IFS + Front Locker Article...informative!

[lhsoulrebel]

Rd90

I'm very happy with my locked front end.... I baby it a bit, but it's also taken its fare share of abuse. I read the article previously mentioned, did an exhausting amount of research, and chose to go with the rd 90. It's got about 15k miles on it so far with a solid 1k off road( some pretty narly stuff, and i use it as my daily driver) . Works perfectly. (I also chose not to lock the rear end). As was mentioned in another post, you just use common sense, don't lock it and step on the gas when you know it's going to stress the set up. A locked front end will compensate for the fact that we (most 4runer owners), don't have the articulation and traction, of solid axel front end vehicles. I've yet to come to an obstacle that has it hasn't gotten over (except for the one time I got stuck in 2 feet of mud.... But then few vehicles wouldn't).

 

[beefyjw]

My experience

I run a 1991 V6 Pickup with the 7.5" IFS. I have a 3" lift with 33"x12.5" tires. I am very much not nice to it....i do consider myself a good driver.

The truck used to have a Detroit limited slip/aussie locker in front. With this set up it sucessfully snapped a front axle shaft, ruined the limited slip, and setup the manual locking hubs (converted from auto hubs) for the next failure. I felt like the limited slip was a bad idea. I would be in a situation with one tire spinning, then everything would catch really quick, and it caused a lot of bouncing and ultimately i blamed it for snapping the front axle.

I have since put a spartan full locker in the front and repaired everything. I have torn off the manual hubs on both sides twice (sheared off 6 stock bolts and the 2 studs) from the wheel plate. read-V6 has a lot of power. I have since replaced the wheel plates and installed new aisin manual hubs using ARP high-strength bolts and added 4 pins each (6 bolts + 6 pins each). That should solve the problem with 33's. I've also broken my idler arm from the steering while driving quickly over moderately rough hill terrain.

Interesting note... I've broken a lot of stuff, but never a cv joint, never a tie rod.

Advice...
1) Locking the front puts really serious stress on the IFS. It's great traction, but you better be willing to beef up your rig, or fix stuff.
2) When i can afford it i am still planning on installing high strength CV/axles in the front
3) I don't plan on running bigger than 35's
4) Drive slow, smart, and careful. It's a different rig. When you are open diff, you have to keep your momentum and sometimes brute force your way through, or gas it and pray...once your locked, this is a very bad idea. Take everything slow, think about what your truck is doing, and find your way through intelligently. If your locker meets full traction on a big rock and just doesn't move forward, don't keep trying. Don't apply all your power.
5) Get low gearing (crawler or 4.7). Even though it will increase the power you apply to the parts, it will help you drive slower and smoother and therefore break stuff less.

 

[Range]

An old thread but I'm bumping it for great info on IFS and lockers.

 

[wfo9]

Inaccurate info in the first post, IMHO. While IFS does have issues with weak CVs, there is no reason not to run a locker if you have any semblance of knowing how to wheel your rig and keep it together.

In fact. I would argue that most fully locked IFS rigs have half the breakage of those just locked in the rear... The lockers allow you to crawl most obstacles and go much slower and controlled (the fast as necessary ends up being not very fast) . Shock loads break parts, period.... Have you watched the stress that brake activated limited slip (like ATRAC) can put on the CVs...?

Even the old first gen 4runners do pretty good with IFS and lockers. The CVs in those old trucks are weak, but the rest of it holds together pretty good since they are so light. I have friends who beat the heck out of their first gens with lockers. CVs break here and there and are clearly the weak link, but besides that they work. Same with all the other generations.

The 4th and 5th gens have an 8" ring gear that is pretty stout.. It compares well with the high pinion 8" from the 80 series although obviously not in a solid axle housing. I think the carrier barring is actually the same.

 

[2cooler]

totally agree, a good read

 

[KnobbyLife]

There you go, Toyotas are better than your average vehicle.

Hell yes

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

 

[nedceifus]

Ifs

Great Wright up Jarred!

 

[aemravan]

I think its time to remove this from the sticky or at least correct the title to "mis-informative"

to claim that adding a front locker to an IFS rig is going to destroy parts is absolute insanity. If you think its scary watching tie-rods/suspension oscillate while going up locked, try the same unlocked with ATRAC kicking in lol.

If you wheel with any sorts of brain and less skinny pedal, having a front locker will help prevent lots of common trail break-downs seen in the IFS rigs. Just the simple fact that you can reduce, or in most cases fully eliminate, excessive wheel speed and get over the obstacle with ease will prevent you from blowing out CV axles and tie rods.

But if you're the guy who slaps a front locker in your rig, engages it and goes pavement cruising, then yes, I agree 100% with the article lol.

 

[thesmugglare]

I think its time to remove this from the sticky or at least correct the title to "mis-informative"

to claim that adding a front locker to an IFS rig is going to destroy parts is absolute insanity. If you think its scary watching tie-rods/suspension oscillate while going up locked, try the same unlocked with ATRAC kicking in lol.

If you wheel with any sorts of brain and less skinny pedal, having a front locker will help prevent lots of common trail break-downs seen in the IFS rigs. Just the simple fact that you can reduce, or in most cases fully eliminate, excessive wheel speed and get over the obstacle with ease will prevent you from blowing out CV axles and tie rods.

But if you're the guy who slaps a front locker in your rig, engages it and goes pavement cruising, then yes, I agree 100% with the article lol.

"Your psycho neighbor isn't going to be running on the trail very long before he breaks his locked 7 1/2-inch Toyota front end with his 42-inch tires. But how about the guy who plows your driveway that only engages his selectable front IFS locker to gain traction when there's too much snow mass to push? He'll probably tell you he's never had a problem."

Well, did you read the first part of the article? They say that not everyone will break parts with their front locked rig, but some will. Depending on how you use it. I don't find the article "miss-informative" at all, I found it helpful.

 

[Addislaphy]

Are you aware of any specific modifications or upgrades to strengthen the tie rods in the 4th Gen IFS, considering they are thinner than the 3rd Gen ones?