Wondering at the possibility of this conversion.

My main reasoning is that I have the 2wd (1993 extended cab) already... And it's in great shape...

Most of the 4wd's I've seen for sale around here look trashed.

What differences are there to the bodywork and frame of a 2wd versus a 4wd truck?

The 2WD frame is actually better; the front of the frame is arched higher in the front then the 4WD drive frame. This allows more room for the solid front axle. As far as the body, mostly just cosmetic differences in the wheel well areas.

Really? Interesting! I'd be putting in my own mounts anyhow, as I definitely can't find any 85 and earlier trucks around here.

How about the steering gearbox. Someone once told me the steering is different.

Never really looked at one, I have been told the selector shaft is smaller which would mean weaker but I do not know.

Since the 4x's gearing box is designed to turn larger tires under a load, I would imagine that it is bigger. A call to your local dealership's service/parts department should get you the info you need. It isn't that big of a deal if you have to find one, they run about $150. Considering the amount of money you will be spending to do the conversion another $150 or so isn't that much. However you could reduce a lot of extra costs by finding a rolled 4x4, you can usually find them for around $500. Buying items seperately for the conversion will cost a bit more since you have to replace everything from the engine back including the rear axle(unless you want to have to have 2 spares, one 6lug, one 5lug).

As OOP's mentioned the 2wd frames are nicer for doing an SAS on, you can sqeeze a lot more tire under it w/o having to lift it a lot.
On this '92 we were able to fit 37 Krawlers with only running rear Toyota springs upfront. The axle was moved 2" forward for better clearance.

Everyone is assuming the conversion that the OP is interested in is an SAS... is that true? Converting to an IFS 4x4 isn't really possible, unlike the PreRunner Tacomas...

And the 4x steering box has a larger sector shaft and many 2wd boxes attach only with 2 bolts.

Wow I like that bumper! Did the 2wd rears get used up front or were they 4wd ones? Makes me wanna find a 2wd with blown engine lol.

I have one!
It is true, I have 33's on my truck, SASed, and it looks good.
Could do 35's, but don't need to.
For the steering, get an IFS (4wd) steering box and do crossover steering.
the arch on the 2wd trucks is similar to the factory solid axle trucks, so you can get more stuff under there and still have clearance.
I still use my 2wd oil pan, and I have not had issues.
I think the front springs are a 3" lift for an '83 truck (got my axles from an 83).
The other thing you'll need is a tranny with a t-case on it, replacement rear axle to get the 8" ring gear and 6 lug pattern, and driveshafts.
Basically, everything under the frame gets replaced.
Not a bad time to go through and do rust prevention things.
Let me know if you want pics, I'll be happy to post them.
There are a few on my website .
Enjoy!

Todd

The rear springs were from a standard cab Toyota 4wd springs.

Even with 37's on it it was easy to get in and out of on/off the trail, you never had to climb up in it like you have to in so many SAS'd rigs. Granted the 37's still rubed a little, but not enought to cause any problems. It was a nice stable trail rig, unfortunately it was a little tight for my buddy at 6'5", and then very little storage for winter wheeling. He planned to sweap everything over to a '92 X-cab with a bad V-6, but then traded another friend of ours or his '96 SA'd Runner. The '96 doesn't feel/look anywhere near as stable as the '92 was, but it is still a very capable rig. Riding in it certainly isn't for the faint of heart. or the sober <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />.

If you can find a 2wd cheap, and a rolled 4wd building a 2wd is a good way to go. I usuallly see 2wd's going for as little as $200, sometimes free w/o an engine/tranny.