but he was determined. He found a wrecked manual coupe version somewhere, bought the drivetrain, pedal assembly, all the wiring harnesses, etc., and started whaling away. He invested months into meticulously identifying every single part that was different between the two vehicles -- there were hundreds -- and methodically swapping them all out. Months later, he had to give it up. He couldn't even get the engine to start due to ECU incompatibility issues between the two vehicles.
johnnygraphic
Member
Back in the early 90's, my '84 Honda Accord's transmission took a crapper. Went to a junkyard and picked up a manual transmission, half-shafts and the shifter assembly and mated it to the engine. That was a fun project. It worked no problem! No ECU to worry about at the time.
It was rev happy and made for a much funner car to drive!
But would never try it with a modern car.
BlackWorksInc
New member
I'm pretty sure I've seen some few 4th gens and a couple 5th gens that have done it, but I don't remember seeing them on the forum (I think they were all mainly offroad shops or professional wheelers, could be wrong though.)
The biggest issue is going to be the ECU and associated modules. Just off the top of my head I forsee issues with the following:
-ECM
-Skid Control
-Body Control Module
-4WD ECU
-Combination Meter
That's assuming you're talking about a turn key 4Runner, if you're talking about a newer '20+ that are almost all smart key only, you'll have to deal with the Smart Key/TPMS ECU, the Certification ECU, and Gateway module.
Much of the above can be bypassed, swapped out with FJ parts, and/or will need piggy back modules to "correct" problems. Though at that point, you'll be better served going standalone and making peace with losing some features.
It's doable, but it's a big job to do it right and retain as much of the factory feature set as possible. I mean someone managed to dump an entire 5.7L powertrain from a Tundra in a 5th gen, so I don't see what a manual couldn't be done. It's just a matter of money, time, and effort; all of which will be on the "very high" category.
The biggest issue is going to be the ECU and associated modules. Just off the top of my head I forsee issues with the following:
-ECM
-Skid Control
-Body Control Module
-4WD ECU
-Combination Meter
That's assuming you're talking about a turn key 4Runner, if you're talking about a newer '20+ that are almost all smart key only, you'll have to deal with the Smart Key/TPMS ECU, the Certification ECU, and Gateway module.
Much of the above can be bypassed, swapped out with FJ parts, and/or will need piggy back modules to "correct" problems. Though at that point, you'll be better served going standalone and making peace with losing some features.
It's doable, but it's a big job to do it right and retain as much of the factory feature set as possible. I mean someone managed to dump an entire 5.7L powertrain from a Tundra in a 5th gen, so I don't see what a manual couldn't be done. It's just a matter of money, time, and effort; all of which will be on the "very high" category.
Thanks! Insightful as always, haha. Dumping a tundra power train into the 4R is impressive. I know Tyler from Morrflate was trying to put the first gen tundra axles into his 2nd gen 4R and he kept complaining how much of a pain in the ass that was. Can’t even imagine what putting in the entire power train is like.
