Replace body with roll cage

[technodrive]

So I wrecked my 99 as I had mentioned in another post. The front bumper mounts are torn off and the body is crushed but it still runs and drives. With all the other work done to it I'm now thinking of pulling off the body and getting a cage welded on for a mad off road truck. I have a buddy who is good at welding/fab, but neither of us are qualified to try and design a cage. Any direction on where to look for a pre-built situation? Or should I just modify an internal/external type?

 

[Sean K.]

So I wrecked my 99 as I had mentioned in another post. The front bumper mounts are torn off and the body is crushed but it still runs and drives. With all the other work done to it I'm now thinking of pulling off the body and getting a cage welded on for a mad off road truck. I have a buddy who is good at welding/fab, but neither of us are qualified to try and design a cage. Any direction on where to look for a pre-built situation? Or should I just modify an internal/external type?

That's a totally custom project...and one I wouldn't bother with. You're better off buying a full tube frame chassis from a reputable builder and then dropping your drive train into that. The reason you're better off going full custom route is then you're not limited by the factory frame....which is comparatively weak to begin with.

There was a time when a 4130 Chromoly chassis from Twisted Customs was $7500....and the DOM version was around $5500.

https://www.facebook.com/Twisted-Customs-225230337565724/

 

[White Stripe]

I would just buy another 4runner and swap your parts over. I have never been a buggy guy. I just can't stand having a rig I have to trailer everywhere. But if you really want a buggy, do it right and get a good chassis.

 

[technodrive]

thats depressing.
not trying to fight your answers, but what about cutting away everything but the firewall/2 man cab and just caging that?
looking to salvage more than throw a ton of money into a project

 

[Sean K.]

I would just buy another 4runner and swap your parts over. I have never been a buggy guy. I just can't stand having a rig I have to trailer everywhere. But if you really want a buggy, do it right and get a good chassis.

Depends on where you live. Mine's street legal.

 

[Sean K.]

thats depressing.
not trying to fight your answers, but what about cutting away everything but the firewall/2 man cab and just caging that?
looking to salvage more than throw a ton of money into a project

Anything is possible....but IMO, it won't be worth the money or time you'll spend on it.

 

[phattyduck]

How about getting a Tacoma single cab (just the cab) and putting that on the frame? Custom tube back end?

-Charlie

 

[technodrive]

How about getting a Tacoma single cab (just the cab) and putting that on the frame? Custom tube back end?

-Charlie

i was under the impression they dont match up. is this incorrect?

 

[Sean K.]

i was under the impression they dont match up. is this incorrect?

You can make anything fit....which is why you see VW Beetles on 4x4 chassis. Doesn't make it cool....just means someone had some time on their hands.

 

[phattyduck]

i was under the impression they dont match up. is this incorrect?

At least some of it will line up... not sure how much? The front through the door dimensions are the same, even if the mounts behind the radiator might not be (somebody will have to confirm/deny that one). If you were considering a complete tube body, the mods to get a tacoma cab to fit on the 4Runner frame should be the easy part. The front body panels swap, much of the interior is the same, etc... it has to be close.

Just a thought to get a 'nice' cab, but still leave room for a cage and everything else. You could end up with a truggy-style build.

-Charlie

 

[Cree]

At least some of it will line up... not sure how much? The front through the door dimensions are the same, even if the mounts behind the radiator might not be (somebody will have to confirm/deny that one). If you were considering a complete tube body, the mods to get a tacoma cab to fit on the 4Runner frame should be the easy part. The front body panels swap, much of the interior is the same, etc... it has to be close.

Just a thought to get a 'nice' cab, but still leave room for a cage and everything else. You could end up with a truggy-style build.

-Charlie

This was fairly common with the Gen 1's. Put an extended cab on the 4r frame. I'm sure you're right, some of it has to be close.

 

[technodrive]

right i had heard previous generations were a direct swap over, but i think ive read that the 3rd gen 4Rs (and 1st gen tacos) started moving apart from each other. im sure it would still not be much more difficult than a cage to retrofit, but im just weighing input to output now. it could be cool to have a truggy.

 

[Sean K.]

right i had heard previous generations were a direct swap over, but i think ive read that the 3rd gen 4Rs (and 1st gen tacos) started moving apart from each other. im sure it would still not be much more difficult than a cage to retrofit, but im just weighing input to output now. it could be cool to have a truggy.

I think you'll find a Tacoma cab from a similar year as your truck to be the easiest way of making this into a trail rig.