1st gen 4runner hot rod, what do you think?

[robert_david6]

Hi all, I have been a member here for a few years, but I don't post a lot, mostly just a lurker. Anyway I already have a 88 4runner that I have been trying to restore/modify over the last 3 years. I still have a lot of things left to do but something has come up

I have had this crazy idea in my head for years and I could never shake it and now might be the time to act. I have always loved the 1st gen 4runners, I have already had 2 of them. I always thought it would be cool to have a 2wd 1st gen 4runner. basically a 4runner on a 5 lug pickup frame. I never thought that I would be doing this anytime soon, but I have found a very straight, mostly rust free, titled 86 4runner that I think I can get real cheap, like $500 cheap.

Like I said the truck is an 86 dlx with a "cracked head" I actually think it might just be the head gasket, but its worth the risk. the interior is toast, but the truck overall is straight.

My plan would be to get the truck running and driving, find a decent 2wd reg cab pickup do a body swap on both of the trucks (i would swap the 4runner body on the truck frame and the truck body on the 4runner frame) I would then sell the truck to fund a new motor and transmission to make it fast.

I know some people are going to blast me for possibly ruining a classic 4runner, but in my opinion it would not be ruined, it would actually be saved from rusting in a field.

As far as the motor and trans in the "rod runner" I was thinking either a lexus 1uz or a chevrolet ls motor. I would like it to run 11s but still be semi comfortable on the street.

Let me know what you guys think, maybe even throw out some ideas.

If this does become a build thread (which I hope it does) its going to be pretty slow.

Here are some pics of the 4runner, its dirty but very straight.

 

[Bad_Vision]

Why are you bothering swapping the frames? You can easily put 2wd spindles on the frame and suspension that's there.

 

[robert_david6]

Basically I don't want to waste good 4wd running gear, for me it will be easier to swap the body and possibly recoup some of the money by selling a 4wd pickup.

But thanks for giving me something else to think on :thumb:

 

[Dropzone]

there are some differences between a 4Runner frame and pick up frames when it comes to body mounts

 

[robert_david6]

Im aware of the difference in the body mounts, from what I understand just have to cut and weld them.

I am totally anticipating a pretty good amount of fabrication, but I think it'll be worth it in the end. :thumb:

 

[flyinhawaiian01]

You will not get those kinds of numbers from a 1UZ without lots of very expensive work to it! The engines are 250~260hp, and aftermarket stuff is mainly in Australia/Asia.

To get those kinds of numbers, you'll need to either turbo or supercharge it, that alone will push you to around 5 or 6 grand just in motor upgrades.

Stick with a Chevy 350 if you're looking to make big hp for nominal money.

And, fwiw, I have 2 1uz engines sitting here waiting to go into my supra and my truck! Not knocking the engine at all, they are solid performers, but just aren't big hp makers without extensive work to them. For 5 grand, you can get a really nice 350 long block crate engine and make close to 350-400hp with a few extra parts.

 

[KidVermicious]

It's been done, at least the 4Runner body on the 2wd frame. There's a thread around here somewhere. If you want to swap for power, just go with the LS. You can pick up a crate motor with ECU and harness RTR for under $6000.

I think it's a cool idea. I think a lowered 2WD 4Runner with the right suspension and engine mods would make a hot track car.

 

[robert_david6]

Thanks for the good advice guys.

I have pretty much decided that I am going to use a LQ4 6.0 ls motor from a 2500 GM truck or van. I am going to probably run a stock bottom end, at least until it blows, upgraded heads, a hotter cam, better intake, and a bigger throttle body. Ill probably put a 100 shot or so of nitrous on it to achieve my goal of 11's at the strip.

For the trans I'll probably go auto with a 4l80e. But this is where I'm really torn, on one hand a t56 6 speed would be so fun on this truck, but I know that auto is better for a track vehicle.

