grandmasterE

I'm really looking to swap a tacoma Double cab to manual trans (but I want the smaller 2001-2004 body style), and I am looking for a little info. I came accross this article:

http://www.junglecode.com/toyota/tacoma/transmission/

Which makes it look pretty simple (I am a pretty handy wrench), but raised a few questions:

1. What effect will the lack of tranny input have on the ECU? Can it be reprogrammed out?

2. Is the auto and manual transmission the same tranfer case? Would one from an auto bolt right up to one from a manual?

I've been thinking about this for a while now, and I think it's something that I'd really like to do (I can't believe it wasn't available). I don't think it'd be too cost intensive (the cost of the tranny and clutch plus a few hundred $$$). Has anyone else done this swap? Any articles you've run accross? Any horror stories? Any help would be appreciated.

914runner

My friend has an '03 DC Taco that we have been talking about doing this swap for a couple weeks now. I learned alot about how Toyota does their wiring when I swapped a '99 taco motor into my '91 4Runner. I think to do this right, you would get a engine wiring harness from a 5-speed truck of the same year with the same options (A/C, Cruise Control, etc...), granted it would be from a ex-cab. You would also need the body wiring harness from the same 5-speed truck.

Then take the ex-cab 5-speed body harness, and combine the extra wires you need from your DC harness onto the ex-cab 5-speed harness.

You would also need a 5-speed ECU for the same year of vehicle.

The rest of the swap is easy. You just have to drill the fire wall, bolt on the new pedal assembly and run the hard clutch lines and swap in the new tranny. Nothing really complex about that part, pretty simple.

All the driveshafts should be the same length I would think. I dont think the Auto and 5-speed tranny's vary in length as long as they are both 4WD.

Thats what I am guessing the swap would take. My friend and I plan on tackling this project sometime this summer when we have some time. If you end up doing it, let me know everything!

Thanks

EDIT: I forgot to add my thoughts about that guys swap.

Although his works fine, having the CEL (Check Engine Light) on all the time since he is still using the Auto tranny ECU really bugs me. I would think the ECU would be using input from some of the different sensors on the Auto tranny and not having it would mess it up?

PO2SIMS

i know w/ honda's, u leave the linkage wiring in PARK, and thats it.

AK95Taco

My work internet conection is being finicky or I would post a link, but I KNOW this has been done over at TTORA. Just search for "double cab manual swap". To warn you though, it does get fairly involved with the ECU and wiring if I remember right.

grandmasterE

Are there any ECU savvy board members? Where I live, we don't ever need to get our vehicles inspected, so CEL's and error codes wouldn't be a big deal...the real question is does the ECU actually use any information from the transmission? Or would everything run fine? Also, is the tranfercase the same?

914runner

I would think the ECU would use info from the tranny. Thats why there are Auto tranny ECU's and manual tranny ECU's.

garrett1478

member NorcalVP just swapped a double cab body onto his 97 5 speed excab frame.

hes a guru on the wiring differences now, and i think theres only a couple things he hasnt worked completely out yet (cruise control maybe?).

hes a bit more active on TTORA, but you should get in touch with him.