Yota 87 Solid Axle Swap
09-07-2003, 08:59 PM
#1
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Conyers, GA
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yota 87 Solid Axle Swap
Hey ya'll. I recently swapped an 85 front axle into an 87 yota. I finished a week ago. First, I want everyone to know that I completely had the IFS out and completely ground in ten hours -- with a socket set, $50 dollars off sawzall blades, and cutoff disks -- and no Cutting torhch at all !!! This project is much easier than you would think. The axle went in with no problem and with no air tools. I'd say the swap took about 15 hours with minimal tools. Unbolt everything off the IFS and "JUST START CUTTING". I used all pro offroads frame sleeves, brakelines, and cross over steering. I also used some superlift 3'' recurve springs. I took it out and flexed it hard, and everything worked perfect. I am running 2K old BFG Mud's and didn't need 17.5'' clearance from top of fender to tire top so decided to use stock Front YOTA springs off an 81. HUGE MISTAKE!! The pitman Arm was about an inch off the tie rod giving me like 1'' of flex in the front. How about 4 hours of work that totally did nothing. Today I was out to fix it though, I went to my buddy who has helped me through all off this and we went back to the 3'' recurves. We decide to shim the front axle 8 degrees before mounting the springs. All said and done it looked ok under a flood light in a driveway. ON the ride home it was awful though. Upon returning home I noticed that my tie rod was touching my springs. The same setup minus the shims gave me like 3-4 '' of clearance between tie-rod and springs. What could happen next????? If I would have left it alone yesterday it would still be fine!!!!!!!! If anyone has any ?????'ss on the SAS swap feel free to E'mail me. I think I have had more trial and error headaches than anyone on this thing and would be more than happy to help a buddy out........ PS. we shimmed the front so the diveshaft would hook up. Luke Copeland.....
09-07-2003, 11:12 PM
#3
Registered User
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Seattle
Posts: 3,000
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: Yota 87 Solid Axle Swap
Originally posted by lcopelan22
$50 dollars off sawzall blades, and cutoff disks
$50 dollars off sawzall blades, and cutoff disks
Ouch! That's a lot of blades and disks! I think I'll stick to my plan of using a plasma cutter, thanks. 
Where's the pics?!?!
09-09-2003, 09:13 PM
#5
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Milton, WA
Posts: 1,117
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You can't just shim the front end like you do the rear. This will screw up your caster big time!
To angle the pinion up on a solid axle, you have to cut and rotate the knuckles on the housing. Simply shimming alone will create a horrible alignment problem.
To angle the pinion up on a solid axle, you have to cut and rotate the knuckles on the housing. Simply shimming alone will create a horrible alignment problem.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Flying91
86-95 Trucks & 4Runners (Build-Up Section)
45
04-11-2024 04:39 PM
FS[GreatLakes]: Toyota collection part out
88sasturbotoy
Axles - Suspensions - Tires - Wheels
2
08-11-2015 01:56 AM
scottyg486
Offroad Tech
3
07-19-2015 05:34 PM
