Zandar

Title says it all.

My wife and I recently acquired a '97 4Runner, 3.4L, 4x4. The only thing is, we don't particularly care for automatic transmissions. How easy is it to swap a 5 speed manual? Can you take one out of a 4x4, 3.4L Tacoma? Any advice or links would be appreciated!

zlathim

Welcome to YotaTech.

My first bit of advice to you is to learn to use the search function. It took me about 10 seconds to find this thread: https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f116...mplete-126323/

There are probably a bunch more. Pop some popcorn and surf the site for a while. All the info is here, you just have to find it.

BigBallsMcFalls

oh it is a piece of cake swap...3rd gen....


replace tranny
replace entire engine wiring harness and associated dashboard parts
replace 2 control computers
replace floor panel, shifters, linkage
replace radiator and cooling lines
reverse switch, speed sensors, .....



dead simple.

you are really better off selling the auto and finding a standard, due
to the amount of engine control that ties to the automatic

gilby4runner

When you put it that way i wonder why more people are not making the switch....lol

Zandar

Zlathim:
I used the search function, but I didn't find anything. I must not have set the filters to compensate for my impatience/incompetence! They really need to make a feature that makes up for my inadequacies . . . Anyway, thanks for the link! I'm off to go reading.

BigBallsMcFalls:
Is that it? So it's just plug-and-play. I'll go ahead and do it while I change the oil; shouldn't take more than a half-hour, right?

zlathim

Yea, it sometimes takes a while to find useful stuff. It seems like when it rains it pours though, so when you find a good thread there will be a plethora of links, and next thing you know a few hours have elapsed! Good luck, and keep us posted on your progress.

cackalak han

Like Elephantitis Nuts said, it's a lot of work. I would just stick it out with the auto transmission. They're not bad at all. Just do a flush and it will go for a long long time. If this is a daily driver for you or your wife, the auto will be definitely appreciated if you ever hit traffic. I know sometimes I wish I had a 5-sp, but it's not bad enough to go spend $$ on it. I actually like the auto most of the time now. I will save the shifting for my sports cars and bikes.

Team420

I prefer the auto for traffic and wheeling, but I am no clutch master either. The 5sp def has more umph, and gets better mpg tho.

MunkeyTX

After not driving stick for 6 years; I'm freaking really regretting the decision on buying my '98 5spd V6 4x4 SR5 4Runner..I just don't like it. I guess I got spoiled with the autos...give me time.

Wanna trade?

XxbMagicxX97

I was set on a 5spd when i decided i was ready for a new vehicle...found my 97 Limited and fell in love, BUT it was automatic. For some reason I decided to get it, and though I miss driving the 5spd, it is way easier to get used to driving auto than i thought it would be, and i don't regret it at all.

I would definitely have to agree with others - I dont think it will be worth the time/effort/$$$ to try and do the swap. Stick with the auto or trade for a 5spd.

Heres another thread that is/was talking about doing the swap to manual...general consensus seems to be trade for, or stick to the auto
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/a...3rd-gen-47847/

914runner

I have personally done this swap in a Tacoma, and IMHO not worth it. Theres lots of little things with wiring and such that make it a PITA, and it will cost you close to $2K just in parts. Just sell and buy a stock 5-speed.

pius222

x10. save the money and buy a 5spd car.

pkt1213

iTrader: (1)

That's esp true with the price of 4runners these days.

92yotaman

well say we have already swapped to manual. how in the world do i get the speedo to hook up to the tranny. can i buy an adapter or should i just find an after market gauge. The truck is a 92 4cyl and the tranny is a R150F

Zandar

I don't think we'll be selling and getting a 5spd. The market in CO is flooded with beaters (something about flogging around the Rockies), and our 4Runner is in extremely good shape.

The only issue I found with the threads I've searched thus far is that they are all for 1st and 2nd gen 4Runners, which (if I understand correctly) were built on the truck chassis; whereas the 3rd gen are the first to have a dedicated platform. Does this mean I couldn't use the R150F out of a Tacoma for a swap? Would the crossmember from a 5spd Tacoma fit? Would the ECU work given it's a 3.4 4x4?

I have a buddy who can do fab work (he does a lot of custom Jeep rock-crawlers), but his time would not be free so I'm trying to see what, if anything, I could do myself. I know it wouldn't be as easy as a brake job, but I enjoy learning and doing new things (as long as they're do-able without having to have a lift and machine shop). If it's as simple as switching out the auto slushbox and crossmember for the manual tranny and crossmember, I would just have my friend help with making mounts for the pedals and clutch master cylinder, and maybe the ECU swap or rigging the NSS and reverse lights with the auto ECU.

Any ideas on the compatibility between Tacoma drivetrains and 3rd gen 4Runners?

ozziesironmanoffroad

pretty sure the drivetrain is the same...