97 xtra cab 4x4 chassis to 96 xtra cab frame

Hi everyone, I am new to the forum. I have tried searching a couple of different ways and haven't found my answer so I will simply ask for your help.

I have a 96 xtra cab automatic with a good engine and transmission and frame, I have a 97 xtra cab automatic with a problem engine and a salvage title due to some frame damage on main frame -everything else seems to work well on the 97. I am wondering if it would be a simple switch to take the cab and box of the 97 and put it onto the 96, or if it would require a fairly significant amount of fabrication work. Also, given the year of the vehicles am I begging for a massive headache fighting rusty bolts to do this swap?

I am trying to decide if this is a good project to tackle with my son, or if there is significant fab work required should I simply offer these vehicles for parts and move on? Your thoughts would be appreciated.
thx
Littlebow

 

I mean I'm no expert but if they're only a year apart I don't think the setup would have changed all that much. if you run into a lot of rusted bolts my father-in-law told me to mix automatic transmission fluid and acetone in a metal can. he said that's what most farmers use around here and it works pretty well

 

I've also heard that auto trans fluid and acetone 50/50 mixture is better than any PB blaster you will ever use!
As far as the original question goes, the tacoma changed slightly in the later '97 years, I have an early '97 model(like 95.5-97) and I learned the hard way by trial and error but the easiest way to tell is if the headlights are the same then all the parts should interchange with no problem(except rusty bolts of course)
It will for sure be a lot of work but totally possible, Just a LOT of nuts and bolts, would still likely need to replace some brake lines, fuel lines, and things of that nature but it would be a good time to clean and rust proof anything while it is apart. Where you are located will have a lot to do with how difficult it will be, When I lived in Mississippi I wasn't scared to tear into anything didn't matter how old, but now in Northeast Ohio I know that after about 5 years stuff goes to shit quickly.

 

95-97 are the same frame and body wise. Age doesn't necessarily tell the condition of the hardware but with these trucks your gona snap or cut off a few bolts. Pick up a bottle of anti-seize when assembling.

 

Thanks for your responses and suggestions. The trucks are in Alberta, Canada but the 96 with the better frame came from eastern Canada. I will need to get underneath and take a really serious look at things before I commit on this project. Based on the headlights they would be the same. Thanks again