Might pick up a 3rd gen for $300. Has little front end demage. But runs and drives. Thinking about making it a woods beater. So I'm interested in SAS swap. Leaf springs. I know there's a company that sells kits for this. My question is, what solid axles fit perfectly on 3rd gen. And what other major things you need to do? I read that the oil pan had to be swapped?
SAS swap question
- Thread starter kolelt
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MStudt
official vendor
If there were a perfect fit axle more of us would be running SAS.
Any axle will require some kind of fabricating work. Everything gets welded on, and those locations all depend on the lift you're running. I get going leafs because it's cheap. If you can do the work yourself, and can fabricate. Then link the front for not much more. A linked front sas isn't much more if you can build the brackets, and links on your own. It might be a little more work, but it'll be worth it.
Any axle will require some kind of fabricating work. Everything gets welded on, and those locations all depend on the lift you're running. I get going leafs because it's cheap. If you can do the work yourself, and can fabricate. Then link the front for not much more. A linked front sas isn't much more if you can build the brackets, and links on your own. It might be a little more work, but it'll be worth it.
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JWaldz
Moderator
I'm sorry if this comes off a bit forward and makes me look like an ass, but if you have to ask those questions you have A LOT of research to do. A SAS obviously isn't just something someone whips up in a few hours and does it in one go. It's a long drawn out process that takes a lot of research.
The information has been well documented, you just gotta do the research.
As far as an axle goes, there's no perfect fit as they all require custom fabrication to work. A lot of people with a cheaper budget go with a wagoneer d44 axle. It provides a decent width and the rear width can be matched easily. Otherwise, the sky is the limit, you can go as far as having a custom axle built specifically to what you want it to be.
The information has been well documented, you just gotta do the research.
As far as an axle goes, there's no perfect fit as they all require custom fabrication to work. A lot of people with a cheaper budget go with a wagoneer d44 axle. It provides a decent width and the rear width can be matched easily. Otherwise, the sky is the limit, you can go as far as having a custom axle built specifically to what you want it to be.
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Tyler James Inc
Senior Member
Yeah; he was saying if there were a perfect fitting axle, more would do the swap.
A solid axle swap isn't something you should do on a $300 woods beater 3rd gen- in my opinion. I say that, because you'll end up dumping way more money than you think into it, and then you'll have a ton of money into a rig that isn't worth much. That said, if you know that ahead of time, and have a bunch of money to throw out the window for the sake of a good time- then why not?! [emoji1360]
90-97 FJ80 axle is one option. You'll have to cut all the bracketry off in favor of the spring perches, but that's not a big deal. They're also 3.5" wider than our axles, at 63.5".
79-85 Toyota mini axles are way too narrow
80-91 waggy 44's are almost a perfect width match, and share the same bolt pattern. Some are vaccume actuated diffs like ours, you may want to steer clear of that- but may want to keep it if you think that's cool?
Those are the two cheapest options.
Diamond Axle would be best.
Trail-Queers make a housing. Well, the Chinese people do.
RuffStuff makes a housing...
Lots of options
JayRolla
New member
suspension : Addicted Offroad is a full service Parts, Sales, and Fabrication company offering offroad parts for all makes and models, Addicted Offroad
Here was the kit I was thinking once I get another DD. I was going to use a 1g truck or 4runner solid axle. Its reliable and not to pricey.
Here was the kit I was thinking once I get another DD. I was going to use a 1g truck or 4runner solid axle. Its reliable and not to pricey.
Appreciate the wisdom and help. This would be used parts, zero ****s given SAS swap. Straight woods beater.
My friend is very capable of doing the swap with me. He's more mechanically inclined with lift and tools. With that said, I simply just wanted to know which axle people usually go with. Seems like a chevy is the best choice.
My friend is very capable of doing the swap with me. He's more mechanically inclined with lift and tools. With that said, I simply just wanted to know which axle people usually go with. Seems like a chevy is the best choice.
White Stripe
New member
14 bolt rear, Dana 44 front.
Sean K.
New member
Ya, except those first two are passenger drop so unless he also wants to swap tcases, neither are a great option.
Tyler James Inc
Senior Member
I made sure to give the driver drop waggy years, and spaced the FJ being passenger *
Really only one, cause the mini axle shouldn't even be considered under a 3rd gen!That said, the A340 with a passenger drop was put behind the 3.4 in the T100. If he's doing a solid axle, what's a trans swap while you're at it?
To be honest, the IFS has more clearance than a solid axle, and flexes pretty decent with the FSB disconnected. Why do you want to do a solid axle for a woods rig? Due to the frame on our rigs, it's also fairly challenging to keep it reasonably low- especially on leafs.
This is just an option. I'm not 100% set on SAS swap. You guys are correct. The IFS is pretty strong on these 3rd gens. And I might just keep it stock with some tires and small lift and simply be a woods beater. As in, don't care about the paint or dents. I'll way my pros and cons with stock IFS and SAS.
SAS isn't the end is simply stronger. Takes more abuse.
SAS isn't the end is simply stronger. Takes more abuse.
IBallEngineer
New member
There is really no comparison between a stock IFS and what those guys run. Look at Dirtco's thread and the axle issues he has had. Total Chaos IFS parts are off the chart expensive. And although IFS can out perform a SA in the fast stuff, Rock crawling is a different game.
Personally I don't like Driver's drop conversions, just no room in there and you have to use a D44. But in a pinch, and I've been there, they can and do work!
Tyler James Inc
Senior Member
I agree 100%, but he said nothing about rock crawling.
I also want another 3rd gen to take out on trails. I love my nice pretty daily driver, but I also love playing on trails! Just one trail run left me with some real nice pinstripes. If I did that 20+ times a year, my paint would be WRECKED! [emoji24]
If I get this 4Runner. And after.... if I source a cheap used axle. I will try and swap. No, it won't be ULTIMATE ROCK CRALWER. More like, a stock lifted jeep. But a 3rd gen 4Runner. You ask why? Because why not ? My friend is doing a SAS swap on a s10. He bought used jeep axle with all steering components, leaf springs and few more stuff for $200. He already got the same kit as I mentioned before with shock hoops. He's probably in for like $500-600. Basically has everything. He's doing everything. Definitely not a ULTIMATE rock crwaler. It's just something fun. And once it's complete it will be fun to test it out. We don't have RUBICON trails here. But we have trails that are fun and can be challenging.
Again, I'll weight my options. All I wanted to know was, what axle is more better for the SAS swap. And the $300, the truck runs and drives. Only issue is, has broken headlight, dented fender and broken grill. And rear axle seal is leaking. Everything else is mint. The beauty is. My friends shop always gets cars for cheap. Because the owners just don't wanna fix it.
Again, I'll weight my options. All I wanted to know was, what axle is more better for the SAS swap. And the $300, the truck runs and drives. Only issue is, has broken headlight, dented fender and broken grill. And rear axle seal is leaking. Everything else is mint. The beauty is. My friends shop always gets cars for cheap. Because the owners just don't wanna fix it.
JayRolla
New member
Because 37s and front lockers can eat our CVS like breakfast. SAS still better as an everyday crawler.
