I'm so torn between this decision:(

[Dirtyfingers]

Once I have my CVs fixed which could be tomorrow. I'm thinking it'll be time to start adding new mods to the list. But alas there can only be ONE! Not really I'm just not sure what I want. I'm thinking about doing a SAS with the Dana 44 axle, but I also want to go with a supercharger. I've been doing my reserch and I can't really justify spending so much for 70+ hp...yeah I know if you have the ISR, headers, 7th, smaller pully, cat back, IK22s, the list could go on................ I'm not sure if I want to put 4k+ into an engine that I might end up swapping out with a v8 anyways. So that brings me to the SAS. I have started doing my reserch on that as well.

The choices would be radial arm, which if I'm not mistaken gives the longer travel then the 3 link. And the 4 link SAS. To get some help on a little bit of reserch, I'll be doing most of the labor myself and I'm having a buddy of mine help me with welding.

Now I know what you might be thinking, "Dirty, why do you want to replace your IFS? You're going to lose the comfort of your 4runner and lose turning radius...ect ect..." I know. I didn't buy my runner to be something that is smooth and soft and fluffy with pink furry ears...it's a mans kind of vehical with all around zombie killing awesomeness!!! It deserves a solid front axle for the rocks it's going to crush in it's bear grill! Hehe punny. All seriousness back on the feild. I want to be able to run 37s in the future with a 4.7v8 and not worry about cracking the cv axles. Now I know there's also things I need to consider with the solid axles like buffing them up. But in time it will be upgraded.

I'm just seeking guidence. I know that our 3.4 is a very reliable engine and I want to keep it as long as possible. But what I want from my truck might be asking to much of either component. The engine will get tired one day and need to be put to rest, and the IFS will lose it's pourpose. I just want to know what parts I should start collecting. Someone give me guidence.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Just a thought but doesn't a super charger add value to the truck vs. SAS lowering the value.

All seriousness back on the feild. I want to be able to run 37s in the future with a 4.7v8 and not worry about cracking the cv axles. Now I know there's also things I need to consider with the solid axles like buffing them up. But in time it will be upgraded

The 4Runner is the wrong platform for this if that is what you really want to do. 37s and v8 wow ... better sell your 4Runner and get a different truck, unless you have $10k for these mods. The tires alone would cost $2,000.

The engine will get tired one day and need to be put to rest, and the IFS will lose it's purpose.

I've always preferred to have a vehicle that is QUITE capable offroad but not a BEAST. By doing this over the years I have been able to keep my truck (owned it for 10+ years now) and will keep it in the future. If I had done some of the crazy cool stuff like you suggest then there is no way I could keep the truck.

I say this because you are relatively younger guy. The more you mod your truck so it is difficult to use as a DD, the more likely you are to get rid of it in the next few years. I assume you won't stay in the Navy till retirement. College may call on you .... a job and longer commute, wife or GF or kids to haul around.

A lot of the "very capable" trucks on this forum (say on 33s) are perfectly good daily drivers but work great offroad. If you do super awesome mods like you suggest then the rig will be a lot less of an "all around" rig and more of a once a month fun kind of rig. At that point and after a few years, many guys have to sell their "giant awesome" rigs because at 13 MPG they are totally impractical for normal DD use.

So in summary: stick with the 33s and go with the super-charger. Forget the 37s, V8 swap and SAS.

just my 2-cents.

 

[downpour11]

You got alotttttta reading to do if you're thinking about a solid axle swap. Link setups are $$$$$ you'll have ~$4k just into the front axle as well.

You're going to have to beef up a lot of stuff as well to handle the torque from the v8.

Kinda sounds like you want a buggy.

Start here: Toyota - Tacoma - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

and here: Link suspensions for dummies? - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

And since you'll be using coil overs, then read here: BillaVista.com-Coilover Bible Part 1 Tech Article by BillaVista

then here: BillaVista.com-Coilover Bible Part 2 Tech Article by BillaVista

here as well: BillaVista.com-Suspension Link Construction Tech Article by BillaVista

this: BillaVista.com-Suspension Joints Tech Article by BillaVista

maybe this: BillaVista.com-Dana 44 Hy-Steer Tech Article by BillaVista


Just a start, to point ya in the right direction. :cheers:

 

[Illestreker]

maybe consider doing a mild SAS setup. For example swap the complete front end of a landcruiser but upgrade the springs and shocks and a few other misc. pieces. By going with a setup like this it is much more DD friendly, possibly easier and cheaper to accomplish yourself compared to a difficult link setup to dial in correctly. The wheel travel wont be insane, but it will be much greater than IFS and more durable too.

once you have this basic setup completed you can always upgrade it with coilovers too. Or cut deeper into and modify into a link setup if you felt it was completely necessary .

