Swapping 1st gen Tacoma body on 4Runner

Hi everyone, im new to the tacoma world. Ive got a manual 97 tacoma single cab short box. The frame is really rusted and wont pass certification, also the ignition is busted due to theft. I was wondering if the body would be able to be swapped onto a 4runner frame with no issues, and if the ignition system would work aswell? Any advice or direction is greatly appreciated.

 

I don't have the diagrams or specs in front of me (someone will post them) but the 4Runner will vary considering the cab is different (so different body mounts), wheel base is different, and the rear suspension is completely different utilizing a 4 link with panhard vs leaf spring.

 

Much easier if you just get a matching frame to your truck, but if you're good with metal you could possibly make it work. I could see suspension being weird tho

 

I’d love to see this happen.

 

Ignition system will probably work if it's the same year

The body however will not swap over, the front 1/3 is 90% the same when it comes to the frame but the rear 2/3 is completely different, mainly the suspension is entirely different to the point where you would be building a new rear from from the front coil buckets back to fit the Tacoma parts.

Best to get a used frame from down south where rust isn't an issue.

 

Hmm i guess its safe to say i wont be doing that then lol. Im in canada and the short box single cab frames are hard to find. I wonder if an older toyota pickup frame would work

 

Better to buy a 4Runner and chop the top.

 

What's worse is, instead of parting the Tacoma for parts and driving the 4Runner, he wants to chop the 4Runner.

4Runners are Tacomas with permanent camper shells; change my mind

 

They ride better too

 

Waaaaay better.

 

and they're better-constructed.

 

Made in Japan

 

Tacomas are 4Runners without permanent camper shells; change my mind.

Wonder which one they started designed first.

Actually, just checked and wikipedia says the 4Runner was designed from 90-95 but the Tacoma started development in 89. So maybe the 4Runner really is a Tacoma with a camper shell.

 

4Runner is older than that, first gen ran from 84 to 89. I went and looked at an 88 recently that was a bit too far gone. I think the early 4runners were designed by Toyota to re-use the Hilux platform while avoiding the chicken tax. Adding the removable topper and rear seats let them keep making them in Japan but avoid the 25% import tariff. Hilux came first though.

 

Well sure, but i thought we were talking about 3rd gen 4runners and 1st gen Tacomas. with so much alike on them, they must have started design on one of them before the other and it sounds like it might have been the Tacoma.

 

Ah, I wasn't clear what you meant when you said the 4runner was designed from 90 to 95. I would guess the 4Runner design came first, it's a global platform while the Tacoma was created because the US truck market was moving upscale and Hilux isn't plush enough for most Americans.

 

But even the 4Runner was based off the Trekker which was a modified pickup.

 

I used to think the 4runner was based on the Tacoma, now that I own both, I can see it going either way. Either they started out designing the 4runner will all the bells and whistles and then took them out to make an economy truck, or they started with a basic, robust truck and made it more comfortable in the form of the 4Runner. Either way, if I could do it again, I'd get a 4runner over a Tacoma. Far superior imo, and you can get 10ft lumber in there without a rack, and 12ft can just stick out the back window. Plus you get cozy seats and an upholstered bed/trunk.

 

Since the front 2 mount supposedly line up all you need to do is bolt those and weld the cab mounts from the Tacoma frame still on the body onto the side of the 4 runner frame with it supported by a jack or whatever

 

I've been wanting to do this for a while. I want to put an extended cab front on my 4Runner frame with a four-door short bed. It would be the same wheelbase and it would look and ride better. I think the lines of the Tacoma are better looking than the 4Runner