Auto to 5 speed swap, need your input!

[Silver Supra]

Hey Jim,



Ignore the fact that your new transmission comes from a 1999 truck, it's not going to matter in this case.


What you need to focus on is your own vehicle's requirements - swap an ECU from a 98 M/T, it will plug right into your 98 Auto harness.


James

Thanks James. I’ve heard that it will plug right in with no re-pinning and I’ve also been told it will smoke the ECU if I just plug it in... so your reply is great to hear!

I still plan to get the wiring schematics to be sure before I make an expensive mistake.

 

[SJM8801]

I will be interested to hear how the ECU works out. Keep us posted on that one. I have a 1998 manual ECU that I have yet to swap in.... CEL has not bothered me much after three years.

No work needed for brake pedal. There should be two switches on the clutch pedal. One at the top and one at the bottom. The one at the top will disengage the cruise control and the one at the bottom is the neutral safety switch. I think this is it, but this is all from memory of work done three years ago now...

Do you mean 2 pigtails coming off the auto transmission? I know I had unused wires that ran to the auto tranny after the swap. I am pretty sure I only hooked up the reverse lights to the transmission.

Let me know how you wire the clutch cancel switch. I finally picked one up, but I have not wired it in yet.

FOR your 5 speed swap you just kept the auto Ecu in? Does it run fine? I’m about to do a 5 speed swap and don’t feel like paying $500 for a manual eco.

 

[JBurt]

It'll run fine with the auto ecu, you'll just get check engine light telling you your shift solenoids are malfunctioning (cause they aren't there).

 

[Quantumkiwi]

On the topic of wiring, does anyone know how to wire up stuff like the clutch start cancel circuit? My 2000 tacoma parts truck that I got my trans from has it, but I have no idea how it would integrate into my 2000 auto wiring harness and 2000 m/t ecu I have.

 

[SJM8801]

It'll run fine with the auto ecu, you'll just get check engine light telling you your shift solenoids are malfunctioning (cause they aren't there).

Ok sweet. I’ve heard that you need a manual ecu because the ignition timing and fuel mapping is different, but I wouldn’t see why it would be different

 

[danthemanx07]

Ok sweet. I’ve heard that you need a manual ecu because the ignition timing and fuel mapping is different, but I wouldn’t see why it would be different

Negative hombre. You will be fine. Ran mine with the Auto ecu for more a few years before I got off my but and re=pinned the harness. CEL will be on but that is it.

 

[danthemanx07]

On the topic of wiring, does anyone know how to wire up stuff like the clutch start cancel circuit? My 2000 tacoma parts truck that I got my trans from has it, but I have no idea how it would integrate into my 2000 auto wiring harness and 2000 m/t ecu I have.

You need to get the wiring manual for the 2000. The wiring and switch changed at least once with the third gens, and I am not sure it is the same for the Tacomas. I do not remember it being that hard though. I dont think you have to integrate it into the harness really. It should only serve to close the circuit that would other with be closed by the switch at the bottom of the clutch travel.

 

[SJM8801]

Negative hombre. You will be fine. Ran mine with the Auto ecu for more a few years before I got off my but and re=pinned the harness. CEL will be on but that is it.

Awesome thanks dude!!!

 

[Bad Luck]

On the topic of wiring, does anyone know how to wire up stuff like the clutch start cancel circuit? My 2000 tacoma parts truck that I got my trans from has it, but I have no idea how it would integrate into my 2000 auto wiring harness and 2000 m/t ecu I have.

Dropbox with 2000 EWD: Dropbox - 2000 4Runner Electrical Wiring Diagram (EWD383U) - Printable - Simplify your life

 

[G’s_4runnah]

Hey just a quick question, as anyone attempted this on a 2001? When everyone says you need the ecu, are they referring to an ecu that matches the year of the manual transmission or an ecu from the year of the vehicle that it’s going into? I’m curious if the swap is possible in the 2001 due to it never being offered in a manual configuration.

 

[SJM8801]

negative hombre. You will be fine. Ran mine with the auto ecu for more a few years before i got off my but and re=pinned the harness. Cel will be on but that is it.

also will my transfer case from my auto bolt right up to the manual transmission? Or do i need an adapter plate?? Need to know asap

 

[danthemanx07]

also will my transfer case from my auto bolt right up to the manual transmission? Or do i need an adapter plate?? Need to know asap

Will bolt up.

 

[Team_Jake]

Hey just a quick question, as anyone attempted this on a 2001? When everyone says you need the ecu, are they referring to an ecu that matches the year of the manual transmission or an ecu from the year of the vehicle that it’s going into? I’m curious if the swap is possible in the 2001 due to it never being offered in a manual configuration.

