Im starting to get the 2.5yr blues...solid front axle swap or lt1 ls1 v8 swap?

[Kotrin]

did you also notice this thing is on 1 ton axles!?! AWESOME!:jaw drop:

That's what I plan to do in about 3-5 years to my runner. I miss my hardcore crawling days and the ability of one side flexing versus the other just absorbing and not countering...but will be over time and I'll do it myself. Cost about 2k to do it yourself.

 

[AddictedOffroad]

Leafs don't suck, but on a Taco or 3rd gen 4runner, they make it too tall IMO.

FWIW, $2500 to SAS a Taco or 3rd gen is laughable. Try $8-10K to do it right just on leaf springs. Linking it would be even more $$$. That would be regearing it, lockers, axle, steering, shocks, springs, brakes, driveshafts, etc. Ask the majority who does it what they spend. Its normally at least $8000 and they do the labor themselves.

And, a D44 is just not a good axle to use IMO. It limits you to 4.88s or running mismatched gearing. 5.38s up front and 5.29s in the rear. The pinion angle will suck, so it will require a cut and turn to run a single case as well. It also costs more in the long run to build than a Diamond axle would. Yes, you'll spend more building a $100 junk yard axle than a Diamond if you build them the same.

Even a low leaf spring lift will clear 37s easily on a Taco or 3rd gen with a SAS.

Heck, if you have $20-30K to spend on a bad ass, fast SAS'd 4runner, you should just buy mine. You can't come close to building one for that price.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/sale-...ffroads-2000-4runner-linked-locked-built.html

 

[AddictedOffroad]

still more
View attachment 50319

View attachment 50320
here he has a passenger side front diff, but thats only because hes using an atlas dual case transfer case set up so the dump is on the other side...
View attachment 50321

View attachment 50322
atlas twin sticks...

That is not an Atlas. He is running dual gear driven Tcases. Those are Trail-Gear twin sticks.

He pretty much copied my build, but with 1-tons. I talked to him on several occasions prior to the build and during it. He picked my brain a lot doing that build.

That is easily a $30K build right there.

 

[Edubsam]

Pop a LT kit in there, SC it, and drive 80 through the desert. Jump some dunes. If you're wanting to go fast and still wheel, that's what I would do.

My long, very long, term plan is to LT. I have a few sets of dunes around, but not much in the way of crawling.

 

[the great him]

That is not an Atlas. He is running dual gear driven Tcases. Those are Trail-Gear twin sticks.

He pretty much copied my build, but with 1-tons. I talked to him on several occasions prior to the build and during it. He picked my brain a lot doing that build.

That is easily a $30K build right there.

oh good to know, i thought they looked familiar, but figured with all that money he dumped into it that he would go gone with something like an atlas or inchworm, but i knew it wasnt an inchworm.

 

[Rc4r]

Leafs don't suck

.

I'm just refuring mossyrunners on some other site. He bent his leafs in half

 

[AddictedOffroad]

.

I'm just refuring mossyrunners on some other site. He bent his leafs in half

Well, they will bend without having bump stops setup correctly. And, they still have a shelf life when wheeled. Just saying that there are TONs of SAS'd rig with leafs that get wheeled really hard that hold up just fine.

 

[catalina34]

Thanks for the opinions guys.

Looks like im gonna hold off on a v8 swap. I dont NEED the power for crawling, and if i want something fast im going to look into buying a second vehicle, something suited towards that purpose.

As far as the SAS, i suppose doing it right the first time is obviously the way to go. Im still interested in finding out if people have noticed an MPG difference with the SAS. Id be suprised if no one has ever logged it before and then after the swap. But maybe the lack of input is pretty much my indicator to just leave it the way it is if im not gonna crawl or seriously offroad it.

I guess im just looking for the next big mod to keep me interested since i can never seem to leave well enough alone. Thats probably a sign that i need to prioritize on other things right now.

You want a fast SUV pick up one of these and start modding...

 

[Whackmaster]

I had a 2001 DC Tacoma SAS and it cost me right at $8k and I supplied the axle. It had leafs.....A guy in the Woodlands did it but I wouldn't recommend him.( that is all I'll say about that)

 

[240m3srt]

I always thought those cyclones were cool!

I have all the info i need from this thread now to determine what you guys said up front, for what im doing SAS is not necessary but moreover it sounds like to do it RIGHT is a pretty penny with parts and labor.

Currently have my eyes set on a 10 sec Mercedes or TransAm. Gonna keep this as daily driver or might eventually trade it to my friend.

Once again i appreciate all the input.