 

[Dirtyfingers]

[MENTION=65101]BrianSD_42[/MENTION], I see what you're saying. I'm only saying this because I might end up doing the supercharger. SAS is a good idea for another time I know. But like you said I'm young yes, and I may or may not have a future family to worry about. I'm planning on keeping it for a long time. Maybe later on when I get a second car I can do more insane mods. I guess I can just start searching for supercharger parts.

 

[4Running Daily]

HA! To Brian thinking SAS decrease value

 

[BrianSD_42]

I'm planning on keeping it for a long time.

This is really the driving force behind my comment. The more monster truck-ish your 4Runner becomes, the less practical it is for long term DD or part time DD use.

 

[Dous]

I have 8k into my SAS right now, and I will clear 9k easy.

It is a lot of work, and a lot of money.

As for a SAS reducing the value....heck no! Well SAS'd rigs sell for pretty big bucks, custom fabrication is expensive. I saw a leaf spring SAS'd Tacoma sell for $13k, and it was beat to crap, and poorly done.

 

[ADH8796]

Unless you have a lot of time, money, and a good knowledge of suspension geometry I'd say go with the supercharger. It's a great mod, doesn't take a lot of work, and will help the value of your runner if you decide to sell later down the road.

I love having a SAS runner it's everything I hoped it would be. But it's a huge step, takes a lot of money, a lot of perpetration, a lot of work, and well the list goes on. I'm happy with my decision but I also have no intensions on ever selling it.

Hope this helps a little.

 

[Dirtyfingers]

I think I'm going to keep the SAS on the back burner.

 

[LittleCaesar]

I'm am with Brian on this one only because we are both in our 30s and can attest that we want our dollars to be able to purchase the most goods possible without breaking the bank (except for some new red Dlinks). But as Dous points out, there are niche markets for such a modded vehicle.

If you have the escrow, and don't have to account for any major expenses soon, the time is now to do it.

 

[PaperweightNate]

My roommate just picked up an 85 yota, 36,s, high steer, 22re, custom bobbed diamond plate bed, every bell and whistle you could possibly want.. $3500.. Had to install the high steer and flip the oil pan so it wouldn't hit the arms.. If you want an SAS truck, buy an SAS truck.. Less work and more time to actually use the damn thing.. Plus you wont feel bad when you use a tree to get that hairpin turn you need to make...

 

[snivilous]

My roommate just picked up an 85 yota, 36,s, high steer, 22re, custom bobbed diamond plate bed, every bell and whistle you could possibly want.. $3500.. Had to install the high steer and flip the oil pan so it wouldn't hit the arms.. If you want an SAS truck, buy an SAS truck.. Less work and more time to actually use the damn thing.. Plus you wont feel bad when you use a tree to get that hairpin turn you need to make...

Course, you will feel bad you ****ied out and didn't do it yourself :bounce:

You should LT it, it'll be more comfortable on road, more comfortable offroad, more capable offroad, and might be cheaper

[MENTION=89531]Cartzo[/MENTION] sweet reasoning right?

 

[white_n_slow]

Most people will tell you that a Dana44 will not hold up to 37's over time, and at the cost to build one, you could go with a diamond axle, ruffstuff or TG housing. No offense intended to the folks on this forum running the D44

Another thought: if this truck is not meant to have pink fuzzy ears (whatever that means ) and you are relatively inexperienced, you may want to run leaf springs instead of links or radius arms. Way easier to set up. I have read too many stories of people building an "awesome custom 3-link with panhard" only to find that it handles like crap, burns through tires, or will steer you off the road when you hit a pothole. With leaf springs, really the only geometry you have to pay attention to is the pinion angle and the castor. My $.02

:edit:

My roommate just picked up an 85 yota, 36,s, high steer, 22re, custom bobbed diamond plate bed, every bell and whistle you could possibly want.. $3500.. Had to install the high steer and flip the oil pan so it wouldn't hit the arms.. If you want an SAS truck, buy an SAS truck.. Less work and more time to actually use the damn thing.. Plus you wont feel bad when you use a tree to get that hairpin turn you need to make...

