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Using A Topless 4Runner as a Pickup

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Old 03-28-2018, 07:14 AM
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Using A Topless 4Runner as a Pickup

I am considering buying a sweet 85 Runner a guy I know is selling. Though I really have need of a pickup sometimes. No heavy duty hauling or anything. Has anyone had experience removing the top and rollbar to use the 4runner as to carry larger things? Let me know how it worked out. Thanks!
Old 03-28-2018, 07:37 AM
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I don't see any problem if you don't mind cold/rain/snow in the cabin. Anyway, carry stuff without a barrier between the cabin and the cargo area depends of the local regulations. Where I live, if I want to use the 4R as a pickup, I have to install some sort of sturdy protection behind the driver and passenger seat.
Old 03-28-2018, 07:40 AM
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That's a good point. I haven't thought of that. It wouldn't be a normal thing. Just if I had to move some furniture or something large for some reason.
Old 03-28-2018, 07:45 AM
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You can install some metal panel, and you can fix it using the hard top bolts holes, see this photo:
Old 03-28-2018, 10:37 AM
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Yes I did! I once put a washer and dryer in the back of my old '84 4runner with the top off. It had a backseat delete panel so the floor was very flat.
Worked great!
Old 03-28-2018, 10:44 AM
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Originally Posted by Melrose 4r
Yes I did! I once put a washer and dryer in the back of my old '84 4runner with the top off. It had a backseat delete panel so the floor was very flat.
Worked great!
I've seen reference to the panel being more flat before.. Y'all know those lower seat cushions fold forward so the back rest will lay all the way down right?

Some makes, or at one time made, a cargo net that fits across the cabin on the topper bolts.
Old 03-28-2018, 11:36 AM
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Thanks for all the info. I've been waiting for a good 85-88 Xtra Cab pickup to come along. Now that this 4runner fell in my lap it's hard to pass up knowing I can still carry large things in it if I need to. Plus it would be great for camping! Of course I'll have to get a soft top if I buy it, because how could I not!
Old 03-28-2018, 11:48 AM
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Originally Posted by Co_94_PU
I've seen reference to the panel being more flat before.. Y'all know those lower seat cushions fold forward so the back rest will lay all the way down right?

Some makes, or at one time made, a cargo net that fits across the cabin on the topper bolts.
Cargo net? That's interesting.
I recall thinking 84 Dlx 4runners did not offer back seats. Not sure if this is true or some impression I was under at the time.
Old 03-28-2018, 02:28 PM
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Originally Posted by SomedayJ
You can install some metal panel, and you can fix it using the hard top bolts holes, see this photo:
Yes, a hard barrier mounted with those bolts. Can also use the rear seat bottom mounting bolts.
OR install D-rings on above mentioned bolts to clip / strap cargo net on them.

Originally Posted by Melrose 4r
Cargo net? That's interesting. I recall thinking 84 Dlx 4runners did not offer back seats. Not sure if this is true or some impression I was under at the time.
My 86 dlx has rear seats, but they look crudely-made. Possibly made l domestically and installed after trucks were imported. The seat bottoms weigh 15 pounds each (just to sit on?!!!) and when folded for sleeping still does not clear my head, so I removed them. Sold for $30. Thats $1 for each pound lost - LOL!
When I have passengers which is rare, I use closed-cell cushions for seat bottoms. Same cushions convert to sleeping pad.

Last edited by RAD4Runner; 03-28-2018 at 02:33 PM.
Old 03-30-2018, 06:37 AM
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This is not what you asked, but it looks interesting anyway: this guy made this soft 'top'. It doesn't make sense, maybe he likes the pickup look and be able to use the airco + protecting the cabin and back seats from rain? I don't know, but it looks original. I don't have more info about it.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/classi...ml#post1462728
Attached Thumbnails Using A Topless 4Runner as a Pickup-soft-top-pickup.jpg  
Old 03-30-2018, 07:33 AM
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I've thought about doing something like that while I have my bikini top on. Just to keep prying eyes off of whatever I have back there, keep honest thieves honest lol
Old 03-30-2018, 08:23 AM
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Originally Posted by jakey poo
I've thought about doing something like that while I have my bikini top on. Just to keep prying eyes off of whatever I have back there, keep honest thieves honest lol
I'd like something like that, but lower, some sort of plastic bedliner (but in metal) that includes the panel behind the front seats, that'll make the cabin stronger and not need of the roll bar, so you can remove it, and use the 4Runner as a pickup. You can bolt it to the truck using the hard top bolt holes. I'd love that! Is that a bad idea? I asked to the Department of Engineering to draw it with Autocad, and they sent me the file attached, it looks good! (I have to solve the tailgate side, we're going to brainstorm that part later). Copyright free, so you can copy and modify as you wish.
Attached Thumbnails Using A Topless 4Runner as a Pickup-20180330_181459.jpg  
Old 03-31-2018, 03:21 AM
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This is not what you asked, it looks interesting anyway, but too extreme I think: 4runner to pickup conversion:
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f116...rd-top-192106/
Old 03-31-2018, 05:30 AM
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I think killertoytops makes a soft cabin partition.
Old 03-31-2018, 05:53 AM
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Originally Posted by muddpigg
I think killertoytops makes a soft cabin partition.
Cool!
https://killertoytops.com/collections/cab-partiton
Old 03-31-2018, 05:57 AM
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@slaker, based in your experience, is this viable?
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f115.../#post52394752
Old 04-01-2018, 04:53 PM
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sorry .. I have no opinion other then to say .. we are working on something similar .
Old 04-01-2018, 10:53 PM
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Originally Posted by slacker
sorry .. I have no opinion other then to say .. we are working on something similar .

YES!
Old 04-09-2018, 06:42 PM
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Obviously, the roll bar comes out easily enough. If you were to use it often, a rear seat delete would come in handy. For the cabin protection, I have used a dog barrier with the top off to give me some security by putting the valuables in the front seats with the doors locked. I have never measured, but is there a cab/bed configuration of truck that would allow you to drop in a bed liner? It’s a very versatile vehicle.
Old 04-17-2018, 10:40 AM
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Originally Posted by AustinTaco
I have used a dog barrier with the top off to give me some security by putting the valuables in the front seats with the doors locked.
Great idea, I am going to have to try that sometime


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