4runner on 80-Series Axles?

[danthemanx07]

I have been looking at trail/wheeling rigs for the past year or so but haven't pulled the trigger on anything. I started looking for a built 80 series (lockers, armor, 35s or 37s) with some trail damage (since I plan to wheel it). Missed a few opportunities and haven't seen anything comparable in the last few months now.

Since it seems like the pickins' for 80s are getting slimmer by the day, I have started looking at 4runners with the idea of finding one that had a lift and some armor already so that I could wheel it while hoarding parts for a SAS - and learn to weld.

While cruising the interwebs for an 80 or a 4runner this past week, I stumbled upon a deal too good to pass up - locked 80 series axles for $700. I picked them up on Saturday. I could always swap them into a non-locked 80, so they wouldn't be useless even if I did find an 80. They would also be pretty nice under a 4runner too though.

A SAS 3rd gen has a lot of appeal to me. I am a lot more comfortable with the 4runner platform having owned a few along with a 1st gen Tacoma. Replacement parts - everything from engines to tie rod ends - seem easier to get. The platform seems more versatile - double cases, geared cases, various suitable transmissions, etc. I can get a passenger from drop off This only really works if I learn to weld. I can't really afford to pay someone to do all of the work involved with a SAS.

I have found two threads among the various Toyota boards where someone has done this swap. One on here and one on Mud. Wanted to post here and get some feedback from anyone that doesn't have a thread out there. SAS 3rd gens don't pop up whole lot from what I have seen, so I may be on my own for a lot of this. Wanted to post up though and see what came back.

I haven't fully developed a plan here, so I am sure there are a lot of things that I haven't thought about yet. Steering setup seems to be the biggest challenge from the little searching that I have done. Current thoughts:

Front Suspension
-4Wheel Underground 3-link
-Coilovers?

Steering
-Hellfire Knuckles of Frontrange Offroad Knuckles
-High steer?

Transfer Case
-T100 passenger side drop case

I havent yet figured out the best way to get the Land Cruiser rear axle in. A custom double cardigan driveshaft would probably make the rear work. I have been wondering whether a 100-series case would mate up to a A340F transmission though. Havent seen anyone do this, but it may be an option.

This is all just wishful thinking right now, so I am happy to hear any thoughts from someone who has done anything like this.

 

[T4R2014]

There was/is a fellow in Alabama who swapped in 80 series axles AND even swapped in an A343F with tcase setup from an 80. Can't find him but I am certain on this.

 

[sleepydad]

I have been looking at trail/wheeling rigs -
...
This is all just wishful thinking right now, so I am happy to hear any thoughts from someone who has done anything like this.

so what is the end goal?

a rock bouncer, crawler?

does it need to be street legal?

are you wanting to go fast and launch it?

IMO there is no real reason to SAS something unless you just want to have SAS, IFS has proven it's iron IMO. I agree SAS is cool, awesome, tough as nails but... it's also a big ol can of whoop arse to get it right.

 

[danthemanx07]

There was/is a fellow in Alabama who swapped in 80 series axles AND even swapped in an A343F with tcase setup from an 80. Can't find him but I am certain on this.

That may very well be one of the two that I am thinking of. I think I messaged the builder a while ago but never got a response. I know the two transmissions are very similar. May even have the same bell housing, but I believe the mounting bolt pattern from the tcase to the transmission and the spline count on the output shaft of the two are different.

so what is the end goal?

a rock bouncer, crawler?

does it need to be street legal?

are you wanting to go fast and launch it?

IMO there is no real reason to SAS something unless you just want to have SAS, IFS has proven it's iron IMO. I agree SAS is cool, awesome, tough as nails but... it's also a big ol can of whoop arse to get it right.

I guess I should have included that info in my first post. Goal is a capable rig for trails in NC that is still streetable. I don't have the tow pig for a trailer queen. No rock bouncing. I think this is possible with the 4 Wheel Underground kit and high steer. Folks running their 80 series 3-link kit have had really good on-road results. I wouldn't trust myself to build something with these goals in mind. You may be correct in terms of built or race level IFS systems, but I don't think many would rate the stock 7.5 inch IFS differential and its CV axle shafts found in 3rd gen 4runners on par with the high pinion 8" found in the 80 series. Even the larger 8" IFS differentials in the 100 series, Lexus GX, 4th gen 4runner, and later Tacomas still grenade the CV joints even if they aren't blowing out ring and pinion gears. 35s and a locker are hell on CVs.

 

[theesotericone]

35s and a locker are hell on CVs.

