RN106 Cab-Swap Info Needed...giving the lux some extra doors

[Toyo Truck]

Hey guys

After almost 11 years of wheeling the absolute piss outta my truck, one dead 22R about 6 G52s and about 7 diff centres.
its time for her to get a freshen up so am considering a cab swap on the old thing.

Its a 1989 RN106 Hilux Single Cab with custom tray. (lol)

I just need some advice/info on this swap.

1) Can I use a RN106 2WD cab?? Or does it HAVE TO BE 4WD? IE are there major differences between 2WD and 4WD hilux bodies?
PS I know that the 4WDs have wider front guards, different indicators, grill, etc, but is the mounting to the chassis points the same?

2) I was thinking of going for an extra-cab or better yet a dual-cab, for some extra room... how much work is involved in that swap?
I was thinking that the chassis is all the same length, just the mounts are different, although I need to measure this to be sure.

Before you say get rid of it and just start again, cause its less work...Keep in mind that my lux is already 90% done now...
My lux has got a Commodore V6 conversion now, with 4L60E auto, zorst, dual transfers, twin ARB air-lockers, 4.88:1 yukon R&P's,
14" Ranchos, 35"s , EFi mod Chip (With V6 3800 "Chaser" tune), Uni-Filter POD (Or snorkle for wheeling), has lots of flex, drives just about anything.
So rather than sell it and start again, and spend BIG $$$$, I want to keep my old faithful truck and do a cab-swap.
I've done a cab swap with an old mates 4-runner and that was from 85 4Runner, to a 93 4Runner.. and that wasn't too hard.

Let me know so I can go buy a cheap 2WD dual-cab body and start the fun times.

Cheers,
Bart

[DUDELUX]

As far as I know El Barto, the 2wd lux and the 4wd Lux are the same basic body.
Only difference being the wider flared front guards, and I think the trans tunnel is higher, or wider, or something, to allow for the transfer case.

As for the single cab chassis being the same as the dual cab, no bloody idea on that.
Find someone with a dual cab the same model as yours, and compare.

Cab swaps are fun.

[CRUZAAMAD]

As far as I know El Barto, the 2wd lux and the 4wd Lux are the same basic body.
Only difference being the wider flared front guards, and I think the trans tunnel is higher, or wider, or something, to allow for the transfer case.

As for the single cab chassis being the same as the dual cab, no bloody idea on that.
Find someone with a dual cab the same model as yours, and compare.

wife swaps are fun.

[DUDELUX]

[Toyo Truck]

Hey Tony,

Yeah was talking to John Mac and he was saying the same thing about the trans tunnell as you,
although I do have a 2" body-lift which may make things a little easier?

He was also saying that the front body mounts (to the chassis) are different aswell... which sucks.
there are some nice 2WD cabs around cheap!

[Elmo]

Im going through the exact same thing with mine, granted mine is a 99 model so its gunna be a little bit different id imagine but exact same situation, have single cab now but want dual cab.

My biggest problem is just finding a body let alone the difficulties or legalities. But will be watching this thread with high interest.

[trh80]

HI guys,

I did a 2wd hilux body swap onto a 4x chassis some years ago. The body fitted no worries, just bear in mind that the front inner gaurds are a little different cause of the independent from end on the 2x and the solid on the 4x. Still fitted not worries with a little bit of cutting. The outer guards fit no worries, I just put a set of rubber flares to stop the mud. The trans tunnel, well actually I didn't notice any difference and it fitted no worries (might of been a bit tigher that usual). Can't think of any other troubles I had with the swap.

Just as an extra note, I remember having trouble with the oil filter touching the diff, but this was because the engine was also out of a 2x and the oil filter cover on the motor directs the filter down, where the 4x has a different cover that directs it horizonal. That should worry your conversion.

