2004 Pre-Runner to 4wd?

[2ndGenToyotaFan]

Would swapping to 4 wheel drive be a bolt on swap? IE front end, drive shafts, transfer case and trans? A friend has a bit of a crazy idea going on... Thanks!

 

[Bighead]

I can't imagine something like that being a bolt-on swap but I have not seen it done on a 4th Gen 4Runner. I know of a 3rd gen 4Runner converted to 4WD by Sonoran Steel and from what I remember it was a lot of work.

 

[Combat Chuck]

I can't imagine something like that being a bolt-on swap but I have not seen it done on a 4th Gen 4Runner. I know of a 3rd gen 4Runner converted to 4WD by Sonoran Steel and from what I remember it was a lot of work.

I think he's just referring to a regular Pre-Runner.

 

[2ndGenToyotaFan]

yeah, it's just a Taco standard cab... I don't think my buddy's going to go with it after the email I sent him...

 

[Combat Chuck]

Yeah, I never got the notion of a Prerunner, paying extra for almost 4x4, its like buying a Honda Pilot, why?

 

[whytebredd]

SAR_Squid79

A guy named SAR_Squid79 did it to his 2000 Tacoma PreRunner.
This is his build thread on TTORA
SAR_Squid79's (Jamie's) 2000 Tacoma Build-up - TTORA Forum
And this is his 4WD conversion thread
PreRunner 4WD Conversion ( SAR_Squid79 ) - TTORA Forum

He's on Mud, TTORA, Tacoma Territory, Ultimate Yota, Expedition Portal...you get the picture.
His Mud profile
https://forum.ih8mud.com/members/sar_squid79.html

and a couple more 4WD converstion links I came up with while researching this post although they're not what you're looking to do.
2wd to 4wd conversion complete - YotaTech Forums
'03 PreRunner --> 4x4 SAS - TTORA Forum
Hope that helps.

 

[2ndGenToyotaFan]

Thanks!

 

[SAR_Squid79]

The most difficult part of doing a Prerunner to 4WD conversion is finding all the right parts. Finding the correct parts that you need is much more of a pain than the actual wrenching. Once I had all my parts, I did the conversion BY MYSELF in 2 days, and I've never had a problem with my setup.

I spent a little more money than I had to, but I decided to keep my 2WD transmission, and get an adapter kit and "Lefty" Transfer Case from Inchworm. If you can find all OEM parts, you can actually do the conversion for pretty cheap, and it will be every bit as reliable as if it were factory. A Prerunner has the exact same chassis and suspension as a 4WD, so all the 4WD parts are pretty much direct bolt-on.

This is "INTEREX's" conversion thread, which is what I used as a guide. He went with all OEM Toyota components:
WAT: 4X4 Conversion! Saturday Feb. 11 @ 11am - TTORA Forum

 

[SAR_Squid79]

P.S. Tell your buddy that if he can find all manual parts (Manual shift T-Case, Manual Hubs, and a Non-ADD front Diff) that his life will be MUCH MUCH easier!

An ADD push-button 4WD setup can be done, but it's much more of a pain in the butt with all the vacuum and electrical connections that are required. It's also less reliable, and has more points of failure, IMO.