Wow it looks great!! I wouldnt be able to sleep, just look out my window at it!!HAHA!! Im curious to see how your locker works or if you notice a driveability difference. I would like to get a spartan for my rear. Yea that white truck and the runner with dana frontend?? both look sick. Great accomplishment man, and it seems like you stayed pretty steady going and got it completed quickly!! You owe your neighbor some beers!

 

Actually gonna invite his family over for a nice bbq. Maybe some steaks or some good marinated chicken. My grilled shish-ka-bobs. I'm sure they'll appreciate it. Its the very least I can do for them after what he did for me.

As for performance goes with the Spartan locker. Dude don't wait on my opinion. Mark (ChefYota) already has one in his rear diff. And it works beautifully. He was able to keep up with both my neighbours rigs who are both locked front and rear with Detroit Lockers. The guy at YotaMasters even gave me some input on the stuff I bought for my 3rds. Said that the Spartan locker is the best lunchbox locker in his opinion out on the market. Also as for my gears go I don't see too many people using TrailGear's TrailCreeper ring and pinion gears. So I asked about those and he said that those are very good quality and that he uses them in all his rigs. So I'm very happy I got that input from him because he installs this stuff all the time at his shop. And now I know I made the right choices to get the stuff I bought for my diffs.

Like u said though I'm very happy and can't stop looking out my window every chance I get lol. I really wanna test these lockers out.

 

Looking mean and clean Red.

You will like your Spartan, like I said they have their quirks on asphalt but I wouldn't take it out either.


Good dollar value for trail fun.

 

Haha, u now are a member of the "SNAP, CRACKLE, PPPPPPP-PINGGGGG CLUB!" Yeah, mine still does it on occasion, but its hands down the best investment offroad wise that I've done. Richard isnt kidding, my lil Ruby crept up and over every steep hill Chris or aruben went over before me. I think they were surprised when I would come up and over some of those hills, lol. But without 35's and 4" lift there are just some things I didnt bother with trying. But, the sliders? #2 thing I'm really thankful for, cuz while I'm sure ppl do think I just want a pretty rig,....Richard will tell u that I WILL go for stuff that gets passengers hair raising up! Lol..... And, while Richard was rolling with me, we slid on the pass side slider all the way cross it.
Lock it or stay at base camp! Lol

 

Great info fellas!!

 

Checked out the 4x Innovations slideds today. Really hard to pick some out.
Want the same design as Marks truck with the kick out step toward the rear tire. But I want DOM grade steel. Which is stonger. Mainly because I know I'm going to be off roading with Ruben and Chris a lot and they do a lot of hardcore off roading. Just want to be sure that my truck is going to be safe after everything I've put into it you know.
Its $232 for the HREW grade and $282 for the DOM higher grade steel.
I think it's worth the extra $50 what do you guys think?

 

If money is no object, of course it's worth it. But, I still dont think from all I was told that its 100% necessary for a lighter rig like ours. La of wit some wheeling fan does told me was is like difference of 1080 60hz and 1080 120hz.... "is like comparing a 4x4 and 4.11x4.11... ur not gonna tell the difference unless u do something so dramatic that the sliders wont matter. Sliding on rocks or coming down on one pretty good, either one will do the trick".... But the feeling of security, even if thats true? Sure, I can feel dat for sure!

Do what u feel best about, bud! That's my stand

 

its worth the extra 50 when you whack that rocker killer an it dont reach the target

 

That thing is sexy dude! I'm really loving the paint color and black wheels. I almost wish I would've went with a smokey grey/gun metal (or whatever have you) color instead of white. Anyway, great job man it looks great.

 

Thanks I guess I just needed ti hear somebody else backing me up on my choice lol. It'll definitely be worth the super duty protection.

Thanks man.
Its funny that you say that about my paibt job. I've always been a fan of 2 paint colors. And that is what I have. But most of all I've always liked white with black the most. I just like that color combo. Plain but w/e it just works for me. Love it. I actually thoughf about paintint this one white and keeping the camper and all extra accessories black. But this color combo has kind of grown more to my liking. I like my truck as a chaecoal grey too so this is what I'm gonna keep it as.

Don't dog your awesome white paint job man. That thing looks really sick. Embrace it bro haha afyer all you have one of the prefered colors people like for these trucks. Everyone always likes white.

 

Well drat let me add back to your confusion You want the protection harder than the sheet metal and softer than the frame. Atleast I think I do, I want soft/squishy tacked up under hard/tough. can I get 1-1/2" in square tube welded one on top of the other.. yeah thats completely over arm-chair engineered and ugly, and advice from a 2wheeler

Don't forget those are just methods "HREW" "ERW" "DOM" isn't really as important as the actual material or it's dimensions and thus specifications. Or how it was treated during and after welding/assembly, hardnened vs anealed.

25$ per side? Bah you could blow that in labor alone just knocking out a tiny dent. Go with whatever makes you feel comfortable. Oor, take the cash and go on an extra picnic. Bottom line I'm betting they're both engineered properly and neither one is going to pretzel the first time you lean on them.

