85GT-79FJ40

Anyone know if this has been done? Here's my thoughts... I just sold my FJ40 and want the next rig I build to be an 86-89 22re 4Runner. I probably won't be financially able to buy another rig for a while. However I already have an 89 regular cab pickup. The frame is mint, low mileage trans & rearend, new clutch, lots of good drivetrain parts. But the body is really pretty rough. I've been plowing my driveway with it for 7 years and it hasn't even been registered since 2006. I'm planning to put a plow on my 96 tacoma and was thinking I might build up that chassis to put a 4Runner body on. Starting with a 4Runner would obviously be easier but I live in New England and finding one in my price range would certainly be a rustbucket. I figured if the wheelbase and body mounts are about right I could make it work. I'm not afraid to weld.

Resto-noob

iTrader: (3)

I scrapped/parted out an 87 4Runner last year, there is an extra body mount on the 4runner frame (the "tower" mount that the bed has) per side. Otherwise, I think they're the same.
Where in New England, I have a ton of parts, and I'm looking to move them really cheap. I'll check to see if I have any body mounts, getting ready to scrap an 89 later next week-I'm a teacher and school lets out Monday!

85GT-79FJ40

I can certainly fabricate body mounts without any trouble I just wanted to be sure the frame was close to the same profile in concerns to the rails themselves. I had an 86 4Runner back in the early 90's and the only difference I recalled was the gas tank was lower. That shouldn't be a problem. My wife will KILL me if I spend any money on another project right now but I'm thinking my master plan will work out in the end. Wonder if the dash from the 89 will fit in a 4Runner? That might be kind of neat.

j2the-e

Your 89 pickup is a different body style than a first gen 4runner. Its the same as a second gen 4runner

85GT-79FJ40

I'm quite aware of that fact. I've been messing with these trucks for 25 years. I'm really just in the idea stage of this. I may wind up parting the 89 and just keeping all the stuff I want for a future 4Runner project. Of course I've also thought of extending the frame to make the 89 into a double cab. A friend of mine started doing this with a 90 a few years back and gave up on it. But he started with an extended cab and put a second gen 4Runner body on it. Hacked the back wall off a regular cab and welded it to the back. Combined a rear 4 runner door with a pickup door. It would have worked but the rooflines didn't match and he threw in the towel. But if I used 2 regular cabs to make the cab along with a second gen 4Runner B pillar I think it would work. Would be cool to integrate a factory 4Runner sliding sunroof into that too. I've got all kinds of crazy ideas rolling around in my head about the next truck to build. I have the skills and the tools but time and money I'm lacking in...

wyoming9

iTrader: (1)

At the rate your thinking your wife might trade you in !!!

That can get quite expensive.

It seems that there are never enough women who love Toyota`s can wrench and weld and handle a clutch.

I blame this on those Evil Horses !!

85GT-79FJ40

If only I had the cash and they made a 1st gen tacoma double cab with a stick I wouldn't even be thinking of this. Of course converting one to a stick isn't bad but I still have to buy the truck... This really is a sickness. The FJ40 hasn't even been picked up yet and I'm already thinking about the next build. When I sold my Mustang a few years back I dragged home my Capri 2 weeks later to build so I had a replacement. I did tell my wife I wasn't planning on any other major projects for a while after just finishing the Capri this spring. We'll see how long I hold out.

j2the-e

It's good to have dreams and goals!

85GT-79FJ40

This is about as far as my friend got with his. But I think 2 regular cabs, 4Runner rear doors, and a 4Runner B pillar would work.



But honestly I may just buy a 1st gen 4Runner and fix up the 89 for regular pickup duties as well as plowing. It hasn't left my yard since 06.