Hey guys I am looking for a new project. I can't decide what it should be. I am being paid to build a truck or 4 runner. It will defiantly need to have solid axles or I will need to put solid axles on it. I will be lifting it as much as possible. 6+ inches hopefully. But my question is should we get a truck or 4 runner. Needs to be from the 80s or 90s. Preferably 2nd gen. I have a 95 4runner with the 3vze so I would like to use that engine because I know it so well but I am open to the 22re or the 5vze swap. Let me know what you would pick as far as engine and also would you get a standard or auto? Its primary use will be off-roading. I hope I am posting in the correct place. Thanks

 

Well if you want to do a 5vze get a already equiped V-6 truck or 4-Runner cause I hear the engine mounts are the same as the 3.4, 22R-E engine mounts in different location I hear, get a 89-95 before Taco's Rust free from out west and or down south and get an xtra cab V-6, manual SR-5 fully equipped and use that as your platform...

 

I like the idea of using the 3.4 on a toyota pickup but it isn't completely my decision. He really likes the 3vze so ill probably be doing that and adding new headers and modifying the air box/intake like I did on mine. I didn't know the mounts were the same. how convenient. let me know if you have anymore suggestions. I will let you know what he picks and I will be adding to this thread as the truck is built.

 

doesn't matter what keeping the V-6 3.slow or do a later 3.4 swap, get an already equipped V-6 truck and you will be better off, just like i mentioned, get the truck in rust free area out west or down south and 89-95 before taco, and start with an SAS...

 

Nathan,

85 and older already has solid front axle, my 87 I swap the frame with an 85 and sold the 87 IFS frame.

A Pickup is good and 4Runner has more room inside for equipment, kids, wife and dogs.

Pick wisely, and good luck

 

Thanks RMP8080. We are going to stick with the 3vze for now so to get the v6 we will need to get an IFS truck. I know a welder that could probably put a solid axle on for free if I asked. Just get a solid axle off of a pre 85 or something and rebuild/regear it. I have access to all the equipment to do the swap. The guy that will be buying this only needs space for dogs and a passenger (me). the wife doesn't necessarily like outdoors. That is why I am thinking a pickup would be best or a 1st gen 4runner. Either should have plenty of room for day packs, backpacking equipment, extra parts, tools and enough room for the dogs. We will need room for a 2nd gas tank. I don't know if it is legal to put it in the bed but I think that would be the best place so it is away from rocks. Some of the trips we want to make are close to 80 miles on a 4wheel drive road (I would easily run out of gas). I live in colorado so finding a rust free one should be simple considering there are millions of the older 4runners and pickups out here.

 

Cool, I have wife and 3 kids (2 Dogs) and a have a two door pickup (LOL). For the long trips I will be towing the my toyota round with my F-350 DRW. Keep us posted..........

 

okay guys. sorry I have had family at my house. Haven't had much time to get on here. anyway we have decided to go with an early model 90s pickup with the v6 and I convinced him to do the 3.4 swap. Exactly what I wanted to do all along. I picked up this air compressor thing that controls automatic doors in buildings. actually I got it for free. It would be simple enough to convert it into a control box for air suspension and it is powerful enough. it just need two more valves. the control board also needs some work but that would be easy. I don't know if I would be using it but we will see. Maybe a future project. It would probably work better on something else. I am still working on how the final project will work and look but I have some time because it needs to thaw out here in colorado before I start another major project. I also have some random questions that don't really deal with this project. anyway. How much lift would you get if you put FJ80 front coils on a stock 2nd gen 4runner. I am trying to even out my truck because I would like to put some bigger tires on the thing and it looks like it is going to hit if I go up to 33s but only in the rear. It looks like it would be fine in the front. I know there are probably tons of forums out there on this so sorry for asking the question. anyway. what is the max size of tire you can put on the stock 2nd gen before it starts rubbing? And where would it start to rub? I just want something that will allow me to get more places so I can save up for a solid axle. I don't really want to mess with the IFS. @Rmp808. 5 people 2 dogs and a 2 door truck. haha. Kinda like stuffing 9 people in a VW bug.

 

u need to search it looks like all your ?s are answerd with a click of a button

 

You are at the right place, this site help me a lot..........still getting ideas

 

so I did some searches and got my answers to my stupid questions @RMP8080. I was looking at your build for ideas. I really like how you cut part of the bed off. great idea. did you ever put an exo roll cage on it? If you did I would like to see pictures. A link would be awesome. I would like to have the doors so they can come off really easily and replace them with just a tubular door or whatever you call it. It would defiantly have custom bumpers and sliders. I would also like to redo the interior to remove all of the carpet and replace it with something... so you don't care how much mud and stuff you get in the truck and also remove everything that isn't essential. I am also thinking about sealing the electronics and putting a snorkel on it. we shall see. that idea isn't super high on my list at the moment. I don't know how often he would be taking it through that deep of water in colorado. most of the water here is moving way too fast to cross with anything short of a tank. I can get the snorkel for like $250 online but it is for the 3rd gen. I am assuming it would take very little to make it work on a 2nd gen though. Sorry I think as I write so I write a lot.

 

Thanks, my is still a work in progress, exo cage is something for later, the v6 4.3 swap is next, as the weather gets colder I'm doing less on the toy. The door are off until I finish, will make them removable.