Swapping in a new body is the thing to do, especially where you live.
With the donor having an auto, you may have to do a lot of drilling and cutting. For example, you need a place for the clutch master to mount, unless all of the bodies are pre-drilled the same. Shifter area might need surgery. Since the donor as fuel injection, is there still an gas tank inpection plate under the right rear seat? Are body mounts in the same location for an IFS chassis?

Rick
1984 4Runner