"Ronda the RHD" 4runner conversion to RHD with SAS and 1UZ power

[toyotajoe35]

I have had many 4runner and Toyota pickups throught the year but never really followed through with any great ideas that i might of had for that exact project. I have recently purchased a right hand drive jdm front clip from a shop in Oregon that uses the Diesel motors for swaps. The front clip is in pretty good condition with most of the dash parts there. My buddy Sean @ Empire Fabrications of Simi Valley has done this swap to his truck and a truck of one of our friends but never to the 4runner till now.

The base for the project is a 1991 Toyota 4runner that I picked up off of Craigslist. It was a v6 5speed but didn't come with a motor or transmission. It did though come with the front SAS done with Marlin 5" springs and the rear All-Pro leaf conversion kit with 6" spring GS. It also had the Marlin Crawler high steer as well as a ton ton of other misc. parts. I did start with another 4runner but this was a better base than the previous turd.

First i had to clean up the truck and see what i had to work with. Please stay tuned and let me know what you guys think of my ideas.
-First we will convert the 4runner to RHD
-Second we are going to convert the 4runner to a ute
-Third we will SAS the 4runner with either a 4 link of using leaf springs and convert the rear to either leaf springs or a 4 link
-Fourth we will put the 1UZ in.

The go to guy on this project for will Be Sean @Empire Fabrication for all the advanced welding and custom body work and the tube work.

[yota_krawler]

nice

[wakkjobb]

That's all? Heck, you'll be done in a week. 

Keeping the auto trans or going manual?

[toyotajoe35]

That's all? Heck, you'll be done in a week. 

Keeping the auto trans or going manual?

I have not decided yet but I am thinking I will get it going with the automatic and the later convert it to a manual behind the V8.

[toyotajoe35]

Today I stripped the half cut down and started the huge task of drilling out the spot welds.

I hate spot welds!

[Toymin8r]

I love the 1uz in my truck.   Just out of curiosity why are you converting to right hand drive because that's a big project?

[toyotajoe35]

Well yesterday I finished removing the firewall fromthe half cut but forgot to take pictures of mine before i loaded it into Ronda.

Here is a picture of my buddies that shows what i did.

[toyotajoe35]

I love the 1uz in my truck.   Just out of curiosity why are you converting to right hand drive because that's a big project?

I just thought it would be bitchin and i wanted to be different. Do you have a build thread on your 1UZ and is it a manual or automatic?

[Cheesemaker]

Where in Oregon did you go to get that front clip from?

[bleakhorizon]

10-1 it was Import Performance in Bend..

although i know there is a pretty popular Toyota swap shop down by Eugene ..

interested to see what you do with your steering, i know its not imposable to get but it can be expensive..

[Cheesemaker]

If I remember right, the other ripoff company sells a RHD crossover steering setup.     I hate myself for saying that I know that.

[Toymin8r]

I just thought it would be bitchin and i wanted to be different. Do you have a build thread on your 1UZ and is it a manual or automatic?

I went with the auto on this one.   Here is my build thread.  http://board.marlincrawler.com/index.php?topic=68583.0

[THK Matt]

ill watch the out of this one

[THK Matt]

here is a thread of a guy who did this swap to his 92 2wd pickup.

http://www.toyotaminis.com/forum/build-up-project-threads-25/cyn-yota-6506/

may help you out.

[Cheesemaker]

here is a thread of a guy who did this swap to his 92 2wd pickup.

http://www.toyotaminis.com/forum/build-up-project-threads-25/cyn-yota-6506/

may help you out.

Thats the guy that posted up here about having his axles stolen. 

[THK Matt]

Thats the guy that posted up here about having his axles stolen. 

[toyotajoe35]

Where in Oregon did you go to get that front clip from?

I believe it was Import Performance. I do know that it was in Bend, Or.

[toyotajoe35]

here is a thread of a guy who did this swap to his 92 2wd pickup.

http://www.toyotaminis.com/forum/build-up-project-threads-25/cyn-yota-6506/

may help you out.

This is my buddy Sean that owns Empire fabrication. We have done 2 so far so mine should be the eisest to date.

[toyotajoe35]

If I remember right, the other ripoff company sells a RHD crossover steering setup.     I hate myself for saying that I know that.

I am trying to stay away from the other company since I have a love affair wih the fact that Marlin sells made in USA quality and hey are the original Fresno Toyota parts supplier.

[toyotajoe35]

Thats the guy that posted up here about having his axles stolen. 

Yeah I went to and tore one 4Runner apart to put the one red one together and told him not to leave it outside. I do have to say that Trail Gear was disappointed with what happended that they gave him 5" HD springs for the front and the rear. Pretty cool company for that but I still have my Preference, Marlin Crawler.

[THK Matt]

This is my buddy Sean that owns Empire fabrication. We have done 2 so far so mine should be the eisest to date.

Thats awesome, its his trucks that have made my decision on my next daily driven 2wd vehicle i get.

ill be watching to see how your RHD goes.

[Cheesemaker]

http://www.4x4labs.com/products/steering/crossover-frombe-hi-steering-system/  <---very cool idea!!

[toyotajoe35]

I thought I would Add a pic of my load when I was coming back from Oregon. I had Seans Toyota pickup that he is using for the frame and the running gear, A Ford model A body that i bought of the side of the road for $80, And the RHD Surf front clip. I fit all this on my Grandpa's 14' trailer.

[THK Matt]

and you managed to not damage the Jeep when turning? you rock!

[*** YELLER ***]

I say you leave it right and left drive and charge people on the trail for "student driving" lessons   big sign on back

"student driver CAUTION"

[Cheesemaker]

When you get out on the hwy, you don't need to turn much. 


The wheels I love are on that Toy.  I've always wanted a set of the old sawblades.   And those Avon SXT's are the best A/S tire I ever ran.  Wore like iron.

[twistedtoy92]

ill be watching this build for sure

[toyotajoe35]

I say you leave it right and left drive and charge people on the trail for "student driving" lessons   big sign on back

"student driver CAUTION"

That is a great idea. I might consider.

[toyotajoe35]

Well I have disease and there is no cure and no classes. It's Toyota syndrome. I love Craigslist and found a great deal on a 1990 4runner. It has Marlin Crawler 5" front springs using the Marlin Crawler SAS swap kit, A 1980 Toyota solid axle with knucle ball gussets and top gusset, Marlin Crawler rear leaf spring swap lit with Marlin Crawler 6" springs, and last is the Marlin Crawler high steer kit. The interior is Cherry and started out as a V6 with a 5speed. I am now going to use this as the base for the project and fix the original "Ronda" and sell her to fund the new "Ronda". I will add some better pics tomorrow.

[toyotajoe35]

and you managed to not damage the Jeep when turning? you rock!

Yeah but getting to the freeway was interesting and stoping to get gas and to eat alos had its share of trouble. The guy I  bought the front clip from was being stupid about me placing the clip there on the trailerbecause he kept talking about how nice it was but I wasn't going to leave it there especially when he wouldn't help me out so I had to stay in Bend all weekend.