I have a 1997 4runner thats an auto and i want to swap it to a manual. The only problem is that i cant find a donor car that is a 1996-2002, but i can find one that is a 2nd gen but would that work? Would the parts swap over and is it even the same?

 

Nope. Setting aside if it would even attach to the 5VZ (I'm not sure), the first fundamental issue would be the passenger side drop on the transfer case, vs. the 3rd gens driver side drop. That's a non-starter right there.