True but RCV's solve that issue. I wheel my rig damn hard and haven't broken a CV since installing them. I've also haven't damaged the Nitro 5.29 gears or the stub shaft. '

I'm not saying you shouldn't SAS it but there are ways to make these rigs hard trail worthy. It's not cheap but neither is a well built SAS.

 

[danthemanx07]

True but RCV's solve that issue. I wheel my rig damn hard and haven't broken a CV since installing them. I've also haven't damaged the Nitro 5.29 gears or the stub shaft. '

I'm not saying you shouldn't SAS it but there are ways to make these rigs hard trail worthy. It's not cheap but neither is a well built SAS.

Interesting. I didnt know they made axles for the 3rd gen. I only see 03 and up on their website. Guess I will check in with them and see if they are available. $2K isnt too bad for the performance you are talking about.

 

[theesotericone]

Interesting. I didnt know they made axles for the 3rd gen. I only see 03 and up on their website. Guess I will check in with them and see if they are available. $2K isnt too bad for the performance you are talking about.

They are beyond bomber. Those and a crawlbox make for a very capable off-road rig. My rigs done Dusy, Fordyce, Rubi, Swamp, Coyote, Aftershock, Upper Big Johnson, Chocolate Thunder, and a bunch of other lesser known hard trails.

It's also driven to and home from them all but once. That was the time I folded my lower link on Claw Hammer in Johnson Valley. We field repaired it with a crow bar, ratchet straps, and Gorilla tape so I could drive it the 12 miles back to a paved road. lol

 

[Ben336]

One tip to find the axles is to use the parts finder on the left of the website, after clicking "axle sets," it works for me!

 

[danthemanx07]

One tip to find the axles is to use the parts finder on the left of the website, after clicking "axle sets," it works for me!

Sum*****. That did work. Weird that selecting Toyota 4runner from the drop down menu only gets me to a set for the 4th gen. Thanks!

 

[Team_Jake]

I have to disagree with what others have said -- given the chance, I would definitely SAS rather than throw more money at an IFS. Even with RCVs, the 7.5" ring gear then becomes the weak point, and changing a diff is much more difficult than changing a CV. Also you are pretty much limited to 35s with IFS unless you want to do some very extensive firewall modifications, then you still have to deal with the weak LBJs, tie rods, rack and pinion, etc. I'm not saying you can't make the IFS strong, but with the amount of money and work needed to get there would be nearly the same effort to SAS, but a SAS gives you much more room to grow in future. If you are willing to put in the effort to SAS, I say go for it!

Check out yotarhino on Instagram, when he first built his 3rd gen he used 80 series axles front and rear, but on leafs. Also check out Slee's high steer arms if you want a cheaper alternative to Hellfire Knuckles (which I understand has a 6 month wait time or something like that).

 

[phattyduck]

Front and rear diffs are offset to passenger, so you'd need the correct transfer case - and then figure out how you are getting the exhaust by the driveshaft /transfer case on that side (note how they run the exhaust on an '80...). The rear link setup is different, so lots of mods in the rear too.

-Charlie

 

[danthemanx07]

Front and rear diffs are offset to passenger, so you'd need the correct transfer case - and then figure out how you are getting the exhaust by the driveshaft /transfer case on that side (note how they run the exhaust on an '80...). The rear link setup is different, so lots of mods in the rear too.

-Charlie

T100 case will bolt right up and is a passenger drop. Can pick that up dirt cheap. That fixed the front. Rear might be cured with a custom driveshaft. I know of at least a handful that have gone that route. Havent been under a 3rd gen in a while, but I figured there might be some exhaust manipulation needed. Would probably go to a fabricated link setup in the rear too. Would have to something to get anything in there other than a diamond axle anyway though.

 

[RandyBobandy]

The proper exhaust solution is a hood exit

 

[G_Raw]

Oh make this happen! 80 series axles, t100 drive train, custom drive shafts, high steer, hood exhaust. If nothing else you have a project folks like me want watch happen. Is it the most practical ? Probably not...But look how many of us took 2wd 4runners and converted them to 4wd... people told us not to do that too. Honestly this sounds like a project I would take on if time and money permitted. Some of us just like to go against the grain whether the result is worth it or not.

Pulling it off though and dealing with the trans tcase situation to make things work. I'd imagine something like a 1uz to A343 to LX 450 tcase maybe. You know to get some power in there to help turn those wheels and axles.

But now we are going down a rabbit hole. Either way I'm here to watch what you come up with.

 

[phattyduck]

T100 case will bolt right up and is a passenger drop. Can pick that up dirt cheap. That fixed the front. Rear might be cured with a custom driveshaft. I know of at least a handful that have gone that route. Havent been under a 3rd gen in a while, but I figured there might be some exhaust manipulation needed. Would probably go to a fabricated link setup in the rear too. Would have to something to get anything in there other than a diamond axle anyway though.

