Tacoma 2Nd Gen LC80 coil springs SAS

Just finished this mirrored LC80 SAS with all functional abs and traction control stuff.

truck: 2012 Tacoma 4x4 auto tranny all stock.

hope this info can help any of you attempting this swap

Work done:

Modifying On truck:

- Removed all IFS
- Removed steering rack
- Removed bellow engine frame crossmembers
- Install coilspring mounts on frame.
- Install long arm mounts on frame
- Remove brake lines up to frame mounting brackets
- remove 4wd actuator from front diff
- remove arm from 4wd diff actuator
- seal 4wd actuator with a closing plate and relocate 4wd diff actuator on frame (need to be connected so the module will sense the lock position and wont shut off any alarm)


Modifying on LC80 axle:
- Cut off arm mounts
- remove axle ends (where trunnion bearings are mounted)
- Remove diff assembly
- Remove (cut off) axle diff cap (where oil fill screw is located…. Yes! the whole closing plate)
- mirror diff studs holes on oposite housing side
- Place diff closing plate on diff carrier side. (Basically relocate diff carrier on te oposite side where closing plate was located)
- weld on long arm mounts on housing ( minding the caster angle)
- alingn and weld on axle ends (correct the caster angle by mirroring left and right)
- weld on coil spring mounting hardware.
- weld on Shocks mountings
- weld on stabilizer mountings (if wanted)
- bolt on third member

Extra stuff on truck:

- steering: LC 80 hidraulic steering unit
- all hoses to keep power steering
- plates and tubes (for bolts) to reinforce frame on steering box mounting area.
- pan hard mounts
- removable frame crossmember added on Pan hard mounts
- steering arms using with heim joints
- independent brake lines running over long arms together with abs sensors ( yes… you will need an Abs knuckle with the hole for the abs sensor id you want to retain abs and traction control)

I’m attaching a few pictures so all that above lines make some sense. I’m sure I have missed some stuff but Please feel free to ask any question if you need any details.

Hope this give you some idea of this Coil spring SAS.

 

Interesting project. This might be the only 2nd gen I've seen with a land cruiser suspension transplanted under it. You seem to have figured out all the electronic stuff that gives people headaches in those trucks.

I'm curious, however, isn't this setup a step backwards for a SAS on a tacoma suspension wise (coil spring design, lack of articulation of the radius arms, radius arms and tie rod hanging low below the axle, etc.)? I remember various projects where guys actually upgraded to a 3-link design in their land cruisers precisely because they hated the radius arms and coil springs.

Anyway, thanks for sharing!

 

Meh I'd take a radiused lc axle setup over Ifs any day just because of strength. Couple of my buddies run their Lc's with 40s pretty hard with no issues or complaints, biggest complaint being ride quality doubted they have basic shocks compared to a baller coil over. They are still pulling way more articulation travel than mid/long travel, so it works well for crawling anyhow.

 

I see your point of the LC radius arm setup being stronger than the factory IFS. No doubt!

Would you mind saying more about the factory LC radius arm suspension providing more articulation than long travel?

 

Yep, my buddy runs cheap ass 12s in front of his 80 so articulation wise at the tire its pulling a lot more than 12" of wheel travel. Versus your normal Lt that has 12" of travel, that is the same with both vertical and flexed out travel wise.

 

That's amazing. Didn't know you could get that much from them.

 

Very cool sleeper build!