Topic: 77 longbed 4x4 conversion?

[mrleadfoot67]

I've got a 77 longbed 2wd truck.  Is it possible to do a SAS/4wd conversion?  I've got a set of 85 axles already and enough parts to make a good running 20R, but I'm not sure about the front end conversion.  Would there be problems with the frame being set up for coil springs originally?  Is a project like this worth my time or should I just start out with an early 80's truck?  Would a SAS kit for a 79 and up pickup work on my 77?
Thanks

[donkeykong]

    I thought 79 was the first year they made Pickups....if the basic design is the same as all the rest I would not see why you couldnt.  Redo the whole front end with an 85 axle and High steer it.  And then find a transfer case that will fit.  of cousre there is alot more to it but those are the big things, making sure all the new stuff fits right redoing the drive lines....ect...ect

[bmxanddie]

do it. i would love to c an old hilux 4x4

[UNBREAKABLE]

It's doable

[kyle_22r]

   I thought 79 was the first year they made Pickups....if the basic design is the same as all the rest I would not see why you couldnt.  Redo the whole front end with an 85 axle and High steer it.  And then find a transfer case that will fit.  of cousre there is alot more to it but those are the big things, making sure all the new stuff fits right redoing the drive lines....ect...ect

uhh, toyota has been selling pickups in the US since the mid 60s...

i've always wanted to do a straight axle conversion on a '73-78 pickup, i love the body style.  in fact, downey and a company called wolverine used to do 4x4 conversions on them with a divorced dana 20 transfer case and a dana 30 jeep front axle.

i think the main hurdle on a '73-78 truck would be that if i remember correctly, the motor mounts are on the front crossmember instead of the frame.  might have to redo that, however you might be able to use the front crossmember as i'm not sure if it's welded to the frame or not.  you'll want to get a set of axles from a '79-85 truck, as though you most likely have an 8" rear end(i haven't seen a mid 70s truck with a 7.5 yet), it'll be 5 lug and spring-under.

[Hyena]

You will need a t-case, tranny, front and rear drivelines,  speedo mods, a new t-case crossmember, maybe some other stuff.  I think you should do it.  Don't see tomany 2wd turned 4wd toys out there.

[awhotrods]

I've got a 77 longbed 2wd truck.  Is it possible to do a SAS/4wd conversion?  I've got a set of 85 axles already and enough parts to make a good running 20R, but I'm not sure about the front end conversion.  Would there be problems with the frame being set up for coil springs originally? Is a project like this worth my time or should I just start out with an early 80's truck? Would a SAS kit for a 79 and up pickup work on my 77?
Thanks

DO IT DO IT!!!!!!

[lilbuddy]

I think I have seen a few on Pirate4x4.com also. Check it out and DO A SEARCH on it on there. And if all else fails put a post up and see what people say.

If you have the chance, id say do it. That would be awesome if you did

[kyle_22r]

hammer hog over on pbb had a '76 cab on an '84 chassis before he went to a formula toy setup.  it looked really, really cool.  i passed one of those rare 4x4 conversions on the highway one day, i'd love to have one, except with toyota parts.

[mrleadfoot67 [OP]]

Alright, I'm gonna do the swap, I like stuff that nobody else has.  Its an automatic truck, do early automatic tailshafts unbolt to bolt up a tcase?  Did toyota ever make a non electronically controlled O/D?  Or am I better off doing something different.  How hard would a manual swap be, would pedals out of a later truck work in my 77?  Transmission and t-case are the last things to figure out. 
Thanks alot for all the info .

[DAWGTOY]

hey man
 a guy here in town has a 76 with the wolverine converson on it.
its for sale no title tho. thought about buying it just to have.
and the other guy is right dana front & divorced tc. all this thing needs
is cleaning out the gas tank. it runs good.

[kyle_22r]

Alright, I'm gonna do the swap, I like stuff that nobody else has.  Its an automatic truck, do early automatic tailshafts unbolt to bolt up a tcase?  Did toyota ever make a non electronically controlled O/D?  Or am I better off doing something different.  How hard would a manual swap be, would pedals out of a later truck work in my 77?  Transmission and t-case are the last things to figure out. 
Thanks alot for all the info .

if you've got an auto, you're pretty much out of luck for stock 4wd options.  the first 4x4 auto trannies came out in '85 and were electrically controlled.  you could run a divorced case setup but it would be cheaper and easier to just swap in a 4 or 5 speed tranny out of a 4x4.  it'll bolt right up to your motor, you just need to figure out where to mount a crossmember