1984–95 Toyota pickup & 4Runner chassis
We haven't found a complete aftermarket chassis for this car yet, so the way to modernize it is to stiffen and upgrade the original frame.
Upgrade the original chassis
- How it's built
- Body-on-frame, steel ladder frame
- Front suspension
- 1984-85 4WD trucks use a solid front axle on leaf springs; 2WD trucks and 1986-95 4WD trucks use double wishbone independent front suspension with torsion bars. Steering is a recirculating-ball steering box with linkage.
- Rear suspension
- Solid rear axle on leaf springs for pickups and first-generation 4Runners; 1990-95 4Runners use coil springs with a four-link and lateral rod.
- Weak spots
- Cab corners, rocker panels, bed floors and wheel wells rust, and frames can rot in salted regions. Leaf springs sag, IFS ball joints, idler arms and tie rods wear, and steering boxes get loose.
Stiffening the body or frame? We list 2 kits for this car, such as frame rails, subframe connectors and braces, on its Chassis stiffening page.
Suspension and steering kits for the original chassis
| Area | Kit | What it does | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complete kit | Old Man Emu Pickup OME Dakar Ultimate Light Kit (OMEPU2ULM) | For 1986-95 pickups, 2 to 2.5 inch lift: torsion bars, Nitrocharger Sport shocks, Dakar rear leaf springs, bushings, U-bolts and steering stabilizer. Page lists prices updated 12/14/21. | $1,405 Source |
| Complete kit | Old Man Emu Pickup & 4Runner Emu Dakar Ultimate Light Kit (ED4RPUULT) | For 1979-85 leaf-spring trucks, 2 to 2.5 inch lift: Dakar leaf springs, shocks, greasable shackles and pins, anti-inversion kit, steering stabilizer. Page lists prices updated 12/14/21. | $1,795 Source |
| Complete kit | Old Man Emu 90-95 4Runner OME Ultimate Light/Medium Kit (OME4R2ULM) | For 1990-95 4Runner, 1.25 to 1.5 inch lift: torsion bars, rear coil springs, Nitrocharger Sport shocks and steering damper. Page lists prices updated 12/14/21. | $1,055 Source |
| Front suspension | Total Chaos Fabrication 1986-1995 Toyota Pickup +3.25 Inch Gen II Caddy Long Travel Kit: Boxed Lowers (95200-B) | 4WD pickup only: chromoly upper and lower arms, uniball uppers, brake lines; converts to 2.5-inch coilovers and needs T100 axles, shock hoops and fiberglass fenders. | $3,404.96 shocks extra Source |
| Rear suspension | Low Range Off-Road Low Range Rear Toyota to Chevy Spring Swap Kit | Hardware to fit longer Chevy leaf springs under a Toyota rear axle; check fitment for your truck. | $286.90 Source |
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