Adventures in 4Runner'ing

[DouglasVB]

I need to do more measurements on my garage to see if I can fit the truck inside... It's going to be tight.

How much time (assuming I have all parts on hand) will I need to do the SAS swap and put in the chevy rear springs? 60 hours with a helper? 120 hours?

 

[Squishy!]

You want SAS. Seriously. I've built, wheeled, broken, rebuild, cut off and thrown away my IFS. And I'd do it again. And again. Just skip to the cutting off. Tires can be deflated and suspension ratcheted down to remove from the garage. Build it and we'll get it out. There's a lot of prep and welding that can be done before the cutting. Things like welding the front spring hanger and and shackle hangers, installing the rear lift one weekend and SAS the next.

 

[DouglasVB]

You want SAS. Seriously. I've built, wheeled, broken, rebuild, cut off and thrown away my IFS. And I'd do it again. And again. Just skip to the cutting off. Tires can be deflated and suspension ratcheted down to remove from the garage. Build it and we'll get it out. There's a lot of prep and welding that can be done before the cutting. Things like welding the front spring hanger and and shackle hangers, installing the rear lift one weekend and SAS the next.

I kid, I kid!

 

[DouglasVB]

Okay I need to get serious about buying the rest of the parts I need. What's next?

 

[Squishy!]

Haha

 

[Squishy!]

High steer crossover

 

[DouglasVB]

 

[DouglasVB]

High steer crossover

Which one should I get? Looks like there are two or three companies that make kits.

 

[baja1d]

Which one should I get? Looks like there are two or three companies that make kits.

Marlin Crawler or 4x4 Labs.... Add the 5th or sixth stud option for extra security. Getting a rig out with sheared steering studs can be brutal

 

[ScaldedDog]

Front Range Offroad makes a good kit, too. They can also do all the ARP stuff if you're going that route.

Mark

 

[Squishy!]

Front Range Off Road is usually where I start (they're local) then Marlin (best customer service and customer support) then Trail Gear (cause they're cheap)

All that alongside Craigslist and TTORA for used parts.

 

[DouglasVB]

Front Range Offroad makes a good kit, too. They can also do all the ARP stuff if you're going that route.

Mark

Can you explain what the ARP stuff's benefit is? I'm unfamiliar.

 

[ScaldedDog]

Stronger studs to hold the steering arms to the knuckles, and to hold on the locking hubs. The steering arm studs are worthwhile, particularly if you're going to run spacers or low back spaced wheels. Mine have stood up to really wide 39s, though I did add a 5th stud when I moved to hydro assist.

Mark

 

[Squishy!]

Basically you won't loose your knuckles when you back over a rock. AHEM.

They're the easiest strength upgrade for any stud/bolt

 

[AxleIke]

You want SAS. Seriously. I've built, wheeled, broken, rebuild, cut off and thrown away my IFS. And I'd do it again. And again. Just skip to the cutting off. Tires can be deflated and suspension ratcheted down to remove from the garage. Build it and we'll get it out. There's a lot of prep and welding that can be done before the cutting. Things like welding the front spring hanger and and shackle hangers, installing the rear lift one weekend and SAS the next.

This^

You have wanted it from day 1. If you don't at this point you'll wish you had. And if all of Justin's suggestions fail you can always take a sawzall to the garage to get it out when you are done

Altough Justin doesn't like to admit it but I bet he actually had a lot of fun in his 3rd gen before the gods of IFS (and fences if I remember correctly) cruelly took it from him

 

[nuclearlemon]

all pro has a sas kit that is everything you need on the front end minus the axle assy. throw in some rear springs and you're done. think they've even got them on sale right now

 

[ToyodaTocco]

all pro has a sas kit that is everything you need on the front end minus the axle assy. throw in some rear springs and you're done. think they've even got them on sale right now

x2
just buy the extreme lift kit for $2049 and have everything. No thinking required. And an additional 15% off if you order by Oct. 12 with code: 15-off

 

[Squishy!]

Issac is absolutely correct. My 99 was second favorite only to the Chili. It was fun, comfortable, and capable. But it was also a 3rd gen. Easily the most capable runner straight from the factory. A 1st gen has awful IFS. CUT IT OFF AND BE DONE WITH IT. Then buy a 3rd gen to daily/mild wheel.

 

[DouglasVB]

Issac is absolutely correct. My 99 was second favorite only to the Chili. It was fun, comfortable, and capable. But it was also a 3rd gen. Easily the most capable runner straight from the factory. A 1st gen has awful IFS. CUT IT OFF AND BE DONE WITH IT. Then buy a 3rd gen to daily/mild wheel.

So what you're saying about IFS is...

 

[DouglasVB]

Okay so I'm making a list, checking it twice, and trying to identify what I already have and what I should buy (and from where, which version, etc).

This past post visually shows everything I've got. I'll try and list it all below here, too.

• Solid front axle housing including the brake assembly but not steering knuckles (I think?). Also I don't think that it has the Land Cruiser front rotors but it already does have brake calipers.
• Pitman extended arm
• Ubolt flip kit
• Springs of indeterminate lift and rate
• Front spring hanger (made out of plate steel, not tube steel. bolts to bumper mounts.)
• Frame tube jigs
• Half of the plastic bushings necessary for the swap
• Front axle shafts
  [8]Stock front propellor shaft (joint donor)
• High pinion front differential (coming soon)

I believe I still need to pick up the following:

• Extended brake lines
• Wheel spacers
• High steer crossover kit
• Steering stabilizer kit
• Knuckle service kit
• Wheel bearing kit
• Front shock towers
• Shocks
• Bump stop extensions
• Front axle gusset
• Differential armor
• Motor mount cover plates
• Spring pad
• ARP studs
• Steering knuckles
• Dual transfer case and associated parts (beefed up cross member, transfer case stick rubber boots, extended speedo cable, anything else?)
• 35" tires (I'm doing it! ... I think. Maybe?) and possibly new rims if my current rims are undesirable for what I'm doing here
• Kit to do rear spring replacement with the 63" Chevy springs or equivalent

Does that look like an exhaustive list of what I have and what I need?