Convert a 2wd to 4wd or SAS it?

Hey everyone, so I've been reading up on this for quite some time, and have really just found answers that beat around my question, but don't answer it fully. My truck is a 2005 SR5 2wd that is my first truck, as I'm only 18, so I don't want to just sell it and buy a 4wd. This truck has a lot of sentimental value to me and I have some skills and connections to get this job done. Anyways, what does everyone think the best route to go is, that will give me a capable trail rig, but also a nice, confortable truck on the road?

 

Well a solid axel won’t give you a comfortable ride on the road, at all.
2wd trucks are still pretty capable, if you throw some good all terrain tires, air them down. You can also throw a locker or lsd in the rear, get a winch up front. We take our 2wd 4runner most of the places the 4wds go, just don’t expect to do rock gardens with 2wd. Spend your leftover money on headers and an exhaust

 

We’ve all been 18. 2wd and balls will take you further than most people with 4wd. Just stay with people that can pull you out

 

Convert to 4x4

 

You can get a solid axle 4x4 to ride just as good or better than IFS. It just takes $$ and time.

 

Save up and buy a small trail rig, like a Tacoma, jeep, or something . A proper SAS would be best but cost big money, 4wd conversion isn't cheap or easy either. I wouldn't sink that kind of money into an 15 year old truck, especially if its sentimental to you. Just leave it and get a trail rig. The tundras, even 1st gens are kinda big for most trails anyway.

 

I've thought about this. I see some rock crawler rigs that look really good. Just curious, what kind of power mods do you have to do if you have an older Tacoma on big mud tires? Am I overthinking it and it would have plenty of power to move on trails?

 

low gears are your friend on trail rigs. you can do as many power mods as you want.

 

Ah I see. That makes sense. Appreciate it! I have thought about buying an older single cab Tacoma and building that as I go. I see plenty on FB marketplace that look solid for not a whole lot of money now a days.

 

You would be fine with a stock Tacoma on the trails, even a 4 cylinder on 33s or 35s. Ideally you'd wanna regear but see how you do first. Look at those Suzuki samurais with those small engines doing trails, plenty of power for the majority of people.

 

You'll either get naysayers or people who want you to throw a fortune out. You've mentioned sentiment so don't listen to them.

I'm in a similar boat, I've studied it, I'll do it in the next few years. If possible find a 4x4 05 donor to strip of the parts for the conversion. There are some differences between 04/05/06 so an 05 donor is best. Here are what you'll need:

-4wd transmission with transfer case and mounts, get the cross member if possible
-A way to extend the speed sensor wiring about 3 feet, it's on the transfer case on 4wd models.
-An 05 4wd wiring harness, you'll strip away the 4wd essentials and ditch the rest.
-4wd panel for the stereo/hvac to get the 4wd buttons
-4wd computer from an 05
-Front diff
-Axles
-4wd complete spindles (or get new bearings, abs rings, and 4wd hubs pressed into your 2wd spindles)
-Front and rear driveshaft and carrier bearing
-All the hardware

Wiring gets a bit tedious but nothing I'd call difficult. Front diff bolts right in, axles and spindles too. The trans swap looks like a struggle but it will bolt in. The job itself looks like about 3 days work.

For all the naysayers, if you take your time collecting the parts you can get it all for around $2500 or less. If you do the labor that's worth every penny, especially if you find low mileage trans.

A shop would charge that or more to replace a transmission. Another perspective- coilovers/UCAs/leaf springs/shocks will set you back $3k, but 4wd is more advantage off road.

Good read here.
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f28/tundra-4wd-conversion-164431/