Cruise Moab - trip pics and 5th gen thoughts

[STX4Runner]

[MENTION=118321]Jetboy[/MENTION]. Came across this article on Four Wheeler yesterday and immediately remembered this thread.

This 1996 Toyota 4Runner Proves IFS Doesn?t Have to Be Weak

Looks like the Front Range 4Runner on their new high strength IFS setup. Article has a little bit more information on it so it's an interesting read. Click on the comments if you want to read a bunch on single-digit IQ responses about IFS sucking; I assume all from idiots who still tear up mud pits in K5 Blazers.

 

[Jetboy]

Yep. That's the one. It got me thinking about doing the same suspension setup on my fj40. As crazy as it may seem, I've been kicking around the idea of either modding my JF40 that I don't drive much anymore, or maybe starting from scratch and building basically a giant UTV with this type of IFS system on both ends and a Yaris 1.5L engine. Probably do an all custom aluminum chassis and shoot for 2,000lbs wet. I'm thinking at that weight the Yaris engine would be adequate, they're damn near free, and super reliable. 2,000lbs is tricky to get to when you're starting with 600lbs of tires though.

 

[STX4Runner]

Yep. That's the one. It got me thinking about doing the same suspension setup on my fj40. As crazy as it may seem, I've been kicking around the idea of either modding my JF40 that I don't drive much anymore, or maybe starting from scratch and building basically a giant UTV with this type of IFS system on both ends and a Yaris 1.5L engine. Probably do an all custom aluminum chassis and shoot for 2,000lbs wet. I'm thinking at that weight the Yaris engine would be adequate, they're damn near free, and super reliable. 2,000lbs is tricky to get to when you're starting with 600lbs of tires though.

At that point you're riding an engine with a seat on it!

 

[Jetboy]

I just don't use the fj40 much so it's wasting away. Might as well do simething with it.

This is the beginnings of an aluminum chassis parts mock up some friends built in my garage a couple years ago to accept IIRC Polaris RAZR parts. I can't find a pic of the final assembly once it was stripped back apart and finished. Looks like the black OEM frame, just lighter. It's surprising how basic they are. I was thinking of a similar 4 seat mid-engine or rear engine version. Then basically use the sheet metal from the land cruiser narrowed to fit. Keep it to something like 37-40" tires and it'd probably be a light, easily towed, UTV that can also run most of the hardcore stuff the UTVs cant do.

 

[Jetboy]

The problem is that so many of them end up like this: which is horrible for performance and probably adds very little marginal safety benefits by being way overbuilt:

The goal would be something that looks very similar to this, but with a drivetrain that I can go flog all day long and not break stuff.