Here are some quick questions I need answered. I have a 84 ext. cab pickup with a bad frame. I have a guy in Austin who will sell me a 86 4runner frame for a good price. Is there any reason I can't use the 84 cab on the 86 frame? I know I'll probally have to redo the rear body mounts, and the frame is IFS, which doesn't matter cause I'll cut it off. So are there any problems with this swap? The wheelbase of a 4runner is the same as a short wheelbase truck right? Any suggestions are appreciated.

BTW, I don't have time to do a search right know so I'll do one later tonight.

I don't know the length in inches but, the 4runner wheelbase is shorter than a reg cab short bed.

Originally posted by fabricator
I don't know the length in inches but, the 4runner wheelbase is shorter than a reg cab short bed.

Kinda correct! :) The difference is with the years, not weather it is a 4Runner or pu. They are really close tho.

Solid axle trucks and 4runners (84-85) have a wheelbase of 102.95" The 86+ trucks and 4runners are 103.35", a whopping .4" longer. Xtracabs and longbeds have the longer wheelbase, 112.2 for the 84-85, 112.6" during that 86+ range. Seems like the huge but heretofore hidden ADVANTAGE of IFS, is that extra long wheelbase! :))

The body/bed mounts from the seats back are different but the front will all mount up with no problem.

I have factory diagrams of them all so If you need more help, lemme know!

Yeah it'll work, the wheelbase is kinda irrelevant though since you're going to lengthen the front and you could pretty much hang the rear springs where you want them.

Cool, so it looks like I'll have a new project after all

Budr, I'll send you an email if I need that info. Thanks for offering it.

The reason I asked the wheelbase was out of curiosity more than anything else.

Hmmm, learn something everyday. I thought that 4Runners and shortbeds were the same wheelbase!

What are the wheelbases of other yota years? I've got an 81 shortbed p/up with altered wheelbase and don't know what it started as.

Originally posted by Nate C
Hmmm, learn something everyday. I thought that 4Runners and shortbeds were the same wheelbase!

What are the wheelbases of other yota years? I've got an 81 shortbed p/up with altered wheelbase and don't know what it started as.

you have to re-read that...
They are the same!!!
just a bit different if it is IFS or solid axle. But the difference is only .4". really nothing...

79-83 wheelbases are 101.77" for short and 110.24" for longbeds. If you have a 4Runner or xtracab from these years, you are lying to me! :)
Trekkers not counting...

Thanks Bud! OK, I see now...DOH! I shoulda been more specific, I thought that all shortbeds and all 4Runners were the same wheelbase (not just ifs vs. straight axle.) 0.4" is not much, but still different and probably is dependent on ride height. The lower the suspension droops due to torsion bar preload (and therefore the higher the truck sits at ride height), the longer the wheelbase would measure due to the kick-up of the a-arm mounts and caster.

Yes, I believe that the 4Runner first was introduced in the USA as a late 84 or early 85 model...not sure about that, but they are both technically 85's according to Toyota, right??? And the Trekkers were made from 81 through 82 or 83 correct? No, I don't have one but would like to add one to my vehicle collection. Not enough time and money for more trucks at the moment...heehehehe.

I'll have to re-measure my wheelbase....I recall it was somewhere around 105". It's been so long since I stretched it with new spring mounts etcetera that I don't remember!