Cab swap or mod?

Hi Taco lovers, I'm new to the forum and relatively new to Toyota (but love my Tacoma!). So, my current 09 has some suspension work but I'm going bigger...much bigger....
I would like a shorter wheel base but from what I can gather, no V6 in a regular single cab. Considering the work I'm going to do, the 2.7 may have enough power but I'm skeptical. Planning on Dana 60 front with an ARB, Ford Sterling 10.5 rear with a Detroit, 5.38 gears and 40" tires (haven't made that tire purchase yet).
Basically, is it a nightmare to swap the cab and shorter the frame? So the V6 regular cab, 6' bed or maybe buy a regular cab with the 4 banger and run that? Orrrrrr cut my current cab/ frame but trying to make it look "right" buy welding the back half of the cab on to the front half of the four-door cab? I've been welding for 15 years and trained in Auto body. Suggestions please and thank you!

 

You don't think the V6 would fit in the existing cab/chassis?

 

look at what @EatSleepTacos did... still the longer wheelbase, but 14" shorter overall and better exit angle.

edit: i see you have the dclb... hmm

 

It's hard to be clear in a message without writing a book my current truck is a 09 Taco, double cab, 6'bed. Has the V6. I guess what I'm asking is it easier to find a regular cab (single cab would go on my double cab frame) and shorten the frame? Cut my current cab and frame to to make it look like a reg cab? (Lots of welding/body work) or just look for a regular cab and build up the 4 cylinder truck with the parts I want to put on it?

 

youre probably better off finding a regular cab truck, and swapping the v6 into it. im not sure if it bolts up, but i doubt it would be hard.

 

It would be nice to save a little money somewhere. That's why I'm looking at all these options. obviously more power would be a little bit better for certain situations but I know it's not always needed. And seeing that the reg cabs aren't super cheap

 

in the long run, cutting your dclb frame in half will cost you the most money... not many people will want to buy that when youre done with it.

 

That's true as well

 

I was thinking it might be easier to have something that already has 4 wheel drive

 

But definitely not a bad idea and, much cheaper than finding something that is four wheel drive, if I'm just using primarily the body

 

If you're doing a rock crawler. Go with the Cummins R2.8 diesel conversion.
https://www.cummins.com/engines/repower

 

That would be awesome! It's only money, right??

 

For sure. You only live once.
Trans adapter here....
https://quickdrawbrand.com/product/adapter-kit-with-flywheel-fits-cummins-r28-toyota-r151f/

 

Ouch ouch! The arm twisting is a killer

 

https://www.cummins.com/news/2017/10/20/repower-profile-tav-toyota-xtra-cab

 

All good points. Wasn't sure how difficult it would be to drop in the V6 auto and t-case. but I get what you're saying. Also, I eventually possibly want to add a taco box but the money issue

 

something to look into for sure. I wonder how different the frames are, I'm sure they aren't as drastic as say a Jeep Wrangler to a 3/4 or 1 ton p/u

 

Personally i would find a dirt cheep flooded RC truck strip everything off run a V6 from a FJ to get the manual case and go from there. Also why the 10.5 rear. shaved 14 bolt or SRW 60 from an E350 van would work just as well and a lot more parts. The Sterlings are wide

 

The axles were a set out of a super duty, SRW. But with regards to everything else, I'm just working with what I have or trying to find out the best solution to work with what I have

 

What it will be when done. longer wheelbase isn't the end of the world but shorter would be a bit more maneuverable in the woods, obviously