I have a 98 limited 4 runner and have just picked up a complete front bumper off a 99 limited that I want to swap out, but when I went to bolt it up it did not match up. Has anybody tried this before? I tried to do a search, but came up empty?

 

It is possible but you have to have the sub-frame connector from the 99 to bolt up to your 98 for it to work. Keep searching for it because there are a few people who have done it on here.

 

Do you have any idea where I could find the subframe connector. Would I have to cut it off of a 99 salvaged 4runner, or is this a part that you can just buy?

Thanks

 

See if you can locate this guy Ibrunner I know he did the swap, but his webshots account went down. I'm not exactly sure what all goes into the job, but I think it does require some minor welding.

 

EDIT*** his Webshots account is back up, check it out.

 

I don't believe there is a bolt on part you can buy to make it fit.
You'll either have to cut it off the 99+ and weld it on yours or fab a mount up yourself.
Everything else should fit though.

 

Correct.

Have you thought about adding the PP spoiler?

 

They switched bumpers and mounting styles in 99, so there is no bolt up application. You will have to weld or fab your own mounts.

 

Try PM'ing Dbikeman here on the forum. I know it can be done bacause he bought my 99 bumper and installed it on his 98. Hopefully he'll chime in.

 

I did this swap and it was easier than I expected. I'm in the middle of a paper so I don't have much time right now. You should pm me. Also if you can, post a pic of the 99 bumper so we can see what came with it. You should not have to cut anything. My bumper came from RichP off a 00 sport. He took this bumper off and installed an ARB. There was no cutting required when removing the 99 bumper.

There are 2 mounting bolts on each side of the 97/98 frame rail that are the main mounts. One of these holes does not line up on the 99, the other does. You could drill a new hole. I welded a bead across the bottom and up the side using 1 bolt on each side along with bumper end support mounts. You also have frame end caps on yours that unbolt. They need to come off for the new bumper to sit level.
Anyway...it is easy. I am leaving out some things but the drilling/or welding is the only issue. It just don't know what you got left on your 99 bumper(where it mounts). Contact me if you want. I will help more if I can. Believe me, I'm not mechanically inclined so if I can do it, ANYONE can!
Almost forgot, you will want a 99+ grill because you will be able to see these rivit like fasteners across the top of the bumper.

 

I dont have a clue why anyone would want to do this.



J/k I love the look of mine.

 

I have a 1997 limited 4x4 and 3 2000 4runners 2 are limited and one is a sr5 all 4x4s I want to install the 2000 year fat bumper to match my 1997 wide flares and gain access to installing the fog lights and wiring all that up I like the look of the 2000 larger fat bumpers better i like the blinkers how they looking in lower valance next to fog lights especially with the hid and dual halo and demon eyes I'm installing on the 1997 have the dual halos and demon eyes hid headlights and fogs installed on 1 of my 2000 limiteds and my 2000 sr5 got any photos of the work ya did would be amazing