The Best IFS Setup.

Nimic13

Nimic13

New member
First off... I tried to search for something on this and tapatalk is just useless sometimes and I'm on vacation and don't have a computer but this has been on my mind since I got my 96 and I just need some ideas/clarification.

Now I'm sure a lot of this is based on opinion/budget. My 4Runner right now has 33s and the OME kit. Nothing wrong with it. Have conquered some good trails by me. But I want to dabble in the idea of what's next. I thought I was set on SAS but after really researching it, I think it's more than I need/want to spend. Plus by the time I build my true trail rig it'll probably be a fzj80 as a foundation to build on. So I want to see what IFS kit/build for our 3rd gens. Now I'm new too off- roading but not completely knew to the knowledge of it. Also I'm a AMT so I know my way around the mechanics. But I'm always worried about breaking axles and what not when wheeling so I want to see how that can be avoided as much as possible too. I'd like to go to 35s but 33s are fine with me too. My use for the 4Runner is 2-3times a week wheeling and trying to get up to the more difficult trails such as DishPan and stuff of that caliber. Nothing insane but I want options.

What do you all got!?
 
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There's setups that will perform different than the OME and depending on what you want from the truck they may be better, but not significantly better. If you really want to step up your IFS game, you want long travel.

Avoid breaking CV axles by 1) learning to see the line of least resistance through an obstacle, then 2) locking the rear and putting in a crawl box. Finesse is the name of the game when you're trying not to fix a CV on the trail.
 
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+1 for Patio's .... it's easily replicable for those of us who aren't overburdened with an abundance of fabrication knowledge and skills like Snivilous.
 
absalom said:
+1 for Patio's .... it's easily replicable for those of us who aren't overburdened with an abundance of fabrication knowledge and skills like Snivilous.
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Hahaha thanks for the compliments, I feel like I'm severely behind compared to a lot of people on here in regards to fabbing stuff though!

OP it would help if we knew your budget, some people go everywhere with stock suspension, other people have thousands into their suspension and just like the added comfort for when they hit a washboard section. You can spend $1000 on a pair of kings, or $4000 on a setup like Patios, or more on a max decked out LT setup. From the sounds of it if you have a dedicated wheeling rig, I would just throw some Kings on and maybe some different bump stops or an Icon kit. But if you have the coin and want to you can get an LT setup with RCVs and a beef cake IFS center and spend $15k on the front alone. Sky's the limit bro.
 
snivilous said:
Hahaha thanks for the compliments, I feel like I'm severely behind compared to a lot of people on here in regards to fabbing stuff though!

OP it would help if we knew your budget, some people go everywhere with stock suspension, other people have thousands into their suspension and just like the added comfort for when they hit a washboard section. You can spend $1000 on a pair of kings, or $4000 on a setup like Patios, or more on a max decked out LT setup. From the sounds of it if you have a dedicated wheeling rig, I would just throw some Kings on and maybe some different bump stops or an Icon kit. But if you have the coin and want to you can get an LT setup with RCVs and a beef cake IFS center and spend $15k on the front alone. Sky's the limit bro.
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Damn thanks for the info! Honestly my budget hasn't really been determined yet. Have a few non truck related things in the works so depending on how this go is going to determine my spending. But I'm really just looking to be able to handle some good trails and keep up with the rest. Like I said stuff like dishpan trail in big bear and comparables is what I'm looking to be able to accomplish. It is a dedicated rig but it's also going to be my daily for a while. So I guess some form of a LT kit is what I'm seeing as a best option. Which one tho? That I guess I'll have to figure out. I am pretty handy with a welder too tho. Plan on making all my own bumpers,sliders,roof rack, etc. I just want to be able to maybe put some more solid front axles too cause I'd hate to have to carry 4+ extra axles every time I wheel a more difficult trail. So what axles at a decent price? Tundra axles if I have a extended LT kit? Just trying to see if I can find my build from all this info and get a more clear understanding of what it's going to take to get there.
 
the biggest upgrade you can make for the front suspension wise would be swapping in poly bushings and either getting sway bar disconnects or ditching the front sway bar all together. these two will have the most impact on how the suspension articulates. Having enough articulation can be the difference between making through an obstacle or not, espescially with open differentials.
 
You can check out my build - it's a good middle ground for the front end I feel. I've gone all out with the back as I am currently putting 12" travel shocks in the rear with new mounts (not the hoops) which will take full advantage of the 3" 2.0 bump stops and a ridiculous amount of droop.

