Blaine's Tacoma Research

[TOYOTA4X4]

I will (hopefully) soon have my hands on a free 98 taco 4x4. It's got the 2.7L and auto tranny. Obviously, for a free truck it has, shall we say, some damage. Motor runs great, tranny blown, rear end about to go, front output on the t-case blown, and the bed is wasted. Near is I can tell, the frame and cab are straight. I will be having that checked.....

My question is regarding SAS for the truck. I have done 2 SAS on the Gen 2 chassis. Not to tough. But I was pokin around the tubes of intarweeb and not really finding much in the way of people who have done this yet on the Taco. Sure, All-Pro is advertising thier link suspension, but that's about all I found. How much difference is there in frame dimensions and strength compared to the older trucks?

Just wondering if any of ya'll could point some ideas my way. I imagine that the oilpan clearance issues are the same as those for swapping the taco 4 cyl into an older chassis....

Since the auto tranny is wasted, I suppose I'll look at swappin to a manual vs replacing the original. I don't really need a debate about manual vs auto, but I am curious about any technical problems concerning the ECM in regards to it being for an automatic, if any. I do live in Cali, and so smog is of course an issue.

I appreciate any and all input here. 

[79coyotefrg]

the taco auto  is  a strong tranny,  and  i believe they even have a dualcase adapter for these.

i would  just replace the tranny,  get a used  rear end,   and  do the SAS

[TOYOTA4X4]

You pretty much nailed what I am planning... but its the small things that pop up out of nowhere and slow things down....

Thats why I asked about the questiosn about the frame.... didn't know if there where any particular concerns about the frame I have to consider when I chop out the stock suspension.
I agree with keeping the auto tranny, that's probably the way I'll go. It kinda goes with driving a Tacoma, you know? Creature comforts and all that.

Anybody else got anything to add?

Thanks!

[79coyotefrg]

just cut the stuff off the frame, but dont cut the frame

[8D3TOY]

I have been considering buying a doublecab and have been looking at the sas for the future, wanting to keep it all Toyota I see that alot of swaps use a D44, I know that the driver/pass drop is no longer a problem thanks to Marlin but what about the mini truck axle? Is it not wide enough?

[CTENG in KS]

You can always use a Diamond housing built to your specs.  30 spline longs and you are good to go.

If I had a Tacoma I was gonna SAS...just go D60 from the get go.

[TOYOTA4X4]

Sure D60's would be great.... but....The idea is to keep it as toyota as possible and driveable. In addition, I have plenty of toy drivetrain parts to make the swap cheap, while still doing it right.

If the truck is worse shape than I think, then I may just go insane on the build...we'll see.

Regarding the earlier question about the width of the toy front axle: wheel spacers. If you have a buttload of cash to blow, custom axles........

See, I don't have the proverbial buttload of cash, so..... I will take my time, build it right, within the contents of the ol' wallet.

[CTENG in KS]

Safest way to do the spacers thing is to do the IFS hub conversion on the toy solid axle.  I don't think it is real expensive if you can get some of the IFS parts cheaper than new.

[Gittinit]

Your budget is the only real limiting factor whith these taco toys. If you want a sas then go with a link suspension and rebuild the frame to accomadate the narrower axle. Spacers or the ifs hub conversion will be a must. If it is a regular cab then don't waste your time with that thing, pick up an earlier body and drop in the 2.7 for more power, and a lighter package. The reg cab taco dosn't have any more room than the 3rd gen and is alot less mod friendly. I bet you could pick up a 3rd gen with a blown motor for what you could mack selling that cab.   There is lots of info on http://tacomaterritory.com/ about tacos.

[TOYOTA4X4]

Thanks for the link!!