Hilux 4x4 Forum

Good day,
I recently bought a diff,propshaft,gearbox & front diff from a 4x4 Hilux D4D D/C (2008 model).

Everything went smooth with the conversion from 4x2 to 4x4.The only hic-up be the center bearing brackets that needed to be moved backward.

The only problem i did encounter and not know how to solve be the "electrical plug" on the front diff to engage the front CV shafts and the two plugs on the gearbox, telling the "system" that the vehicle is now in 4x4 mode. (There is no "extra" plugs to do this)

Any help & suggestions will be appreciated.

thinus if you remove the auto lock hubs and fit ordinary asian manual free wheel hubs might work more of a shelp get used to it

There is a seperate control unit to manage the switching of all of this because there are limit switches in the diff to stop the motor once its engaged and vise versa. It would not be difficult to wire something up using relays

Thanx for your replies, maybe, just maybe some one already did solve this problem, lets hope that some will give us the answer.

Another question, why do Fortuners only come in permanent 4x4.

Titos wrote:Thanx for your replies, maybe, just maybe some one already did solve this problem, lets hope that some will give us the answer.

Another question, why do Fortuners only come in permanent 4x4.

They don't

Blackadder wrote:

Titos wrote: Another question, why do Fortuners only come in permanent 4x4.

They don't

The 4x4 Fortuners are permanent 4WD, even the 2nd gear lever only shows 4H for normal driving

Surely Toyota would have thought that driving in 2H (RWD) would return better fuel consumption? (Like the Hilux can)

Good day to you all.

The Fortuner comes equipped with Full time 4x4, Torsen (torque sensing) limited slip differential and a dual ratio (high / low) transfer case. The diff is lockable too.

4x4 Drive Options:

Broadly, there are four options on the transfer box (smaller gear lever).

H : Default mode. Running in all time 4x4 with the center diff unlocked. This is what you will use 99% of the time. For tarmac use.

HL : 4x4 with center diff locked. 50:50 torque between the front & rear axles. Do NOT use this mode on tarmac (you will ruin the drivetrain). Best in slush, sand etc.

LL : 4x4, center diff locked, low ratio. Use in extreme offroad applications. Only crawling speeds possible.

N : Neutral. No drive provided to the front or rear wheels. Purpose is to serve as a bridge between High & Low ratio shifts.

All my 4x2 to 4x4 conversion problems is solved

Thanx for all your replies.

Hi Titos
I am new to the forum and its your artical that, made me join. I have a 4.0 v6 auto d/c hilux and wondered if i can also do the 4x2 to 4x4 conversion, do you think i could get away with all the stuff that you used for the conversion, reason for asking is the local 4x4 place here said i need the full front suspension aswell, is this true. Second question is what did your converion cost you and what did you do with old gear box.

Hello guys
I'm new on this & I just got me a 09 4x2 auto double cab hilux

Just like to know do I have to really do the conversion to 4x4
To go on the 4x4 trails ??

NBL 513 wrote:Hello guys
I'm new on this & I just got me a 09 4x2 auto double cab hilux

Just like to know do I have to really do the conversion to 4x4
To go on the 4x4 trails ??

Most trails require 4WD. You could however attempt some easier trails but would most likely do some damage to your vehicle and environment as you would have to have more momentum going through obsticles. Al lot of trail owners would however not allow 2WD vehicles.

Agree ..... not adviseable to attempt a trail with a 4x2 that's intended for a 4x4 vehicle.

IMO it's a better all round option to sell the 4x2 and put the proceeds towards a good 2nd hand 4x4. The difference that you will pay in is going to be less than what it would cost to do the conversion unless you can source good 2nd hand parts and do all the labour yourself, and then you're still looking at a fair period of down time. Whereas, if you sell and replace, there is no down time and it's a factory fitment and no niggly issues afterwards.

Good day Shadow 14 & NBL 513, yes it is possible to convert both your vehicles to 4x4. Unless you both did spend a lot of money on your vehicles eg. bull bar,wider wheels, canopy etc, i would rather sell my vehicle and buy a 4x4 like Oooms suggested.

Hi Titos. Did you have any joy with the conversion. What were the difficulties?

For the record, the conversion is possible. The biggest challenge was finding someone to build the harness linking the front diff and transfer box to the computer and instrument cluster. Minor challenges included lengthening the speedo wires, building a new prop-shaft carrier mounting bracket, accommodating the ABS, and the gear-lever opening in the cab floor. The front diff, side shafts & hubs, gearbox & shafts all fitted without problem. The donor vehicle was my 2.5 SRX single cab, which is now a working 2x4. The components donated were the gearbox, front and rear diffs and drive shafts, side shafts and front hubs, computer box & harness plugs.

Hi there ! Could you please tell me if you manage to find out anything about the wiring on the front diff .

Hi did you also have to buy a new speedo cable ( on the 2,7 it was to short)

Hi Guys.
I used an auto-electrician who was familiar with Hiluxes. He cut out the plugs from the donor vehicle and used them to make up a separate harness. He also lengthened the speedo cable.

Good Day.

I have also done a 4x4 conversion on my 2.7i bullnose hilux.

So as time goes along it was time for a upgrade.

Again a found myself buying a 2x4.

So the new project starts.

Where did you buy the 4x4 kit an what was the costs?

Hi. I used my single cab as the donor vehicle, so all the parts were transferred

Good day Mike.

OK so i got hold of the hole kit.

I did not understand all the detail but now i do.

