I thought I would post up this that I am doing with my younger son for his ride. A mechanically sound '85 4Runner with a trashed body and interior, got it at a good price. It has a new short block, springs, shocks and tires all stock. Then I found this '88 4Runner with a blown 3.slow but a perfect body and interior on the cheap, the guy I bought it from took the rear suspension and axle for his crawler. I'm going to let him drive it as is for a couple/few months while I finish my 40, but I'll bring this back up when I commence. Thanks for looking, any advice from someone who's done this is welcome. I have done body swaps on a couple of full size pickups in the past.
upcoming 4Runner project
- Thread starter TCinVA
- Start date
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wow that black one looks super nice!!!
sounds like a fun project!
sounds like a fun project!
The red 85 is not bad at all for an east coast 4runner. The black one is nice too.
I often thought about this myself because I know where there is a stock 85 4runner sitting (the guy bought it in 86) that I could pick up pretty cheap but the body is shot.
The swap is not that bad if you have the tools, know how, and help.
My buddy recently finished a big project, pretty much by himself too but he wasn't in a hurry. He started with an 89 3.0 4runner, stripped it to the bare frame, blasted and painted the frame, mounted his 22r on the frame and a solid front axle, then swapped his 87 pick up cab and bobbed bed on it, Fabbed up his own front winch bumper and all. Came out very nice.
One question, where are you finding these nice 4runners around here?
I often thought about this myself because I know where there is a stock 85 4runner sitting (the guy bought it in 86) that I could pick up pretty cheap but the body is shot.
The swap is not that bad if you have the tools, know how, and help.
My buddy recently finished a big project, pretty much by himself too but he wasn't in a hurry. He started with an 89 3.0 4runner, stripped it to the bare frame, blasted and painted the frame, mounted his 22r on the frame and a solid front axle, then swapped his 87 pick up cab and bobbed bed on it, Fabbed up his own front winch bumper and all. Came out very nice.
One question, where are you finding these nice 4runners around here?
Yeah I know what you mean....after I made my post I searched all of PA, NJ, NY, and Maryland. lol
There is only one or two 1st gens in PA on craigslist right now. There are quite a few in NJ right now but most are auto's. There is a nice looking white one on 36's but its got a V8....
You know you can get replacement 1/4 panels (fiberglass or steel) for the 1st gen's right?
It looks like its just the 1/4's that are rusty, and maybe a little starting on the rocker, pass. side bottom of door jam.
Let me know if you would change plans and want to sell the red one.
There is only one or two 1st gens in PA on craigslist right now. There are quite a few in NJ right now but most are auto's. There is a nice looking white one on 36's but its got a V8....
You know you can get replacement 1/4 panels (fiberglass or steel) for the 1st gen's right?
It looks like its just the 1/4's that are rusty, and maybe a little starting on the rocker, pass. side bottom of door jam.
Let me know if you would change plans and want to sell the red one.
.....I would swap tops(roof), put the interior from the black one in the red one and just put new fiberglass 1/4's on the red one.
hmmm.....Does your son want a built 86 FJ60? I posted mine up for trade for a built 4runner. I might consider a trade plus cash.
hmmm.....Does your son want a built 86 FJ60? I posted mine up for trade for a built 4runner. I might consider a trade plus cash.
- Thread starter
- #10
That is a sweet 60, but I already feed two cruisers! A first gen 4Runner with 22RE and a five speed is such a great and economical ride. I had one as my regular car in the 80's until my first kid was born and my wife couldn't get him in and out of the back seat. My son still gives me crap about that!
I would rather do the body swap- I don't even need to paint it. If you can wait, I will probably sell the black frame and the red body when I'm done.
I would rather do the body swap- I don't even need to paint it. If you can wait, I will probably sell the black frame and the red body when I'm done.