Topic: 2wd conversion

[quick64stang]

I am converting a 2wd 86 Toyota pickup to 4wd.  I was wondering what you need to to for the front spring mounts?  Where would be the best place to locate them and how, also do you have to take into consideration the frame shape and how it will affect the lift at all?(will a 4 inch lift in front and back be totally different heights due to the frame in the front at all)thanks for all your help in advance it will be much appreciated.

[BLACKDOG]

you will probably hear this a lot, but go check out WT's $300 thread.  He converted a 3rd gen 2wd to a 4by, and he probably dealt with the same issues.  Hope it helps

[quick64stang [OP]]

i have an 84 for a parts vehicle and was wondering if the manual trans and transfer case will bolt up to the engine in the 86. the 86 is carbureated as well as the 84.  Also since the 2wd is ifs in the front it the steering box the same as a 4x4 ifs steering box?(loking to go with hysteer and wanted to know if the box will work)

[WHITE_TRASH]

The box will work.  It mounts a bit differently but it is still just as strong as the 4x version. 

Blackdog is absolutely correct.  Read $300 in the projects section from about page 9 on and it'll answer almost all your questions.  If it doesnt reply here pm me whatever you'd like.

[shad]

Sounds like a big fuss to me.
Why not just sell the 2wd and get a 4wd truck? It would probably be cheaper.

[quick64stang [OP]]

I have the 4wd for a parts truck. it bent the frame on it and smashed the cab corner on it so the conversion will be cheap just the cost of the metal for the most part.

[jimbo74]

there are a few threads here about this... white trash is a wealth of info... his thread is good... its actually easier to do a 4x4 with sas conversion on a 4x2 than it is do do an sas on a ifs equipped 4x4.....

the 4x2 frame has a bigger front wheel arch, so less lift is needed to clear the steering components... i plan on making my 4x2 a 4x4 one day, or jsut aquiring a 4x4 and have 2 toyotas...

[kyle_22r]

i'd rather do a 2wd SAS because most of the time, the 2wds seem to be taken care of a little better, and are most definitely cheaper.  i'd rather spend $500 on a good base for a project, and then collect the parts than spend 2500 on some beat up 4x4.

[kneedownnate]

I picked up a low mile 87 2wd for $200, parted down about $900 worth of stuff and have been toying with the idea of making a buggy out of it.  Now that I see WT saying the steering box is fine for the conversion that makes one less thing to worry about.  It had an automatic too, so the floor won't be all boogered up either, can cut the holes exactly where I need them and have it look factory fresh.  I say go for it, cheap is good, and in your situation it should be fairly easy.  Where you put your front spring hanger is only an issue of which springs you use and how far forward you want the axle to be.