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

[octanejunkie]

So what's so hard about the swap?

Besides sourcing the correct donor parts in working condition, then installing them, the two things that can't be bought as parts and need to be cut from a donor vehicle are the shifter-area floor pan and the transmission cross-member mounts, but that's not entirely true

In searching for a transmission cross-member/mounts I found that factory parts can be ordered from a Toyota dealer. The cross-member itself (PN 51203-35351, referred to as Cross-member #3 by Toyota) appears to be the same PN on the 2WD and 4WD #6 on the diagram below, however the there are two listings for the same PN in the catalog and each has a different price (2WD vs 4WD)

So maybe I can reuse my actual crossmember, and if not, these are easily found used online or perhaps in a junkyard, but what about the frame mounts that the cross-member bolts to? Turns out, those are available too.

The mount brackets are #11 on the diagram above and are $132 each and may be well worth buying vs the time and space I would need to cut these off a donor. Part numbers for the mounts are:
51026-35020 LEFT
51028-35010 RIGHT

The rear transmission mount that bolts to the cross member is on a different diagram, and is
1237162120 2WD

1237162120 4WD

This actually puts me one big step closer to pulling trigger on the swap as I can piece-meal the transmission swap without needing an entire donor vehicle, just these mounts and a transmission/transfer case and rear drive shaft.

 

[dhphamqc]

Rock Defense Tacoma Dual T-Case Crossmember - Trail Gear

I used this crossmember when I did the 4x4 swap. Just cut out the old one and drill/weld this in.

 

[octanejunkie]

Rock Defense Tacoma Dual T-Case Crossmember - Trail Gear

I used this crossmember when I did the 4x4 swap. Just cut out the old one and drill/weld this in.

I saw that but wasn't sure if that would work as rear trans mount - price is good too $299 and no tax/free shipping from Summit

Using that part it looks like I may have to lose my RCI transmission skid, or modify it to work with this kit

EDIT: the more I look at this unit, the more I like it

[MENTION=146755]dhphamqc[/MENTION] did the "frame ears" fit our 4runner frame or did you have to modify the mounts? Got any pics of the install?

Thanks

 

[UnderFire]

I saw that but wasn't sure if that would work as rear trans mount - price is good too $299 and no tax/free shipping from Summit

Using that part it looks like I may have to lose my RCI transmission skid, or modify it to work with this kit

EDIT: the more I look at this unit, the more I like it

[MENTION=146755]dhphamqc[/MENTION] did the "frame ears" fit our 4runner frame or did you have to modify the mounts? Got any pics of the install?

Thanks

Should work perfect. It's awesome for someone doing a 4x4 swap because it takes away a ton of hassle, makes it so you don't have to weld anything if you're not able to for whatever reason, and doubles as a a pretty decent skidplate. Well worth the money IMO. I'll be re-doing my 4x4 swap's crossmember with one very soon.

Sent from my Z981 using Tapatalk

 

[octanejunkie]

Sweet

I'll be re-doing my 4x4 swap's crossmember with one very soon.

This comment drew me to your build thread

*notices Tacoma Manual Hub Swap w/ Warn Outers*

I'll have many questions lol

 

[sportscarfan]

Paint and body are waiting for the right time and money

Looks perfect as-is to me!

 

[88toy4x4]

I saw that but wasn't sure if that would work as rear trans mount - price is good too $299 and no tax/free shipping from Summit

Using that part it looks like I may have to lose my RCI transmission skid, or modify it to work with this kit

EDIT: the more I look at this unit, the more I like it

[MENTION=146755]dhphamqc[/MENTION] did the "frame ears" fit our 4runner frame or did you have to modify the mounts? Got any pics of the install?

Thanks

This is the crossmember that I used. I will try to get a picture or two to post up. All I had to do was measure and drill 6 holes - it worked out great.:thumb:

 

[rkntoy]

I saw that but wasn't sure if that would work as rear trans mount - price is good too $299 and no tax/free shipping from Summit

Using that part it looks like I may have to lose my RCI transmission skid, or modify it to work with this kit

EDIT: the more I look at this unit, the more I like it
did the "frame ears" fit our 4runner frame or did you have to modify the mounts? Got any pics of the install?

Thanks

I can get you pics of mine if you want. Be prepared - this thing hangs way low. I did a bunch of mods to tuck it up.

 

[phattyduck]

That trail gear crossmember would work just fine. Somebody else (can't remember at the moment) also makes one that bolts on to the back of the transfer case and has built-in outriggers with bushings at the end. You could also cut off your stock 2WD frame horns and use those. The 2WD crossmember can *probably* be modified to work for a 4WD mount. I think there were a couple weld nuts where there are just holes on the 4WD crossmember. You can see they are the same basic stamping here:

You could probably make your sheet metal work, if you have some time/skills.

Or maybe a cordless cutoff wheel and a junkyard trip would be enough...

I cut my stock interior sheet metal with a small patch and the 4WD stiffening plate below. I think there was a small difference in the center console mounting hardware too - but that may have been a '97 vs. '99 thing, not a 2WD vs. 4WD thing.

-Charlie

 

[dhphamqc]

Sweet



This comment drew me to your build thread

*notices Tacoma Manual Hub Swap w/ Warn Outers*

I'll have many questions lol

I got the ADD to work like stock Toyota. Works great and I don't have e to get out. Thought about doing manual hubs.

To your question about the mount. The clamp was slightly too big but it worked perfect otherwise. It's in the same location as the 2wd mount. It will need to be removed. I did 2wd to 4wd to 5 speed swap.