Early 90's 4 Door pickups in the US?

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jynx

jynx

Turd Herder
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Just wondered if anyone on here knows how hard it would be to get a 4 door pickup cab into the states? I have always wanted one and I am thinking that if I could find just a cab with the doors and interior and then build a custom truck on a extra cab chassis with a little extra stretch in the middle.

Would love to find a whole truck with a diesel, but at this point would settle for just a good cab that I could build around.

Thanks,

Tucker
 
Does that ban apply to parts? At this point I would really like a cab and interior. I could source all the other major drivetrain and body parts hear in the US.

Basically my thought process would be a 90-95 extra cab v6 chassis, stretched to accommodate the 4 door and a US short bed. Probably modified front frame for a 4 wheel underground 3-link and coil overs with a diamond housing, Supercharged 3.4L v6/ R150/marlin adapter with 4cyl t-case and crawl box, ifs rear. If the 3- link sits right, will run 33's with some OE style wheels. Bumpers, sliders and the other stuff that one usually gets.

So the main part I need would be the cab with doors and glass, the rest I could figure out. Not sure how the VINs would work out, but I am pretty sure here in TN I could get the emissions worked out.

And yes I know when all is said and done I could just by a newer Tacoma, but this is what I am after and besides it'd be a fun project.

Thanks,

Tucker
 
What you could do is import the body and doors, and install them onto a States-legal frame.
 
I've heard of people importing a "cab cut" - cut somewhere through the front doors and back from there. Graft it onto a similar cut USA cab so you still have the USA firewall - and VIN.
 
The ban is only on whole vehicles, and I don't think it's an issue untill you try to register it.... So you can bring whatever you want, you just can't drive it around... And, unless you get one out of south africa (I think), or maybe somewhere in the middle east then it's going to be a right hand drive cab.... So you'll want to swap the firewall anyway... So the cut cab is something to think about...
 
There was a company who used to do custom crew cab 1st gen pickups. Seen a few pop up here and there
 
2ndGenToyotaFan said:
In the long run you might be money ahead to just get a 2nd Gen 4Runner and do the mods to the rear of the body and build a bobbed bed for it...
Click to expand...
I think this is your best solution.
 
My friend Bud (of Budbuilt) imported a rear half of a double-cab from Aus once about 10 years ago.

crate2.jpg


He happened to have a friend that was bringing a container over with a bunch of other stuff, so he had it crated and brought it in. It also had the rear doors and seat. His plan was to mate it to the front half of the cab in his '85 pickup, so he could take more of his (9) kids wheeling.

It was a very expensive proposition, and he never had the time to do the project. I think he ended up selling it for what he paid for it.

I agree, find a 2nd gen 4Runner, hack the back off and go from there. It's been done several times.
 
This one's nice, but not for sale.

doorsdone.jpg
 
KLF said:
My friend Bud (of Budbuilt) imported a rear half of a double-cab from Aus once about 10 years ago.
Click to expand...

When he put that up for sale I really considered buying it from him, but just didn't have the finances.

I agree, find a 2nd gen 4Runner, hack the back off and go from there. It's been done several times.
Click to expand...

For a third gen truck, that's probably your best bet. Unfortunately, for the second gen (84-88) we didn't have four door 4Runners to steal from...
 
ToyotaDon said:
This one's nice, but not for sale.

doorsdone.jpg
Click to expand...

I followed that over on Pirate - very cool! Looks like he has some more detail over here and I'll have to read through that whole thread.

Unfortunately, I never saw that thread here. Pretty much impossible to keep track of all the different "clubhouse" forums on here.
 
PAToyota said:
For a third gen truck, that's probably your best bet. Unfortunately, for the second gen (84-88) we didn't have four door 4Runners to steal from...
Click to expand...

Minor technicality, but the '84-89 4Runners are considered 1st generation (since they didn't come out till '84). '90-95 are 2nd generation.
 
I know. The discussion is about using a like-model 4Runner to achieve a four-door truck. So I said that for a third gen truck - like he is talking about - it works to use a 4Runner body to do the conversion (which would be a second gen 4Runner, as you say), but that for a second gen truck - which is what I want - we don't have that option as the 4Runner body for those years (which would be a first gen 4Runner, as you say) did not have four doors.

So what I said was correct.
 
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