New 1st gen 4runner owner

[DouglasVB]

Swap to a non-Toyota axle? I'm running the factory axle and even still use the original 4-cylinder third member housings. It's good enough. The Toyota 8" axle is roughly the same as a Dana 44 in strength or IOW, a standard duty 1/2 ton axle. The upgrade path is a Dana 60 from your stock axles and that opens a big can of customization, particularly in the front.

I don't see the need for a 23 spline case for most people. Even with a doubler it's not generally your weak point. If you break a 21 spline gear you are probably beating the living snot out of your truck and quite likely towing it to find the /really/ hard trails.

The best future proofing you can do is change all the fluids, add gas, put on a set 30x9.50 BFG ATs and just drive it. I guarantee you that doing trips with guys from Rising Sun spotting you will be pretty amazed at what your little stocker will get through. The only other thing I would add sooner rather than later might be sliders.

Sounds like I have no compelling reason to switch away from my stock rear axle then. If I were going to go crazy on a build, I'd probably take a welding class, buy a welder, and make some insane custom tube buggy/crawler/monstrosity. Or get out and walk

It's good to hear that the 21 spline setup is good enough.

I need to go look at what tires I have on the truck again... I think they're all terrain mud and snow tires that are about 30 inches? They still have enough tread for at least a season of playing around.

Sliders look like a good idea. Yet another addition that I'll need a friend with a welder for.

 

[DouglasVB]

If I were going to go crazy on a build, I'd probably take a welding class, buy a welder, and make some insane custom tube buggy/crawler/monstrosity.

I also would buy a desert compound at that point... Hmm... not a bad idea...

 

[nuclearlemon]

i'll add to the stay ifs for now and good 30" tires. with your bumper get a winch to pull you up the stuff you can't make. later on, maybe add a rear locker.

sliders should be high on your list. the cheap weld it yourself ones only run a couple hundred bucks

for communication, the off highway world is moving away from cb, especially the rising sun crowd. now that ham radios have gone down in price, people are jumping on the 'far better communication' bandwagon. you can pick up a cheap chinese ham hand radio off amazon for $30, then spend $20 for a decent antenna and you're set to go for the same as a new cb setup.

you're on the road to making the rig reliable and that's the most important way to keep from being "that guy"

 

[AxleIke]

FWIW, you would only be able to put the 23 spline in the rear case. However, Since many folks also opt to put lower gears (4.7:1) in the rear case, it often makes sense to do the 23 spline upgrade as you are paying for gears anyway. IF you choose to do dual stock cases, get the 21 spline adapter, much cheaper. You would not be able to put the 23 spline in the crawl box without an output coupler change on your existing trans, or an R151 trans swap.

I ran dual 21 spline cases because I first put in a 4.7:1 case with no doubler, then added the doubler later. I got the 21 spline 4.7 gears to adapt to my W56 trans (same one you have).

 

[ToyodaTocco]

Sorry that your introduction turned into a sa vs. ifs debate. It's fun to spend hypothetical money and plan your grand scheme for your rig. Hell, I do it all day long. I tend to really research everything way too much and immerse myself in my hobbies. I could rattle off the things I want to do to my truck. But I seriously doubt it will happen with it being my daily driver. You don't need to buy a welder (yet), there are plenty of people here that will help you out in welding on some sliders and a stinger. Also, no need to change your rear axle, it's plenty strong enough.
1. Buy trail gear sliders for $200,
2. Whatever front and rear bumper you want (I prefer addicted offroad tube bumper to trail gear because I hate the stinger on trail gear's and addicted is local).
3. Buy some 31's (most tires don't measure true to their height anyway, my bfg all terrains measure 30.something, you won't lose much power with stock gears)
4. Remove sway bars (not sure if IFS has them but they have to have something)
5. Wheel it with friends (us) and they can pull you over stuff if you get stuck.

 

[DouglasVB]

Sorry that your introduction turned into a sa vs. ifs debate.

Haha this is just like an engine oil thread on the motorcycle forums! It's great!

I prefer addicted offroad tube bumper to trail gear because I hate the stinger on trail gear's and addicted is local

I was wondering about Addicted Offroad vs Trail Gear vs 4x Innovations. The tube doors and tube bumpers all seem to basically be the same. Do they all come from the same source or have they all copied a single design or ???

 

[ToyodaTocco]

Oh, and I forgot
6. Come on the Mini's Only Run

 

[DouglasVB]

Oh, and I forgot
6. Come on the Mini's Only Run

That's this ride? http://www.risingsun4x4club.org/forum2/showthread.php?t=22442 Looks fun! If I'm in town then, I'll try to make it.

 

[ToyodaTocco]

Haha this is just like an engine oil thread on the motorcycle forums! It's great!

Next, we can debate 4 stroke vs. 2 stroke.

I was wondering about Addicted Offroad vs Trail Gear vs 4x Innovations. The tube doors and tube bumpers all seem to basically be the same. Do they all come from the same source or have they all copied a single design or ???

I think there are only so many ways to skin a cat. Pick your favorite and run it. You can debate HREW vs Dom

 

[ToyodaTocco]

That's this ride? http://www.risingsun4x4club.org/forum2/showthread.php?t=22442 Looks fun! If I'm in town then, I'll try to make it.

