I have always preferred the shifter grip of a 2WD to that of 4WD. Does anyone know if it is possible to simply change out the shifters or is there more involved to this? its on a 2001 4Runner

 

i've been wanting to do the opposite of what you've described. i do belive that there is some modding done to the handle to fit the shaft. dont know as of yet since i'm too cheap to buy a set up for 50 bucks at the junk yards in my area. i think that doing the whole shaft swap would be the trick, i.e removing the shifter from the pivot point and reinstalling other shaft in it place. i think someone has done it on here, however trying to search it might pull up pages of unwanted results.

 

i have searched with little luck. if you run across anything let me know

 

This might help; Though it is the reverse.
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/4...3rd-gen-86511/

 

thanks for that link

 

Put one in mine awhile back, I had to drill and tap a new securing screw hole (2WD in a different location). I remember it was a pain in the but to do, but doable.

http://i11.tinypic.com/6tu7x9e.gif