I was suprised I could not find a thread where this was discussed so if there is one just point me to the right link. If not, has anyone converted 2WD to 4WD and know exactly everything I would need to do the swap? I would like to find a 4x4 parts truck to make it alot easier but I haven't had any luck with that. Also, what years trucks and 4runners are compatible with my 92 pickup? Thanks alot guys.

 

is your p/u a 5lug truck?

 

Yes, it is 5 lug.

 

quickest way to do it, and best way to do it
step 1) sell 2wheel drive
step 2) buy 4wheel drive

 

good call stud. why do i feel gay saying that?

 

It perfectly normal now...

Anywho
if you do end up swapin and going form 2WD to 4WD you def have to do a write up for us!
I just am curious as to what would be more coast effective, and which way would you benifit better from?
Switching sound liek alof of work, as to selling and then buying another is te easiest.
Maybe even after getting all the parts and labor out of the way for switching it would still e cheaper to jus tsell and buy new..

 

might want to move a town over too.

 

I feel that should end up in someones sig...

 

Probably, but I hate trying to buy and sell vehicles, it is such a hassle especially in the Midwest. I really love my truck, it is in amazing condition for a 92, plus I only have about $500 in it so I'd rather just put more time and money in it than starting over with a new vehicle. My dad owns an auto repair/machine shop so I'm not worried about the work it will take, just knowing what parts I need.

 

i believe, from what ive read on 3rd gen 4runner/taco 4wd conversions, you will need every thing from the transfercase down, and since you have the 5lug rear axle, you will probably want to swap that to a 4x4 6lug.

for parts: buy a donor truck. if you dont want a solid axle up front (crazy if you dont... but to each his own...) youll need to cut the ifs stuff off the donor truck and weld it on yours(maybe just take the whole front clip and weld it to your existing frame), then import the transfer case (maybe even transmission, not sure how that works exactly on those trucks)


and thats just a 20 seconds of how to give your 2wd truck 4wd. donor truck is going to cost you at least 1000 in good enough condition to take all the parts you need. some things youll have to rebuild, buy new, or find better in a junk yard or on here.

so say your truck is worth 3k, you would spend at least that or more on making it a 4x4, while losing all the good things about your truck, like reliability.

sorry, but sdstud is right... sell and buy new. if it was a 6lug, i might offer different advise, but as is youll be swapping 2 axles.

now maybe a better idea is to find a 4x4 with a blown engine, etc. and start swaping in your own parts from your truck. you could even swap the cab and bed over. however, i would not want to build my own drive train, especially on something that would be a daily driver.

 

Thank you for the advice. I would not do the swap unless I could find a donor truck for $500 or less. If I swapped parts with an earlier truck with a solid front axle would everything else match up? And what years would you recomend that had solid axles?

 

85 and before had sfa, but they are getting hard to find. however, most stuff should fit, tho i would ask the 3rd gen truck experts on that specifically.

you can swap in a jeep axle, from a wagoneer (i believe). there are countless threads on that subject around here.

 

If you want to turn your truck into a real 4x4 rig, then it wouldn't be too bad. If you want to turn a stock 2wd into a stock 4wd...sell it and buy one.

If you do an SAS, you really don't have that much more work than a 4x4 doing an SAS. Cut off the IFS stuff, weld on spring hangers, bolt on a fornt axle (in a very small nut shell). Then you're left to bolt up a 4x4 tranny and t-case, and bolt up new driveshafts.

Swapping your rear axle would be a bit of a task. Seeing that 2wd use a SUA and 4x4's use a SOA. For this you may need to drop your rear suspention totally, and bolt up a complete 4x4 set up.

You would also need to address brakes. 2wd use smaller brakes, so you would need to up to a larger MC to be able to brake with larger 10(or is it 12") drums, and the larger 4piston calipers.

You would probably have to do something with your fenders aswell. 2wd don't have as much flair, so you'd need 4wd fenders or some kind of aftermarket flair.

 

check out the forums at ttora.com they have a lot of buildup threads about that topic...

 

I dont think you can just bolt the 4wd stuff onto a 5lug truck. The suspesnsions are too different. The only way would be cuting welding, etc... so now your looking at a SAS... So this is above and beyone 2wd to stock 4wd.... you really need to just sell it and buy another, or just buy a 4wd for what you want....

I have a 92 4wd for sale

 

I think its been touched on before, but i kind of liked the idea of swapping over your stuff.

I think i would find a 85 or older rig, with a cancer ridden body, blown motor. Swap in my newer 90's motor and swap cabs and beds for a functional drive train that would only possibly need normal attention to get back to speed. You then would have the look you seek with the functionality you desire.
Would definaly be easier to adapt a cab and bed over than a drivetrain.

 

sas, would deffinently be the easiest way next to buying a 4x4, you will need an 86+ 4x4 rear axle, an 80-85 solid front axle, springs, transfer case, driveshaft, and then the steering, you should do highsteer since you already have the IFS steering box.

 

Google: project quasimodo

More details then you will ever need.... and I mean ever.

 

i'm gunna agree with the idea of finding one with a rusted out body, and swapping it over. when you pull the body off you can repair any damage to the frame.

a decent rusty truck in the midwest wouldn't be all that much.

The easiest and fastest way would just be to sell it, and buy a new one. any way you go you're replacing pretty much everything but the engine.

 

There was a thread or two on just such a build-up on the Pirate4x4.com Toyota Truck forum last year.