 

Hey guys. I went to take my driveshaft in yestersay after work. Gonna get it extended 3 inches. And he informed me that one of the joint on the part that connects to the axle was in need of repair as well. He showed me what one is supposed to feel like and then mine and yea I noticed the difference too. So to add 3" to length and repair that joint I'm gonna be paying $150. Honestly I was expecting the total to be somewhere around $250-300. So $150 is a good deal I guess. It will be ready to pick up later on today.
After dropping it off I went home to swap out my corolla for the truck and went to the alignment shop. They were already getting started when the tech came up to me and asked "Where are you getting the work done for this axle? And who is doing it." I told him it was me and a friend. Why? And then he pointed out 2 things to me and said one of your front leaf springs is backwards. And showed me lol. Sure enough it was. I'm sure that would explain why my truck felt a bit wierd when driving. I just assumed it was because I wasn't used to the lift or front axle. Take a look so u see what I mean....


So they didn't charge me anything amd told me to go back home and fix it and just to come back when its fixed. I can't believe we missed that. But I'm sure happy he caught it. The 2nd thing he said was. U see the angle of the rear axle. Obviously how we welded the spring perches to point directly up toward the transfercase. He says look at the front one. And he said. I can still align the steering for you if u want but I suggest u get that front axle at more of an angle or you can destroy your driveshaft. Ruben and I noticed that one last time but we first wanted to see thw angle of the driveshaft first before we tried adding some caster wedges for the spring perches or whatever. The last owner of the axle told me this axle came off an 85 Toyota pickup with a 4 inch lift using those same exact leaf springs. So I figured I would give it a shot and see how the drive shaft sits at once we have it.

So I took the truck home and put the front leaf spring the way it should be. And now that is corrected now all I gotta wait on is getting my Driveshaft from the shop and then make a trip to 4WheelParts and get 2 matching steelie rims. Hoping to get all of this stuff handled today after work. The 4wheel parts store in Compton closes at 6pm during the week. Just need to call ahead and make sure they have the rims in stock before I waste gas on a trip over there.

 

Hahaha, hey, crap happens! Good he caught that, and still great to have a dude like Roob on ur team! Poor dude is probably wiped out half the time eh? U GUYS ALL WERE I'M SURE!

Good to see u getting it all sorted just right!

Those rims? I'm sure they have or can get em there in hours if u call early enuf. KINGSFORD LOOKS SICK!

 

Your 4runner looks amazing! Nice work!!! I can't wait to see the pics on your next offroad trip!

 

nice catch on the springs that likely saved ya a lot in repairs down the road

 

good catch on the spring. on the drive shafts you dont want a drive shaft that is perfectly straight, it needs a bit of an angle on it so the U joints turn not just spin otherwise you will prematurely wear out the joints. on the sliders get the standered tubeing, on a roll cage our somthing like that DOM is a must but for sliders, bumpers things like that it not worth the extra cost IMHO, spend that extra 50 on some other cool thing.

 

Dude I had a laugh out loud moment with your backwards leaf. I do stuff like that sometimes and had a few come to memory which made me laugh.

Glad everyone involved is honest so you didn't lose cash.


When it's all sorted out please let me know how it feels compared to the old IFS. I've started to lean towards leaf springs as you know with that FJ62 axle find.

 

He did get one day off lol The day i had to clean up and paint the rear axle is the day i worked alone. So he had the day off. hahaha im a mean boss huh!

I'm glad you think that Ed. Coming from another person who's done an SAS.

I'm just happy they did the honest thing and told me about it vs just thinking about the money. Lots of shady places like that around here. definitely showed them i was grateful. and ill definitely be taking it back to them.

Never thought about it that way. Thanks Jason. I get my Drive shaft back today. i'm gonna take some pix once i install it so you guys can let me know if that's a good enough angle or not.

Well For one. i can already tell ya, People always says you're in for a stiff ride when you SAS. i honestly think it feels sooo much smoother and ride much nicer. doesnt feel as rough on bumps either. Then again I hsd really crappy shocks in the front with ifs too lol. Ill tell ya what it feels at higher freeway speed once I get it aligned and get my extra wheel.

 

Alright guys like the title reads. I found a few problems today. Nothing that has to do with the SAS work, just to clarify, that went perfectly fine. As you know i went to pick up my Drive Shaft today. and they did a great job in the 3" extension and repair. It looks like it came like that stock.
BTW THIS IS THE PLACE I DID IT AT FOR ALL YOU SoCal Los Angeles area guys.


I found a few problems today. the first one was that the drive shaft holes(x4) didn't align with the axle. Why? because this guy(me) is still using the stock IFS drive shaft Check it out.
Looks fine right?


But nooooooo the holes on the axle dont align with the holes on the driveshaft. V6 and 4cyl are completely different! They are thicker they have a different hole pattern. AND THE BOLTS ON V6 ARE THICKER! and will not work with one another see....


