i just got the truck from a deal between my mom and grandpa. i'm still kinda new to guam, but i've noticed a bunch of mini trucks here. was wondering if i can/should drop a 4wd pickup..?

 

Hmmm since im one for droppin stuff to the earth Id say you can and should however since its a 4x id imagine it would depend on how low you want it. If it was just the fact you got a 4x instead of a 2x then Id say take the transfer case out and get a 2wd tranny and drivline and then drop the crap out of it. I dont have particular experience with yota setups as far as 4x goes so I dont know how all the angles would change and differ due to the transfer case for the front but I imagine it can be done. If they can bag and body a full size 4x chevy avalanche Im sure you can do it to a toyota with a few minor adjustments.

 

i take it dropping a 4x yota isn't very popular ; in all honestly.. i just want to see if i could have a 4x/awd yota mini.. the body's all rusted anyways so it needs some love, either way no leaks and runs fine.. it's taken into the jungle at least twice a month. i was given the "all clear" to work on it.. once it's fixed up and ready for the street then i can change the title to my name. my ultimate goal for this truck is to make it an awd road race truck ^_^;

 

most people say no to dropping in general ha especially a 4x4. But id say go for it especially if thats the look your going for, then rally ha. Some of the so called issues i would first look at is if your staying with the leaf spring setup u'll have to find a way to flip the springs under the axle tube. That right there will give you at least the diameter of the tube drop. Then u can use blocks or whatever. I know the ranger guys have the leaf on axle so maybe a flip kit for a ranger might work they're not too expensive maybe 80 bux. as far as the front i know the spindles and control arms are different for the 4x4 then the 2wd. im not too sure but i will check my 91 4x4 to c if you can maybe swap drop arms. that should give you at least 2.5 to 3" drop in the front and then either relieve the torsions or get some aftermarkets. That should get you started i will post whether 2wd arms are possible or maybe someone else will chime in. Shoot i might have to do this too ha

 

thanks for the pointers and advice soja~! i honestly am a noob to the whole mini truck scene.. lolz

 

the frame and front suspension of the 4x4 will basically not allow you to drop it any lower then a stock 2wd sits. and there are too many differences between the 4x4 and the 2wd chassis to swap over parts. if you want a lowered truck, sell the 4x4 and buy a 2wd. on top of all that if the front axles get pushed up too far by lowering it, you will run into major cv axle binding issues.
there is also a big difference between an awd car and a 4x4 truck.

 

yea.. im well aware of the differences of awd and 4wd.. i just started using the the terms a lil more loosely due to most people i meet and discuss this topic tend to just use awd ; i dont know if that makes sense.. lol.. but yea.. subies have awd.. hiluxs have 2/4wd ^_^;

robert m: thanks for the heads up.. better to know whats ahead as supposed to buying rwd parts and finding that they wont work with my application

 

yeah just looked under my 4x and its pretty messy up front ha. But im still determined to help u figure this out Dammit! Cuz it would be cool. maybe z'ing the front?(might cause angle issues). Body drop traditional or sfbd. of course bags but im more of a static guy.

 

also my truck has a 3" body lift so idk if stock there is a spacer? if so u can take it out.

 

you pretty much have to pull the trans and transfer case and swap in a 2wd trans, then up front you gotta get crazy and do the opposite of a drop diff when lifting...so a "lift diff"...lol. Anyways you basically will z the front but even thats not going to get ya very far. The front suspension is horrible for lowering on the 4wd, I think the lowest I've ever seen is maybe slightly lower then stock 2wd, and that took a lot of work. I woudl honestly sell the truck or find a wrecked 2wd and swap the bodys over, keep the trans of the wreck and make a 2wd, then slam that SOB

 

yea.. after reading everyone's response so far.. i got under my truck to see what everyone was talking about.. im beginning to think that gettin rid of it is the most logical thing to do right now. like i said before, im still new on island.. so that means no job just yet and i dont want to make this project into a big money pit.. a small one i dont mind though.. let's just say im on a tight budget but still love workin on cars, and since i was told that if i can get this truck fixed up i could have it, i thought i'd try out the mini truck scene.. with my own personal twist. turns out thats not going to be cheap or worth while..lol.
i guess im off to look for parts just to pass safety inspection and a few other cosmetics like new bench seat, bed, doors, tailgate and front/rear lights.

 

Sup bro. Neighbor.That's a tough one.Swap trans,drive shaft,IFS oh yeah AWD.I wouldn't even know where to start.How you gonna check the ranch chelu?lol.I've been back there hunting. I dont think a slammed truck would make it past the river. Maybe you should try to swap for a 2wd.

 

hey man dont let them scare ya. There just giving you some different perspectives, which is what a forum is about. first off you got a toyota truck that kicks ass in itself. initially what i would do is get it running good then maybe fix the rust, then itd b looking good. its possible to do it on a budget its just gonna take time. and in that time you can develop some bad ass skills.
To say get rid of it and get a 2wd, while it'll b easier for sure and the more conventional route, i dont think thats what toyotaminis.com is about. its kinda like saying if you want a supra motor y dont u get a supra... while theres nothing wrong with saying or doing that, it hasnt stopped a bunch of guys here from dropping a 7m, 2j, or even 302's 350's in there little little compact economy trucks.

 

If you have a 4wd, just build a badass Toyota 4wd even a modest 3" lift with nice new tires and "restoring mods" would make you enjoy it a lot.

Who says you can't make a 4WD nice?

 

haha.. yea.. i took out my old projector lamps just to check em out and that ended up in my grands saying not to work on the truck.. which in turn made my mom say dont fix it even if it breaks.. lolz.. so i guess im back at square one. thanks for all your advice.. im still on my job hunt.. so i dont know what kind of ride i'll end up with. though i gotta admit, im really into old school datsun/toyota trucks.. maybe a bosozoku-ish style one would be a cool concept. anyone know of where besides CL and dragguam to look for trucks/cars for sale in guam? im trying to keep my budget at around $1500 (just for the ride.. not including mods/repairs)