Converting your 2X2 into a 4X4

Hey guys and gals-

I have an 07, V-8, SR-5 with just over 80,000 miles. Its in great shape. I love this truck. But now that I'm out west and need a 4X4....

Is it possible to convert it to a 4X4? If so, is it feasible? Would it be better to bite the bullet and settle for a V-6?

I just am partial to this ride and can't find a V-8 4X4 4Runner that has low miles, or doesn't have some issue. Or is in Maine (I'm west coast).

Appreciate the ground truth....

 

Is it possible? Yes. Is it worth it? I'd say no. I'm no mechanic but you'd need a new axle, differential, transfer case, front axle, shift lever, and a lot of help or installation costs. If your partial to the 4runner I'd try and locate a cheap 4x4 like a Jeep CJ for 6-7K, keep both, and save money. Are you planning on going off road out west or just want to move away from the 4x2?

 

I would like to be able to go off road and drive on snow.

Went to the dealership yesterday and spied an '11 Linited w 31k miles asking 32K$. It's a V6 but immaculate. Thinking it may be better to buy it and sell my SR5.

 

If you're not quite mechanically inclined and have a shop full of tools for the purposes needed, I'd honestly tell you to skip it.

Oh, and have another vehicle handy if you attempt the swap, it's gonna sit there a while. That isn't a weekend thing, especially if it's your first time.

I get the v8's are sweet but the v6's in the Gen 5 Runners make 280 ft lb of torque. It's not afraid to do some work. I've been all over the southern half of the US in mine, pulling a trailer, and romping some trails and it's still stock. I haven't even lifted it and put some nice tires on it yet.

 

Thanks Lee

 

And to understand where you're coming from, I sure would love a v8 Limited AWD to make into an Exploring kinda rig. But in all truth I love the tech in the 5th Gens, so it kinda all evens out. Good luck with your decision, these are really fun vehicles.

 

I would have to agree, its almost always cheaper to sell your 4x2 and buy a 4x4 than it is to swap. Not to mention since those V8 models have full time 4X4 you'd need to swap the transmission also. Those center diffs are expensive. The 5th gen received the new V6 that the early FJs, 4th gen runners and Tacoma's never got. Its still a 4.0L 1GRFE but it has revised cylinder heads that contain dual VVTI on both intake and exhaust cams. Thus giving it the ~280 lb-ft mentioned early over the 250ish (I think) of the old motor. It really is a nice package.

 

So, I have EXTENSIVELY looked into this option prior to me blowing my 2wd up. The swap is DEFINITELY possible. (look at TOY2G and MysticZ on T4R and T120.) According to TOY2G, it's actually cheaper to swap, but that's after all is said and done in selling your 4x2 components. @Toyojay TOY2G actually did his on a V8. Read through both of their conversion threads extensively, and if you'd like I can dig up a parts list TOY2G sent me back a couple years ago. EVERYTHING is pre-threaded/pre-wired/plug-n-play, except for the plug on the computer side of the 4WD system, which can be cut off a donor vehicle, or what the others did was fixed leads in silicon. It's not as expensive as you'd think, especially considering the amount of good components you could sell off the 2wd.

Edit: OP try getting in touch with TOY2G on T120 or T4R, if you can, it's been years since I've spoken to him, but if you can manage to, it'd probably be helpful.

 

I see that the V8 uses the same transmission as the V6, the A750E or A750F depending 2wd vs 4wd. About the only thing you'd have left to sell would be the transmission and maybe the shifter bezel and a few small various parts. Converting to 4wd you'd need the front 3rd, front CV shafts, knuckles, hubs, bearings, seals, drive shafts, trans, t-case, harness and interior parts. Sounds like you'll be buying alot more than you'll be selling. CAPS is correct though, try and get ahold of someone whos done it. Perhaps theres more to it than I can see, but after attempting the same swap on my old S10 and accumulating a pile of parts... I worked it out to be cheaper to sell and replace. I feel 9 times out of 10 it is cheaper to replace the vehicle counting parts and labor (even if its your labor, your time is worth something right?)

 

I read about someone who did the conversion, apparently the ECU is affected as well. Definitely cheaper to sell and replace

 

After all was said and done, Toy only spent like 1500-2k iirc..