Solid Axle Swap BS Thread

Thanks, what all will I need (excluding an axle) to complete this? I'm uneducated in the world of solid axles.

 

You will need to do a lot of reading and researching what's involved. By the time you are familiar with everything, you should be able to answer this one on your own.

You mentioned earlier using TG's SAS Kit C (leaf sprung) and were directed to a 3 link kit. Are you wanting to go with leafs or coilovers? They are very different and both have their pros/cons. That will be one of the first decisions you need to make. The next major decision is what axle you want to run.

 

new trans mount (crossmember) maybe oil pan not sure on what motor you have a steering box off a 86-95 ifs toyota and a complete axle with hysteer while the 3 link isn't as easy or straight forward to do as the 3 link the link will flex better and will ride better on road and off. there might be more that you need but that should give you a good idea of whats needed

 

Thanks guys, I obviously have some studying to do. I ideally want a setup that will allow me to drive on road as well as off road.

 

See I would say tire size had a lot to do with that fist decision

 

Was wondering if anyone know a build where someone put a ford dana 60 under a tacoma or 4 runner with leafs using the stock 36.5 perch width? I know a 78-79 would be better since it is 32"

 

Its been done before but it's not ideal since your tires will love getting into the springs. Especially if you decide to run wheels with a lot of backspacing to keep scrub radius to a minimum and cops off your back. Check this thread out, he's running the newer Ford axle and leaf springs. I even asked about the tire/leaf situation in there somewhere...

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/solid-axle-suspension/164312-1-ton-tacoma-sas.html

Got some work done the past few days on my axles. 14 bolt is coming together

 

Thanks i am not so worried about the cops since i know a lot of them personally and work on there vehicles.... i know it is not i deal but the cost of new inner shafts and retubing is a lot.

 

I'm with you. I was going to deal with running leaf springs but then ARB lockers fell into my lap and the budget just got blown out of the water so now I'm 3 linking it and never looking back

 

I may be biased but I will just say for the record...links FTMFW.

 

I'm on leaf springs and thinking about linked tons so I can have a wider stance. But that's later down the road when in get a tow rig.

 

Tow rigs are for those not confident enough in their build and/or repair skills.

 

Im with this guy i did a leaf sas once and i wont do another one ever again....

There are lots of guys out there on linked tons that DD their trucks..

 

or those that plan to run 42's and dont want 65 to be their max speed and or wear out 2,500 dollars worth of rubber on the wrong kind of rock

 

The top speed issue is resolved with proper gearing.


I will give you the tire argument, although IMO tires are still cheaper than a trailer, tow rig, registration, insurance, and maintenance on said trailer and tow rig.

 

Amen - every day i go out to my truck and see the tire getting shorter

 

That statement seems just a little closed minded. I've met several guys with extremely capable crawlers that are bomb-proof, street legal, and do great up to about 60 mph on flat pavement. They are geared really low due to having smaller 22RE and 3VZ engines. They're amazing on the rocks, but don't have the power to go 70mph up the mountain passes on I-70 to get to the trails from Denver. It would really suck driving at 4500-5000 rpms for 6 hours straight to go out to Moab. Not to mention feeling like you're going to get run over by 18-wheelers going up Vail pass.

Just because they use a trailer, doesn't necessarily mean their trucks, build confidence, or repair skills are inferior.

 

See above reply. Proper gear selection can overcome this. Gear axles for highway, gear tcases/crawlboxes for the trail.


99% of the people who trailer do so bc they are afraid of breaking stuff and being stranded. Hell at my local park they trailer brand new Jeep JK's in...

 

meh, trailering something just means you can push it harder than you could if you drove it. if you have to get home to work in the morning you cant be stranded 2 hours away because you grenaded something giving it a bit too much skinny pedal.

 

Maybe it's a regional thing then... we don't really have off road parks here either.

A lot of the guys trailering up and down the rocky mountains do so as a safety measure for them and the numerous others on the road, not because of the reasons you've given.

I agree that gearing can be changed to help with speed to a certain extent; however, a 4 cyl. engine, 40 inch tires, and 7-8% grades going up and down over several mountain passes...those guys don't have the power/torque to turn those tires at those speeds up the mountain on taller gears.