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I have a 87 and an 85 yota pickup my question is which should I build?
87 is running and driving, with a built 22r, needs body work, good interior, but it's got the IFS
85 has a good frame and straight axles but the body is shot and needs the motor rebuilt
I would like the straight axles but I don't know which way too go I thought about building the 85 frame and doing the mods I want then putting another body on it so I would have two trucks but would I be better off doing that or just doing a SAS on the 87 and having just one nice truck
What do you plan to use the truck for? What tire size do you plan on running? Is the 85' stock height still, or is it already lifted? I usually lean towards straight axel trucks because I can't leave them alone, lol, but the stock springs and steering leave alot to be desired as far as flex and handling characteristics.If the 85 still has the stock springs on it they are probably pretty flat. You could always replace them with Oldman Emu springs and new shocks and gain some lift, but If you plan on doing alot of wheeling and want more flex with the 85' by the time you upgrade the springs, shocks, steering to high steer etc it's almost the same as doing a sas on a ifs rig. I guess what I'm saying is figure out what you're going to use the truck for and go from there. Since the 87 already runs good, as long as it has a good frame, I'd probably use the straight axel and any parts from the 85 and build the 87!
You said you were wanting a nice truck. Going by that I would just do the 87 first and get it to where you want it to be. IFS will do quite a bit. Do one project at a time and you can use the other to refer to for guidance on how to get it reassembled. Sounds like the 87 is the one you could get driving the quickest and could enjoy. Once you get it completed then you could move on to the 85.
What are your build plans? That would determine which way to go as well. If you are wanting a solid axle truck, I would put the 87 body on the 85 frame. Post your build plans for some better help.
The 87 is my daily driver all it needs is some body work and paint and it will be done my big question is should I do a frame swap or a SAS cause the 85 is stock but then again I don't mind the IFS but if I do a frame swap I will lose my power steering but I would like to keep that but then again I don't know if I want to make one truck out of two and off I choose to do a SAS what all would I need our have to do cause I can't have the 87 out off commission longer than like a weekend
[QUOTE=dropzone;52299159]swap the 87 body to the 85 frame...[sOTE]
I was leaning more to that but then again by time I get that frame done and all the suspension done I will have just as much as a SAS costs into that frame without power steering.
I live in Florida so I was wanting a straight axle so I it will perform better in the mud cause with the ifs I go thru cv joints and boots like it's cool that's why I'm looking at the options to get one can I put power steering in the 85? Cause if I can then I'll just do the frame swap so I have a new frame basically.
Last edited by sniper34639; Nov 29, 2015 at 08:42 AM.
There are guys on this forum that could do a sas in a weekend, but for a first timer, I highly doubt you'd be able to get it done that quickly, not if you want it done correctly. Also if you haven't gone through the 85' front axel in awhile, I'd suggest getting a rebuild kit and fresh in it up first before doing a sas.
The power steering can be swapped over to the 85 if you decided to do a body swap. I'm in agreement with Terry and Rob, if you want a straight axel, the body swap would be the easiest, and less expensive way to go.
The power steering can be swapped over to the 85 if you decided to do a body swap. I'm in agreement with Terry and Rob, if you want a straight axel, the body swap would be the easiest, and less expensive way to go.
If I do the body swap will the body volt line up our will I have to make it work?
If all the 87 needs is body and paint to be finished then I don't see why you would want to mess with the 85. All this talk of body swaps and what not just in my opinion just seems like making a simple task way too complicated. There's probably not too much to be gained in swapping everything over to the 85 frame when all the front end components will likely need to be redone anyway. First off, SAS is a bit overrated. It's great for its designated uses (rock crawling) but isn't necessary for moderate wheeling. Wheel IFS for a bit and if you really do need a solid front axle, then SAS it. If IFS isn't capable enough for you then neither will a solid axle in stock format. Basically you would probably end up rebuilding the front end either way, whether it's already solid axle or not. And I would much rather do a SAS than an entire body and drivetrain swap.
Frames are different. Behind the cab is two post on each side for the pickup bed. A 4Runner frame does not have the post. Length is probably another issue and I dont know the lengths.
Frames are different. Behind the cab is two post on each side for the pickup bed. A 4Runner frame does not have the post. Length is probably another issue and I dont know the lengths.
If it is just the two pillars wouldn't I be able to just remove them in theory to make it fit
If your 85 pickup is a shortbed (I don't think you specified in your original post) then it should share the same wheelbase as the 4runner and therefore you should be able to do the swap with some slight modifications to the body mounts...time to grab a tape measure
From the front seats back I dont what differences there are in the frames. I will say without knowing the front axle differences, 79-94 frames all look the same. A salvage yard I have bought frames from before says that each generation will not interchange without some serious modifications.
You might could remove the post and it work but I am not sure what else would be involved.
I know also that the gas tank is mounted differently on a 4Runner, due to the second row floor board being a good bit lower than the bed on a pickup.
I also know rear bumpers aren't interchangeable between 4Runner and Pickup so that would lead me to believe there are other differences in the rear frame.
I'm sure the swap could be done, I'm just not sure of the extent of modifications needed to do it. If you're comfortable with welding and fabrication I would say go for it, but just know you're going to be making some body mounts, lowering the gas tank, etc...
Alright well I will let y'all know if I have acquired the 4 runner and will add pics of the current state of the 85 when I get the chance thanks for the advice and I will continue to update my build.
Nov 26, 2015 | 05:10 PM
