--- title: "Fourth-Gen Toyota 4Runner With a Modern Tacoma Face Swap Works So Much Better Than It Should" date: "2025-01-07" modified: "2025-01-07" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/v8-toyota-4runner-with-a-tacoma-face-swap-works-way-better-than-it-should" categories: - "Builds" - "Culture" - "News" - "News by Brand" - "Toyota News" tags: - "4runner" - "suv/crossover" - "Toyota" --- # Fourth-Gen Toyota 4Runner With a Modern Tacoma Face Swap Works So Much Better Than It Should ![]() *Screenshot* I've always loved the fourth-generation [Toyota]() 4Runner. Maybe it's because that was the [4Runner]() of my teenage years but its simple, handsome design just hits home with me. Still, even I can admit that it's beginning to show its age. Thankfully, off-roader and 4Runner enthusiast [Dylan Bue]() has a solution: graft a third-gen Toyota Tacoma face onto the 4Runner. And wouldn't you know, it looks stellar. The Tacoma face-swap is one of many upgrades on Bue's 4Runner. It has coilovers and custom J-arm long-travel suspension he fabricated himself, a crazy-wide track, massive BF Goodrich tires, and a roll cage, among other mods. However, the [Tacoma]() face is the most noticeable now as it makes the old 4Runner look new again. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() It all flows surprisingly well, especially since these designs were penned years apart and were never meant to be mashed up. The lack of a front bumper surely helps that as there simply isn't as much to fit together. The bumperless front end also sports a winch right underneath the Toyota emblem, which looks kickass. Why go through all the trouble of face-swapping a 4Runner? Bue tells us he loves the fourth-gen platform but never really liked the look of its front end. In his eyes, the third-gen Tacoma is Toyota's best modern design, so he combined them. Additionally, he wanted something different. He wanted his 4Runner to be unique in the sea of "cookie-cutter" off-road builds. Having a TacomaRunner is certainly unique, I'd say. > [View this post on Instagram]() > [A post shared by Dylan Bue (@bue\_built)]() Bue documented the face-swap process along with pretty much everything else on [his Instagram (@bue\_built)](). What started as a mostly stock 4Runner with right around 100,000 miles has turned into a wheeler that stuffs rubber way up into the fender wells. Impressively, he did all the work himself and as he'll tell you, he doesn't have any formal fab training. With the massive differences in width, I'm not sure I'd want this mod on anything other than a dedicated off-roader. I definitely wouldn't want to drive it every day but maybe that's because I live in New Jersey. For a fun project that's dedicated to life off the pavement, it's an awesome look that makes his truck stand out on the trails. And since it's not a plug-and-play swap, it might be the only one you ever see. *Got tips? Send 'em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()