Preface:
1. I have 2 4Runners right now, a 95 and an 02.
2. I'd like to keep my 95 so I can chop it up and use my 02 as a tow rig/DD.
3. I know there's no way I could safely tow my 95 around which probably weighs 5400+ lbs.
4. I want to keep my 02 instead of a buying a fullsize truck.

Questions:
1. Is there any way possible of chopping the body (but still keeping it safe) and reducing the weight by 1,000 lbs?
2. Is this project just wishful thinking or is it possible?

I'd appreciate any advice. Thanks for the help.

Joel

 

I think its 4hummer that chopped the rear glass area off so it looks like a 4door truck kinda....but I dont think that would get you anywere close to 1000lbs...it would be a good start though. I might want a roll bar in there if i chopped the back, but then youd be adding weight again. Do you want to strip the seats and stuff?

 

well if its just going to be a trail rig you could
- take off the tailgate and put one of those meshy things on
- remove the rear seats
- possibly remove the doors and replace with tube doors

 

Ditch the doors, get fiberglass EVERYTHING, don't carry any gear, don't carry passengers, remove the seats, window motors if you have them. I'm sure it's possible to dump a lot of weight if you really wanted too, but you sacrifice stuff that I wouldn't want to do with out...Kinda makes it pointless.

I just don't see one little truck towing a trailer with another truck essentially the same size as the tow vehicle....I'd say it could be done, but even if you dropped 1000 lbs, you'd still be pushin the 02 pretty hard. I mean, the truck at 4400lbs +1000 to 2000 for a trailer....It's probably gonna be pushin' it.

If I were in your shoes, I'd be looking at a Tundra or something.

 

My plans would be to chop EVERYTHING behind the drivers seat and make a simple flat bed with a gas tank on top. I know I'd be pushing the limits of my 3rd gen, but I live in Kansas/Arkansas and the max I would have to tow it would be less than 300 miles to ORVs. Anywho, thanks for the advice. If only there was a way to "fake" chop it and see how much weight would come off without really cutting it.

 

If you were going to do that, It would probably be easier to just sell and buy a pickup of the same year and take the bed off. Alot less work....

 

Very true, I never thought about that. Thanks for the advice. I'm still trying to make a decision and I probably wouldnt start the project until next summer. Right now I'm looking at all the options. Keep the comments and ideas coming!

Joel

 

Definitely want to see the pics regardless of which, but especially if you cut over half of the 4runner off.

 

Search on the MArlin Crawler forum - one of the guys there chopped the whole thing from the door glass up except the windshield. Looks a little silly to me.

The 4Hummer chop and either removing or switching to a truck tailgate will save a TON of weight with all the glass you're removing.