Difference between 3rd gen taco and 4runner frame

[Philbush1127]

I recently bought the "family car" from my mother 1999 Toyota 4runner sr5. Now my frame isn't like the horror stories I have read on here about people having massive holes in their frames but it is rusty. I have a friend who works for a Toyota dealer as a technician so He can purchase a frame cash and put it on my truck. My problem is he can't find any 4runner frames but obviously there is an endless amount of tacoma frames. Besides tacomas being leaf spring and shock on the rear suspension is there any difference with the frames besides that? Couldn't I just swap the rear suspension from a tacoma on it?

 

[Singtoe]

the 3rd gen Taco is way different then the 4runner.

The Newer taco is much wider, the engine mounts are wider, the front diff is bigger, the chassis is longer not to mention the the rear leaf spring suspension.

It can be done but it would be easier and cheaper to plate and weld the old frame.

 

[HiluxSurf SSR-G]

How about looking for part-outs with only body damage. Get the chassis for that.

 

[shadow247]

How about looking for part-outs with only body damage. Get the chassis for that.

Go this route. Every time I look on craigslist there are at least 1 or 2 trucks being parted out. There are few on here even. These trucks often total with only cosmetic damage. Look for a 1996 as I'm pretty certain the frames are identical across all years from 1996-2002.

 

[HiluxSurf SSR-G]

I would recommended going the 1999-2002 chassis as these ones had the middle body support. Also, the front bumper reinforcement is there. That will match the 1999 body. Downside if you get a 2001-2002 would be you'll need to replace the suspension as these model years are known as the low-riders.

 

[gannonrt]

I agree with the above statement. Do not get a 96. It is missing the middle body mount. You would have buy a new one from 4crawler and get it welded on. As others have said, the front bumper mounts are different too. I would have to think that it would be easier to just fix and plate the rusty frame parts. Switching the body, motor, trans etc is a big big job.