How hard is it to swap in the rear diff from a 90 4-runner into a 91 2wd pickup?

Is it a PITA or should I just source a diff from a pickup and be done with it?
(I'd like to put the diff UNDER the leaf springs so I can get some extra hight (2wd have them on TOP))

 

Decided to pass on the 4runner diff and get one from a Pickup.
Not worth the required fab

 

Hey Guys

Just wondering if it's possible to swap front A-arms, spindles, a tortion bars from a 4wd to a 2wd rig. Basically, I'm looking to get a 4wd front end (minus diff, tcase,, etc...) on a 2wd frame

If anyone knows I'd be interested in hearing from them!

Thanks!

 

the actual mounts on the frame, as far as I know, are the same. you just need the 4WD counter parts. search 4wd conversion on here, its been done a few times already.

 

the 2wd torsion bar is connected to the lower control arm and runs below the frame and the 2rd bar is connected to the upper arm and above the frame. it'd take some fabbing to get it in there and working properly. if you're looking to make it the prerunner type, or lift it, you might consider a long-travel kit from downey or total chaos, or search around for the fabtech 3.5" performance kit- they're out of production from what I hear but there may be a few in someone's inventory somewhere. there's also a company making 3" lift spindles for the 2wd. they were about 500 US last I saw, but can't remember the name of the company to save me. I think they were in Chino Hills, California. I'll search a bit and post what I find.

 

http://obsessedmotorsports.com/Products.html

 

YEP!!! that's the lift spindles I was looking at a while ago.

 

So I've got a 91 2wd Ext cab pickup (22re 5spd). I'm doing a frame off restoration this spring (Finally got some cash)

What I'd like to know is can I swap the front end suspention and steering components from a 90 4runner 4x4 to the 2wd frame.
Not really looking at making the 2wd into a 4wd (although it would be nice if it wasn't "too" much extra work). The main reason is to get the stronger suspention/steering and to lift the front end to the truck to the stock 90 4runner 4x4 hight. I'm not really worried about putting in the front diff, but probably would if it wasn't a big deal.

How similar are the front frames on the 91 2wd pickup and 90 4x4 4runner?
Will I be able to bolt the 4x4 gear to the 2wd frame?

I know I could get aftermarket lift spindles for the 2wd, but I've already got the 4x4 doner and I'm pretty sure the 4wd components are stronger. Also looking at swapping the rear diff and it would be nice to have 6 lug up front AND in rear instead of 5 lug up front and 6 lug in rear.There may be some fabing but I don't think It's impossible.(Stronger diff and better gearing)

I know it would probably be easier to start with a 4x4 pickup but there aren't any to be had plus the 2 rigs I've got are already paid for. I figure I could sink my money into a decent restore rather than buy a beat up 4x4 and STILL be faced with a resto project

So I guess the big question is:
Should I swap the 4x4 gear to the 2wd frame or should I get the aftermarket lift splindles and new gears? If so, Why?

Did a search but mostly got threads saying "just buy a 4x4". Nothing really definitive

If anyone has any info or ideas please let me know

Thanks!

 

No, it will not bolt up. You will have to do some serious fabrication, and at that point you are better off doing a SAS. The 2wd frame is setup for Pulldown torsion bar, while the 4wd is a pushdown torsion bar. The two setups are completely different.

The reason all the threads say "Just buy a 4x4" is the cost of doing a 4x4 swap on a 2wd Truck is more than buying a whole truck.

 

Thanks for the reply DC. That's good info
New spindles it is!

Cheers!

 

Coug's the man......

 

get a 4x4 frame and susp then put your 2wd truck stuff on it. the 4x4 frame and susp are way stronger

 

DeathCougar nailed this one.

Toyota didn't make one frame to rule the world, so to speak. The torsion bars on a 2wd truck act on the lower control arm whereas the torsion bars on a 4wd truck act on the upper control arm. The frame is different between 2wd and 4wd. Even the cabs (to a lesser extent) and external body parts (fenders, lighting, etc) are different between the two.

That's not enough to say you can't convert a 2wd Toyota to 4wd... because it can be done... but nothing about it is going to be bolt-on... or even "easy" for that matter.

 

To say the least....whew!

 

I think doing an sas on a 2wd would be a pretty sweet project

 

Yeah.... That's why you bought a 4wd to work on instead of modifying your 2wd.

 

People have done that, I saw an article on some guy from oregon where he sased his 90, it was grey...
Idk if the dude is on here or not, but yeah, im bored...