6 Lug
I've always liked the 4 runner and 2nd. generation Toyotas. Tried out an 84 runner when they first came out almost bought it but didn't...bad move! A few years back I bought an 89 Runner, loved everything about it except how it handled in the winter time. You really had to watch it on slippery roads or you would be doing donuts and not by choice! Being a Power Lineman I've seen the worst storms and the worst roads you can imagine and driven all sizes of trucks on them. I've had 4 wheel drives for over 20+ years but I never saw a truck break away like my runner. A couple of years ago I found an 86 standard cab with an excellent frame, pretty good cab and a blown 22Re, I bought it as a project.
Because I wasn't pleased with the way My IFS 4 runner handled I figured that a straight axle had to be better, so when my son and I put her in the garage, I did a SOA SAS, rebuilt and installed a 5M-GE (85 Supra). I won't go into detail over everything, but I will tell you about the SAS.
I bought Brian's kit from FRORF, had a variety of spring options, but ultimately moved my rear stock springs up front and bought new ones for the rear. We moved the axle ahead by about 1" by redrilling the perches. Used a set of Banana Shackles from BudBuilt, installed 3/4 ton Ford Shock towers, with Rancho 5126 shocks on all 4 corners. We used the stock stabilizer bar, but we had to fab drop mounts so that the stabilizer was at the same angle as stock. We didn't use a torque rod and there doesn't seem to be any axle wrap, probably because the springs are pretty rugged. When it was all said and done I had to put 3" blocks in the rear to level my truck out.
We didn't put Hi-Steer, but we used the stock tie rods between the wheels, and my son reworked the steering arm and pitman arm which are over the springs. Our main clearance issue was the front sump oil pan of the 5M-GE, I've got about an 11/2" of clearance and haven't hit it yet.
I never drove this truck when it was IFS, we towed it home, so I really can't compare, but on the highway she sticks to the road like glue, she doesn't roll and you can accelerate through the hardest of corners. Because of other commitments I think my son has had it off road more than I, we don't rock crawl but she's been in some pretty hard spots...I'm really pleased with it! It's never been on an alignment machine, let go of the steering wheel on the highway, she goes straight as an arrow and she's wearing all 4 tires evenly. It's time to play some more, I've got an Electric locker to install in the rear and a Hi-pinion electric locker to put in the front and then some serious 4 wheeling in the spring. After that..rear discs...1Jz twin turbo!!
My son bought an 85 that the frame was rusted out on Something you probably don't worry about in CA. We put the 4Runner frame under it. We cut 6" off of each frame and welded the 85 front to the 4 Runner frame, so basically his front spring hangers are in the stock location. He put in a set of 2" lift springs that I had and used the rear shackles that originally came with my kit from FRORF. He's going to need 3" blocks in the rear to make her level.
This is pretty drawn out, but I just wanted to give you some ideas, bottom line I don't think you will be sorry with a SAS. Take your time, decide what you want and get it right the first time. Plan on tying your truck up for awhile, Because if you are doing it yourself it's going to take more than a week-end, that is if you want to do a quality job.

 

W O W....not used to reading that much...ha. Thanks for all the info, and I appreciate the encouragement. Glad to hear that yours turned out awesome for you and your son. Have a good'n.