Not sure about the extra or double fitting, but I would think they would be very similar, something that could be done, albeit with a little mod. I was told on these pages that the converstion I did would not work, but I proved them wrong, it worked out a cheap converstion that worked well.

hope this helps

[Toyo Truck]

Thanks mate!!
Was waiting for someone to come through with this info.
Alot of heresay surrounding the hilux 2WD vs 4WD cab swap... Finding 2WD cabs is easy as, 4WDs are rusty and thrashed. Hence why I wanted a 2WD.

So the body inner guards are slightly different, but the cab mounts are identical right? (IE where the cab sits on the 4WD chassis at 6 points on chassis)
I want to use my 2" body-lift blocks/bolts etc if possible, but I'd imagine they would mount the same?

The tranny tunnel I am going to measure myself this weekend (both my 4WD lux sc and compare to a 2WD dual-cab) for height and width and length...
and this 2WD is a dual cab, so I'll measure how far the chassis mounts are/picture them to see any differences.
I think all hilux 4WDs have the same chassis be it Single Cab, Dual Cab or Extra Cab. Hence why an extra-cab tray is shorter than a single-cab tray.
4Runner chassis is shorter, as is the wheelbase, so this will not work in my opinion.

This helps IMMENSELY!!!

[DUDELUX]

Thats good news Bart.

Rob, I thought you had a dual cab, an old one like my heap of crap.

[trh80]

Happy that I could help, as I said there was some discussion at the time that it would work ,but it actually worked a treat. Yeah the inner guards were a bit different, not much, I think I cut a little bit out with a grinder. The body mounts on the chassis were the same, I think your right they are all the same for a hilux. The tranny tunnel shouldn't effect your conversion, I had no problemw without a lift kit.

The reason I did the conversion was becasue of cost, I bought a farm, needed a ute, thinking a 2x would do the job. So I purchased a tidy 2x, didn't do the job (got bogged to many times), so I sourced a 4x with a rusted body and worn out motor and swapped it all over. Had a great time doing it and was proud of my achievment in the end. Got rid of it in the end only cuase the lux couldn't handle the work with a large sprayrig on the back. Go the 75 ute, what a champion...

[Toyo Truck]

This is good to hear trh80.. I want to start on this ASAP.
how long did it take you mate? from start to finish?
Also logistically, how'd you get the swap done? Forklift? Hiab? whats the best way to do it?

I have no issues with cutting the inner guards to suit, I can use my 4WD cab as a template. Was that where the inner meets the chassis? ie cut this back?
The main thing is the body mounts on the chassis being the same, as this is the majority of the job.

So your swap was it 1990's RN106 Single Cab 2WD to 1990's RN106 Single Cab 4WD?
Or was it the earlier model (1984/85 shape) 2WD to an 1984/85 4WD chassis.

I measured all my chassis, body mounts and tranny tunnel on the weekend, just need to find a 2WD to compare it to.
for the tranny tunnel in my 4WD, I got the following measurements...

Approx. Height of 1989 4WD RN106 Single Cab Centre Console = 140mmm
Width at top (approx) of 1989 4WD RN106 Single Cab Centre Console = 230mm
Width at base (approx) of 1989 4WD RN106 Single Cab Centre Console = 380mm

Distance between front pair of body mounts on RN106 4WD Single Cab = 850mm (approx)
Distance between rear most pair of body mounts on RN106 4WD single Cab = 1050mm (approx)

[slosh]

I think all hilux 4WDs have the same chassis be it Single Cab, Dual Cab or Extra Cab. Hence why an extra-cab tray is shorter than a single-cab tray.
4Runner chassis is shorter, as is the wheelbase, so this will not work in my opinion.

With the 89- 97 luxs the single and dual cabs had same wheelbase (112"?), but the extra cabs were longer (120"?).
The pre 89 lux single/ dual/ extra cab were all same wheelbase.
The 4runners were all 106" wheelbase.

[Toyo Truck]

ahhh sweet info, thanks Slosh.
So on that basis, I will not persue the "extra cab" option as its not likely to line up.
Actually, now that I think about it. 4WD solid axles only came in Single or Dual Cab, never in extra cab.
Plus Extra cab must have a different chassis to be longer wheelbase, and explains why it only came with IFS.
sorted. thanks so much mate.

