Topic: Sweet body,bad sled swap?

[Teamsobaco]

So I live on an Island and parts or trucks are hard to source.

I was wondering what my best route is to build a great DD with Offroad cappabilities. I have done a SAS on a 86 runner in the past so I am pretty confident in my abilities.

the 89 has a gorgeous body with toast 3.0 & Auto...so drive train junk, body great.

The 85 has obviously the Solid Axel, a very tired 22re and a 5 Speed tranny Junk Body


I've read that the 22R and 3vz have different motor mounts is therea place to get a kit for new mounts?  Is the the swap to a 3.4 something a first timer could do?   I'm not afraid just am not engine technical. 

I think it might be a waste of money to rebuild the 3.0 but thought that the 3.4 swap might be an option. I found a donor 99 Automatic  4runner 4x4 complete (Wrecked up front and in rear) for $1300 with 78,000 on the motor including trans and shifter etc. etc.

 Or is there a way to swap the 89 body onto the 85 frame....knowing that 85 suspension upgrades will cost about the same as a sas on the 89 frame with less articulation.  Swapping over the harness from the 85 power pant (22re 5 Speed) would be all that is needed for a body swap?

beyond cost of donor 3.4 what is a more true cost of the 3.4 swap?

A point in the right dirrection would be appreciated

[Teamsobaco [OP]]

Someone stated on another board that the 89 is not the same frame?  I have the trucks in different locations so cannot confirm yet.

[PLyota84]

I know the frames on 84-85 trucks are different than the IFS trucks from 86 on. if you have the whole donor truck just swap everything entirely. line up donor truck next to your rig, pull out 3.slow crap and put in all the new 3.4, look on pirate for 3.0 to 3.4 swaps there everywhere and I'm not sure but i think the motor mounts are very similar. just like 22r mounts are to 3rz. i believe going this route you could swap it over entirely then your new truck will have a factory 3.4 in an older body. you can even pull off all the engine bay brackets, mounts, etc  from donor truck and it will be a clean swap

keep the rear axle for width maybe chebys in the rear, use the front axle off the 85 under the 89, go hi steer since you have IFS box already, RUF, swap IFS hubs onto axle for width up front. ch

[Teamsobaco [OP]]

Anyone know if the 89 body will go onto the 85 frame?  they sold my donor 3.4

[H8PVMNT]

I swaped a 1st gen 4Runner body on my '94 frame and a few years back we put a '93 cab on an '80 frame.  In both cases the front floor cab mounts (the ones by your feet) lined up just fine, with drilling and or fab work necessary for the rest. Since you are going 4runner to 4runner it might not be too bad but I would plan on a little welding.

[Teamsobaco [OP]]

Would the 3.0 t0 22RE + 5Speed just be a waste of time & money?

[tgmaul88]

I dont see why it would be   i loved the 22re 4runners