1st Gen 4Runner Solid Axle Swap and 1UZ Engine Swap

[boscounderfoot]

Hell yes! Keep going brother. My 1uz swapped 4runner is an absolute animal. You will never regret choosing to go this route....although I kept the ifs up front and didn't cut or modify the radiator support.

Let me know if you have any questions, I fell down a few rabbit holes during my swap, maybe I can help you avoid having to go through the same crap!

Good Luck and keep it going!!

 

[NotKewl]

Back at it again

Well, we've been working on this thing on and off for a while. Thanksgiving holiday we took some time off to finish up the 3 link upfront.

Got the motor mounts situated properly. The engine goes in for the last time (at least for axle mock up and finish welding). New steering gear installed too.


Frame strengthening plates get tacked in to mock up before finish welding.


Final check of articulation and all clearance before finish welding the axle.




Axle out for finish welding. Adding gussets and building out the truss, etc.

 

[NotKewl]

My work on this project is complete. Time to see what [MENTION=700071]Dylansf23[/MENTION] comes up with on rear suspension and getting this beast running!

Cheers!

 

[Jaxpon]

hey man im planning on doing a 1uz swap in my 1994 4runner as well and down the line i plan on doing a SAS. but right now, im just focused on gathering all the information I can on a 1uz swap. Im just wondering why you are strengthening your frame rails?

 

[NotKewl]

hey man im planning on doing a 1uz swap in my 1994 4runner as well and down the line i plan on doing a SAS. but right now, im just focused on gathering all the information I can on a 1uz swap. Im just wondering why you are strengthening your frame rails?

The IFS suspension was removed and that was the majority of the strength in the rails. They need to now be reinforced to handle the extra load that the IFS once did. Anytime you do an IFS to solid axle you need to do that or you risk bending or even braking the frame. Especially if you use leaf springs. Good cheap insurance.