Frame swap

[Jlyon]

Ok guys here's the deal, I bought a very nice original 84 4x4 extended cab with a toast frame. I found a mint frame out of an 88 2wd for a good price. So what am I looking at to make the frame work? It's there anything more substantial than all the axle mounting for the front and the transfer mounting? Cab and most everything else should be a straight swap from my understanding. Thanks in advance

 

[PAToyota]

Build yourself a new frame…

 

[PAToyota]

But to answer your question - yes, you’re basically looking at a SAS for the front axle and a t-case mount.

 

[Jlyon]

Thanks for the info. Local yard just happened to have a clean ext cab frame. Seems easier than building a new one

 

[Prairie Swamp]

Build yourself a new frame…

Seriously? Nice. Up in the 60 forum guys act like you have to crush the whole vehicle if you've got one hole in the frame.

 

[PAToyota]

Seriously? Nice. Up in the 60 forum guys act like you have to crush the whole vehicle if you've got one hole in the frame.

Well, I had more than one hole in the frame…

Thanks for the info. Local yard just happened to have a clean ext cab frame. Seems easier than building a new one

Be sure to check out the frame thoroughly. I had plated over holes twice to pass inspection. The third time, I went after the frame with a needle scaler and found that the holes were much, much larger than I had realized.

 

[KLF]

Be sure to check out the frame thoroughly. I had plated over holes twice to pass inspection. The third time, I went after the frame with a needle scaler and found that the holes were much, much larger than I had realized.

Amen to that. I ran out of places to weld to on my '84. Patches on patches.

Bud (BudBuilt) and I parted out a truck so I could get the frame as a replacement. Towed it home all the way from western NY. Started working on it, ya it was not worth it, full of holes.

 

[PhrogsPhorever]

from western NY

There was your problem. I’m from there, the road salt eats metal alive there

 

[Jlyon]

Luckily I see no problems with this frame. I'll reapaint and start swapping parts over

 

[PAToyota]

Seriously, go over that frame with at least a hammer. Mine didn’t look much worse than that when I started. What I found was that in places about all that remained was the exterior coating and it was all that was holding crumbly metal together. When I was done, there were areas where the whole sidewall of the frame was gone.

 

[KLF]

Yup, what he said. Especially check the inside of the passenger side rail, where the gas tank hides holes. And I would not just paint over that surface rust, I would have the frame sandblasted and do it right. Or, have it galvanized... $$$

 

[KoffeeKommando]

Aren't the frames different width (solid axle vs. IFS)?

I have an 1987 IFS 4Runner SR5 frame/parts truck out here in New Mexico.
Completely rust free. Beautiful rear panels, front fenders are removed.

 

[2ndGenToyotaFan]

Correct, the frames are different for Solid axles and IFS. Not only the suspension mounts, but the overall shape of the frame rails at the front of the frame.