I know this question has been beat to death, please don't try to talk me out of it, I am a mechanic by trade and I know what is involved. I just bought a house in Montana where 4x4 is a must, my prerunner has many mods and I am not willing to let go of it. With all that said. My questions are these: In locating a parts vehicle, will any '96-'04 Tacoma 4x4 work? Do the differential ratios vary between years or between Prerunners and 4x4's?
Thank you in advance

 

Sounds like a cool project. I don't think anyone will be discouraging about it. Hope you get some good input.

Ed

 

it will be alot of money as you need to get a complete front axle off a 4wd the trasfer case new front and rear drive shafts and i think you have to have the tranmission from the 4wd then you get to cut up the floor to fit the 4wd lever... i think the gears are differnt in the prerunners also

 

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f88/how-convert-3rd-gen-4runner-2wd-4wd-29411/