I have been talking about moving my rear hatch forward to behind the seats for a while now after seeing Mossyrocks do it I had a little more enthusiasm. Last weekend I got a wild hair up my arse and decided to start cutting. I am doing this for a number of reasons such as:

-Less top weight
-No more corner glass to break out
-Move the weight of the hatch and tire forward/ over the axle
-Better visability out the rear.

Sorry for the dark pictures I use my old camera in the garage and it has a broken flash.


And it begins


Accidentally broke out the rear glass taking it out.


Rear cut off


I slid the hatch underneath the roof and welded it.


Mmmmm Bondo



Inside the shocks were almost in the way.


Inside is complete with the exception of the cage.

 

I just about have it done. The only thing I need is caps that I am going to make out of diamond plate. I need take out the 1" lift blocks in the rear. The rear has lifted at least 1.5" with the reduced weight.



Homemade hinges for the tire

The tire can be upright for storage in the back

It still swings out too

 

Dude, that is BADASS! Great job!

 

that came out sick. Does the window still go down??!?

 

That is amazing! Your rigs was so sick, now it is unbelievable. Great fab work too, looks like it was really easy for you to do.

 

you should think about taking a leaf pack out of the rear. Itll help gain a bit of flex and lower you down getting the center of gravity even lower.

Looks really good!

 

NICE jeff. Looks GREAT!

 

that is SICK!!

 

Very nice

 

that looks sweet
wheres the tag going to go?

 

Looks sick!

Did you do it just for looks or what? I don't see an advantage of chopping it like that?

 

visual enhancement and top wheight loss. it helps alot on the trail if you wheel alot!

 

How you plan on opening that gate now?

 

wow, nice work man! looks great.

 

That looks good

 

Wowza! Giggity Giggity!

 

Wow seems like everyone is chopping there 4Runners now.

At one time I was the only one. now there are at least 4 or 5 on this board alone.

 

The window goes down about 3/4 of the way. I had to cut the corners of the hatch around the wheel wells and the window used to go there.

 

I am running 3 pack 63's so It would be tough to take out a pack, but I do have a 1" lift block that is going to be gone very soon. I took it out for a drive and it is amzing how much it help out the stability.

One other interesting thing is that with the spare tire in the upright position the rear end sits a little less than a 1/4" lower than with the tire in the lower position in the back.

 

very nice, the Chopped 4Runners are seriously growing on me.
Seems like it would have been easier to have finished the rear cage with the rear out still....maybe not. Will you need to chop the rear seats for the cage?