1990 4runner soild axle swap

[jorlando17]

I just got a 1990 4runner and i'm think about a soild axle swap. whats a good kit and were do you get an axle.

[X-Tool Pimp]

Trail gear and AllPro both make good kits, as for an axle Id check your local junk yards or craigslist...

[4runnerchevy]

You should probably do a little research before you jump into it. I would start by searching this site and the Pirate4x4 site. There is a wealth of info out there. Once you have done the searching then there are plenty to help you out.

You will need a axle with matching gears (1985 is the best).
Welder and cutting tools (and the ability to use them).
A hanger kit (or fabricate the stuff).
Cross-over steering or go backwards and go to push-pull steering :shake:(not good).
New shocks and shock mounts (hoops).

I am sure this group will add more, and probably try and talk you out of it.

[Lee]

:good: :good: :good: :good:

research is key.

the trail-gear kit is the most complete one out there... but the kit itself isnt like a bolt-on, easy kit... it requires you to have some actual knowledge of what youre doing and why.

so make sure you do the research, check out my build too, i kept some decent pics of progress, but pirate has an insane amount of info in the faq.

a good way to start research/reading is to take the trail gear kit's parts list and do searches on pirate to find out more info on why you need to do certain things, and learn from others experience on what to/not to do with that part. good luck.

[jorlando17]

thanks i'll look in to it

[4runnerchevy]

Heres one. With rotors, hy-steer, flip kit, shocks, spacers brake lines, and a good name.


http://www.ballisticfabrication.com/Solid-Axle-Swap-Kit_c_100-1.html

[Lee]

thats the marlin kit. its 400 more dollars for a few less parts than what tg offers

[4runnerchevy]

thats the marlin kit. its 400 more dollars for a few less parts than what tg offers


Shhhhhhh!

[YotaGirl]

thats the marlin kit. its 400 more dollars for a few less parts than what tg offers


Yeah, but you're buying from a great company...one who's honest and gives excellent customer service.

[Lee]

thats the marlin kit. its 400 more dollars for a few less parts than what tg offers


Yeah, but you're buying from a great company...one who's honest and gives excellent customer service.
are you being serious?? tg has amazing customer service... marlin? heck no. marlin simply cant handle their volume, and they do nothing to change that they have no inventory. call them to find out if they have what you want in stock, chances are they dont, and theyll say it's gonna be a few months.

they have awesome products (got my dual adapter from them) but their cust service has me avoiding them.

[slosurfer]

There's a huge difference between not being able to keep up with demand and bad customer service.

I just stopped by there Friday on my way up to Coyote Lake, it was 4pm (closing time), and they still helped me out and filled my co2 tank, not to mention they gave me a deal on a shift knob (looks bitchin' in the van). :thumbup:

[4runnerchevy]

I have been to Marlins shop, and if you can wade through the bones of old t-cases, then you can get to the stock shelf. When I went to t-case gears (#416) I was amazed he was in business. I must admit he is the guru, and worth any effort. With the technology today, and all the wonderful toy stuff. I would go with whats cheapest.

Just trying to promote buds from AZ, trying to do the good thing.

[Lee]

There's a huge difference between not being able to keep up with demand and bad customer service.

I just stopped by there Friday on my way up to Coyote Lake, it was 4pm (closing time), and they still helped me out and filled my co2 tank, not to mention they gave me a deal on a shift knob (looks bitchin' in the van). :thumbup:
of course theres a difference... but i have experienced problems with BOTH.

namely they were 7 weeks late on delivery (i had to remind them 3 times) on an xmember. when it arrived, it was USED and incomplete. in addition, i have bought a few things (they took my money) and i had to call when i didnt hear anything in the next few days to ask the status to find out they have known they were out of the product but had no problem taking my money until i called ask... i dont mean that as in "they tried to steal my money", no certainly not. i was refunded immediately. but (i dont know if this is just me) when i place a large priced order on the internet for a part i need and the money is removed from my account, i consider the matter closed and gain comfort that it is taken care of and on its way to me... to have to follow up to ask for my money back was a downer.

again im not trying to bash them, i love marlin's products, i am just disappointed and dont want to see others suffer the same fate.

[4runnerchevy]

I am sure whatever kit he gets, we will be able to help him out. Personally there is no better customer service than yourself. I would make almost everything, and cut out the manufacturer. :flipoff:

[Lee]

:laugh: now if i only knew how to weld.....


im learning that soon though :D

[Crinale]

Im fairly new to Yota's myself, but iv done a LOT of reading on SAS swaps... First of all, why do you want to SAS? is it just cuz thats what all the cool people do? or do you actually out-wheel your ifs? The IFS rigs can actually wheel some pretty insane stuff with a well setup rear end...

Do you already have armor, lockers front/rear, sways disconnected, diffs regeared, reduction box? That stuff is worth a LOT off road, and your rig will probably do more than you thought possible with IFS.

Thing about a good SAS swap, to do it well, youre looking at spending probably $4000 dollars. Yes you can do a swap for $1500, but that wont include rebuilding the axle, new gears, lockers, lifting the rear end to match, and thats assuming you have the skills to do it mostly yourself... An SAS is not cheap, nor for the faint of fab skills to attempt.

[troyboy162]

im no expert but if you find yourself wanting to lock your front end or you want some huge lift, then your a candidate for sas. the ifs will not hold up to mistreatment when its locked. im good with my ifs for now as well. the places i cant go are really insane trails that break anything you throw at them.

[Crinale]

im no expert but if you find yourself wanting to lock your front end or you want some huge lift, then your a candidate for sas. the ifs will not hold up to mistreatment when its locked. im good with my ifs for now as well. the places i cant go are really insane trails that break anything you throw at them.


I agree the IFS isnt that strong, but it will take a locker ok. And if you want a big lift, SAS is your only option... To keep your IFS still flexing, the most you can really lift is 3"... Im just saying, that for the money, Unless you are building a dedicated rock crawling rig, lockers (even autolockers which are quite cheap), sliders, and gears are a much better investment... Im just relaying all the info i have come across in my hours and hours of reading on Yotatech... Most people think they need an SAS to do fire roads... lol

[4runnerchevy]

Im just relaying all the info i have come across in my hours and hours of reading on Yotatech

I think you need to read other places, to get a real idea on what people do with thier solid axles.