Stoopid question of the Day Award: Upgrading a '99 2WD to 4x4

[octanejunkie]

Had another thought: Make sure you get a normal transfer case 4Runner, not a limited with the multi-mode. The multi-mode transfer case is awesome, but would be a huge hassle to wire-in.

Yea, another person or two has mentioned that. My goal is to find the an SR5 4x4 donor so it's as close as possible to mine.

Good work on the project, Charlie. I'm anxious to see your update and progress :thumb:

BTW, you want to get to 15 quickly, comment on other's threads (like you did here) all over the forum, as well as introduce yourself in the new members thread. You'll get to 15+ in no time.

 

[octanejunkie]

Update - donor parts found!

I may have located all the parts I need just 2 states away, already removed from a donor vehicle, ready to be loaded on a pallet for shipment to me.

All I need to do is verify what will be shipped vs. what I may need to source locally, and then secure a shipping company to bring the parts to me.

Anyone got a line on an inexpensive and relaible West Coast freight company that can pickup in WA state and deliver to Los Angeles, CA?

 

[jmsdad]

Another hurdle is moving the transmission crossmember aft a few inches... involves cutting/welding. Or buying an aftermarket x-member (forget who sells them) and probably still having to weld.

Lastly you'd have to cut a larger hole in your transmission tunnel and affix the 4x4 auto shift assembly (as antleredruin mentioned above). And the interior trim.

Otherwise... piece of cake.

Worth it to convert? If you're DIY... it all depends on how much you value your time.

Ditto on the above...

Been there, done that...16K trouble free miles so far...about 500 of that is 4WD miles...Here is my thread...


http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/193312-bought-another-3rd-gen-what-do.html

 

[octanejunkie]

Back to looking at the swap again, but also considering just replacing my 2WD.

I think I can source all the parts needed for $1,300, more or less which includes shipping, and driving expenses, but not the overhauling of the sourced parts.

Coat of a 3rd Gen V6 auto 4WD SR5, not a Limited, is probably between $3500 to $6,000 for a 200-300K+ mile truck.

The difference between what I can buy one for vs. what I can likely sell mine for is probably also $1,300 more or less.

Alternately, getting a $1000 blown-motor 4WD donor would make building easier. I could sell the donor to salvage or part out it when I was done with it. Just need a place to store and strip the donor.

Also, I don't really have loads of free time, so the smart nod really goes to buying. Surprisingly, buying a 00-02 4WD would save me $240 a year in insurance.

So, my Stoopid question of the Day today is again, buy or build.

 

[HiluxSurf SSR-G]

here are also some links from YotaTech:

https://www.yotatech.com/f2/2wd-4wd-conversion-complete-141506/

https://www.yotatech.com/f2/4wd-conversion-build-pic-heavy-eventually-271607/

https://www.yotatech.com/f2/transmission-t-case-compatibility-4wd-conversion-275947/

 

[octanejunkie]

here are also some links from YotaTech:

https://www.yotatech.com/f2/2wd-4wd-conversion-complete-141506/

https://www.yotatech.com/f2/4wd-conversion-build-pic-heavy-eventually-271607/

https://www.yotatech.com/f2/transmission-t-case-compatibility-4wd-conversion-275947/

Thanks for the links [MENTION=1707]HiluxSurf SSR-G[/MENTION]

The more build threads I read the more I am itching to the the swap - if I can build a '59 from the ground up, modernizing and swapgrading along the way I can do this

 

[JZiggy]

I have 4WD spindles and CV axles in great shape if that would help you. Spindles are non-ABS though...

 

[Scramble]

Do the swap! Yea it's harder than buying a new 4runner but the thread will be entertaining for us! Do it for the forum man! :evil:

 

[Scramble]

All joking aside, I want to see pics of the '59.

 

[octanejunkie]

All joking aside, I want to see pics of the '59.

Paint and body are waiting for the right time and money

I still have a few mechanical things to finish (4.11 gears, AC, parking brake, shorten ECM wire harness) and then lots of dress up, but it runs like a scalded dog

 

[Scramble]

Paint and body are waiting for the right time and money

I still have a few mechanical things to finish (4.11 gears, AC, parking brake, shorten ECM wire harness) and then lots of dress up, but it runs like a scalded dog

Sweet Apache! Re-done chrome & stainless will look *****in' against new paint. What color are you going with & what motor & trans to you have in there?