I am picking up my kit on Saturday.
Thoughts is running a round like a little kid.

So do you perhaps have picture of the center bearing brackets you made?
how did you sort out the harness?

Was this a lot of grief?

Also is the clutch plates from 2x4 to 4x4 the same?

Lastly has this dropped your fuel consumption

Hi Bennie.
I do have a picture, send me your fax or email.
Harness was done by local electrician. Don't proceed unless you know someone who can do this.
I think there is a difference between the 2.5 and 3L diesel clutches, but the spikets are the same. Not sure about petrol models.
Fuel consumption will increase slightly due to extra weight, but will also depend on tyres used

bennievandermerwe8@gmail.com

I also have a 3.0 d4d

please sent me all the pictures of the convertion.

Hi mike.

Im busy with the installation.
well the holdup for me is now the wiring.

I understand the how it works, but do not understand the do part.

Does any one know what wire is used for what on the diff.

I have stripped off all the plugs on the diff an gearbox.
Is there a 4x4 controll switch.

Does your lights on the dashbord works?

MikeNewc wrote:For the record, the conversion is possible. The biggest challenge was finding someone to build the harness linking the front diff and transfer box to the computer and instrument cluster. Minor challenges included lengthening the speedo wires, building a new prop-shaft carrier mounting bracket, accommodating the ABS, and the gear-lever opening in the cab floor. The front diff, side shafts & hubs, gearbox & shafts all fitted without problem. The donor vehicle was my 2.5 SRX single cab, which is now a working 2x4. The components donated were the gearbox, front and rear diffs and drive shafts, side shafts and front hubs, computer box & harness plugs.

Hi Mike where have you found someone to do the wireing harness for you.

Cant find anyone in Pretoria to be able to do this?

I will see if the sparky can provide a diagram.
remember, you will need the 4wd computer box as well. it bolts into place behind the cubby hole.
there is no 4x4 control switch in the cab, that signal comes from switch on the transfer box.
you will have to push a wire from the new harness into the correct pin on the instrument cluster to get the 4wd light to work

Ok so i made up my own harness.

Tested the conversion. All smiles.
This is quite a lekker feeling.

Fuel consumption dropped about 1km per liter.

I will make a lekker post with all my pictures.

Knap gedaan Bennie. Waar is die prentjies?

Titos wrote:Good day,
I recently bought a diff,propshaft,gearbox & front diff from a 4x4 Hilux D4D D/C (2008 model).

Everything went smooth with the conversion from 4x2 to 4x4.The only hic-up be the center bearing brackets that needed to be moved backward.

The only problem i did encounter and not know how to solve be the "electrical plug" on the front diff to engage the front CV shafts and the two plugs on the gearbox, telling the "system" that the vehicle is now in 4x4 mode. (There is no "extra" plugs to do this)

Any help & suggestions will be appreciated.

Why not buy a 4x4 and trade the 4x2, when you come time to sell, its a mission o explain!

Has anyone in Cape Town area done this? Could someone tell me roughly what the price tag would be on such a conversion?

Not worth it. Sell the 4x2 and buy a 4x4 ..... less hassle, no registration problems, better resale value - and probably a much cheaper option.

G'day guys, I've been trawling the 'net to find a 2wd to 4wd conversion thread and this seems to be the only one I can find.
I'm about to change over a 2wd 2007 Hilux to 4wd using a wrecked 4wd as soon as I can source one. My main question is how the CV's and steering is different to the 2wd, and is it a bolt-on modification as far as the chassis goes?
IE change over all the front suspension, sway bar, coils etc without having to touch the crossmember or chassis rails.

Many thanks if you can help out with the information.

The front suspension is identical to both vehicles so it is pretty much a bolt on conversion. The centre bearing needs to move back and the biggest trick is the wiring.

Mars wrote: ↑Wed Jun 26, 2019 5:52 am The front suspension is identical to both vehicles so it is pretty much a bolt on conversion. The centre bearing needs to move back and the biggest trick is the wiring.

I've looked at my own 2007 2wd model and a 2007 4wd model and the upper control arm is located in a higher position on the 4wd chassis at the top of the spring top mount.
The 2wd (pic attached) connects to the bottom of this spring support.
Is that not the case with your domestic models in SA?

DUBSPEC wrote: ↑Thu Jun 27, 2019 3:04 pm

Mars wrote: ↑Wed Jun 26, 2019 5:52 am The front suspension is identical to both vehicles so it is pretty much a bolt on conversion. The centre bearing needs to move back and the biggest trick is the wiring.

I've looked at my own 2007 2wd model and a 2007 4wd model and the upper control arm is located in a higher position on the 4wd chassis at the top of the spring top mount.
The 2wd (pic attached) connects to the bottom of this spring support.
Is that not the case with your domestic models in SA?

2wd as in 'n plat bakkie(2.0L Vvti or 2.5) or raised suspension?

I suspect he has the "plat bakkie" and not the raised body. I was referring to the raised body. I am almost 100% sure he won't know what a "plat bakkie" is.

Brad we get two variants in SA. The normal workhorse which is a "low rider" and then we get the raised body or Raider in 4x2 which has the identical lay-out of the 4x4. If you really need a 4x4 then you are probably better of selling your current one and getting a 4x4. The moment you need to start changing the front suspension and moving attachment points etc. you are in for a big job. The angles etc are critical and the points where you need to mount the swing arms need to be attached to the chassis where it is strong enough. It will quickly end up not being an economical proposition.