So looks like I can only go with a Single-cab or Dual-cab for the swap.
Extra cab looks like different chassis, and the 4-runner body will have the arches waaaaay to far forward on the body to meet the 106" wheelbase.

Getting closer to the mark now.

thanks guys... go outers!

[Blackened]

I'd chuck an extra cab body on there, when and if I get around to doing it it'll be a 2004 SR5 Extra cab going onto my single cab chassis.

[bluegq]

i have done a couple off these with a couple off differant year model hiluxs the first was a second gen duel cab which i put a 3rd gen 2wd body on everything lined up sweet just had too stuff around with steering shaft but was fine only took a full day too swap it with a couple off mates the second was a 2nd gen duel cab which we put a 3rd gen single cab 2wd cab on the front 4 body mounts were fine but i think i had 2 put new rear body mounts on which wasnt hard

[Toyo Truck]

OK this is all the confirmation I need thats 2 people who've done it and said its all good.
I'm just gonna go from RN106 Single Cab to a RN106 Dual cab..so nothing too crazy.
I figure the mounts will be pretty much the same for these two?

I just gotta find a dual-cab body now...if anyone knows of a cheap dual cab (you can have all the chassis and motor/diffs/tyres, I just want complete cab).
please let me know as I want to get my truck back on the road and wheeling.
I went and looked at a few on the weekend, they were OK, but one was a repaired write off and one was rusty as fark.

Let me know fellas...gonna put a wanted add up now etc.

[Toyo Truck]

OK...

Thanks to "Scott" a member on here, he has scanned and sent me the workshop manual chassis diagrams and measurements.

I can tell you for sure that the chassis between Single Cab and Dual Cab are identical. The mounts are different tho.
So for the DUAL CAB BODY
1st set of body mounts (very front) = INDENTICAL
2nd set of body mounts (2nd along chassis) = IDENTICAL
3rd set are in different locations. (I'd have to move these forward on single cab chassis to suit dual cab).
4th set are completely different... would need to be cut off a dual-cab chassis and welded onto mine in correct position

TRAY MOUNTS FOR DUAL CAB STYLESIDE...
there are 3 sets of mounts for the tray...6 all up.
1st set are unique to Dual-cab chassis...would need to be cut off and welded on.
2nd set = IDENTICAL
3rd set = IDENTICAL.

So not too hard, but does not seem to be a bolt on affair.

Also, one other thing, is the fuel tank different between dual-cab and single-cab?
This is the only thing I can see being an issue.
All the driveline mounts the same as are cross-members, etc.

Cheers,
Bart

PS thanks Scott!

[DUDELUX]

Yes there are 6 tray mounts for my duel cab Bart, but Im not using the middle ones, I cut them off.

[Toyo Truck]

OK schweet,
Went to look at a dual cab on the weekend...getting closer fellas.

So what about the fuel tanks? I thought the single-cabs had more capacity IE a larger tank? Can anyone confirm this?
Or all fuel tanks are the same? IE all have the 73L tank in them?

Cheers,
Bart

[DUDELUX]

Mine is a LN65, and Im sure that the tank is only small, about 35-40L.
I can measure it if you want me to Bartron.

[Toyo Truck]

Mate if you could take a few photos of your tank
That would be awesome
I'll post up a pic of mine and any people with
an LN106 dual cab can tell me if theirs is the same?
I know the v6 4runner has a different pump and smaller tank
Just not sure about the single and dual cabs of the 90s model

[davenmarcia]

mine was a 55l tank (ln106 dual cab)
sorry cant take any pics as i now have a 120l long ranger in there.

dave

[Toyo Truck]

OK I think I've all but confirmed the Single Cab Hilux has a 73L tank.
And from looking at a picture of it in the chassis, it will foul on the dual-cab body.
So I'm assuming that the tank in a dually is "flatter" than the one in the single cab?

heres a pic of a single cab chassis taken from the back to the front and you can see the
2 single cab tray mounts (raised up mounts off the chassis) next to the fuel tank.
These would need to be cut off to fit the dual cab body and I'm now thinking the tank will be
the next thing to hit once this space is occupied by the rear set of seats/doors.


