01 with an 86 body? Need help identifying frame

E

earth1

New member
That's right. I am going tomorrow to check out a 3rd gen rig that the guy says has a 1st gen body conversion. Like I said over in my intro, it's kinda the best of both 'Runners for me... a basic interior that I can abuse as a work/camping truck with a newer drivetrain, suspension, frame... all the power and newer components of a 3rd gen. The motor was supposedly rebuilt 4,000 miles ago (I'd assume when the swap was done), the body looks pretty clean in photos, seller says just a bit of surface rust on rear fenders- of course, but it should be a worthy body to invest the time into such a project. The seller says it looks professionally done- no ghetto welds, and he just gave me a huge sense of confidence in him by offering to put me in contact with the guy he bought it from; says he's waaaay in to yotas (obviously) and would probably be happy to talk with me about it. Seller is moving back to Ireland.



Why would someone put the time into the conversion? Who cares?;): I wouldn't but I'm glad they did. If I get it I will do a basic suspension lift... body lift would depend on what it looks like under there, tires look good so I'd just wait to get new wheels/tires when those wear and whatever other goodies I find good deals on.

Since I'm not familiar at all with 4Runners, I was hoping someone would recognize the frame peeking out in the photos just to assure me before I drive an hour to look at it. I'll get some better photos of the frame specifically later today. I know what to look for in person as far as the motor, but I honestly wouldn't know what the frames look like, and I'm not finding many pics on the internet.



What do you think? Any comments?

thanks,
josh
 
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The rear lower control arms, their mounts, and the sway bar is correct for a 3rd gen frame. Looks legit to me. Weird, but legit.
 
I can't see the pictures from work but the biggest thing to look for is the coil over front suspension, the earlier models had torsion bars. It sounds pretty awesome to me, if the price is right and everything is in order I'd say go for it!
 
Looks like a third gen fram to me as well. I would recommend not buying it unless it's a good price. Probably less than 4k.

A regular third gen interior is pretty simple. At least my 97 is. Its almost exactly like a second gen. I beat my interior up...


Edit.. I would check into registration and smog lawsnbecause I could see a few issues in the future. The biggest is what vin number to use since the frame and body don't match. CHECK CARFAX ON BOTH FAME VIN AND THE BODY VIN to make sure neither is part of a stolen vehicle.
 
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Lots of tacky stickers on this one! That is really odd, I dont really know why someone would go through all the trouble to put on that body style.
 
J-money$$$ said:
CHECK CARFAX ON BOTH FAME VIN AND THE BODY VIN to make sure neither is part of a stolen vehicle.
Click to expand...

...good advice, didn't think about that.

I do plan on paying less than 4000, that's his asking price and it's been up for several days now.

The emissions isn't too big of a deal here, I just get an extra inspection to verify the year of the motor, and take that in so the smog tech knows what to test it for... assuming it passes for an 01.
 
It's been done before. Irbis Off Road has one for sale. Here is the link, if you click on the picture it will take you to a photo gallery of the build. Pretty cool if you ask me, but they want way more than $4K.

Irbis Offroad
 
The only advantage of the swap is the 3.4L. I would bet that Oleg did that swap as well.

IMHO, the 1st gen 4runner frame is MUCH stronger than the new ones. And, that is based on doing lots of SAS swaps on these. The 3rd gen frames twist and move way more than the early ones. Its thinner walled steel too.
 
WHy would this guy do that. I would do the opposite, 3rd gen body to 1st gen drivetrain and frame. The 86s had solid front axels...
 
NickF said:
WHy would this guy do that. I would do the opposite, 3rd gen body to 1st gen drivetrain and frame. The 86s had solid front axels...
Click to expand...
Actually 86's didn't have a solid axle but I agree... If you're gonna have a 1st gen you're better off to build off of a 1st gen. Much cheaper and easier to SAS and dual case than 3rd gen and you still have a couple of motor swap options if you can't handle the 22re. As Scotty said, the frames are much better as well.
If you're gonna leave that rig the way it is then I guess it's cool if you get it for a good price. If you plan on lifting or modding it any more than it is, I don't think it's a great platform to start with.
 
NickF said:
WHy would this guy do that. I would do the opposite, 3rd gen body to 1st gen drivetrain and frame. The 86s had solid front axels...
Click to expand...