Pictures will be up in a couple days - 4Runner is at my welder's place for the work.
 
Nimic13 said:
Damn thanks for the info! Honestly my budget hasn't really been determined yet. Have a few non truck related things in the works so depending on how this go is going to determine my spending. But I'm really just looking to be able to handle some good trails and keep up with the rest. Like I said stuff like dishpan trail in big bear and comparables is what I'm looking to be able to accomplish. It is a dedicated rig but it's also going to be my daily for a while. So I guess some form of a LT kit is what I'm seeing as a best option. Which one tho? That I guess I'll have to figure out. I am pretty handy with a welder too tho. Plan on making all my own bumpers,sliders,roof rack, etc. I just want to be able to maybe put some more solid front axles too cause I'd hate to have to carry 4+ extra axles every time I wheel a more difficult trail. So what axles at a decent price? Tundra axles if I have a extended LT kit? Just trying to see if I can find my build from all this info and get a more clear understanding of what it's going to take to get there.
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Lots of options for LT... You have the big names like Total Chaos and Camburg (TC is more popular from what I've seen) which you can't go wrong with either, and their base kit is $3000+. Then there's guys like Solo Motorsports who make their own and aren't as big of a name, but still make quality shit. Frontrange Offroad also has a prototype kit out that has a more rock crawling orientation to it, they're claiming they can pull 18" of travel and are using a bolt in Dana 44 IFS center (I think it's a 44) and RCVs, and they have cool looking LCAs that are similar to a lot of Ultra4 rigs, those are supposed to be released soon (but no firm timeline). And finally of course, you can build your own stuff like I did. Nothing hard about it, but obviously figuring out all the little things versus buying a kit will take a LOT more time.

Axle wise, most setups run Tundra axles. I run bone stock Tundra axles, Total Chaos sells beefed up ones but I don't know how they're any different. The Tundra axles aren't really stronger either in my experience, I've fractured the outer joints before running 33s and open front diff. I don't have lockers (yet) so can't comment on that. You can always get RCVs custom made to fit a normal IFS kit/center diff.

Typical figure I throw around is about $5k for a LT setup. You can find them used pretty often on Race Dezert, Dezert Rangers, Tacoma World, etc though. Remember you'll need new axles, UCA/LCA, steering, fiberglass fenders, gussets, brake lines, shocks, bumps, etc. (not meant to dissuade you, and I don't know if brake lines and steering comes with the normal kits). LT and a front locker will make your front end as pimp as you can without getting into fancier custom setups.
 
those custom tundra axles have been modified to have more travel before binding. they cut away some excess flange material on the inner joint which allows for more misalignment and then they run a Porsche CV boot.
 
snivilous said:
Lots of options for LT... You have the big names like Total Chaos and Camburg (TC is more popular from what I've seen) which you can't go wrong with either, and their base kit is $3000+. Then there's guys like Solo Motorsports who make their own and aren't as big of a name, but still make quality shit. Frontrange Offroad also has a prototype kit out that has a more rock crawling orientation to it, they're claiming they can pull 18" of travel and are using a bolt in Dana 44 IFS center (I think it's a 44) and RCVs, and they have cool looking LCAs that are similar to a lot of Ultra4 rigs, those are supposed to be released soon (but no firm timeline). And finally of course, you can build your own stuff like I did. Nothing hard about it, but obviously figuring out all the little things versus buying a kit will take a LOT more time.



Axle wise, most setups run Tundra axles. I run bone stock Tundra axles, Total Chaos sells beefed up ones but I don't know how they're any different. The Tundra axles aren't really stronger either in my experience, I've fractured the outer joints before running 33s and open front diff. I don't have lockers (yet) so can't comment on that. You can always get RCVs custom made to fit a normal IFS kit/center diff.



Typical figure I throw around is about $5k for a LT setup. You can find them used pretty often on Race Dezert, Dezert Rangers, Tacoma World, etc though. Remember you'll need new axles, UCA/LCA, steering, fiberglass fenders, gussets, brake lines, shocks, bumps, etc. (not meant to dissuade you, and I don't know if brake lines and steering comes with the normal kits). LT and a front locker will make your front end as pimp as you can without getting into fancier custom setups.
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Thanks for all the info man! I guess I know where I'm headed next! Just a matter of when I can fund it haha.
 
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