Cheers,
Bart

[Toyo Truck]

OK... updatez

I have secured a Dual-Cab body.
Its a 1995 I think Dual-Cab 4WD, with Air Con.
Its White, with a snorkel already.
It Has a shortened rear tub, but I'll most likely sell that and get a normal sized DC tray...they are small enough already methinks.

Good thing is its straight as a die, which is awesome as most I looked at were slightly fingered from wheeling or sitting around rusting.

We will be stripping this body back to bare and doing a full respray in Toyota Arctic White (same as my GT TT soarer hopefully).
Once resprayed, I will be refitting all the interior/glass/etc back in, aswell as the AIR CON!! (Can't wait for that finally!!)
and this will be one AS NEW RN106 Dual cab, with all the mod-cons, and all the bits (including a winch) to do all the hard stuff too.

Best of both worlds...I'll just be a bit more careful with this cab...(famous last words I know, but if I go to the effort of a full re-spray
at least I'll think about it before rock-rashing the sides or quarters..previously this was not a concern )
Will be good to have a truck that looks as good as it drives though...been 12 years in the making, but the old single cab is too far gone to fix up.

Cheers,
Bart

[blackmav]

So are you actually gunna come for a final wheel with us instead of making excuses and make a mess of the old body?

[Toyo Truck]

When have I ever made excuses mate... I'll always give it a crack! ...and you know this!

My truck is off the road now, cannot be road driven. Plus the cab and tray are coming off in the next week or so.
BUT if you tow it to wherever it is you want to wheel, and tow it back, I'll hold off removing it, ans yes...I shall wheel the absolute piss out of it.
GLADLY!!!
Will be good to go for one last hoorah before the nice straight new body goes on.

Then I'll have to start opting for lines with less panel damage. :( ...never had to worry about that before with my bulletproof gal tray...

[DUDELUX]

Just exo it.

[Toyo Truck]

Hey mate,

Was thinking that too actually.
But will I be able to get the exo engineered? Are they even legal tony?

PS.. you know I will back driving the fun lines before long, I just want to try and keep this one a little straighter if possible

[Toyo Truck]

Guick update on the cab-swap...

Fuel tanks are different from single to dual cab.
Looks like the sender and pickup are indentical though, as are the filler pipes, etc.
Its just the shape of the front half of the tank that differs.
NOTE: - I might be able to get around this with my 2" body lift, but have yet to test it out.

Thanks to Scott,
Once again mate thanks for coming through with the info from the Toyota workshop manual.

Can't really get better than Toyota's own information.
(Other than the fact they spell "litre" as "litter" - mad engrish )

Cheers,
Bart

[Toyo Truck]

Hey guys,

Quick bit of advice on painting this farker.

We had to take the roof back to bare metal as previous owner had done a munted job and then let it surface rust...
anyways, now its back to metal, what do I undercoat it in?
Had a mate say some paint called "red/brown" undercoat?? Obviously I want it to treat the metal and stop it rusting the roof and panels where we
sanded it back? So something durable, but will still sand back and work with the top-coat.

Also, for the rust repairs, I was just going to spray it with cold gal and then cover with underbody paint to protect it from rocks etc off the wheels?

I have been looking at KBS coatings website, some good stuff on there.
http://www.kbs-coatings.com.au/kbs-3-step-system" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Was thinking of going the 3-step formula on the rust repairs and chassis. But I dunno if you can use this "RustSeal" paint as an undercoat for normal
automotive Acrylic paint?

Anyone got some experience with the finished product when using the KBS stuff? Even if you've just used one of their products by itself.