Maybe wherever the leftovers of the swap are - that's what another guy did.

That's crazy though. Way too many stickers.
 
Yeah I see what you are all saying. The cabin is smaller and less comfy on the 86. I would SAS either before I even thought of doing that too... who knows why. I'll probably find out soon though. Weird I know, but interesting. Still though, a rebuilt 3.4 and "supposedly" upgraded suspension for under 4000 is not a bad deal.

I really wouldn't get into much more than a few inch lift on it, just enough clearance to take it in the Colorado high country. I have an AMC Eagle wagon that I am thinking of turning into a trail rig...

josh
 
Just run away as fast as possible. i wouldn't trust a truck that was nailed together by "some dude", onto a frame that it wasnt meant to be on.
 
Haha... I'm enjoying all your opinions!

I got a quick look at it last night just as it was turning dark. It is as advertised. I'm heading back today to give it a good look over. All body mounts seem solid; definitely not a hack job- seems like the guy knew what he was doing. I'll get a better look at the welds, cross members and general fab quality today. I'm interesetd in how the tranny hump was fabbed now after seeing that Irbis build, thank you topdown4runner!

Overall it's a clean truck, has a great stance for stock... first glance looks just like a slightly lifted 1st gen, the control arms have plenty of room for some lift (1st gen body is possibly lighter?-less weight on the suspension). Clean motor, frame, suspension- runs great. Body is decent; a little rust on the lip of the rear fenders- gas door is on the other side so original fuel door has been setup for some aux outlets, nice little warn bumpers, euro light covers, interior is original and in decent condition, good tires. Ugly stickers as mentioned.

Seller was concerned with the registration, title, emissions, etc. too and got a carfax on the chassis and a VIN inspection on the body and frame. He got a clean inspection and the title is a salvage 86, emission tested recently as an 86. My buddy is a smog tech and told me I could get a new inspection and have it tested basically as an 01 since it has all the equipment from that year, but why? It obviously passes emissions as is and is registered. The salvage title doesn't bother me considering what it is.

The only real concern to me initially is a what looks like a bit of seepage from the rear main. I will get a better look at that today. I've looked at so many trucks and SUVs lately with a RMS leak- kinda getting sick of seeing that. The seller doesn't know anything about cars. I'm going to throw punch list of issues at him for leverage to start negotiating the price if everything checks out. :thumb3: Honestly though I don't want to lowball him, after seeing it in person it seems like a fair price as long as everything checks out.

Thanks for your responses!
 
Bought it! pics

I am double posting this from the classic section, why not? I fit in in both now!

All body and interior are 86 (besides bumpers, light covers, center console and steering wheel) . Everything else is 01 (3.4!). I'm going to introduce it in both sections- just because I can! :naughty:

A few funky cosmetic things I want to address: remove the roof basket (? bread rack?), that 80's two-tone interior, some minor rust on the rear fenders and the driver side patched-in gas filler, paint job (PO rattlecanned some touch ups- you can see in pics) and minor body work, polish the oxidized wheels, recover rear bench (or find one without tears), herculine floor. I need to find a solution to cover the ignition cylinder; I guess the steering column is 01- so the 86 dash doesn't match up to the ignition location... it's pretty monkey-ed in, so some creative dash piecing is in order.

Tomorrow I will change all the fluids, check plugs, filters, etc and give it a good detailing. Oh, and start digging through the forums to learn more about it. Fun!

Does anyone recognize the coils/shocks? Looks like the rear has Bilstein shocks and Moog coils, the front shocks say explorer (Procomp?) and stock(?) springs. The control arms are basically horizontal- plenty of room for some lift... will get to that someday; it already looks slightly lifted sitting on the new frame. Not my ideal suspension or tire setup, but they have plenty of life left so I will wear the tires out and go OME/Bilstein/33" Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac

See any other upgrades a new 4R owner might miss?

It was converted by Irbis, maybe his first prototype before the $14,500 87/2000 build on his site. Supposedly, the motor was "rebuilt" although there is no paperwork; my cynical side will say likely not... either way the odo says 139,4xx and she purrs. I payed $3500. Not at all unhappy with that- cleaner and better running than lots of trucks I looked at in that price range. Without further ado:















 
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