You need a 2003 or 2004 Tacoma ECU. [MENTION=133074]anniesball72[/MENTION] and [MENTION=116470]Tyler James Inc[/MENTION] have done it. Look at [MENTION=116470]Tyler James Inc[/MENTION]'s thead: Tyler James Inc's Ultimate '01 SR5 starting at page 3.

 

[SJM8801]

Will bolt up.

Awesome thanks man for the quick reply!!

 

[G’s_4runnah]

You need a 2003 or 2004 Tacoma ECU. [MENTION=133074]anniesball72[/MENTION] and [MENTION=116470]Tyler James Inc[/MENTION] have done it. Look at [MENTION=116470]Tyler James Inc[/MENTION]'s thead: Tyler James Inc's Ultimate '01 SR5 starting at page 3.

[MENTION=177008]Team_Jake[/MENTION] thank you! The swap is underway!

 

[Tyler James Inc]

also will my transfer case from my auto bolt right up to the manual transmission? Or do i need an adapter plate?? Need to know asap

It will, but the overall length will be about an inch shorter. If you have access to the manual drivelines, that’s the way to go. I have auto shafts front and rear still- the front is so compressed, it was a NIGHTMARE to get in- far from ideal, but I’ve used the 4WD several times without issue. The rear is extended further than I would like, and I wouldn’t run it like that if I were rock crawling, or any other off-roading where I would be drooping the rear end down with load on the drivetrain.
If I was using a j-shift or even push button case, I think I could use manual shafts. But because I’m running an AWD case, my only option is custom shafts. I have a j shift case I could swap in, but something about the AWD option is cool to me. Easy to steer on sections of dry pavement, then locked up again with the push of a button. It actually works great for the PNW snow, and I have been in 2’+ deep snow with open diffs and not even in 4WD, and I had no problems at all. That was on baby 35” KO2. Never needed to lock the center diff. It gets weird when you don’t lock your hubs in and out it in “4WD”, but you can’t actually go anywhere unless you lock the center diff.

Hey just a quick question, as anyone attempted this on a 2001?

I saw you’ve already started, but are you aware of the VSC/ABS/TRAC issues with manual swapping an ‘01/02?
I guess it depends what all you care about working or not, but I wanted everything to work like factory, so I have the factory clutch start cancel switch, my cruise control works perfectly, speedo works, and I have no check engine light. Well, I actually do right now, but that’s unrelated. Oh yeah, and do you prefer manual or power brakes? :lmao:

 

[danthemanx07]

It will, but the overall length will be about an inch shorter. If you have access to the manual drivelines, that’s the way to go. I have auto shafts front and rear still- the front is so compressed, it was a NIGHTMARE to get in- far from ideal, but I’ve used the 4WD several times without issue. The rear is extended further than I would like, and I wouldn’t run it like that if I were rock crawling, or any other off-roading where I would be drooping the rear end down with load on the drivetrain.
If I was using a j-shift or even push button case, I think I could use manual shafts. But because I’m running an AWD case, my only option is custom shafts. I have a j shift case I could swap in, but something about the AWD option is cool to me. Easy to steer on sections of dry pavement, then locked up again with the push of a button. It actually works great for the PNW snow, and I have been in 2’+ deep snow with open diffs and not even in 4WD, and I had no problems at all. That was on baby 35” KO2. Never needed to lock the center diff. It gets weird when you don’t lock your hubs in and out it in “4WD”, but you can’t actually go anywhere unless you lock the center diff ��

I saw you’ve already started, but are you aware of the VSC/ABS/TRAC issues with manual swapping an ‘01/02?
I guess it depends what all you care about working or not, but I wanted everything to work like factory, so I have the factory clutch start cancel switch, my cruise control works perfectly, speedo works, and I have no check engine light. Well, I actually do right now, but that’s unrelated ��

I used a spacer for the rear shaft. Maybe 1"? I cant recall, but there are probably details on that in my thread on TTORA.

 

[G’s_4runnah]

[MENTION=116470]Tyler James Inc[/MENTION]

I’ve looked into it quite a bit and hope to bypass some of these issues with a 2004 manual Tacoma and engine wiring harness. I’m wondering now if the taco harness is going to work with my electronic brake booster. I am not opposed to swapping to a manual brake system but would like to keep ABS. I don’t care about losing vsc/trac. I’m a tad nervous about wrong up the cruise and clutch start cancel but I feel good about the rest of the swap. I already have my clutch pedal and master mounted and am making do with the big computer hanging down. I may make a wiring extension and tuck it in the glove box. Any thoughts or advice?

 

[G’s_4runnah]

Also, [MENTION=116470]Tyler James Inc[/MENTION]

Did your j shifter work with your front diff? I know you switched back to the electronic transfer case shifter but was wondering if you tried getting it to shift into 4 wheel with the j shift before swapping it back to the electronic one.

 

[Roger.klotz]

Great thread. I may end up going this route.