A 1991 Toyota pickup ext.cab shortbox 2WD was given to me by a friend. What I need to know is if the 2WD can be converted to a 4WD without extensive modifications. I really wanted a 4X4, but I got it for free. Is it worth converting to a 2WD to a 4WD?? Please someone Respond!!!

they answered th+at on trucks last week.

cheap? about 2 grand to do it cheaply probably. but if you happen to have a front axle housing complete, transmission and transfercase, drive shaft, front suspension. and all you have to do is spend money on hardware, the welder, and you can do it....sell it and buy a 4x4.

Elbow Grease and others have converted their trucks; ability to weld is helpful.

You can contact Todd thru our User List above (click on screen name). I see his url to his website and the project are currently invalid; he made a wooden bed too. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

MAKE SURE YOUR FRAME IS IN GOOD SHAPE before you do ANYTHING. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shame.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shame.gif" alt="" />

www.car-parts.com and our For Sale section will be helpful to you in finding parts. Update your profile with your location, as folks will be asking about the time you go foolin' around with shipping parts. (My Home linky above).

Welcome to the board; make sure you take a look at our Toyota section above for tech writeups etc, so you know they exist before asking questions. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

I have access to a transfer case, transmission, and front axle all for $550. It seems the process might get costly.
I guess there are a lot of other nick-nacks that I will need. Well at least I know that it can be done.

Thanx

Sounds like you're on your way; couple Runners down in the F/S section right now.

You could try to find a parts 4x4.

This is my vote as well. If you dig around, you might find a whole truck that has been rear-ended, had the mnotor removed/gutted, or otherwise half-truck for that same $500.
Around here, vehicle like that come up on the local 4x4board all the time. Hell, I have just such a vehicle sitting in my garage that I a waiting on a fellow to ocme and take - his "in" is only $300 and it has all that stuff.

one thing you'd want to decide up front - which front suspension do youy want, IFS or solid axle?

Its just that this 2WD truck is in pretty good condition. My buddy took good care of this truck and not too long ago did complete body work on it...and I would feel kind of ungrateful to just get rid of the truck he gave me for free. Now...what is the difference between IFS or solid axle, and can either be modded onto a converted 2WD to 4WD??

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />(sorry for all these newbie questions...I have always loved toyota pick-ups, but never focused on the mechanical side of things....so I will be relying on you guys and forums like these to guide me along the way)

Depends on if this will be a daily driver or a real build for the trails later on. After market for IFS is getting better for kits; good solid axles are getting harder to come by. You might also find some projects out there with a Google for 'Toyota SAS conversion project'.
'85 frame dimensions

'93 frame dimensions Same generation of truck; start on page 4.

We also have manuals sticky'd in this section; check 'em out.

This truck will be 75% on-road daily driving and 25% off-roading. I dont need anything extravagant like a rockclimber, but something solid enough for light off-road trails for week-end outings. I will also eventually need some insight on body and suspension lifts.