Frame swap
07-08-2011, 01:42 PM
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Frame swap
Hello all. I tried searching for this first but had no success, so I'll apologize in advance if there was already a write up on this.
I have an 84 Toyota 4Runner that my dad bought in 84, manual 22R sr5 package. The truck runs solid for its age, but its biggest problem is the frame is rotting away something fierce (New England winters are not gentle). Down the road from where I live someone is selling a 1981 Toyota pick up with about 70k and the frame is in absolutely mint condition. I see it as a second life for my little 4Runner, and after 27 years of flawless service, its earned it. So my question is, are the frames universal in the sense that its a straight swap? I want to think it is, but I highly doubt it. Unfortunately these trucks are hard to come by which is why I'm so motivated.
If so, what kind of work am I looking at here? I'm well aware its not going to get done in a weekend and I'm more aware its going to be a pain in the ass, but I do know my way around cars so I'm willing to accept the challenge. Any advice I would greatly appreciate!
If its not a straight swap, what will it take to get it done?
Thanks all for the assistance in advance!
I have an 84 Toyota 4Runner that my dad bought in 84, manual 22R sr5 package. The truck runs solid for its age, but its biggest problem is the frame is rotting away something fierce (New England winters are not gentle). Down the road from where I live someone is selling a 1981 Toyota pick up with about 70k and the frame is in absolutely mint condition. I see it as a second life for my little 4Runner, and after 27 years of flawless service, its earned it. So my question is, are the frames universal in the sense that its a straight swap? I want to think it is, but I highly doubt it. Unfortunately these trucks are hard to come by which is why I'm so motivated.
If so, what kind of work am I looking at here? I'm well aware its not going to get done in a weekend and I'm more aware its going to be a pain in the ass, but I do know my way around cars so I'm willing to accept the challenge. Any advice I would greatly appreciate!
If its not a straight swap, what will it take to get it done?
Thanks all for the assistance in advance!
07-08-2011, 02:43 PM
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The frames are not the same. I guess if you were to do alot of fabricating and welding it is possible, but you would be better off to find a frame for it or have the frame fixed on it.
Swapping frames or removing the body isnt hard at all. You having rust is going to the biggest issue. You will have to deal with bolts busting or needing cut off.
I have done this my self, other then someone helping me to lift the bodies off and putting them back on. It isnt nearly as hard as you might think. If you can pull a motor and tranny, you can swap bodies.
I have listed in my build thread on post #88 how to do it. I didnt have a lift which would be nice so is the reason I pull the motor and tranny. Any questions just PM me. It can be done within a reasonable amount of time.
Swapping frames or removing the body isnt hard at all. You having rust is going to the biggest issue. You will have to deal with bolts busting or needing cut off.
I have done this my self, other then someone helping me to lift the bodies off and putting them back on. It isnt nearly as hard as you might think. If you can pull a motor and tranny, you can swap bodies.
I have listed in my build thread on post #88 how to do it. I didnt have a lift which would be nice so is the reason I pull the motor and tranny. Any questions just PM me. It can be done within a reasonable amount of time.
07-09-2011, 03:07 AM
#3
this might give you an idea, a guy on pirate was using a first gen body on a 2nd gen chassis..he took a lot of time to get measurements:
Putting a 1st Gen Cab on a 2nd Gen Frame:borrowed this from Pirate:
Putting a 1st Gen Cab on a 2nd Gen Frame:borrowed this from Pirate:
New info. I'm close to putting my 79 cab on my 88 frame. Threw this together this afternoon.
The 84 and 85 front cross member is 1.46 inches higher than the middle of the frame; The 86-95 front xmember is flush with the middle
1st gen Cab mount width eye to eye
2nd gen Width eye to eye
1st gen Length, eye to eye
Width Difference between 1st and 2nd gen
Relocating body mounts to fit 1st gen cab on 2nd gen frame
The 84 and 85 front cross member is 1.46 inches higher than the middle of the frame; The 86-95 front xmember is flush with the middle
1st gen Cab mount width eye to eye
- Front 31.5 inches
- Middle 47.16 inches
- Rear 47.56 inches
2nd gen Width eye to eye
- Front 33.07 inches
- mid 46.3 inches
- rear 46.3 inches
1st gen Length, eye to eye
- Between 1st and 2nd body mount, 44.61 inches
- Between 2nd and 3rd body mount, 38.5 inches
- Overall length of cab mount front to rear, 83.11 inches total
- Between 1st and 2nd body mount, 43.98 inches
- Between 2nd and 3rd body mount, 43.78 inches
- Overall length of cab mount front to rear, 87.76 inches total
Width Difference between 1st and 2nd gen
Relocating body mounts to fit 1st gen cab on 2nd gen frame
- Move Front Cab mount .785 inches inward on each side.
- Middle cab mounts will have to be moved .515 inches outward on both sides and .63 inches back on each side.
- Rear cab mounts will have to be moved 4.65 inches forward, and .63 inches outward.
07-09-2011, 12:14 PM
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OCDropzone: Thanks for the post, but unfortunately that's the opposite of what I'm trying to do. One of my biggest problems is I lack a garage and am at the mercy of mother nature, so I'd only be interested if it was a straight swap. Thanks for the help guys, I'll continue to keep my eyes open for a 1st gen 4Runner/Pickup.
05-07-2018, 03:58 AM
#5
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Hi Seabee,
I know now this is an old post, but you and I seem to have a similar situation. New England winters, questionable frame, no garage, no lift but willing to do what it takes for a frame swap.
If you could give me any info that’d be great. Like, did you ever complete the swap? If so, how long did it take? Was it harder than you thought? Did you find a writeup on the procedure?
I have a 94 Pickup, but I imagine the process is very similar.
Thanks
I know now this is an old post, but you and I seem to have a similar situation. New England winters, questionable frame, no garage, no lift but willing to do what it takes for a frame swap.
If you could give me any info that’d be great. Like, did you ever complete the swap? If so, how long did it take? Was it harder than you thought? Did you find a writeup on the procedure?
I have a 94 Pickup, but I imagine the process is very similar.
Thanks
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