Solid Axle Swap vs regular axle w/ lift/suspension?

[priestsallore]

Hey guys, for my '92 I'm thinkin of doin a Solid Axle swap, but heard it isn't the best for highway use, only roading.

I want to hear ya'lls opinions, as I'm thinking of just staying w/ a regular axle but w/ a 3" lift & TRD/OEM suspension. But I'm willing to change my mind if I have better reviews, & can find out a little bit more on the solid axle swap & the pros vs. cons for both.

EDIT:

if you rebuilt the axle, Brake Check has told me that it only "patches up" the axle, but a friend of mine who's a certified master mech told me that it pretty much makes it like new.

Anyone agree with either one?

 

[fourwd1]

but heard it isn't the best for highway use, only roading.

That would not be true, for decades a solid front axle was the norm. But an IFS typically gives you a more comfortable ride on the road, which is what the average person wants (or so the vehicle makers say).

If you plan on a lot of hard-core offroading, such as rock crawling, a SAS may be useful. But even with rockcrawling you can do a lot with IFS. And Toyota's IFS will take a beating, I've seen it.

As for rebuilding an axle, you can replace every bearing, bushing, etc and have a like new axle.

 

[priestsallore]

yeah was told bout it bein a more bumpy "like a truck" ride w/ SAS.

Havin a hard time deciding on SAS vs IFS though. May just put in my new shocks, skid plate, etc. in it w/ IFS and use that..

that's good, cause I've actually noticed the clanking or w/e sound it makes when you turn the wheels a little bit. it's not every time, but every once-in-awhile so going to have to get it fixed.

 

[4running1990]

Yeah w/ an SAS you get more flex but IFS can can still do the job, but w/ lockers anything is possible. as for smooth ride good shocks would help it out

 

[Brand X]

I own both, and I've had street tires on my sas truck and it rode as smooth as my ifs with mud tires.

 

[priestsallore]

I own both, and I've had street tires on my sas truck and it rode as smooth as my ifs with mud tires.

Prob gonna do w/ some Dueler A/T's (current) , or some BFG A/T's, dunno how much difference it will make on SAS vs IFS

 

[Brand X]

If you go with the A/T you will notice a difference especially on the highway. But It will still ride better than mine on 35" mud tires, and about the same as my ifs on 33" Mud tires

 

[priestsallore]

sweet,

will there be a change in gas mileage?

Mine gets about 20-22 mpg (added mpg from plus instead of reg unleaded)

 

[fourwd1]

If you run taller tires on stock gears, there will be a drop in mpg and power, because the engine will be operating out of it's power band. The taller the tire over stock, the more noticeable it will be. 33's is about as tall as you can go without it being too bad (unless your truck came with the factory 31" tire package).

 

[priestsallore]

ah alright. I'm just thinkin of a 3" lift w/ possibly a 33" tire. Put a new intake, a full skid plate, some spacers, and a Borla exhaust on it. Anything else to mod it, I'm all ears on.

Paul from Defiant is also going to make me up a light bar & custom roof rack too w/ lights as well so I'm all good, just need a seperate battery to run my lights, etc. through.