Hey Everyone,
I realize this might be a better post for the "Swaps" topic but I wanted to get more generalized third-gen driver opinions.

I found a local vehicle I am looking at buying and doing some major swaps on - I was looking for some feedback. I have a 98 4Runner, 3.4 Automatic 4WD, no E-locker. I've discovered a 97 3.4 5-speed 4WD with factory E-locker. I want to purchase the 1997 and put the tranny, differential (front and rear), and possibly motor into my rig - then re-sell the 97 to someone with less off-road desire (and someone who doesn't desire the 5-speed).

Does anyone have a quick run-down of what the swap would take, and what the best approach might be? I want to keep the paint, body, and all accessories (lights, wheels, bull bar, running boards, struts, shocks, etc.) from my rig and switch the guts of the other into my rig. I'm guessing I will have to switch the following:

All front differential/transfer components, rear differential, transmission, clutch, clutch pedal, e-lock wiring, gauge pod, ECU, and ECT wiring from auto transmission. What am I missing? This sounds labor intensive, but with some friends, I think I can pull it off over a couple of weekends.

What do you guys think? This configuration would basically be my fantasy ride unless I had a '99 (which means selling mine and starting over - not going to happen). By the way, I have 172,000 miles on my current motor (which doesn't bother me at all) and the one I'm looking at has 114,000. Look forward to hearing your opinions.

Steve

 

It should be doable. Th problems I foresee are:
1) mounting the clutch pedal & cylinder.
2) probable different cross member position.
3) swapping the electronics between the auto & manual.
4) probable liability problems re: odometer readings & actual mileage of the driveline when you sell the donor vehicle.

I'm sure there are others that I have missed.

Unless the donor is a killer deal, I think finding a full replacement for your current 4Runner may be a better deal & a lot less work.

Paul

 

The guy is asking less than $6000 for the rig. This is over Blue Book, but I think everyone on this forum understands the demand that is out there for 5-speed V6 4Runner's (damn near impossible to find), Tacoma's (never found one in my price range) and even Camry's (even more impossible to find than 4Runner's). Looking at every listing on EBay, I can generally never find a V6 manual 4Runner or Camry in the 1997-2001 range and I'm actually looking for both Camry and 4Runner donors.

Amazingly I found a 1999 Camry V6, 5-speed 100 miles away for less than $5000 just today! Now I have to figure out which project I start first. I'd rather do the work on the 4Runner swap, but finding these cars is about as easy as catching Sasquatch. Just for curiosity - I did an EBay search - out of 5th-gen Camry's (44 total, 7 V6, 1 5-speed), 3rd-gen 4Runner's (46 total, 35 V6, 0 5-speed) - rare creatures indeed.

 

Another follow-up - the 4Runner I'm looking at could be a complete replacement for my current rig just pulling off current parts (suspension, lights, a few other things). The only problem is that I really, really like my Anthracite Gray Runner, and really do not want a red one. Anyone know of a good way to get the "paint" from one to the other? I've heard of "body swaps," but I'm unsure how hard it would be - in fact, I could even dig the gray interior from the red one I'm looking at. I refuse to drive a plain red vehicle ever again (unless it's an MR2 Spyder).