Hi, i have a 94 4Runner (Surf). Im looking into a SAS and wondering what axles to use. I have come across a couple of LC's in the local yard (although i havn't had a good look round them yet). With any luck one with have eLockers on, i've had a scout around but cant find much info on SAS with cruiser axles..is there any specific reason for that..lol

 

Assuming you're talking an 80 series since you mentioned elocker - there are a number of reasons that make them difficult to use for a SAS:

- Wider, and rear has offset diff so hard to get matching track widths
- High steer is ridiculously expensive (hell, all parts for that matter)
- Availability (at least here in the US - may be a totally different story in UK)
- Set up for links, and most people are afraid and just want the simplicity of leaves

All that said, is there really 'wheeling hard enough to need a SAS in the UK?

What procedure do you have to go through to register a vehicle with such significant modifications? (A guy in Barcelona did one, and it was amazing the amount of paperwork and inspections that had to be completed)

Have you 'wheeled it as IFS? What didn't you like that you think a SAS will solve?

 

cool..that answers most of my questions then, there's also a hilux..i'll have a look which model that is and see what ratios the diffs will be.

To answer your questions, there is 'nothing' over here that would come close to some of the terrain you have over there in terms of expeditions, but there are some cool sites and private quarries over here to play in.

I have run it this yr on a few trips, and the last one broke it..was at one of the pay an play centres. The R/H/F shaft bearing had excessive play causing leaking. I have the diff out stripped and the inner bearing looks killer to get out..!! So seeing as the diff was out i thought SAS would be better than replacing like for like.

I dare say a set of auto lockers would get me just about anywhere a full blown rockcrawler would over here, but not being able to play on that 2-3% of terrain would kill me..lol

Thing is i like my stuff to be a bit different (in other words i like messin), i have an Escort Cabriolet with full cosworth bodykit running around 230bhp and a Sierra Sapphire cosworth running around 400bhp. I love the look of the SAS'd trucks, regardless of how often it will get tested

 

Just a warning so you don't end up disappointed - a STOCK solid front axle isn't much stronger than the IFS. If you're SAS'ing for strength, there's a lot more to do than just bolting in a factory SFA.

IMHO, lockers PREVENT more damage than they cause. I would recomend installing a rear locker, and learning to 'wheel that, then deciding what to do.

I have lost count of the number of people in our club that have built up super huge or sold their trucks and bought buggies and then don't hardly wheel any more because most of the trails aren't fun any more (or to be challenging and fun, rolling your rig and breaking something is almost guaranteed)