3 Link SAS?

[IBallEngineer]

4.88 gears because they're the only ones that match Toyota (for the rear). You're totally right about the hole if I have to rebuild the axle and/or hubs. That's why if I want to do this I would have to be patient and wait for the right axle to pop up on Craigslist/at the junkyard.

Would the Chevy D44 fit our trucks length-wise? I haven't looked at them at all.

My guess is the Chevy would be wider, don't know how much though. Ideally you would be looking for the Ford that was already converted to 6 lug. The Ford has a longer left side axle, as compared to the Waggy. I used the waggoneer set up on two Nissan Frontier conversions. Then I saw one with the Ford and was so jealous. You can probably get a lot more specifics looking at Pirate 4x4 for the D44 info.

 

[rossgoldie]

My guess is the Chevy would be wider, don't know how much though. Ideally you would be looking for the Ford that was already converted to 6 lug. The Ford has a longer left side axle, as compared to the Waggy. I used the waggoneer set up on two Nissan Frontier conversions. Then I saw one with the Ford and was so jealous. You can probably get a lot more specifics looking at Pirate 4x4 for the D44 info.

Thanks for the info!

 

[mmml4]

This is why I asked if people know any threads? I haven't been able to find any 3-link exclusive ones. Been looking at SAS since I got the 4Runner 3 years ago but damn near every thread has been running leafs.

Here is one,

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/128755-johns-99-4runner-rebuild-build.html

 

[Andy in Pa]

Jeeps didn't have a six lug pattern, only Chevy's did.

You will find yourself in a big hole if you have to gear either axle or have to rebuild anything. So let's say you are in to it 3K in the major parts. Then driveshaft mod, new brakes and brake lines, don't seem like such a big deal. If you have to buy hubs or rotors, u-joints, then it will kill your budget.

:guitar3:

Jeep Wagoneers from 79 up to 91 had 6 on 5.5 bolt pattern. Same as Toys and Chevys. If you source a front waggy axle from the later year range (82-91) you'll have an axle that is approx. 61" wms-wms and is a drivers side drop. The only drawback is this is a LP axle. Not a show stopper, but does sometimes make for some funky driveline angles. Many manyJeepers use this axle. It is the perfect width for an axle swap in a TJ, XJ, or YJ.

Keep your eyes peeled for people upgading to D60's and you may just score a built, geared
D44 for cheaper than it costs to build one.

 

[Andy in Pa]

My guess is the Chevy would be wider, don't know how much though. Ideally you would be looking for the Ford that was already converted to 6 lug. The Ford has a longer left side axle, as compared to the Waggy. I used the waggoneer set up on two Nissan Frontier conversions. Then I saw one with the Ford and was so jealous. You can probably get a lot more specifics looking at Pirate 4x4 for the D44 info.

Chevys are significantly wider, and are also a passenger side drop axle. A Chevy axle would have to be retubed to drivers side drop if used. Late 70's / mid 80's Ford D44's are also significantly wider, but are drivers side drop and can be cut down. I built a Ford 3/4 ton D44 a few years ago. It has 1/2" thick axle tubes, and was easy to cut down to Wagoneer width to use Ford Alloy outer shafts with Alloy Waggy inner shafts. No custom length shafts needed this way. It turned out to be a very stout axle that has held up well.

 

[Kotrin]

It's a very long road to be done correctly the first time. If your patient, you can get a used/junkyard just like you are wanting to do. If your really into rock crawling would it not be more advantageous to get a 'pure' crawler and tow it with the 3rd gen? I just look at the long road and see what now my body can do versus what I want to do. Where I live you can get a solid axle rig and beat the '****' out of it and not have to worry about it getting you back to school.

You are right a LT system all around would cost 6k starting, so that is true. I'm not wanting to do the fast speed over desert or anything. I enjoy doing the adventure and traveling and seeing sights. I can do almost 75% or more of MOAB and 90% of our local Brown's Camp area with my rig. I can't physically do it now, but I did a TON of it with my old manual 4Runner.

Ultimately do about 100 hours of reading, yota forum, etc. If you don't go to all chevy axles, or Toyota front (it works great) and the bolt pattern matches so you don't have to have two types of tires..

Okay i'm done...lol

 

[rossgoldie]

It's a very long road to be done correctly the first time. If your patient, you can get a used/junkyard just like you are wanting to do. If your really into rock crawling would it not be more advantageous to get a 'pure' crawler and tow it with the 3rd gen? I just look at the long road and see what now my body can do versus what I want to do. Where I live you can get a solid axle rig and beat the '****' out of it and not have to worry about it getting you back to school.



You are right a LT system all around would cost 6k starting, so that is true. I'm not wanting to do the fast speed over desert or anything. I enjoy doing the adventure and traveling and seeing sights. I can do almost 75% or more of MOAB and 90% of our local Brown's Camp area with my rig. I can't physically do it now, but I did a TON of it with my old manual 4Runner.



Ultimately do about 100 hours of reading, yota forum, etc. If you don't go to all chevy axles, or Toyota front (it works great) and the bolt pattern matches so you don't have to have two types of tires..



Okay i'm done...lol

Thanks for the response! Yea I've been torn between getting a trailer rig or building this. Problem is I can't afford a trailer rig and a trailer. Plus I doubt my 4Runner can tow that much weight up the sierras. So that would leave me with getting a road/legal trail rig which means registration and extra insurance.

I figured building my current 4Runner into a DDable mild crawler is the best option until I can get something that I can DD and tow the 4Runner behind.

As for the lug pattern, I can get hub adapters that go from 5 lug to 6 lug

 

[rossgoldie]

Jeep Wagoneers from 79 up to 91 had 6 on 5.5 bolt pattern. Same as Toys and Chevys. If you source a front waggy axle from the later year range (82-91) you'll have an axle that is approx. 61" wms-wms and is a drivers side drop. The only drawback is this is a LP axle. Not a show stopper, but does sometimes make for some funky driveline angles. Many manyJeepers use this axle. It is the perfect width for an axle swap in a TJ, XJ, or YJ.



Keep your eyes peeled for people upgading to D60's and you may just score a built, geared

D44 for cheaper than it costs to build one.

I'll keep my eyes peeled alright! I would get a toy axle but I'm not too keen on switching up my t-case to passenger side drop.