Long Travel vs Solid Front Axle

[4runit]

I don't have the cash or time to do either suspension mods, but I was just curious what everyone thought was better. I know it mostly depends on what kind of wheeling you do, but what is the best setup for:

-durability
-off road capability
-daily driving
-overlanding

 

[DeTwizzle]

Depends on the application like you said.

If your gonna be jumping ur vehicle, I would say long-travel system.
if rockcrawling.... id say solid front axle.

As for ride quality and handling I couldnt say since I dont have either on my superunner.

 

[Duhockey]

Im guessing that Long arm is gonna be better for ride, but yeah, its all about application with those two.

although, I have a suspicion that the long arm might be better "rockcrawling" than most expect. I actually would love to see a long arm 4runner up against a SAS runner.

 

[nquaint]

I cant find the link to an online article, but one of the off road magazines tested a IFS and SAS 4runner against each other on the same difficult trail and they both came out with the same results... If you have money burning a hole in your pocket I'd go with the long travel IFS.

 

[Gerdo]

Here is the way I see it.

-durability.... SAS, there are lots of direct custom built housings that you could use or a Dana 44. Then choose upgraded axles and diff.
LT still uses CV axles and the stock Diff (not that the stock diff is that weak but the CVs can be)

-off road capability.... SAS does great rock crawling, LT should do well but a well setup SAS will keep the tires on the ground longer

-daily driving.... LT will give a smoother, "more stock" ride. Typically SAS will be a higher setup and will not handle as well.

-overlanding.... Again LT will give a smoother, "more stock" ride. Again typically SAS will be a higher setup and will be harder to work in and around the vehicle (access for cooking, loading and camping).

SAS does great with rock crawling (durability and flex).
LT does great with high speed desert racing type of travel.

Sure either can do great with the above requirements if setup right. Either can also fail if setup poorly.

You have to set your priority's and head in that direction. There will be compromises in any vehicle that is not 100% specific to one activity.

These are just some opinions and many have made their setup work great for all of the above.

 

[1985taylor1925]

Baja trucks use IFS. A completely different catagory than rock climbing. And a million times more thrilling!

 

[J-money$$$]

Baja trucks use IFS. A completely different catagory than rock climbing. And a million times more thrilling!

i disagree
Ultra 4 racing generally uses solid axle rigs, and is considered harder than baja among the drivers. King of the Hammer google the video

 

[nquaint]

IMO there is quite a large difference between a 4runner and a rock buggy like in that video. Sure, a solid front axle will be better with crawling when your driving a custom built buggy that is not street legal. I think when your building off of a 4runner, you need to realize that there are limits to what kind of results you will get. Long travel IFS is the best bet for an all around decent wheeling rig with good road manners.

 

[JWaldz]

I truly don't think there is a better than the other answer here.. it DOES come down to what you're using your vehicle for.

Each has it's own perks. There are reasons why people build dedicated offroad vehicles the way they do.

 

[Elton H]

id go buy a 82 for like 1500 bucks it be cheaper than to sas

 

[brian2sun]

I think it's apples and oranges and the KOH is kinda like a fruit salad - solid axle rigs bajaing and IFS rigs crawling and vise-versa. Both are cool for what they do. I'm more into all-around wheeling so I would go solid axle for strength and traction for my 4runner. And it's not like I wouldn't still be able to kick up some dust in the wide open desert. I think that's what Jason was saying, and I agree. There are some fast SFA rigs out there. If I mainly wanted to haul ass in the desert and soak up ruts and rocks at 70+ mph, I'd probably go with long travel personally. In the end though, I think each one can be built to do the other's "job" pretty well and the KOH is pretty much all about that. When it comes to big rocks though, I do believe a SFA will generally be stronger and get more traction - whether it's in a 4runner or a raced-out buggy. And likewise, an IFS rig will have a smoother ride (and I believe better handling) at high speeds.

 

[J-money$$$]

Brian hit the nail on the head. I was just trying to say that sfa vehicles can still go fast offroad, and if built right, do it well.

Its not that ifs wheels bad, its a strength issue. Even if you make strong a-arms, and run coilovers there is a lot of weak areas. Steering is one, cv joints, the differential etc. Shannon Campbell is racing an ifs rock crawler. Apparently ifs can be made almost bullet proof with enough money.

Lt has the advantage of being bolt on.

Its about the same price if you buy Lt or a kit (trail gear) for sas. I personally dont like going all that fast in the desert, and I have a bad back that reminds me every time I go to glamis....... that bottoming out in whoops is bad for everything (never in my 4runner)

Crawing is for me, therefore sas is for me. It wheels better, and is stronger

 

[1985taylor1925]

As everyone said the applications are different. And King of the Hammer is entirely different than baja. Theyre both sweet. Ovbiously you couldnt take a baja truck down that terrain. Nor could one of those rigs come close to keeping up with a baja truck in the desert. As mentioned, apples and oranges. I just think baja would be the most exciting thing ever! Imagine floating off mounds at nearly 100mph! The engineering in those trucks is amazing

 

[1985taylor1925]

IMHO, theres no comparison which is more thrilling . . . whether watching, or driving.

YouTube - Trophys extreme (got to see it!)