SAS ride quality?

[JamesDean91]

OK, so I've done one 1st gen with leafs, ride quality, not so much.

I did two Nissan Frontiers with coilovers. Ride quality was better, but that wasn't the object so it wasn't all about ride quality. Rather the spring rates were selected to give some off road capability, without being so soft that either ride height or body roll was sacrificed. All the vehicles I've set up use ARB or similar bumpers up front, like shrockworks on the Nissans. Logically there were other things that added to the weight, thus affecting driveability.

Bottom line here is there is no perfect setup, everything is a some sort of compromise. My own rig is leaf sprung, rugged and dependable, but not the best of all worlds. Still I daily drove it for years.

The handling on a SAS is nothing like an independant. Even a washboard road will test your patience at times, compared to the stock setup. But on the trail the table is turned, just no comparison.

Cost vary tremendously. The first Frontier I did had about 9K in parts alone, all pretty much new using a Wagonneer front axle housing, D44. The second Frontier was much cheaper, probably less then $3500 with all used parts except the front driveshaft, and things like brakes, and lines.

The 1st Gen Toyota was first class, will a lot of All pro stuff and cryo axles shafts. I'm thinking that was around 5K using a housing the owner supplied. None of these numbers include the labor I had in doing the conversion. I expect my runner to run in the 7-10K range with a 3 link and coilovers, diamond axle, elocker etc.

Hope that helps, I'm sure someone here will have some more direct experience on the 3rd gens.

:thumb:

This is what I have just in my front end not counting any labor or welding supplies. Please note I am using stock Land Cruiser coil springs. This also does not include the several hundred dollars spent to rebuild the steering knuckles, wheel bearings and tie rod ends. Who knows how many cans of paint.

I would say my truck rides really well.

Parts that have a 0 are parts that I made or was given scrap.

Front axle 1000
Cruiser bushings 80
Johnny Joints 160
Frame brackets, Lower Links 40
Frame bracket, Upper Links 20
Panhard bracket, axle 20
Panhard bracket, frame 25
Axle bracket, Lower Links 60
Axle bracket, Upper Links 30
Coil buckets 60
Coil perches 35
Shock tabs/tower 30
Steering box 75
Steering shaft misc 15
Shocks 70
Ladder Bar Adjusters 40
UL & LL Bolts/Nuts/Washers 80
Upper Link DOM Round Tubing 30
Upper Link Threaded Insert 20
Lower Links, Square Tubing 0
Lower Links, Lefthand Inserts 0
UL & LL Bushing Sleeves 0
Stainless Braided Brake Lines 80
Hard Brake Lines 20
Frame Plating Material 0
Limit Strap Mounts 100
Limit Straps 50
Coil Springs (pair) 30
Power Steering Cooler 50
Front Drive Shaft 70


TOTAL 2290

Finally some realistic numbers... I've been seeing posts all month on multiple fb pages about sasing the 3rd gen runner and when I tell people I'm in it 5k already and don't have crap to show(albeit I did it to myself, spidertrax pro housings, strange nodular 9" third, currie hp 8.8 third loaded with arbs) anyone there like your way over spending yadda yadda, I did my sas for less then 1k. I laugh and argue a little bit. I'm like yes if you do a leaf setup and reuse old parts and don't worry about regearing your rear axle your going to be in it for 2k or less.
But if you link it a decent set of coilovers and goodies is 1500+ (airbumps,springs,limitstrap)

Anyways enough thread derailment, as far as ride comfort I can say I have been in a rig with a really good setup 3 link front and 4 link rear and he can keep up just fine in the dunes and trails. In fact his is setup so good it's the reason I'm going to sas. It's all about spring rates and geometry. But you also have to realize it will drive more like a truck and less like a car.

That saying my old solid axle 1st gen 4runner was great to drive after fixing the steering issue (hydro assist) I was running the traditional rears up front hybrid pack and kept all the bushings packed and that fun stuff..

 

[4RunnerChaos]

Yes, it's not for everyone, and unfortunately people get in to it not knowing how to make it something they can live with. They see a rock buggy with hydro steer and they think they need it. Happens a lot in the jeep world. Everything involves some compromise, if they aren't aware of that going in, they have no business going there.

And that's why I'm trying to get peoples costs and quality. I'd rather not jump in with like $3000 and run out of money and have a half finished truck.
Or worse yet, a truck that isn't streetable...
I daily drive my rig about 50-60 miles a day during the week, and 200-300 a weekend. Planning on taking it cross country. Looking to visit some dunes and some real trails. But if it's gonna be $10k to get it to ride good on the streets it may not be worth it.
I REALLY need to take a ride in one.
there's a lot of good numbers being put in here.

 

[BrandonF]

Lots of good points here. People need to realize that IFS isn't the most terrible thing in the world. A skilled driver with a well built IFS truck can go pretty far offroad and the ride on the street and FSR's is hard to beat unless we're talking a super high $$$$$ 3 link SAS.

 

[nevada]

And that's why I'm trying to get peoples costs and quality. I'd rather not jump in with like $3000 and run out of money and have a half finished truck.
Or worse yet, a truck that isn't streetable...
I daily drive my rig about 50-60 miles a day during the week, and 200-300 a weekend. Planning on taking it cross country. Looking to visit some dunes and some real trails. But if it's gonna be $10k to get it to ride good on the streets it may not be worth it.
I REALLY need to take a ride in one.
there's a lot of good numbers being put in here.

for your described use, you will want to pay to have it swapped.
and it will be expensive.

I recommend getting a 2nd rig, and building that. leave the DD as a good road rig.

 

[Kurtis]

Just a guess but I don't the OP will be building this himself. Or maybe he is? Either way 1-3k isn't really realistic and is not the norm for a SAS. Sure maybe if you are recycling parts from your old shit. Again, I'd take a guess here and say the OP doesn't have an old wheeler to pull parts off of.

 

[4RunnerChaos]

for your described use, you will want to pay to have it swapped.
and it will be expensive.

I recommend getting a 2nd rig, and building that. leave the DD as a good road rig.

Good advice. Just would like to find a third gen for cheap around me but then again. I also might end up with a Chevy, who knows....
Don't flame me for the Chevy comment!

Just a guess but I don't the OP will be building this himself. Or maybe he is? Either way 1-3k isn't really realistic and is not the norm for a SAS. Sure maybe if you are recycling parts from your old shit. Again, I'd take a guess here and say the OP doesn't have an old wheeler to pull parts off of.

You're right, I don't have an old wheeler to pull apart. I probably wouldn't anyways, I prefer new parts over abused parts.
I'd be looking to do as much as I possibly could myself, I can turn a wrench, its the fabrication part which I'd have difficulties with... But that seems like it would be a fair bit of the work.
The only thing is, there isn't enough serious trails near me to justify the cost. In my search to find off road parks or trails in general, the closest one to me popped up in Indiana. Don't remember the name of it but its a hell of a hike for me. Seeing as the closest part of Indiana is about 3 hours away.