i am interested in doing the sas i have an 86 4runner and also an 81 p/u interested in swappng the axle into the 4runner. what is the best kit bang for the buck that is out there?? i looked at all pro and some others just wanting a little input. also with the 81 axle ill have to use wheel spacers right?


thanks

 

The short answer... search... it's all been asked before and YT is a great source for the answers.

The better answer... Trail Gear probably had the most complete kit at the best cost. Your '81 will need wheel spacers that is included in most SAS kits.

Also... the '81 had basically no factory gusset (actually, maybe none would be a better description) so you may wish to consider some of the above axle trusses available out there.

Oh, be sure to search on how to weld the gusset on or you will warp your axle housing.

 

The best avenue?

Lots of reading and research...

Look at Trail Gear, All Pro, or Marlin as far as kits go. You can probably source all the parts yourself, but their kits make it a whole lot easier.

I'm sure some of the SAS guys will chime in here soon...

Edit: Elvota beat me to the punch...

 

I have a mean uppercut.

 

I went with all pro, but kinda wished I had went with trail-gear because of the axle rebuild kit. Trail-Gear has the most complete and least expensive kit. As said already RESEARCH!!!! This is not even close to a bolt on kit. It is not hard to do, but it takes time and know how.

 

ya you really have to watch welding on the axles a friend of mine races modifed race cars and has had to use the welder to draw the axle back straight before. as far as the kits go i have research them a little and was just looking for a little already been there and done that info. what to watch out for etc......

thanks for the info

 

Look at OffRoadSolutions also, if you haven't already.





Fred

 

i believe that inch worms is the cheepest
http://www.inchwormgear.com/store/pr...abb468f00fe83f

i personaly have had issues with all pro my friends and i have ordered 3 suspension systems from them and every time we have been skimped on parts dont get me wrong the products are great but the people in the parts department suck

 

Regarding welding on the gusset yourself- I've heard that it's pretty difficult to weld on the gusset without warping the housing, I worked as a fabricator for a year and consider myself an expert welder and I don't think I would risk it.

I'm looking at a SAS for my runner and was leaning towards the All Pro, one nice thing is I'm about an hour from them, but the price difference is making me look at the trail-gear. It seems the extra $$$ in the Marlin and All Pro kits is because of the HySteer, is the steering linkage in the Trail-gear kit that different?

Oh yeah I saw a SAS'd/rear leaf'd runner on my way to work yesterday, that was kewl. It sure is a popular mod.

 

Inchworms kit is manufactured my Trail-gear.

I know exactly where you are coming from with allpro skimping out on parts. The never sent me my shackles, I had to order them through trail-gear. Allpro told me once the the shackles were on back order. The second time I called they told me I would have them in 4 to 5 days. Still never got them so I called them one more time same answer 4 to 5 days. 6 Months later...no shackles. Thank god for Trail-Gear.

 

On wheel spacers- Do all the kits use larger diameter studs? I would rather not change the stud/lugnut size, I'm planning on keeping the factory alloy wheels.

 

They keep the same size. At least the allpro's do, I dont know why they would change them.

 

Then you are not an expert weldor. i did it with no problems and have been welding for less than a year.


Best bang for your buck is a hanger kit and you can source springs, and misc. parts.

Best buy would be a kit. Trailgear bearings suck( or so i've heard)

 

Well that was how I was advised by someone who does SAS's all the time, but maybe he was worried about the liability of ruining a customer's housing.

 

Welding on anything has the potential to warp or ruin it obviously, but welding on an axle you just do not want it to get too hot in one spot. 1 to 2 inch long beads at a time and let it cool down to the touch before welding again. Welding on opposite sides helps too. Take your time.

Owning a welder no more makes one a welder any more than owning a piano makes one a pianist.