That's it!

 

[DouglasVB]

Next, we can debate 4 stroke vs. 2 stroke.


I think there are only so many ways to skin a cat. Pick your favorite and run it. You can debate HREW vs Dom

Okay so obviously 6 stroke is better. Air Care Colorado, I'm sure, wants them in every new vehicle.

I'm hoping someone has a rig with tube doors tonight at Slee that has the 1.75" top tube kickout so I can see what that looks like in person. I have experience with the flat top tube style on my buddy's truck but not the kickout-style.

 

[DaveInDenver]

IFS trucks have sway bars and mine was chucked years ago. The rubber bushing were shot and I intended to replace them with poly. The bar just sits on the shelf with rotten bushings. With good shocks you don't need it (I run OME Nitrochargers in front and Sport in back). Removing the sway bars helps immensely with travel off highway, lets the tires track and helps with the body lean issue inherent with IFS.

That tires generally measure short is exactly why 30x9.50 is perfect for a stock 22R-E truck with 4.10 gears, it's a marginal jump up from the stock 225/75R15 (or more likely 235/75R15 replacements) that are already there. What Toyota put on new is approximately a 28.25" tire and the jump to a ~30" (or 245/75R15 equivalent) is about 5% overdrive. This is pretty easy to figure in your mind when a cop pulls onto the highway and you check your speed. Indicated 50 is 52.5 actual, 60 indicated is 63 actual, etc. Also a 9.50 wide tire fits very well on 6" wide stock rims, nice sidewall profile, even wear across the tread at pressures that can tolerate a load but not feel like wagon wheels.

 

[ToyodaTocco]

Okay so obviously 6 stroke is better. Air Care Colorado, I'm sure, wants them in every new vehicle.

I'm hoping someone has a rig with tube doors tonight at Slee that has the 1.75" top tube kickout so I can see what that looks like in person. I have experience with the flat top tube style on my buddy's truck but not the kickout-style.

I prefer 3 stroke...same torque with less engine braking

Never seen the kick out tube style, you can also make a set of your own half doors.

 

[DouglasVB]

I prefer 3 stroke...same torque with less engine braking.

In that case, let's go with all-electric. Step 1: find a wrecked Tesla and harvest the parts. Step 2: ???? Step 3: ELECTRIC 4x4!

Never seen the kick out tube style, you can also make a set of your own half doors.

I'm not setup for tube cutting and bending unfortunately. My tiny garage is already filled with motorcycles, bicycles, and other goodies. No room for a tube bender, chop saw, and welder. Maybe someday once the real estate market tanks in Denver and I can afford to buy a house...

This is the only site I've seen advertising the 1.75" kickout: http://www.4xinnovations.com/84-89-4-Runner-and-84-88-Pickup-Tube-Doors_p_88.html

 

[DouglasVB]

Oh while we're talking about controversial things like IFS vs SAS, engine oil, tires, and lighting...

What is the best floor mat for a 1st gen 4runner? WeatherTech? Husky Liners?

 

[ToyodaTocco]

In that case, let's go with all-electric. Step 1: find a wrecked Tesla and harvest the parts. Step 2: ???? Step 3: ELECTRIC 4x4!

These guys may have beaten you to it except for the 4x4 part! http://www.altamotors.co/
And the KTM Freeride

 

[DaveInDenver]

What is the best floor mat for a 1st gen 4runner? WeatherTech? Husky Liners?

Seriously?

 

[DouglasVB]

Seriously?

Figured I needed to stir the pot a little more.

 

[AxleIke]

My apologies for ruffling feathers B1LL31 and DouglasVB. Not my intention to bash SAS or IFS or ruin a thread.

DouglasVB, I only posted up as I interpreted some of the questions you posted in your first few posts as asking about feasibility of wheeling with your IFS or starting off by going SAS, and I wanted to give you my perspective from stubbornly staying IFS to the point of idiocy rather than being smart with a build.

I think in the end we are all saying the same thing: get out with the club, wheel a bit, and have some fun, and build the truck you want, rather than what anyone else thinks is "best".

I hope to meet both of you on the trail or at a meeting (which I'm horrible at making). Hopefully we can make amends over a

Cheers!

 

[DouglasVB]

My apologies for ruffling feathers B1LL31 and DouglasVB. Not my intention to bash SAS or IFS or ruin a thread.

DouglasVB, I only posted up as I interpreted some of the questions you posted in your first few posts as asking about feasibility of wheeling with your IFS or starting off by going SAS, and I wanted to give you my perspective from stubbornly staying IFS to the point of idiocy rather than being smart with a build.

I think in the end we are all saying the same thing: get out with the club, wheel a bit, and have some fun, and build the truck you want, rather than what anyone else thinks is "best".

I hope to meet both of you on the trail or at a meeting (which I'm horrible at making). Hopefully we can make amends over a

Cheers!

Haha I'm happy for all the input! Tonight I'll be at Slee. Maybe everyone will talk me into a unicycle.

But seriously... what are the best floor mats for my 4runner?