I am thinking about covert my 2002 tacoma trd 4x4 to sas but how hard will it be? and whereto buy the sas for the swap? do you need to have a lift or just jack stand will do? how much cutting and welding do you need? is there a website or video that show you how to do this kind of project, like i said I am new to this kind of swap so any hint or suggestion is helpful so thank you all in advance.

 

Tacoma has a drivers side drop so you wont be able to use a Toyota axle. Maybe a D44 or something from a jeep. Lots of fabricating and tools involved. You will need to be familiar with different types of suspension systems to set this up correctly.

Why do you want to sas your taco anyways?

 

i just like the look of it

 

what is the best option if I want to convert to sas, I have read some post and it said to used dana 60 is that right?

 

Ah. Well you could research a bit i'm not sure if anyone makes a "kit" you will likely have to fabricate some stuff. Can you fabricate? Are you familiar with how to lay out a suspension system? What goes where, what not to do, etc.

 

There are alot of threads on here on solid axle swaps , some with much detail check them out and see how much work it is .

 

D60 if you want to go full width. I would keep it narrow to fit in tight trails but since your going for looks, i guess its just personal preference

 

thks I guess i have to do more home work on the subject then, by the way where can I pick up book or any thing regarding suspension system, I can fabricate some, i have a miller plasma cutter, lincoln 250 idealarc ,gastorch,lincoln 100pak, drill press,band saw, the only thing I need now is a auto lift in my backyard that will complete my dream shop well maybe a 20 ton or 50 press.Any way thks for all you guys in put.

 

Oh yeah your set then. I dont think theres a book on it. I learned by just jumping into it

 

ok I guess that will be mine process then try and error and read more thread on this site right.

 

If you are only going for looks as you stated above. Just buy a lift kit.

 

He likes the look of the SFA as he said above

 

kind of expensive and alot of work for just "the look"?
Here, and searching on yotatech would be the best place to start
http://www.sonoransteel.com/SA_Parts.html
http://www.sonoransteel.com/Dana44/index.htm

 

I just read more stuff on this forum in the section about newbie it said that lifting is the last resource so Im think about regear my 02 tacoma 4x4 trd I have 265/75/r16 for tires and a fabtech suspension lift ,this is done over 2 yrs now but since the lift I know does the truck seem to lack acceration specially went driving up hill or in freeway, I have kn filter 2 1/2 exhaust but like I said lack of speed, so my guess is I need to regear my back diff. and front or both and how about the diff. it self? Im kind of new to this type of stuff so If my question seem stupid to all you guys forgive me ok, I have read alot on sas and sometime it mention 3rd member what is 3rd member in 4x4 term mean and if I need to regear my rear or front diff. what gear ratio do I need and can I be able do it my self? also what is 31 33 or 35 mean is it the tires size or the ratio of the tires, well i hope I didnt bore anyone but if you can give me hints or detail about my questions thks in advance.

 

31 33 and 35 are tire heights in inches. They usually run smaller than the indicated size (35 is actually 34") but its all relevant.

3rd member is the differential in it's entirety (ring and pinion, spider gears, carrier, all bearings, housing)

Unless you know what your doing and have the proper gauges you cant regear yourself. You can do everything except setting up the gears. Have a shop do it.

When you regear you change the number or rotations of the motor in comparison to the rotations of the tires so you will need to do front and rear.

That all make sense?

 

Most if these question can be answered with a quick search.
This was the first google images result when i searched "3rd member" you would also be able to search google and read a lot about them.

 

thks algranger I learn something already about 3rd member, you said to have a shop to do the regearing the front and rear diff. right and how about the 3rd member? and also I am trying to learn more about gearing ratios what is the best website to learn youtube? what do you think the cost for the regearing will be? most of my lift I send it to offroad wherehouse in san diego I just need to know the cost so I can deal with them. thks

 

Exactly my point. That would be a huge waste of time for the look.

 

that would be a sweet setup for wheeling Idk for looks it woudl only look cool to those who knew what they where looking at but then for those people who know what they are looking at,would only see flaws and imperfections in the build.

So an SAS on a taco for looks is a joke

An SAS on a taco for wheeling is Wicked

I dont bother going pretty cause I dont have the time or the money to impress the tire kickers and it ends up covered in a mud film anyways.

one day I dream of a taco/sas build for a DD/trail rig I want the plush of a new interoir, the performance of a highly modified trail rig, with a sweet 3.4L pushing all the goodies

 

youtube is a good source for a laugh, sometimes they might have some good tech--haven't seen much there

for regearing insite, take a look at Zuk's website: http://gearinstalls.com/
Zuk charges $250 per third plus shipping, you provide the parts.
* I recently spent about $500 for two gearsets, master install kits plus $300 to have the work done for 5.29's. that was with me pulling the differentials...easy to do on the rear axle, a bit more involved on the front--

a lot of Taco swaps will use a DS drop waggoneer axle--getting very hard to find
here is a few good reads on SAS a tacoma: http://ttora.com/forum/showthread.php?t=109665
http://ttora.com/forum/showthread.php?t=112036
one that used a flipped SA toyota axle:
http://ttora.com/forum/showthread.php?t=102614
you will find a ton of info in this folder--but I HIGHLY recommend that you NOT post there:
http://pirate4x4.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=77

choices can be doing straight spring swap or going 3-4 link Coil Over swap

good folder on parts that you might need: http://ttora.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=40