Topic: 2wd to 4wd Q's

[tryn2Crawl]

Anybody knows if it's gonna be a problem if I convert my 2wd into a 4wd? i'm curious if they're gonna make it a hassle taking in a 4wd but papered 2wd when smogging and to the insurance. Do I have to go through a process to change it over legally to a 4wd (State Reffed?)?Or what?I got a 4wd frame also but it's not in better shape than the 2wd frame though(both 3rd gen). Any comments are welcome and would help a lot before I start. If anyone knows anyone who has done it, send them my way.Thanks.

[kyle_22r]

not sure on the smog thing, but a 2wd is going to make a better SAS project than an '86-up 4x4 since the frame has a lot more arch.  that is, provided you have the parts necessary(tranny, t-case, axle etc)

[tryn2Crawl [OP]]

got the whole change over off the 4wd. Thinking about putting a X-cab on the 2wd frame.some how I want the short wheelbbase but still have the x-cab incase I take me son along. Thanks for the info on the 2wd frame specs. Has anyone done this yet?What issues concerning paperwork and other legal issues have you ran into?

[WHITE_TRASH]

Priject research and buildups section.  Thread is called $300 I built a 90 2x into a 4x.  There are some good idea's and so not so good ones.  Take it for what its worth.  Start on page 9.

[oddball]

I'm doing that right now on my 85 2wd, I don't know were your at but here in California smog and insurance have nothing to do with the conversion. If you were to swap frames then you would have a problem with the dmv. The only tricky part so far is deciding how I want to mount the crossmember for the transfercase

[awhotrods]

I'm doing that right now on my 85 2wd, I don't know were your at but here in California smog and insurance have nothing to do with the conversion. If you were to swap frames then you would have a problem with the dmv. The only tricky part so far is deciding how I want to mount the crossmember for the transfercase

use the front range offroad crossmember, it will solve your problem

[tryn2Crawl [OP]]

thanks for all the feedback.Wish me luck.

[RustyToy]

i will save you a lot of trouble and sell you a 4x4 frame.... thats just nuts to convert.

[tryn2Crawl [OP]]

Got one but the its not as good as the 2wd.Thanks though.

[WHITE_TRASH]

Actually if you think about it its about the same amount of work to convert a 2x as it is to do an sas.  Granted you need to source a tranny and case but you still have to cut off all that useless crap off the front of the frame and there is actually a lot less cutting involved on a 2x.  They also have a higher frame crown so you can run less lift without steering vs. frame clearance issues.

[oddball]

and you dont have to swap the cab, engine, bed etc. which to me is just nuts

[WHITE_TRASH]

Actually I have yet to find anything on a yota that I would classify as hard.  Once this body is shredded (cahnces are in the next year :hahaha )  Ill just rip it off and replace it.  I really dont think its all that hard.  But I love 2x frames because of the steering clearance they provide.  No 4x frame can match it.

[tryn2Crawl [OP]]

Thanks Whitetrash. Didn't know about the clearances between the 2wd and 4wd frames.Thanks.    
By the ways, I got a tranny and t/case off my other donor truck so thats a problem solved.
I'm also thinking about putting a X-cab on the SB frame also. We'll see if it goes through.

[RustyToy]

well ya learn sumthin new everyday...
i'll have to pull out the 2x frame i got

[John Doe]

Here is a question...... Assuming someone was to do a 4wd and sas onto a 2wd 2nd gen, would there be any electrical that would need to be done? Best case I'm thinking, cut off IFS, swap 2wd tranny for 4wd tranny and t-case, add soild front axle.
I thought there was a sticky somewhere of 2wd to 4wd conversion info, but my search came up with little helpful other then this thread.

[tom w.]

cut off IFS, swap 2wd tranny for 4wd tranny and t-case, add soild front axle.

That's exactly what I did. You gotta clearance the tranny tunnel a little bit, but that's not much.

[John Doe]

May be dumb question, but the previously mentioned process would work the same on a 3rd gen as well? No wire mods needed if keeping a 5sp tranny?

[toyotanner]

dont forget to swap out both axles because i believe the rear axle has different gears like a 3.something

[John Doe]

I dont know about the gears, but I know the rear axle on the 2wd's are 5lug, not 6. So a swap would be needed regardless.