 

[85_4Runner]

My .02 is that a 1st gen is a fundamentally unsafe vehicle relative to a more modern truck and realistically, there isn't an upgrade fix for that. I feel "iffy" in my trucks even with anemic 22R power. So from a safety standpoint I think it's not a great platform for a hot-rod.

 

[flyinhawaiian01]

Funny, I feel completely fine in my '87 xtra cab with a straight axle and 35's. I cruise at 80-90mph all the time (our speed limit in Idaho is 80mph) without any worries whatsoever.

And, fwiw, I had my provisional racing license through NASA pro racing in SoCal and have had my supra at Willow Springs many times.

Look at any ¼ mile track car, there's a good amount of vehicles that are set up exactly the same way an older 4 runner is, aside from it being higher. IFS up front, straight axle in back, torsion front suspension and rear leafs, not really much different than many of the cars from the 60's, 70's and 80's (lots of classic mopars used the same setup).

So, lower it down, tighten up the suspension, put it on the track and run whatcha brung! Hell, one of my first ¼ mile track experience was in my '80 longbed with a 20R motor when I was 17! Aside from a small fire under my seat from an Alpine amp, I never once had a problem running low 16's in that truck!

 

[PlanetExpress]

I really like this idea... I can see it in my head and it's sweet. I wonder what the Ring Brothers would do with a project like this.

 

[UnderFire]

I really want to do something like this too, more of a cruiser type build though. the frame swap has been done, but is not at all well documented, you're basically on your own with assurance that it can be done.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/classic-t4rs/188756-street-runner.html#post1922375

 

[ajordan1975]

Sounds AWESOME!
Go 6.0 LS! Tons of aftermarket go fast stuff!
I have a buddy hitting just under 500 rear wheel HP in a KOH buggy w/ minor mods to the 6.0.
If it was in a rwd vehicle the numbers would be over 500 I'm sure

 

[85_4Runner]

Funny, I feel completely fine in my '87 xtra cab with a straight axle and 35's. I cruise at 80-90mph all the time (our speed limit in Idaho is 80mph) without any worries whatsoever.

I simply wanted to point out that not only do these vehicles have no air bags, but the cabins have poor structural integrity from a crash safety standpoint. The driver is particularly at risk from a side impact because the doors consist of little more than the sheet metal skin. The safety regs for light trucks at the time were less stringent than for cars.

I still love these trucks, but my perspective on safety is a little different nowadays. In 2011 I was in a very serious crash in which I was struck at high speed by a young driver who was in all probability preoccupied with her phone. Fortunately, I was in my modern car that day. If I had been in one of my 80's mini-trucks, I'm certain that I would not be here now.

But if you feel completely fine in yours, that's great, no issue here.

 

[Aznwolf118]

I went with the 1uz swap.
It's a lexus motor so basically kept it all Toyota. The systems were a little easier to integrate
Plus look up the spec on the 1uzfe, motor was way over built. 6 bolt main, zero interference motor developed by Toyota based on a CART/IRL racing motor to be used on the GT500 series

Plus it looks sweet in the engine bay

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/classic-t4rs/212113-89-sleepy-build-experiment.html

 

[flyinhawaiian01]

Too bad its so expensive to build up a 1uz to make the kind of power the op is looking to achieve.

To get 11's on the track, he's gonna need at least 450hp+ with a 4runner. To get that from a 1uz, he's looking at headwork, cams, and turbo or supercharger with a standalone ecu, I've priced it out for my supra and I'm looking at almost 8 grand for everything to safely produce ~450hp. That's a lotta money just to keep it toyota, when he could build a pretty awesome chevy motor, throw some nitrous on it and produce that kind of power for quarter mile numbers.

Again, I'm not knocking the 1uz, and it will be nice to have it in my supra in the next couple of months (just ordered another 1100 bucks in parts for the swap this morning!), but making big hp with it costs money, lots and lots of money!

