solid axle swap
02-23-2009, 12:50 PM
#22
This is cut and pasted from the FAQ on the Sonoran Steel link I posted above. You can scroll down that page to see it in original form. That FAQ can give you a lot of insite on what you might want to do with your runner.
15. Looking for even more lift/height. You can combine any of these suspension lift kits with a 1" or a 1.5" 4Crawler/Rodger Brown Ultimate body lift. The 1" and 1.5" sizes are easy to install and will not cause you any grief. Over 1.5" and the job becomes much more involved. We do not recommend body lifts for 96-02 4Runners over 1.5". The reason you do not need to go over 1" or 1.5" is that to fit tires larger than 33" which can be fit with just the lift kit alone, you would need to move the front and back of the fender openings wider as well. A 2" or 3" body lift is just going to raise the arches of the wheel well higher without letting you add a larger tire, which would require the front and back of the fender openings to increase as well. The 1996-2002 4Runner is a heavy truck to begin with, the key to building a good off-road truck is to equalize lift with width. So when you go up 2.5" on a suspension lift lift and 1" on a body lit you need to widen the track with 3.5" backspaced wheels and 12.5" wide tires. There are no wheels wide enough to equalize the vehicle over this combo. So a smart build would be to stick with a Suspension lift for 33" tires or below and a 1" or 1.5" Body lift along with a good amount of metal cutting for 35" tires. Put a body lift on that is too high/more than you really need is just going to get you flopped on your side a lot faster.
EDIT: Having the e locker is a great start!!
15. Looking for even more lift/height. You can combine any of these suspension lift kits with a 1" or a 1.5" 4Crawler/Rodger Brown Ultimate body lift. The 1" and 1.5" sizes are easy to install and will not cause you any grief. Over 1.5" and the job becomes much more involved. We do not recommend body lifts for 96-02 4Runners over 1.5". The reason you do not need to go over 1" or 1.5" is that to fit tires larger than 33" which can be fit with just the lift kit alone, you would need to move the front and back of the fender openings wider as well. A 2" or 3" body lift is just going to raise the arches of the wheel well higher without letting you add a larger tire, which would require the front and back of the fender openings to increase as well. The 1996-2002 4Runner is a heavy truck to begin with, the key to building a good off-road truck is to equalize lift with width. So when you go up 2.5" on a suspension lift lift and 1" on a body lit you need to widen the track with 3.5" backspaced wheels and 12.5" wide tires. There are no wheels wide enough to equalize the vehicle over this combo. So a smart build would be to stick with a Suspension lift for 33" tires or below and a 1" or 1.5" Body lift along with a good amount of metal cutting for 35" tires. Put a body lift on that is too high/more than you really need is just going to get you flopped on your side a lot faster.
EDIT: Having the e locker is a great start!!
02-23-2009, 12:51 PM
#23
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Chico, California
Posts: 3,870
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
02-23-2009, 01:06 PM
#24
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Fresno, CA
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
So adding a body lift is almost pointless?*According to the Sonoran Steel FAQ. Im better off putting 33's with my 3" lift which is already on the truck?
02-23-2009, 01:44 PM
#29
his real name is Roger Brown, probably one of the most helpful/knowledgeable members of this forum. His website is 4Crawler.com
also check out his Cheap Tricks Section lots of great ideas there
02-23-2009, 01:51 PM
#31
no problem
been there before (way too many times
)
just keep reading (& Reading) I hate to see people make the some expensive mistakes like I have over the years (5 toyota 4x4 over the last 20+).
also consider some armor (sliders/bumpers) I crushed a rocker panel on one of my old trucks before sliders were around...it sucked not be able to open a door for 2-3 months
been there before (way too many times)just keep reading (& Reading) I hate to see people make the some expensive mistakes like I have over the years (5 toyota 4x4 over the last 20+).
also consider some armor (sliders/bumpers) I crushed a rocker panel on one of my old trucks before sliders were around...it sucked not be able to open a door for 2-3 months
02-23-2009, 01:54 PM
#32
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Fresno, CA
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yeah im actually working with a buddy of mine right now to build a custom ARB type bumper with the hidden winch if everything goes as planned it should be pretty sick. Once i get done with that project ill be working on a rear bumper and possibly sliders im just trying to find the cheapest way to modify my vehicle as possible
02-23-2009, 01:59 PM
#33
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: san jose cali
Posts: 703
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
x1901290712 on Roger Browns work. 
i got a 3 incher from him with radiator drop brackets,stock bumper lift brackets and shifter extensions.
besides catching an earfull for going so tall, ive had not a single issue with performance,fabrication quality or customer service.
i plan on getting a upgraded headlight harness sooooon.
RB is a PRO
kudos
i got a 3 incher from him with radiator drop brackets,stock bumper lift brackets and shifter extensions.
besides catching an earfull for going so tall, ive had not a single issue with performance,fabrication quality or customer service.
i plan on getting a upgraded headlight harness sooooon.
RB is a PRO
kudos
02-23-2009, 01:59 PM
#34
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Chico, California
Posts: 3,870
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Cheap is not always best. Remember that.
As far as armor goes, make sure it is Sturdy with good metal.
I know if you want to buy sliders, you can pm TOFER on the boards, he is a TG dealer, i bought mine through him.
As far as armor goes, make sure it is Sturdy with good metal.
I know if you want to buy sliders, you can pm TOFER on the boards, he is a TG dealer, i bought mine through him.
02-23-2009, 02:34 PM
#36
I have had experience with sliders from:
http://www.stubbswelding.com/ a little spendy but they are awesome on my '05 Tacoma
http://4xinnovations.com/ great service and awesome quality
http://www.revenge-fab.com/ he did the bumpers on my truck...great work, and trys to get the price low while maintaining his quality...
but if you have a guy helping you build a bumper, sliders are a no brainer...
http://www.stubbswelding.com/ a little spendy but they are awesome on my '05 Tacoma
http://4xinnovations.com/ great service and awesome quality
http://www.revenge-fab.com/ he did the bumpers on my truck...great work, and trys to get the price low while maintaining his quality...
but if you have a guy helping you build a bumper, sliders are a no brainer...
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Flying91
86-95 Trucks & 4Runners (Build-Up Section)
45
04-11-2024 04:39 PM
Backcountry411
86-95 Trucks & 4Runners (Build-Up Section)
4
07-24-2015 08:06 AM
scottyg486
Offroad Tech
3
07-19-2015 05:34 PM
