I currently have an 82 4x4 and I have been shopping around looking for an 85 4runner and I think I found my ticket.

A guy has an 85 frame and cab no engine tranny or axles. Could I throw my guts on the 85 frame and it would work?? I do have a w56 tranny in my truck

 

yep..not sure if the driveshafts might need to be reworked.
the electrical plugs from 82 to 85 might be different, i know they changed 81 to 82...

 

Oh I'm all carb but I was planning on taking the cab and bed off anyway this summer to re condition the frame, axles, add another fuel tank, and bed line the whole bottom of the truck. Then re-wire the chassis while I build it back up.

I'm contacting the guy to see what kind of condition he body is in before I make any further plans though.

 

Okie dokie. I think this project is a go. Went down and checked out the frame. It is indeed an 85 as advertised and everything is in much better shape than expected.

What it needs from what I could see:
Drivers side glass
Sunroof
Rear Glass
Underside of steering column

Here's the pics from it. Once I left I realized that I forgot some pieces but all in all she's in excellent shape and just needs the running gear and a little TLC. Truck appears to have been in an accident of some sort....or the front end got banged up from moving without axles and such.


The only part that worries me really. It's hard to tell whether anything is tweaked or not but everything is super solid looking to me. The front bumper was there and has a slight ding in the middle but nothing serious. Front frame brace looks like it's in excellent shape and radiator support is not messed up at all.

That's what the WHOLE frame looks like. Everywhere I could wiggle my ass to see in at least. I don't think this thing ever left Cali.

Not sure what to make of this. Couldn't really tell whether the sunroof was cut out or whether it was just removed. In any case....I'll need one.












I think it's highly possible to do but what do you guys think? I've got a workspace I can occupy for the time being while I work on the frame and chassis wiring. I'm going to undercoat the frame to hell and back before it goes anywhere with snow.