Eilif9

Hi,

I'm new to this forum, so I'm really sorry if i put this thread in the wrong section or something

Anyways, i have an old 1992 Volkswagen Taro 2WD (same as hilux) that was given to me by my father-in-law. It's supposed to be my girlfriend's car for when she turns 18, but it turned out the frame was all rusted through.





And since it's so hard to get hold of a 2WD frame i thought i might be better off just getting a 4x4 and replacing the engine with the engine from my 2WD (It's only done 80K miles) since it's in excellent condition.



So i'm wondering what my options are..

Can i get a 4x4 and just drop the engine & cab onto the 4x4 frame?
I know the engine will be almosta direct fit, but does the 2WD cab fit on the 4x4 frame?
Or will i have clearance issues?

Thanks in advance

Stetson_md

The under the hood shot dont look nothing like the under the hood shot of my yota but ive seen jeep bodys on toyota frames (and Nissan and Isuzu and ford on Toyota frames ) so id imagine you could force it to fit edit the frame dosent look all that bad in the pics you can allways weld plates over any holes

Eilif9

I thought the 2.4D (2L engine) was very common.. Oh well, it might be more common over here in Norway than in the US.
I know it might not look that bad but the frame is really rusted almost all the way through at some places, and you can rip off big parts of what used to be the frame..
I'm sure it's possible to weld it, but we've got very strict rules here in Norway when it comes to modifying/fixing your car your self..

wyoming9

iTrader: (1)

I don`t think I ever say that engine before.

If your going to do this it is going to be fun

Eilif9

Seriously?? It's the most rock-solid engine Toyota ever made, at least in my opinion..

Stetson_md

Bro i think your mistaken this is a Toyota 2.4l/22r but ill belive you on the rust

Eilif9

I'm 100% sure my engine is the 2.4L Diesel. It says 2.4D on the front wings, it has to glow before you can start the engine because it has glowplugs, and most important of all.. It wouldn't run if it was the 22RE, because i've poured many a gallon of Diesel fuel into the tank

dropzone

iTrader: (6)

no he isn't mistaken

BINGO!! We have a winner..Diesel...an engine that we should have but Toyota in their finite wisdom decided otherwise.

I am guessing that due to the low mileage and large amount of rust that the truck lives in a cold region of the world near an ocean.

Frame swap will be a bit of work, swapping engines easier but if you drop the tank you would probably have the room to fix the frame with some plate. A lot of that looks to be scaley..scrape and hammer to see what is left before you turn a wrench

Eilif9

Finally!
Thanks for the reply Unless i failed to mention it, I live in Norway. Almost all Hilux's came with the 2.4L Diesel engine (2L or 2LT), only a few chose the gas version.

You're completely right. It's very cold in the winter, and yes, it's spent most of it's life close to the ocean.
Also, the authorities are such assholes that they use salt to clear the ice on the roads.. Free rust for everyone!
Plus the fact that the truck had been sitting outside for 3 years. Started right up though! (with a new battery)

I actually think the engine swap would be easier, yes. I wanna get a 4x4 and just swap the engines. The engine would drop straight in with a few small modifications

Eilif9

But i still need an answer to my question regarding whether or not the 2WD cab will fit a 4WD frame at all. Thank you

combatcarl

I'm sure it will. I don't see why the cab mounts would be different, but it wouldn't hurt to measure a few different directions to make sure. The holes in the floor for shifters are going to be different 2wd-4wd.

nightstalker

Yes, it will fit. I have a 2wd 1 ton body on my 4x4 chassis, it s the yellow truck in my avatar, it was diesel as well. Wish I had the diesel........

Eilif9

Thanks for answering guys
I was a bit worried about the gearbox tunnel or something like that, but i guess it's quite the same.
Well that's good news then. 'Cause the cab on my 2WD is in excellent condition, no rust or anything