Ok..........

This has been done in a fashion already in the minitrucking world. There are several 1st gen 4runners converted to 2wd and then slammed on the ground but it's not easy and it's not done by removing the 4wd. Rather it is done by taking the body of the 1st gen runner and grafting it on to a 2wd truck frame. This would be the best way to achieve what you want.

 

not if he wants to prerunner it.... he'll want to keep the 4wd height and front end, just less the diffs, hubs, and CV's. Honestly, removing 4wd from these trucks isn't a whole lot of work. Just find a 2wd 2nd gen runner and start plucking the parts you need, everything should be a direct bolt up pretty much.

 

If he wants to prerunner it I figure he would want long travel suspension anyways.......

 

2wd and 4wd frames are different. I doubt it's a direct bolt up.

 

alas, you are correct when it comes to pickups, but look at a 4runner... the 2nd and 3rd gen runners in 2wd come basically prerunner style right from the factory. 6 lug wheels, 4wd front end, and most importantly, 4wd ride height, but no 4wd cv axles/diff/front ds/4wd hubs. (most) everything is crosscompatible with the 2wd 4runner for the 4wd 4runner, he should be able to grab perhaps the entire steering knuckle with the hubs and spindles already attached and just swap it right over, it'd be a good time to do the ball joints anyways lol.

 

I would just remove the front diff, cvs, and drive shaft. keep the transfer case in case you ever need 2 LOW. That way also, you dont have to mess around with swapping trannys/driveshafts etc. And if you decide that you want your 4wd back, you can just put that stuff back in.

but my vote goes to the 4wd prerunner. blazeland kit up front, tundra axle with a aussie in the rear hung by a set of 63" chevys.