Solid Axle Swap BS Thread

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Paying off other debts right now. If I wheel and something breaks then priorities will change. Just trying to hopefully fix some electrical bugs for now.

And I thought you did have to mess with gears when installing? But I could be wrong

I'll look into them I guess. Just don't like the idea of it being always locked

 

Not always locked. They ratchet when under ~2k rpm or when turning unless there is a lot of wheel spin. Very good manners offroad, not much stress and still allows you to steer. Install is super easy, no messing with gear settings. On mine I had to take the ring gear off to get in the carrier but not all diffs require that. That's as simple as retorquing the ring gear to spec though

 

Interesting. I've heard of them, just never really looked into it. Quick searching I can't find or at least confirm fitment for a second gen

 

Yeah spartan locker is a no go. No manual hubs and it's still my dd and we get snow where I live. Research confirms that is a bad combo. Back to just trying to fix my a-trac until I can afford an ARB or another selectable locker for second gen fronts that I can afford

 

Your research isn’t very good then. I never even notice my lunchbox lockers in the snow

 

This, I ran lunchbox for 5 years never even noticed it was there. It was actually more beneficial because I didn't do a damn 1 wheel wonder everywhere.

 

You guys do realize I am talking for the front diff right? Rear end I probably wouldn't worry about it, but I have the factory e-locker back there anyways

 

Rear lunchbox in the snow is helpful. Front lunchbox in the snow makes no difference in 2wd, and it's great in 4wd up until about 35mph. After that you will get a good amount of understeer. But if the snow/ice is bad enough to need 4wd you shouldn't be going that fast anyway, no?

This is all just my experience. Loved mine when everything iced over here, mainly for starting on ice or pulling people out, but when I went on the highway and was going 45 I just put it in 2wd and had no problems. Only need it for the less travelled roads which I stuck to <30mph on anyway

 

Yep, no big deal in front. This forum has a strange phobia of lunchbox lockers because of the fear mongers saying they are “dangerous” even though they have never driven with one. I even ditched my ARB for a Spartan...

 

I also think people read articles or hear people talking about auto lockers on short wheel base Jeep's, which is legit scary, and forget that our trucks that are a mile long handle much better with them. Yea it's a little odd at first but they are fine. My only issue with front auto lockers was breaking shit. I mitigated that by using my winch, picking better lines and leaving it open.

 

Next week ordering 5.38’s, front grizzly locker and 14” fox coilovers from accutune.

 

Still prefer to have a selectable locker. And couldn't find one for a second gen 8"front diff. But thanks for all the input

 

Has anyone on this thread done a solid axle swap in a 2015 Tacoma? I have a 6inch rough Country running 305/55r20 Nitto Trail MT's and 20x12 Hostile Alpha wheels. I do alot of beach off reading and highway riding, no trails, but want to swap out the IFS for a solid axle I recently picked up. I've checked out Allpro off-road and seen some of the options, but have a question about the steering swap. Just need some input if anyone has done this to this year model.

 

Why do you want to swap out the ifs? What does it not do for you? If all you are doing is some beach driving and a lot of highway, the solid axle will not really do anything better for you

 

This ^^

The amount of work for a SAS, and money, is absurb. Sure you can do it with cheap ass shit, or you can do it slowly and go in on the good deals and finds. But, if you aren't hitting the rocks hard, SAS isn't for you.

 

I have had my lift on for about 3 months, and already have a popping noise in the passenger side front when I hit a nice pot hole, figure less maintenance, and less moving parts, every truck I have ever had prior to my Tacoma has had a solid front axle. This is the first truck I have ever owned with an IFS.

 

I have a high pinion Dana 44 and Chevy outers, just need to have it cut down and some machine work done for that side, but I'm concerned with the steering swap? I ha e read numerous bad things about the gear box swap.

 

You're so misinformed if you think a SFA is less maintenance than IFS. What's easier to maintain is what is basically factory, believe me. SAS pops all day and night, millions of noises it drives me insane. Get that IFS figured out, sounds like you just have some minor issues.

Also, a D44 is a DOWNGRADE to the IFS in terms of strength for the 2nd gens. D44 is just asking for trouble.

 

10-4

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/sas-quick-guide-cost.138316/

Just browse first page here in this thread, 1st gen SAS, but 2nd gen hardly anything different between the two. A SAS is a $10k+ job and hundreds of hours of labor. Not to mention even more downtime outside of labor.

Yes again, it can be done cheaper and quicker... but we aren't all specialists.