That's great if it's just for wheeling, but drive around much in a 100hp toyota with large tires, and you will soon get sick of it. No amount of gearing can compensate for a truck that was way underpowered a quarter century ago. I have owned a solid-axle mini truck and an FJ60. While the 60 was *almost* tolerable to drive around, it was still pretty pathetic in the mountains. The mini couldn't even maintain speed on a flat highway if there was a headwind. If you get an older truck with proper off-roading running gear, you will need to engine swap. If you get a newer truck with IFS, you will need to SAS. Unfortunately, nothing in the world exists to bridge this fundamental pitfall unless you want to drive a J**p :barf:

 

[98OzarksRunner]

Just a thought but doesn't a super charger add value to the truck vs. SAS lowering the value.

The 4Runner is the wrong platform for this if that is what you really want to do. 37s and v8 wow ... better sell your 4Runner and get a different truck, unless you have $10k for these mods. The tires alone would cost $2,000.


I've always preferred to have a vehicle that is QUITE capable offroad but not a BEAST. By doing this over the years I have been able to keep my truck (owned it for 10+ years now) and will keep it in the future. If I had done some of the crazy cool stuff like you suggest then there is no way I could keep the truck.

I say this because you are relatively younger guy. The more you mod your truck so it is difficult to use as a DD, the more likely you are to get rid of it in the next few years. I assume you won't stay in the Navy till retirement. College may call on you .... a job and longer commute, wife or GF or kids to haul around.

A lot of the "very capable" trucks on this forum (say on 33s) are perfectly good daily drivers but work great offroad. If you do super awesome mods like you suggest then the rig will be a lot less of an "all around" rig and more of a once a month fun kind of rig. At that point and after a few years, many guys have to sell their "giant awesome" rigs because at 13 MPG they are totally impractical for normal DD use.

So in summary: stick with the 33s and go with the super-charger. Forget the 37s, V8 swap and SAS.

just my 2-cents.

I agree. If you want SAS, spend $6500 and get a REAL nice 80 series LC. For that money I've seen some already set up with bumpers and a winch. That's a lot less work, less money, and you'll have a more capable vehicle (but less gas mileage), and come out a lot of money ahead when you decide to sell it.

 

[the great him]

For the money you're spend in SASing your rig, id say buy some RCV axles, a couple ARB lockers regear to 488, run some 35s, and SC your truck. Then take it out wheeling ill be you it will go most places any SAS 3rd gen will go -sure you might have to take a different line but who cares, you ended up at the same place. later on down the road if you decide that you really do want to SAS it, then you can sell your RCVs and that front diff with a ARB and 488s and use that money to help fund your SAS. but in the mean time you have had fun with your rig and done what it can do.

Personally I think SASing a 3rd gen is not practical and there are better suited rigs for that, like 2nd or 3rd gen pickups... So many people have done this to them, its been way more documented, there are kits that are already made exactly for these trucks that take all the guess work out if it ect. And really it doesn't hurt the value of the trucks -they are already as low as they are gonna get. SASing doesn't always hurt the value, no, but if not done right it can and will. Personally I would not touch a SAS truck that is 95 or newer if it didn't have coils and links... Leaf springs are good, but old school, and easy, nothing special... It's like half-assing it if you ask me.

To the guys here who have done SASs on their rigs, they have all invested way more into their rigs than they are worth in just parts(and I'm sure they all looked for the best deals to be had) and then they all had the knowledge or the access to the knowledge to do the work, and do it right. Their rigs are done well and are exceptions to my thinking. most of them probably have a secondary vehicle for dd duties, and or they live in and area that permits the vehicle that they have made. It's not for everyone. I own a solid axle truck, I love it, but its not a dd for a reason, and I really dont think its anymore capable than my runner.

 

[Cartzo]

Course, you will feel bad you ****ied out and didn't do it yourself :bounce:

You should LT it, it'll be more comfortable on road, more comfortable offroad, more capable offroad, and might be cheaper

[MENTION=89531]Cartzo[/MENTION] sweet reasoning right?

Couldn't have said it better myself

 

[Clownmeat]

but I also want to go with a supercharger. I've been doing my reserch and I can't really justify spending so much for 70+ hp...

I got ~70hp for $800. Just need a welder, some simple tools, and not have to pass an emissions test.

 

[bpowa]

I got ~70hp for $800. Just need a welder, some simple tools, and not have to pass an emissions test.

Care to share the secret?

OP.. just get a supercharger and get it over with..

If you go SAS just ask yourself what kind of wheeling do you do?
Is it your only vehicle?
Plan on keeping it for a long time?
Or just save the money.
Or just but a SAS truck and wheel it?

I personally like the rack and pinion steering instead of links. Used for a DD. I probably never look into a SAS. Im not a hardcore offroader.:bolt:

 

[Clownmeat]

Care to share the secret?

Sure.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/99742-clownmeats-build-thread.html