 

[octanejunkie]

Sweet Apache! Re-done chrome & stainless will look *****in' against new paint. What color are you going with & what motor & trans to you have in there?

Thanks :jump:

It's got a mild 350 in it with vortec heads, 214/224 cam, TBI fuel injection, 700R4 with 3.42 gears in a GM posi rear end.

I might zero deck it and go for optimal quench, or just pull the cam; but I'll wait till the new rear gears are in before making any changes.

I'm leaning towards metallic light blue exterior and stock grey/black interior.

 

[Scramble]

I love Bunrt Orange but two tone always looks nice on vintage trucks.

 

[octanejunkie]

I love Bunrt Orange but two tone always looks nice on vintage trucks.

The truck I fell in love with was painted School Bus Yellow, which was actually an orange color. It was a 4x4 and had a nice stance.

My truck is 2WD and while it's relatively easy to convert via SAS I doubt I ever will. If anything I'll pickup another body and put it on a 4WD frame (Tacoma or K10) when time and money allow - and I have a place to do the work.

I don't like these trucks lowered but that's what 80% of peeps do with them. And yes, 2-tone with a Fleetside bed would be awesome.

 

[Scramble]

The truck I fell in love with was painted School Bus Yellow, which was actually an orange color. It was a 4x4 and had a nice stance.

My truck is 2WD and while it's relatively easy to convert via SAS I doubt I ever will. If anything I'll pickup another body and put it on a 4WD frame (Tacoma or K10) when time and money allow - and I have a place to do the work.

I don't like these trucks lowered but that's what 80% of peeps do with them. And yes, 2-tone with a Fleetside bed would be awesome.

They look good either way. Lowered a little with a stepside short bed or lifted 4x4 Fleetside. I'd go for the stepside hot rot look with a posi since I already have a 4x4.

 

[octanejunkie]

They look good either way. Lowered a little with a stepside short bed or lifted 4x4 Fleetside. I'd go for the stepside hot rot look with a posi since I already have a 4x4.

The NAPCO look

 

[96RedRunner]

Octane, if I were you I'd be having a hard time choosing which one to spend money on. A Apache was first truck I ever owned circa 1972-73, think it was a 59, built 455 olds with a tricked out powerglide, lowered 50's on rear loved that truck.

 

[96RedRunner]

Mine was a shortbed stepside, big back window, I put a 12 bolt posi w 4.10 -11's IIRC.
It didn't have the Apache emblems on fender tho.

 

[octanejunkie]

Octane, if I were you I'd be having a hard time choosing which one to spend money on. A Apache was first truck I ever owned circa 1972-73, think it was a 59, built 455 olds with a tricked out powerglide, lowered 50's on rear loved that truck.

Well, my daughter comes first, then life, and my hobbies fall behind all that. The 4runner is my daily driver, so keeping it roadworthy is critical. Wheeling is not really in the cards for me.

The Chevy has been a 20 year project, so far.

Mine was a shortbed stepside, big back window, I put a 12 bolt posi w 4.10 -11's IIRC.
It didn't have the Apache emblems on fender tho.

Sweet. Sadly, mine is a small window but that can always be changed too.

58 and 59 are the only 2 years of the Task Force trucks with dual headlights. The fender badges on 58 were set back towards the doors like the tri-fives. 59 introduced the spear badges forward of the wheel wells. I prefer the 59 of all of them but I wouldn't turn down a tri-5 truck.

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

 

[96RedRunner]

Well, my daughter comes first, then life, and my hobbies fall behind all that. The 4runner is my daily driver, so keeping it roadworthy is critical. Wheeling is not really in the cards for me.

The Chevy has been a 20 year project, so far.



Sweet. Sadly, mine is a small window but that can always be changed too.

58 and 59 are the only 2 years of the Task Force trucks with dual headlights. The fender badges on 58 were set back towards the doors like the tri-fives. 59 introduced the spear badges forward of the wheel wells. I prefer the 59 of all of them but I wouldn't turn down a tri-5 truck.

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

Your priority's are in order:thumb:,