Mikeyg79

Looking to swich from Jeeps to Toys....

Pretty easy to do a SAS on an IFS rig, but is there a reason to stray away from the ealier rigs? (aside from rust and carb/EFI)

Flamedx4

Stray away?

One good reason - most 84-85s (and pre-84s) are pretty shot. Hard to find a nice one. But there seems to be a lot of nice 88-89s around. That's a good reason not to just buy an 84-85 that I can see. Plus, a good SAS is considerably better than any modification to the stock setup. Mo' money tho.

kyle_22r

i love the '79-83 trucks(mainly '79-81 because of the round headlights and better looking grill, but you can swap them over ), but if i was to pick a 4x4 to build, i'd look for an '86-88 truck. they're generally cheaper than '85 trucks(mainly because of all the people who think '85s are some kind of holy grail the price has skyrocketed lately), and in better shape.

though, if i had any choice, i'd buy a 2wd truck and SAS it. only thing you have to do differently is add a 4wd tranny, t-case, and swap the rear axle as well. the 2wd has as much frame arch as a straight axle truck, which lets you run hysteer with less lift. not to mention that a 2wd + 4wd parts is often a LOT cheaper than a beat 4x4.

Mikeyg79

hadn't thought of a 2wd...

basically trying to do what so many others want - cheap, streetable, mild wheeling rig

1stgenboy

Love my '81. Paid $2000 for it in 2002 with 122k on it and immaculate condition. Replaced the original clutch @ 198k. This vehicle has suffered ubelievable abuse at my command. It has 220k on it now and the doors still sound solid when I slam them and the only rattles are from the ลลลล I leave behind the seat. It's carbed and has no computer so I can work on it in the middle of no where with the minimum of tools. Only caveat is the 5sp trannys. Only part on the truck that won't take my abuse. Burnt one up gruntin along at 45mph in 5th gear with the back grossly overloaded and towing the medium size enclosed uhaul trailer that was also grossly overloaded...

bike4miles

If your not going to go bigger than 33's and your not planning on wheeling that hard you might consider lifting an IFS toy. My frinends 4" lifted 95' 4runner was the smoothest riding rig of any kind I have ever riden in. Solid just doesn't compair in that department. Just depends on how hard core you are going to be driving it.

Mikeyg79

http://community.webshots.com/album/192152847bQBizu
Look at the 4th pic - that blue yota on 32's went everywhere the 4 other visible rigs went.


Not looking to do anything super hard, just don't like breaking - max 34s

Flamedx4

Lucky the tranny went and not the engine. Worst thing you can do is load up and lug down the engine. Great motors though - amazing that you managed to pull all that weight AT ALL with only 90 hp...

westy44runner

with the 22r, you should definitely stay away from using 5th gear on steeper hills or trying to pull loads...that engine can handle higher rpms in order to get the job done..but bogging the engine down in 5th on a hill rather than just throwing it in 4th and running 4k rpms isnt the best idea..just my experiences...along with many others I have talked with. I have no experience with the 22re..but would imagine the same would apply...

RedneckNV

Well in defense of my 22re I use mine for work everyday. I carry 3 grown men, 12" compound miter saw on a rolling table, a 10" table saw on stand and enough tools to cover every square inch left over. I weighed it at the dump it weighed 5800 lbs with everything, and i drive from orlando to tampa 3 or 4 times a week and she'll do 90 mph (top speed). That my friend is abuse. hehe I have had atleast a dozen GC's ask me how the heck i fit all of us and all the toold in that little truck.