tc

I thought you said you had a cage?

70elcoss

i say drive it like that, it looks pretty bad ass lol just put some tube doors on it and call it a day

Jewels

i do. it has sleeved links for removal.

AZkid

this could be a useful resource oneday, subscibed

tc

Oh, I think I would have left it in to help support the body, make sure nothing twisted or move when the roof was cut ...

Jewels

ya, i took that into consideration, but figured i'd line up off some new doors and windshield when putting the new top on.

Jewels

ok guys... might be a changed of plans...

i found a guy parting out a 1995 4runner (2nd Gen) and after talking with him said he'd give me the whole thing for $300.
now i know its about 500lbs heavier, but the body should fit to my frame no problem. and ive been hurting for four doors. with kids and friends and what not.
i would miss the soft top. but never had more than the sides off anyway. but the 2nd gens still have the drop gate, which is cool.

thoughts??????

tc

It's 500 lbs compared to yours with the hardtop on - will be closer to 1000 lbs compared to how you usually ran. Either way, that's A LOT of weight, and all up high.

If I had it to do over, I would ever ever build a 2nd gen.

Best option for 4 doors is a doublecab Tacoma body.

Joshua4507

get the second gen runner if you have kids you need the extra to doors

tc

Depending on what age, they can squeeze behind the seat or go "over the rail"

Jewels

hmmmm...... thinking.....
got to try to see how much i could get a taco double cab for.
i would like a taco the best.

AZkid

might as well give me whats left of the runner and buy a taco and start over

but if you really do get something else and want to sell thhe cage, let me know.

tc

One of the guys in our club just got one that was in a serious rear-end collision. Bed and frame were trashed, cab was nearly perfect.

He got it CHEAP since it had been totalled out.

Would make a 3.4 swap easy on ya too ...

Jewels

ya?

any idea how much he paid?

SpecialScottie

If you decide against the tacoma ive got a 87 4runner body in great shape. Im only a few hours from you. its the one on the right side. PMme if youre interested

Hardstripe

hey if you do go with the new top and welding the pillars make SURE you put an exo or a roll cage around it, the structural support will be nil. If you decide to build the 2nd gen you can chop the back of it and make it look like mine here: https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f88/...e-yota-183948/ and it makes it LOADS lighter. If you decide to go with the 4dr taco be forwarned, the wheel base on those is much too long for a good wheelin rig at 127.4 inches. ideally you would want a wheelbase around 100-110 depending on wheel size and preference. You will have to consider making it a truggy with the rear wheels just behind the cab to make it effective. Alternatively you could probably find a 1st gen 4runner with no motor or transmission or even running gear for dirt cheap and swap everything over rather easily- might take a week. If you do this you may consider a chevy 350 engine or the 1UZ-FE lexus 4.0l V8 engine swap. Good luck with your project!

tc

Let's just say he easily stands to 5x his money if he were to sell it

Jewels

okay, so after going back and forth, ive decided that i really would like to have four doors. im sick of having people in the back and having to let them out after every obsticle to guide or watch the next rig get through. its such a head ache. and also, me and my girl have a 3 year old and a few nephews, and its such a pain to do car seats

tacoma body would be real tight and still would like to some day build that truck, but am far from it fiancially.
all the research ive done made a gen 2 body look easier and easier.
i found a guy near me who had a 2nd gen with a bad block and missing front fenders.
i offered him a trade for a Honda 200X (a three wheeler) i was looking to get rid of, and he was down.

so here she is


so thats the route im going. im sorry to those who were looking forward to seeing a new top put on the 1st gen. ill post my progress..

Matt16

The 4dr 4Runner is a really practical vehicle, I know there are better yotas to build, but I wouldn't trade mine for any other Toyota aside from a Toyota factory diesel 80 Series Cruiser.

wake_roks

from the pictures it almost looks like that 4runner was rear ended but still a good build... nice find