[arc]

Since no one had a good thread with pictures on this I figured I might as well post on my progress.

Stock 95 tacoma with 4x4 grill

Parts list
4runner conversion
*Hood 100 oem used local
*Fenders 80 for 2 oem used local
*Fender liners 0 came with fenders
*Fender side mounts 0 came with radiator support, this bracket holds the bottom front of the fender in place and also attaches to the bumper side mount
*Hood latch 0 came with radiator support
*Hood latch support 0 came with radiator support
*Hood hinges 35 used oem eBay
*Radiator support 150 used oem local
*Corner lights 50 amazon aftermarket
*Headlights 90 amazon aftermarket Depo
*2001 Bumper side brackets 25 oem local
*97 Bumper and valence 320 aftermarket local
*97 bumper brackets 45 aftermarket local
*Headlight filler panels 25ea oem from amazon right 5251235030 left 5251335030
*Filler clip 6ea oem from eBay left 5252335030 right 5252235030
*Grill 75 aftermarket from amazon
*Bumper marker lights 35 aftermarket from amazon

New front end parts insides painted and pre assembled

 

[arc]

Now for some real work, I am not going to show you how to remove all the parts.

remove front end

Take good note of the drier, on the 4runner it is located on the other side. This will cause issues when you install the new radiator support.

Remove radiator support, I did not have to remove the radiator I just tied it back. I also did not remove the power steering cooler line, I am assuming that what its supposed to be for. I really contemplated removing this line, but I was able to remove the support without removing it. You also need to remove the condenser at this point.

You need to drill out the spot welds to remove the radiator support. The trick here is to drill through the radiator support but not the body.

 

[arc]

Now to install new radiator support. The correct way here is to put on the support and secure it minimally with clamps or 2 or 3 self tappers. Then install the hood, fenders, lights and bumper. Make sure everything lines up, then remove all the parts and weld it in place. Before welding make sure you grind clean all the spots that will be welded, also invest in some weld through primer to protect against rust.

There are about 8 spot welds on each side

Pre aligning everthing

Clamped for welding, I plug welded in the exact same spots as stock. I predrilled the new radiator support with 3/8 bit.

 

[arc]

Touch up paint

I also under coated the front frame area

The next thing I wanted to do is figure out the drier. I ended up moving it down 2" and towards the condenser about 3". I did have to hand bend the lines to make it work.

Original

New setup it just fits under the head light. Also notice the condenser mount does not line up with the 4runner mounting location.

Easy fix

 

[arc]

Also forgot to mention the bumper bracket need to be modified to work. I went with a 97 4runner front bumper and brackets. I used the original bracket to get the spacing for the holes. You want to keep the front hole and redrill the rear hole closer. see photo.

Next you need to take care of the Hood latch it needs to be spaced out about 1/2" to latch correctly. I only spaced the two top mounts out.

Had to extend the wires for the horn

At this point you should be able to put all the parts on, the last thing that needs to be done to make it drivable is to recharge the AC

And after what seems to be hours of alignment you should have a completed front end.

 

[arc]

More pics completed

 

[arc]

Made some real spacers on the lathe for the hood latch support

Had to do the satoshi grill also

So this is where I am at finished body working and priming the front end. Plan to paint it this weekend. I was able to have the full front end swapped and drivable over one weekend. The satoshi grill and body work was done over another 2 weekends. After this weekend I should be completely done. If anyone has questions post them up I am sure I am forgetting somethings.

To think I did all this just so I can add an intercooler for more BOOST.

 

[Enola Gaia]

Out-STAND-ing writeup! :waytogo: :bow:

 

[arc]

Preped and Painted. I did not paint the valence and grill yet, I am going to two tone them hopefully next week.

 

[arc]

Buffed and cleaned up still need to detail it.

 

[ZIP671]

Very nice write-up :applause:
I'm sure you could recover some of your investment by selling off your take-off parts as well.


I did a 4-runner front end conversion on my first Taco..a '97 back in 99/00...I hadn't seen anyone else do it before that. I did not replace the core support..just modded the Taco one ..mostly to fit the 4Runner headlamps.
My reason for doing it aside from being different was the scooped hood and glass headlamps that would never yellow or fade..which happens very quickly here in the tropics on the equator.


again..Nice Job :waytogo:

 

[arc]

Nice I am keeping my eye out for a scooped hood.

 

[arc]

Finished front end with center grill and bumper blacked out.

 

[ZIP671]

Looking Good! :waytogo:


One of the things that made me a little hesitant about doing this conversion was the difference in shape of the front and rear wheel opening of the 4Runner and Taco.
Theres a Taco running around here with this conversion...but he was able to mount SRunner style flares so the wheel openings appear the same. Im not sure if any mods were needed to be done to the fender to fit the flares..but it looks real good.

 

[arc]

Thats good to know I was actually wondering if I could mount them to the fenders.

It may take some modification, but thats not really the hard part. The hard part is finding the flares.

When I was body working the truck I was actually thinking about making them match, but it was to me not that noticeable. I think the color of the truck makes a big difference.

 

[Kenny Rosa]

Very nice write-up :applause:
I'm sure you could recover some of your investment by selling off your take-off parts as well.


I did a 4-runner front end conversion on my first Taco..a '97 back in 99/00...I hadn't seen anyone else do it before that. I did not replace the core support..just modded the Taco one ..mostly to fit the 4Runner headlamps.
My reason for doing it aside from being different was the scooped hood and glass headlamps that would never yellow or fade..which happens very quickly here in the tropics on the equator.


again..Nice Job :waytogo:

What else its needed i have a 97 tacoma with a 04 front end but will like to convert for the hoodscoop.