A New High

Aright so i've searched and searched and found nothing, but heres my problem-

I got a '90 runner, and i bought the 92-95 unsealed headlights, grill and corners-expecting the core supports were the same, and it'd be an easy swap, not true.

I was just wondering if anyone has done the swap and what was involved.

I'm considering swapping in a 92-95 core support but theres gotta be an easier way(without it bein hella ghetto and zip tied on! haha)

...and if thats true, someone on heres gotta know how!

Thanks guys

gte718p

Whats wrong with zip ties. Mines stock, but PO broke most of the little clips. Zip ties work just fine.

toyminator2000

I did this swap on my 89 pickup. It was kind of unique since pickups never had that style of front end on any years.

To do it right you will need to drill out about 25 spot welds on your truck's core support and get a doner truck and drill its spot welds too. you can cut it at the fender wells on the doner truck and drill out the spot welds from behind and just drill out the ones on your truck from the front. I would buy a good quality spot weld drill bit, makes the job much easier. Eastwood carries them.

You will have to break apart some spots with seam sealer too but it wasn't very hard. I plug welded mine back together but I guess you could use sheet metal screws if you don't have a welder.

There are also some differences in core supports from 92-93 and 94-95. The later is set up for r134 and doesn't have the same A/C hardware. Also, mine was a 4cyl which caused a few issues with the power steering cooler and A/C Hoses.

I have some pics of the finished project but I lost my camera with all of the pics I took during the process



* edited

project91

I had to use a cut-off wheel to trim the core support backwhere the headlights recess into because the 4runner lights have a larger back on them than the old school sealed beam type. Now most of the tabs do line up, on mine they did. I think one on the top on each side didn't, the one on the hood latch support didn't either, but since I had the 4runner you see in the background I just swapped in the latch support from it..fixed that problem. The other two will have to be cut-off, yes cut them off and you will not be able to use them. Best thing to do is put one of the headlights in the grille, hold it there, have a helper. Sit it up on the front of the truck like its installed and get your headlight positioned where you want it. Mark the holes and drill them out, get some bolts, washers, lockwashers and rubber washers.(shock absorbers sorta) You will have to splice in the headlight connection, but don't worry, Toyota used the same color codes on the harness, just match them up. Any questions just ask.....

Belize Off Road Team

Well i like your fender flares, did you do alot of custom work to make the rear flares fit?

A New High

Cool, thats what I figured-either swap core supports or just "massage" it on there

haha

Anyway, I was futunate to get my hands on the JDM headlights, which mount the same, but use H4 lamps, so my harness will plug right in.

And I know theres a '92 up at the u-pull it yard so I'll grab the support off that.

Thanks again for all the help.

Ohhhhh wait, one more thing- Mine is a 22RE as well, but the '92 at the yard is a 3.slow...So the PS cooler lines and possibly the A/C(even though they're both R12) wont line up you said??

toyminator2000

There is a hole for the power steering cooler to go through the core support but the lines will rub. I just cut the hole a bit bigger. The evaporator won't bolt up right either so if you plan on using AC get the one from the doner or buy a new one.

The AC hose doesn't line up because the v6 4runner has the extra cooling fan for the AC. I guess if you found a 4cyl 92-93 4runner it may work but I'm not sure. You will need to get an AC line from a 92-93 4cyl 4Runner if you want it to work.

project91

Nope...89-95 Toyotas are the only make that have the ability to mount Bushwackers "Cut-Out" flares without actually "cutting-out"

wardriver

Are you trying to cleanup the look of the front end or just get rid of those headlights?

If you're just trying to get rid of the headlights might I suggest a 6054 headlight conversion - basically you buy a set of shells you put newer style headlights in. I've seen them at places like Advance Auto but here is a link from JC Whitney.

breknraj

If you have true JDM headlights, then the up angle in the light pattern is going to be on the wrong side (left), you will be blinding oncoming traffic with them.

cbrsport17

Here is how i changed my front end...didnt change the headlights, i just put the '92 and up corners on there cause i kinda like the old school JDM headlights....

iamsuperbleeder

I was going to switch my front end out a while ago till I seen how much trouble it was going to be, so I just bought some aftermarket composite 6054 conversion headlights like suggested...





if you wunna go all out, you can easily get carried away and add LEDs to all your lights like I did, lol




half of those LEDs dont work anymore for some reason, but it looked cool at first when it was all done, lol

91slowrunner

I did a 91-94 swap and I love it. Drilled out the spot welds on core supports and spot welded the new one back on. https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f88/...d-swap-116290/

91slowrunner

Bigblock

I like the 90 model look better but have done this very swap before.I just used long bolts and stacked up washers and it looks stone stock until you open the hood and show it.After I was done I decided the 90 actually look better.
Bigblock

abecedarian

personally...
I like the options which having the stock 'sealed beam' headlights offer....
...amongst which replacable bulbs top out at, not to mention the varied patterns available.