So I am working on collecting all the info to do a SAS with leaf springs. Why leaf's? Well, they are cheap! I don't rock crawl, leaves are very easy to setup and maintain, and will get you about anywhere you want to go. Don't expect me to throw this together overnight, will be several months in the making minimum, but I thought I would share with everyone.
-I am still trying to figure out what axles to use. I originally thought LandCruiser 9.5 but I am not finding any local and I am doing this as cheaply as possible so no buying new built axles either. I have also thought about some Dana 44 or 60 axles out of a pickup as they are much more readily available, but haven't decided on this yet as I have a ton of stuff to pull together still.
-From 3rd gen 4Runner, 1st gen Tacoma sas's and such I have seen everyone using older rig IFS steering box's so that is my plan here.
-Spring perches are readily available to buy cheap, and are also pretty easily made with a little cutting and welding fabrication.
-Older gens had it all figured out for amount and lift but I won't have that. I'm not sure how much lift I would get out of a standard set of leaves but longer shackles (to a point) can provide some lift as well as actually making the mounts lower under the frame to push the leaves lower. I am going for 6" of lift to clear 37-39" tires.
-I plan on running Chevy 63" springs in the rear if the frame length will allow it (haven't measured yet so don't know how long I can use yet) Older gens convert to these and get some crazy articulation with them! :uzi:
-The front springs will only be able to be 43" long max unless I make some bracketry and push the front leaf mount out past the front of the spring. ( I eyeballed wheel center and measured 21-22" of frame to the front.)
-I'm trying to decide what to do with the transfer case. If I use the existing one it will always spin the front end, but with hub lockouts unlocked won't be in 4wd technically. I don't want to spend the money on a Marlin lefty because it is overkill for what I do, but it may be something I have to do. I need to find out if there is an adapter to hook a different TC to the 5spd Auto in my truck and if so I could get a good used one much cheaper.
-Not sure what to do about abs lights and all that yet either. I asked Crozhawk over on Toyota120 what he did and he told me to contact RockSolidToys as they should know or have some idea's. I don't mind losing the abs, wish I could keep it but from as far as I can tell it's not going to happen.
-I also messaged a guy on the TTORA board that has some mad skillz and made a cantilever for his rear axle. He converted to springs and has some crazy long travel droop! He desert races. Here's a link: How to ruin a 2008 4Runner - TTORA Forum
-Whatever axles I find need to have disc brakes. This should give me the stopping power I need as they will most likely be off a ford superduty.
I know there are tons more little things needed, just starting my thought process here, and showing my addiction while I'm at it! Any thoughts, questions, advice, etc is always welcome and encouraged! And if any of you big bad offroad companies want to help a guy out with some sponsoring and such, I'm all for it!!!
-I am still trying to figure out what axles to use. I originally thought LandCruiser 9.5 but I am not finding any local and I am doing this as cheaply as possible so no buying new built axles either. I have also thought about some Dana 44 or 60 axles out of a pickup as they are much more readily available, but haven't decided on this yet as I have a ton of stuff to pull together still.
-From 3rd gen 4Runner, 1st gen Tacoma sas's and such I have seen everyone using older rig IFS steering box's so that is my plan here.
-Spring perches are readily available to buy cheap, and are also pretty easily made with a little cutting and welding fabrication.
-Older gens had it all figured out for amount and lift but I won't have that. I'm not sure how much lift I would get out of a standard set of leaves but longer shackles (to a point) can provide some lift as well as actually making the mounts lower under the frame to push the leaves lower. I am going for 6" of lift to clear 37-39" tires.
-I plan on running Chevy 63" springs in the rear if the frame length will allow it (haven't measured yet so don't know how long I can use yet) Older gens convert to these and get some crazy articulation with them! :uzi:
-The front springs will only be able to be 43" long max unless I make some bracketry and push the front leaf mount out past the front of the spring. ( I eyeballed wheel center and measured 21-22" of frame to the front.)
-I'm trying to decide what to do with the transfer case. If I use the existing one it will always spin the front end, but with hub lockouts unlocked won't be in 4wd technically. I don't want to spend the money on a Marlin lefty because it is overkill for what I do, but it may be something I have to do. I need to find out if there is an adapter to hook a different TC to the 5spd Auto in my truck and if so I could get a good used one much cheaper.
-Not sure what to do about abs lights and all that yet either. I asked Crozhawk over on Toyota120 what he did and he told me to contact RockSolidToys as they should know or have some idea's. I don't mind losing the abs, wish I could keep it but from as far as I can tell it's not going to happen.
-I also messaged a guy on the TTORA board that has some mad skillz and made a cantilever for his rear axle. He converted to springs and has some crazy long travel droop! He desert races. Here's a link: How to ruin a 2008 4Runner - TTORA Forum
-Whatever axles I find need to have disc brakes. This should give me the stopping power I need as they will most likely be off a ford superduty.
I know there are tons more little things needed, just starting my thought process here, and showing my addiction while I'm at it! Any thoughts, questions, advice, etc is always welcome and encouraged! And if any of you big bad offroad companies want to help a guy out with some sponsoring and such, I'm all for it!!!
