body swap ecu

[SAYWHAT]

1996 T4R 2 wd body onto 1998 T4R 4 wd chassis. Which ECU to use? The 96 has 15 inch wheels vs 16s on the 98, any effect on the ABS? The 98 has a manual transfer case but there are wires to switches on transfer case that activates vacumn switches for front diff engagement, doubt that is fed thru the ecu.

 

[Doc2012]

If you're keeping he 4wd, you new the 4wd ECU.

Unless you're doing a manual trans swap, which in that case, won't really matter because you'll still have to trick the ECU into thinking its in neutral.

 

[kolelt]

If you want 4wd you need the 4wd ecu. Here's an example of what it says on a Toyota 4runner ecu.

5VZFE M/T 4X4 ( type of engine. Type of transmission, in this case m/t means manual transmission, if it was Auto it will write a/t and the last part states whether its 4x4 or 2 wheel drive ) so I would assume that the cars ECU has a huge impact whether you want 4x4 or not. Don't think its possible to get 4wd to work properly with a 2wd ecu. Unless there's a way to trick it. As for manual tranny its different story.

 

[SAYWHAT]

Ok, so I traced the wires from transfer case sensors and they go into engine harness which goes to ECU in cab. The 4 wd ECU is needed definitely. Now there must be wires from there over to the fuse panel left of steering wheel, to the instrument cluster for 4wd lite and out to the differential vacumn switches in engine bay. I don't think the 2wd donor body will have these wires, wonder how difficult it is to wire in. Wish I had a 1996-1998 shop manual, going off from a 2002 manual for now.

 

[Doc2012]

My proposed body swap is making me nervous. Didnt think the ecu would matter with the manual transfer case! Now another potential problem, the 1996 2wd donor vehicle has an e-locker rear end, found out that when an e-locker is activated it turns off the ABS, the 4wd chassis will not be using the e-locker rear end so . Where is the ECU located? Toyota didn't incorporate a body cu I hope! edit ; more than likely the donor body is not wired for the transfer case and found out the transfer case is wired to the ECU so would need 4wd ecu. Replacing the complete wiring harness from the 98 4wd to the 96 body sounds close to impossible for me, would probably need to pull the dash out. I hate cobbled up messes and that's what I am seeing here. Am I am making this too hard or is there a simpler way I am not seeing.

I need some info from you before I can answer this the right way.

Are you JUST swapping the body, or are you swapping other stuff?

Tell me everything you plan on swapping, and I can help you from there.

 

[SAYWHAT]

Sorry doc, I missed your post and edited my previous post. Will be using the 1998 4wd chassis with original engine, transfer case, auto tranny and rear end. The donor body is off a 1996 2 wd with auto tranny, sun roof and supposedly an e-locker rear end. Stumped on the wiring going out from ECU for the 4wd. The 2002 shop manual shows a 4wd ECU behind drivers side kick panel!