4Runner vs Tacoma - general questions

Hello friends,

I'm a Tacoma guy (active on TacomaWorld with the same username) with a couple of questions about the sister platform.

1) A friend of mine just came into a 2011 4x4 runner and knows "some welding has been done on it because my brother kept breaking it". Not a ton of info, I know. Are there any common failure points I might not see if I don't know what I'm looking for on a desert-wheeled 4Runner? Things like gusseted spindles or can tabs I know about, I'm thinking stuff that might not be obvious, and I want to do a thorough inspection when I'm down there Woolwaxing it.

2) Are the engine bays more or less the same for 4Runners and Tacos with the same engine/trans? I'm specifically interested in the big 3 wiring lengths. I make Big 3 kits for the Taco and am thinking about expanding platforms.

Thanks for the assist!

 

1. No idea what welding because brother keeps breaking it means. Sounds like they are just rough on a 10 year old vehicle.

2. 4R and Tacoma are not the same engine.

 

Probably the inner fender issue that was a big issue in FJs. Yeah I believe it is an issue with 4Runners.

They're close but the engines are slightly different. The battery is in the same location as the Tacoma but not sure about the alternator.