Luckily I have both drive shafts. the IFS V6 and the 4Cyl that is paired to my front axle. So here's what i did. I separated both drive shafts. I used my 3" extended drive shaft side for the end that attaches to the transfer case. The other side used the original 4cyl drive shaft end. In the picture below it was what i didn't end up using. but this is just to show you what i did. Once separating we found that the splines inside the drive shafts do indeed interchange and fit in one another. its a perfect fit!


Here's a quick video i made explaining this and showing you all exactly what my problem was in the beginning. this was before i swapped out the SA side of the drive shafts.

So After installing the new 4cyl drive shaft side my next problem was getting something that would fit the holes on both the D.S. and the SFA.
Ruben told me to go to an auto store and buy some bolts and nuts that are the same length just thinner but obviously not too thin. It has to be something that fits the hole almost exactly. and it has to be GRADE 8 bolts. anything less will just snap your bolts while off roading. So i went to the AutoZone and their employees said they didn't carry them, but they weren't sure how to help me.... so i didn't wanna take any kids word for it when this is my truck we're talking about here. So i called PepBoys, and they didn't even know what bolts were for the drive shaft. i spoke to 2 different people ad neither knew what i was talking about let alone did they even know what grade 8 bolts were lol. Goes to show how much these 2 companies employees know. Last resort i called Penske Toyota in Downey.... and this was the biggest disappointment of all! They found the right bolts and nuts. AND LIKE ALWAYS IT HAD TO BE A SPECIAL ORDER! not only that i so got a kick out of this. He said the Bolts would cost $14 dollars. then he said that's not including the bolts. and then he said the nuts would cost somewhere along the lines of $3.50. And then i said ok not bad, so about $18-20 total right? and he replied. OH NOOOO that is $14 dollars per bolt and $3.50 per nut. I wasn't sure whether to laugh or be mad lol Then he paused and i was like oh shiet! he's serious! hahahah i was like no thank you good bye. After i remembered about the O'Reily Auto Parts near where i used to live. So i drove down there and told the guy my story. He literally ROFL'd and took me to their bolts and nuts section where he fitted the correct size and nuts and crush washers. My grand total came out to $13.05 for GRADE 8 everything. Just goes to show you guys that dealerships is not always the way to go. DAMN STEALERSHIPS make me soo mad sometimes. but its better to laugh about it hahah


So when i got back home i installed to hardware and it was a perfect fit!

Here is the size difference
No fit...


Yes fit


Here's how it all turned out.


And here is a better picture of how the drive shaft angle is. It really isnt too bad. i thought it'd be worse. But i had Ruben take a look at it. and he said his 85 and his sons 87's are both the same angle and theyve been wheeling like that for many years. and wheeling them hard and have never had any problems. So this is how it's gonna stay for me.



BTW CDN-SMOKEJUMPER I know you are looking to possibly SAS. Make sure you get the drive shaft(s) and the bolts to your axle(s) just better to be on the safe side. i just got lucky because i had both of them. Also if you get a lift for the truck and need to extend the drive shaft like i did. Make sure you take the right Drive shaft to the shop lol
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Now that was problems 1&2 solved. Problem #3 is gonna cost me some $$$ to fix. and i gotta get this one fixed soon.

When we first installed the rear leaf springs the truck height was fine. it sagged a tad bit. but nothing too noticeable. Now today while arriving home i realized that the truck was sagging a lot. I guess the leaf springs finally broke in to the install. Check it out.


Now if i had some smaller shocks, maybe the same size as the ones in the front, i would probably get away with this little bit of sag. but as i took a closer look i found the problem would soon become a bigger problem if i didnt fix it soon
Might Damage these super expensive shocks if i dont get it handled. So that means no driving the truck around at all. and the off road trip to big bear will probably be delayed a few more weeks. Look


The rear shocks are almost bottomed out. They are 12" travel shocks! They should not be like this. So what I'm gonna do is just get some 5" lift leaf springs in the rear vs the worn out 4" ones it has now. My current ones have obviously been wheeled hard and worn out so bad that it sags this much. After all i think the way leaf springs are supposed to work is if you have 4" in the front you want 5" in the back. I can only imagine how the shocks will be if i had more weight. Imagine i have the weight of the camper, the Yakima Roof rack, then the spare tire, And who knows what else I'm gonna be carrying when i go on off road trips.

I do remember on somebody's thread here on YotaTech, somebody posted a website that makes custom leaf springs i think it might have been Chefyota but not certain. They will make the springs fit your needs. For instance, i need 5" not 4 AND lets just assume i need the leaf springs to be able to withstand 300-400 pounds of weight. They will custom make you leaf springs for that specific height and weight capacity. The only problem is I CANT FIND THAT DARN WEBSITE! Does anybody know what thread I'm talking about? or what website I'm talking about? Not only for me, but my dad also needs some leaf springs for his 2006 Toyota Tacoma work truck. his rear sags A LOT with all the weight from his tools. he needs something to withstand at least 600-700 pounds.

I'm gonna keep looking but if any of you guys know the answer please post it. definitely gotta get this rear end lifted. Don't wanna jack up my shocks.

 

1&2 awesome
3 YIKES O..o

no shops around you there in socal that do springs redeth?