Solid Axle Swap BS Thread

I used the Barnes4wd kit on mine. It worked out really well, had to modify the lower link frame mount to tuck up on my crossmember but other than that it was pretty straightforward.

 

I dont have their 3 link kit, but I get all my brackets and crap like that from them now and have always been happy with the product and service. I wouldn't hesitate to buy a kit from them.

 

I’ve eyed the Barnes kit as well...

 

I have used Barnes for builders parts in the past and have always been happy with the quality, shipping, and customer service. I frenched the rear shocks on my YJ with their towers and they were beef. I did have a question about installing their rockers (cut the body mount vs not which varies from MFG on the jeep stuff) and the person answering said they didn't know but would call me back. Within 30 minutes they had an answer back to me

 

Yea they are great, and ship FAST, unlike their competitor on the west coast. I have their universal winch plate which is strong and stupid cheap and their Ubolts are pretty awesome. Not too much toyota specific parts but then again if you are looking at builder parts who cares, that's why man invented the grinder.

 

From that other review of the 4WU kit it requires fitting and finishing anyways... for $1500 cheaper for barnes brackets/links/towers it doesn't make that much sense to me to go 4WU


We'll see. Spreadsheeted $9k in parts alone (and I'm sure I'm forgetting somethings) so it's gonna be a bit

 

Check out reckless wrench garage on YouTube. They setup a 3link on a ford ranger on a budget. Yea it's not toyota stuff, but some cool fab in a 2 car garage using tools we all have. 9k, jesus! I would just buy an already built truck at that point.

 

I actually watched that video last week

 

$2500 of that is buying my buddy's geared/locked KP 60 and Sterling rear. I know a lot of this could be done cheaper (steering box, skip hydro assist, DIY driveshafts, have brake lines made locally)

 

Yep I agree, good pricing on everything and fast shipping! I think 90% of my parts came from them, from. Heim joints to DOM to my diff covers.

 

Is there a list of company's anywhere that will do SAS for people less mechanically inclined than others?

 

If you're in N. Cali area, WFO does them quite often.

 

Nobody ever likes this answer but learn how to do it yourself. The part about an SAS that people forget about is you will now have a truck more capable and it WILL break either on the trail or at home and you will need to know how to fix it, regardless of what bling parts you bought or who built it. The tools arent that fancy, you really only need a tape measure, chop saw, a couple grinders and a 115v welder, that's like maybe $1,000 worth of tools, cheaper if you buy used and you will then have them for when you need them. Your friends will get sick of wrenching on your stuff on the trail and you will go broke paying a shop speciality rates to maintain it off the trail. Plus you will feel like an extreme badass that you built it, and it works regardless of how ugly the fabrication work looks. In these days of youtube and internet forums, there is really no excuse for not being able to acquire the knowledge to do it.

 

Fucking this. Even if you do a shit job, you can fix it, unless you're me, then you just cover it with something else.

 

There is so much more then what people are saying about a builder kit like”Barnes” if you have the money buy 4wu trust me

 

Brian specifically valves and springs your coilovers, you get straight sex appeal brackets and bragging rights of the best “kit” in the Toyota world for 2500$

 

Additionally if suspension geometry scares the shit out of you, it does for me, just do leafs. You get 85% of the performance but it's far more forgivable, quicker and easier to setup, especially for suspension noobs. My next rig will be links tho because getting old sucks.

 

I was thinking I forgot something today. Then I thought drivelines. Then I remembered there's no crazy leaf shackle to worry about and my stock shaft would be just fine with links.

Then I made a sammich.

But the geometry still has me spooked too.

 

Or just do a little reading and link it.

 

I'm am secure enough in my manhood that leafs work well enough for what I do .

But yes you are right.