:wink2:

 

[robert_david6]

I really like this idea... I can see it in my head and it's sweet.

I can see it in my head too, and I cant wait to get it started

Sounds AWESOME!
Go 6.0 LS! Tons of aftermarket go fast stuff!
I have a buddy hitting just under 500 rear wheel HP in a KOH buggy w/ minor mods to the 6.0.
If it was in a rwd vehicle the numbers would be over 500 I'm sure

I love the 6.0! it can handle so much power and its cheap!!

I simply wanted to point out that not only do these vehicles have no air bags, but the cabins have poor structural integrity from a crash safety standpoint. The driver is particularly at risk from a side impact because the doors consist of little more than the sheet metal skin. The safety regs for light trucks at the time were less stringent than for cars.

I still love these trucks, but my perspective on safety is a little different nowadays. In 2011 I was in a very serious crash in which I was struck at high speed by a young driver who was in all probability preoccupied with her phone. Fortunately, I was in my modern car that day. If I had been in one of my 80's mini-trucks, I'm certain that I would not be here now.

But if you feel completely fine in yours, that's great, no issue here.

I get what your saying and I would not want to do this in a completely stock 4runner, but I plan on running a pretty nice roll cage to keep me safe.

I went with the 1uz swap.
It's a lexus motor so basically kept it all Toyota. The systems were a little easier to integrate
Plus look up the spec on the 1uzfe, motor was way over built. 6 bolt main, zero interference motor developed by Toyota based on a CART/IRL racing motor to be used on the GT500 series

Plus it looks sweet in the engine bay

I love the 1uz, I am still really going back and forth between a 1uz and a 3rz in my other 4runner.

Too bad its so expensive to build up a 1uz to make the kind of power the op is looking to achieve.

To get 11's on the track, he's gonna need at least 450hp+ with a 4runner. To get that from a 1uz, he's looking at headwork, cams, and turbo or supercharger with a standalone ecu, I've priced it out for my supra and I'm looking at almost 8 grand for everything to safely produce ~450hp. That's a lotta money just to keep it toyota, when he could build a pretty awesome chevy motor, throw some nitrous on it and produce that kind of power for quarter mile numbers.

Again, I'm not knocking the 1uz, and it will be nice to have it in my supra in the next couple of months (just ordered another 1100 bucks in parts for the swap this morning!), but making big hp with it costs money, lots and lots of money!

:wink2:

Thats pretty much why I and deciding to go with the 6.0. If I were building a Auto x or a drift truck I'd probably go with the 1uz, but in the quest for the most power for the least amount of money the LS is a no brainer. :cheers:

 

[flyinhawaiian01]

Build your cage carefully! They can actually be more dangerous on the road than not having one at all!

Most of the real track guys I know of swear by it, never have a cage in a daily driver unless you wear a helmet all the time!

A t-bone with a cage can literally crack your skull wide open and kill you on the spot! That bar is right there next to the side of your skull, and even a slowish t bone can fracture your skull with a side impact.

Can't wait to see this build! It oughta be interesting and a fun one when you get done! There's something about building a vehicle and shocking people with what you have when they think you're all about noise and no action! I loved to play with people when the supra was running! 425 at the wheels will make other sports cars wonder what the hell you have, and a few will walk away extremely pissed!!! :rockon:

 

[robert_david6]

Build your cage carefully! They can actually be more dangerous on the road than not having one at all!

Most of the real track guys I know of swear by it, never have a cage in a daily driver unless you wear a helmet all the time!

A t-bone with a cage can literally crack your skull wide open and kill you on the spot! That bar is right there next to the side of your skull, and even a slowish t bone can fracture your skull with a side impact.

I never thought about that, but now that you mention it, it does make sense. This truck is not going to be my daily driver by any stretch, (I have a tundra for that) but I do want it to be street legal and "semi" comfortable.... I guess you cant have it all...

 

[4runner_newb]

I just wish i could drive mine lol