I have 2002 Toyota Tacoma Prerunner Ext.cab.

Now, im noticing that there alot more problems with lifting Prerunners then 4x4s........

Now, heres my question. Could i go to a salvage yard and look for a 2000-04 Front axle and the driveshaft and w.e is hookedu p to the tranny and put it on my truck to convert it to a 4x4?


I can already tell thats its gonna be $$$ but, would i run into any problems ?
tand if i could do that wat exactly would i need to look for in order to make this transformation?


Appreciate it!

 

yes it can be done.
and you'll love this thread - https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f88/how-convert-3rd-gen-4runner-2wd-4wd-29411/
not too dissimilar to how a swap would be for you.

 

well i have learned i will need to get the entire front drive train, tranny, driveshafts,cv's spindles.......... hmm, lets see,

16yr old w/plans to convert his 4x2 into 4x4 :-D = ONE HECK OF A TIME !!!!!!

I can't wait to get started, i will take lots of pics, along with some detailed info when i start.... i plan on starting when i get bout 2k saved up to get the stuff........ ( and garage $$) well guys wish me luck..........

 

If you are going to do this you would do well to consider a Solid axle up front, make it worth your money and time.

 

true, heres another question........ I have an Automatic right now, do u think if i go with this conversion i should go ahead and convert to a manual........ to think about it, it would be heck to try and find me a automatic 4x4 tranny unless i could just use my stock tranny ?

 

To be perfectly blunt and honest with you... I would keep your truck stock the way it is, and look for an older Toyota mini 4x4 with a stock solid front axle as a project truck. You may end up spending less on an older 4x4 truck that runs and drives than trying to convert your current truck.

 

It would be easier and cheaper to sell yor truck and buy a 4x4.

 

i agree with the last 2 guys. keep your prerunner the way it is, maybe put a small BL or do BJ Spacers, Jim put BJ spacers in his 4x2, and it will only be a matter of time before he replys on this thread. get a project truck and wheel the piss outta her!

 

Are you planning on going thru all of this just because your having a hard time finding lift kits to provide enough lift for your Pre-Runner? If your looking to wheel this, do like suggested and find a older truck. If this is gonna just be a daily driver and your looking for something easier to lift that you can wheel as well, sell the Pre-Runner and get a 4x4 version. The conversion is gonna cost alot more money, take longer than you think and seeing that your 16, not having a vehicle to drive sucks. Also, seeing that your 16, I'm guessing your parents bought you this (could be wrong), so I don't really think I would do all that to a vehicle my parents bought for me.

 

That shouldn't be the case, since the prerunner is essentially a 4x4 w/o the t-case, most lifts (I would imagine all) will fit a prerunner just fine. So if you just want the lift then don't worry about converting.

It's pretty much bolt on, although there may be some differences in the crossmember placement iirc.

You could convert because you need a 4x4 tranny, the prerunner tranny won't work.

There are some threads here and on ttora about the conversion. Try to find them. Steve (sschaefer3) has a write up on his site, and I *think* it was Nitro Hotpants' 4runner so you could try to pm them.

Good Luck

 

yeah, i can see what you guys are saying bout buying and older truck ya know cause it would make more since 16 yr old kid little bit of exp. trying to do this w/o help (well a lil) and with an older truck..... it would basically be like trial and error........ but about the lift kit, supposedly if i went with another kit like a non prerunner kit it could cause stress on other components ? i dont know how but thats what Jason Burtman said from Burtman Industries said........

 

I vote for a project truck. One thing I learned over the years is if that is your daily driver, it can get darn stressful when it is not operational. On the other hand, if you dive into this swap, you will learn a ton of stuff.

You could lift the prerunner if you are into the desert thing. However, if you are into trails, rocks, etc... you just gotta have 4wd. \

FYI, the 2wd ball joints spacers we now sell of for the 84-95 2wd trucks. Taco's have a different front end.

Frank

 

How often does he wheel his 4runner?

He may have been talking about lifting a 4wd truck, and the fact that there will be wear on the cv axles once lifted. But since you have a 2wd you can lift yours as high as your steering components can take, which is much more than a 4wd. Any lift made for a 4x4 will be fine on yours.

Plus you need to answer the question "what are your uses?" Show/Looks or taking it offroad? What type of terrain do you plan on taking it to? If yours has the rear locker, and you're just gonna hit some fire roads and maybe the desert/dunes you'll be fine. I wouldn't spend the time, money, or effort on trying to make your prerunner a 4x4. I would get an older truck for offroad only.

 

Just put in a locker and get a 4x4 lift that suits your height requirements. Prerunners are built on a 4x4 frame. It's all the same except no front drivetrain.

I have seen prerunners lifted with 4x4 lifts. It's totally doable. Check with the specific manufacturers before ordering, to be sure.

Quick search at performanceproducts.com yielded these results:

http://www.performanceproducts4truck...System&type=20

http://www.performanceproducts4truck...talogList.aspx

I don't seen why you would need more than 3.5" of lift.

 

hey i converted my 95 4runner from 2wd to 4wd, its not as bad as ppl make it seem yes its time consuming, and actully not that expensive if u take the time to looks for the parts plus i think its eaiser to do it on the tacomas (everything just bolts up) it took me about 3 moths to gather parts and about 3 weeks to put everything together (w/ little experience and limited tools) and i was only 17 at the time ...not only did i learn how things worked but i also used it as my senior project for school. i say go for it !!! if u got the money , time , and patience.

 

...and an extra vehicle to get around with.
I say go for an older truck. You won't worry as much about pinstriping and trail carnage and there's less computer stuff in there to get in the way of learning

 

Okay, im going for show truck, looks, mainly because its my daily driver, and its a 2wd , i plan on lifting it 3'' putting some 32.71 '' tires with a 17x8 rim roll bar, grill guard..., now im probablly going to buy me a project truck, < and every mod i plan on doing, i will be doing myself.. < to learn...... what yr truck should i prolly look for?

 

1985!!!

 

granted most things will bolt up, not sure if the ecu is the same though, but if it was me and weighing the differences, i'd have to say spend the extra$$$$ and go solid.
just my .02

 

I second the '85!!!