Let the project begin!
 

Part 2 of 2 just came home with me on a trailer... literally a few minutes ago. Picked up a 1987 Toyota 4Runner shell. Just the sheetmetal, fiberglasstop, and rollbar.


Once I get it resting on the frame (in the backyard) I need to hack off the six rear body mounts. Then goes a lot of welding...

and EVERYTHING minus body and frame gets transferred from the blue truck: axles, brake lines, engine, tranny/t-case, wiring harness, upholstery, dashboard, doors, hood, fenders, steering components, suspension...

Its a bit of a list. Should be done in time for the So Cal trip in June! I'll even squeeze in the fuel injection swap if I have time.

This is just a precursor to the actual thread... which won't be posted until the project is finished.

Here are the "frankenyota" parts:

-1985 Toyota pickup shortbox frame
-1987 Toyota 4Runner shell
-1984 Toyota XtraCab 4x4 parts: axles, engine, drivetrain, suspension, electrical, upholstery, dashboard... and windshield.

goodluck =)

Just offfloaded the body (which consisted of shoving it really hard off of the trailer and landing on the back lawn, haha). I think the process will go pretty smoothly. I'm just gonna sawzall the mounts off (and i thought I'd be using a grinder... SCREW THAT!)

By the way, everything gets painted and all electrical gets ran through... so it'll be very similar to a frame up resto.

Cant wait to see how this comes out man..Take lots of pics !! :dj:

Well... the DMV is already being a bitch. I'll be able to sort it out, but that could take a while. I have to hunt down the tweak that has the title!

So you're turning your truck into a 4runner? Why not just sell your truck and get a 4runner? Seems like alot of work for something that could be had for way easier.

Ultimately, I'd lose money. And a straight axle 4Runner is hard to come by around here.

Granted Ih ave to spend a few to do this project... but I'm saving twice.. maybe 3 times as much by doing all this work. Adn the benefit of it is that it will be a frame-up resto. Any known rust will be treated and the entire frame and suspension will be painted.

If I buy another vehicle and sell my truck... I lose the new headgasket, the rebuilt rear end, and the new clutch. Plus... there's nothing like doing it yourself.

Well good luck then :bigok:

Lolz, well put...:dj:

I did that to my truck a few years ago, but its still a truck. i have put it through so much hell that you cant tell anymore

I am stoked to see this build.. Pictures, pictures!!

Thanks guys! It won't be done til April, but I promise there will be enough pictures to choke a camel :)

My camel isn't choking yet, must be the lack of pictures in this thread :cam::guitar:

x2 :)

MY TRUCK AS IT SITS:

http://c3.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/i...032e77a86e.jpg


http://c2.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/i...1c90b75ad5.jpg


THE DEAD CARCASS:

http://c3.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/i...d361959bb6.jpg


http://c1.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/i...1cb280880c.jpg


http://c1.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/i...5f89c809b0.jpg

"May the force be with you!"