2wd to 4wd and stock height to Tacoma height?
 

Hey folks, hopefully you guys can answer this. Getting tough finding a decent Tacoma for a decent price, so I'm thinking about finding a 6 cylinder 2wd for a good price and simply putting the parts on myself, or paying someone else if it's within budget.

Price differences are ridiculous here, so I'd have 2-3k to invest into the 2.

I don't need good suspension, just suspension that works and isn't black market quality. I may even be able to put in a set of 3" strut spacers (assuming 3" is the difference). I know the suspension won't be great, but as long as it isn't terrible on the road, then that's fine with me.

The 4wd part of it will probably have to be from an original Tacoma, unless I guess there are other vehicles that use the same parts. I hear you may need the 4wd transmission as well? Any parts required, or links to kits that include everything needed would be great, just so I can get an idea.

Anyone done a project like these before? How much did you end up spending?

Anyone else got a good idea of the cost and labor? I've swapped motors + transmissions before but haven't messed with suspension too much, if I feel anything is to "intense" I may pay someone to do it, if it's in the budget.

For some reason I feel like it might be easier/cheaper to SAS the 2wd than to try swapping in IFS 4wd. It would be like doing a normal SAS but having to add a driveshaft and, t-case, and probably 4wd transmission.

Forgive my noobness (thank God I'm not on Pirate) I understand SAS = Solid Axle Swap and it's good for trucks that endure abuse, but uh, how does it make it 4wd?

You would be putting a solid 4wd axle under the truck, with 4wd suspension.

How does the motor put power to the front wheels without the transfer case?

EDIT: Nevermind, I think I got ya. It's more than just adding a SAS, it's adding those additional parts too. So IFS is the standard route and it's a huge PITA?

Idk if there really is a standard route. I'm just thinking that since a solid axle is a simpler system, probably cheaper, likely easier to install than IFS, AND there are kits with all the hardware to do the install included... Why not go that route?

Also, are you thinking about finding a pre-runner or a regular 2wd?

regular 2wd most likely. I know the Prerunners already have the suspension and bolt holes / brackets, but those are almost as rare as the Taco's.

Don't you have another thread going on this?

Fink:devil:

I do have something similar asking if the height is different. This one is recognizing that the two are completely different and the project required to change it.

If you can change the other threads title to this one, that'll be the correct subject, and we can delete this one - or I can add the text from this original post. I know we started to talk about these things, but it started to stray from the subject and there wasn't anymore discussion about it.

Up to you, sir.