That might be ok offroad, but that is some pretty serious angle for the rear u-joint for high speed operation. An LC transfer case is likely a better bet.

-Charlie

 

[danthemanx07]

​

The proper exhaust solution is a hood exit

Hahaha. That would be something. Only thing I would need to take full advantage of that would be a Cummins swap!

Oh make this happen! 80 series axles, t100 drive train, custom drive shafts, high steer, hood exhaust. If nothing else you have a project folks like me want watch happen. Is it the most practical ? Probably not...But look how many of us took 2wd 4runners and converted them to 4wd... people told us not to do that too. Honestly this sounds like a project I would take on if time and money permitted. Some of us just like to go against the grain whether the result is worth it or not.

Well I am certainly not made of time or money, but I am not so sure that buying and building an 80 series (which is what I started looking for) or some other solid axle Toyota would be any cheaper. I think the front 3-link system that I am thinking of using would out perform the front 80 suspension setup anyway. The cheapest thing to do would be to buy something already built but buying someone else's project doesnt always go well either. And there arent tons of solid axle rigs floating around on this platform that are setup with coils in the front.

 

[G_Raw]

​

Well I am certainly not made of time or money, but I am not so sure that buying and building an 80 series (which is what I started looking for) or some other solid axle Toyota would be any cheaper. I think the front 3-link system that I am thinking of using would out perform the front 80 suspension setup anyway. The cheapest thing to do would be to buy something already built but buying someone else's project doesnt always go well either. And there arent tons of solid axle rigs floating around on this platform that are setup with coils in the front.

None of us are made of time or money. Yea you buy someone else's projects you also buy their problems and mess ups. I'm definately a fan of doing it yourself from the get go. I agree with the 3 link idea. Maybe leaves in the rear to keep fab work to a minimum. I'd be stoked to see a 3rd gen with v8 ( I know that's not in you plans yet...im trying to plant the seed :hatsoff sitting on LC axles. That thing would and like I said I'd do it. Who knows maybe if you put a build thread together I'll follow your lead in a bit.

I know a dude who runs a Sami with a 5vz (maybe a 3rz?) on LC axles with full exo skeleton and he gets through any and everything. I can ask him what he runs trans/tcase wise...obviously the drive shafts are moot since I know his are custom.

 

[danthemanx07]

That might be ok offroad, but that is some pretty serious angle for the rear u-joint for high speed operation. An LC transfer case is likely a better bet.

-Charlie

You may be right. Seems there are a few folks that have done it without issue up to highway speeds though.

1998 4runner build | Pirate 4x4

There is another user in this thread that seemed to have no problems either. Haven't dug around much further.

 

[danthemanx07]

None of us are made of time or money. Yea you buy someone else's projects you also buy their problems and mess ups. I'm definately a fan of doing it yourself from the get go. I agree with the 3 link idea. Maybe leaves in the rear to keep fab work to a minimum. I'd be stoked to see a 3rd gen with v8 ( I know that's not in you plans yet...im trying to plant the seed :hatsoff sitting on LC axles. That thing would and like I said I'd do it. Who knows maybe if you put a build thread together I'll follow your lead in a bit.

I know a dude who runs a Sami with a 5vz (maybe a 3rz?) on LC axles with full exo skeleton and he gets through any and everything. I can ask him what he runs trans/tcase wise...obviously the drive shafts are moot since I know his are custom.

I have had a few Samurais - so that idea crossed my mind too. I would like to be able to bring my kids along with me for wheeling though, so a 4Runner is much better suited. Your friend's setup sound awesome though. May be I should just ditch the kids??

Have you seen the few 2uz swaps here and on TTORA? It is definitely doable. Solid axle too? Would be sick.

 

[G_Raw]

I have had a few Samurais - so that idea crossed my mind too. I would like to be able to bring my kids along with me for wheeling though, so a 4Runner is much better suited. Your friend's setup sound awesome though. May be I should just ditch the kids??

Have you seen the few 2uz swaps here and on TTORA? It is definitely doable. Solid axle too? Would be sick.

Haha I wasn't thinking you need to ditch the kids. I was thinking I'm pretty sure my friend runs a 5vz motor and I know he runs 80 series axles on the Sami so he can shed some light probably about the trans and tcase solutions.

Yes I've seen the uz swaps. Thought about it myself since im in need of an engine. But is just finished my 4x4 conversion ( waiting on front diff regear actually. And starting a manual hub swap). So I didn't want to deal with pulling the trans and tcase again to line up with the UZ. So a super charger maybe in my future if I need power gains.