I am sure that im crazy for doing this but here it is...

I am going to cut it a bit smaller before attaching but you get the idea, I am planning to line up the stock body mount left on the 4runner cut with the front bed mounts. I am going to cut the mounts off the runners frame and weld them to the front bed mounts.

Any suggestions for a good sheet metal welder? I am planning on buying a new one.

anyway here are the pics...
lets here some opinions!!!

 

i r confused...are you trying to graft the back window of the 4 runner into the truck and make an extended cag thing or the whole back of the 4 runner into the back of the truck...cause the way it looks right now, it looks like you are either going to have tail lights in front of the bed, or a really short truck you put wheels under the 4 runner part...

 

you start doing all that welding on the cab. you should think a bout use a tig welder

 

Cool project!! I get what your trying to do...

but you need to Por-15 that frame while you have the body off of it.

are you going to weld the bed to the cab?

 

Huh definitely different I like it

 

You going to retain the opening tailgate or are you just after the electric rear window? I know there is a later model Surf/4 Runner with one peice tailgate that could be worth a look.

Callum

 

Actually considered the 96-99? one piece gate but figured this would line up better and I want to keep the gate functional. plus those gates are way expensive, bought my whole parts runner for less than just that gate would cost...

thanks!

The frame is going to get sandblasted after I finish mocking up my motor mounts, since I finally got the bed off today (those front two bed bolts were a biatch)
I wanted to see how the runner cut lined up.
The frame will get a coat of silver bullet (por-15 is uv sensitive and needs to be thinned to spray, bullet is not uv sensitive and ready to spray)

As for the bed: three choices 1. double bob the existing bed to fit 2. get a full glass bed made from toyotafiberglass.com or 3. just get bed sides made and hang them with an open frame pre-runner style
I'm leaning towards option 3 at this point and no I won't be welding the bed to the cab

thinking about a mig with an argon shield, also just thinking of hiring a "metal banger" as our friends from OZ say (right Callum! love your truck by the way partly my inspiration to go for it)

I think I "R" confused now too.... (8
maybe if I attach the rear directly to the trans... dunno but the short 4runner is an interesting idea.....
nahhhh think I'll just weld up the tail-lights and put a short bed on it!

 

I'd probably try the double bob first. An if you don't like it then get one made.

 

Have had that thought myself... But, if I don't like it I killed a decent bed and then I have less fuel cell options
The fiberglass bedsides only with an open frame leaves me any option I want for a fuel cell
I am considering a long flat marine tank
50-60 gallons laying on top of the frame
Whatever I do I want the gas filler neck right in the middle of the back so I can get gas from either side...! (8

 

pretty neat idea!

i think once it's done it well resemble the roof line of the new extended cab tundra's!!

what's the plan for the roof? maybe section the body above the bodyline to bring the roof down a bit?

 

I think it would be cool too if he could still use the tailgate and open it but that means the floor of the bed would need to be lowered to accommodate for the tailgate opening

 

Yeah they swing down quite a bit, could set it to drop only so far down and have the tray floor drop at the same time. If its bagged though you are going to run into clearance issues with the bridge and driveshaft.

Callum

 

i say weld from the inside (if anyone said that already, whoops lol)

 

Cool project. Going to retain part of the window opening or just have a huge fatty pillar there? I like the concept. I would just shorten the stock bed up front to match up to the cab. Yeah it might risk a good bed, but spending money for the same thing you could build from a stock one seems silly. As for the roof, my vote goes to a large ragtop. Less sheetmetal to have to weld.

 

the runner is actually about an inch wider here and another taller...
It will come down a bit more but I am mostly planning to line up the pillar area best I can and leave the roof a little bumped up there.

No matter how far I can drop the gate it is not getting welded shut!

No bags! maybe coilovers someday but no bags just a 2/3 static drop
thinking no bed floor... just open like a desert truck

please any sugestions on building this I appreciate... not sure if I can get to too many inside areas actually, the inner body blocks access

ragtop is an idea...
I am actually going to cut the runner part smaller. I only want to add about 10 inches max, it's closer to 12+ right now.
the final cut should be right about where the back upper corner of the runner side window is... this adds about 6 inches to the roof line and with the angle of the back window about 8-10 to the lower body
I will fill in whatever window area is left, so yes a thick pillar, I drive an FJ Cruiser so I am used to thick pillar blind spots! LOL

as for the bed between the gate opening and my plan for a large fuel cell... I think and open floor setup with just bedsides hanging would work best, like the desert race trucks...
I am thinking I can pop off the bedsides whenever I want and slap some huge slicks on it and take it to the track! (8
plus no wheel wells will offer me plenty of rear tire options, I am thinking maybe even flared a bit to cover 10.5" wide rims...

 

If you want I can grab some measurements from my Corolla (running Surf/4 Runner tailgate) to let you know the clearance you need for the tailgate.

Callum

 

For the bed floor I'd try a nice wood one just a thought

 

Thanks Mate! I'll let you know if I need any, I do have a gate so I think I'm good for now.
I just wish I could borrow your metal banger!

I have been thinking the same thing! Oak or Cedar with a polished stainless steel end strip.
I am thinking only as wide as the frame and then short up front to clear the gate, at the back right in the middle an aluminum gas fill neck sticking up through.

 

Do the removable bedside thing. 10.5" Wide wheels are legit.

Gawd I want wide wide wide wide wide wheels.

Good luck with the project fellow friend, You make good progress.

 

Check this out: http://www.yotatech.com/f88/4runner-rear-window-pickup-post-build-198611/