4 link SAS
 

Has anyone done this on a 4Runner?

I have a friend with a Bronco that has a 10" lift 44" tires (yes they look small on a lift of that size). He has invited me to go wheeling with them this summer. So of course I am starting to consider what I said I'd never do....a SAS swap.

Here is the reason that I ask if anyone has done a 4 link SAS swap. It's the easiest because it can all be done custom by myself with a little bit of time on the :welder: . Cheapest because........well, actually, it won't be any cheaper. But best because I'll be able to use coil-overs which I believe are the best suspension type because I'm a car guy.

So what I'm looking for are possibly pictures of what it'll look like and maybe a contact to discuss possible problems so that I can make up my mind.

Thanks for any help advice anyone can give me. Any Toyota SAS links would give me some info, but am really looking for a Toyota with a 4 link.

you mean like this?

http://www.c-rmotorsports.com/images/frontlink.jpg

:scared:

That is insane!! Mine would be rolling down the parking lot at that point...

Fink:devil:

First off why do you think you need a solid axle to keep up with a bronco? What kind of trails will you be doing? Tougher than the rubicon? If yes, then sure a SAS seems to be in your future. If not, then spend your money else where.

Second, yes, lots of people have done coil SAS's. However, the leaf spring swap is the absolute easiest because it's become so common and well documented everywhere on the internet. It's also the cheapest. If this is your first multi link suspension build, then don't count on your 4runner being streetable.

You'll probably want to search pirate if you are still really interested in a linked suspension.

here's another one. sorry not a 4runner.
http://www.angelfire.com/extreme2/su...ed/sas/sas.htm

This is almost exactly what my truck looked like after my clutch this weekend. Only I had about half as much, from 2 people working on it, and 2 people watching.

That truck is great, though.

I'll try to answer everyones replies in this post.

First off BruceTS.....that is exactly what I'm looking to do if I end up going that route. Looks great, whos rig is that? Yours?

Now Robinhood150.....The reason that I feel like a solid axle is the answer to keeping up with the Bronco is because I've seen this thing in action. I've seen what it takes to get it stuck. He has another friend that has an insane 1st generation Toyota truck sitting on 44s and that is the only thing that can ever pull him out. We're looking at going to Tellico this summer. I've heard horror stories from there and don't want have my own to tell. I can do the less difficult trails for now, but I'd like to get to the point to where my 4runner can keep up with the Bronco at some point. This isn't something that will happen overnight, but I'd like to research it some before hand.

No, this will not be my first multi-link suspension......as I've said, I'm a car guy and have done a few 4 links on some hotrods. It's really a simple process once you've learned how to do it.

The leaf spring set-up is just not what I'm looking for. Yes, there is lots of info on them and even kits that you can buy, but it's never going to be as good as a 4 link. And if I did a custom leaf spring set-up, I could just as easily mess it up as far as alignment as a 4 link.

Thanks to everyone for the input and the links.......which I haven't checked out yet but will in a second. Maybe I can start gather parts an do this over this coming winter.

Hey, do you have the main sites web addy? I hit home at the top of the page and it said that it couldn't find the pages. I'd like to read up on this. It almost looks like a kit. Either that or he did a very good job making it look nice.

Either way, I'd like to know more about the truck......looks very nice. Wonder what size tire those are and how much total lift he has now.

Ok, fair enough. It's just that a lot of people get sucked into the hype of the solid axle without fully exploring the limits of IFS. Then they do the swap but don't even have lockers or a crawler.

Here's another link for linked suspension, although I haven't looked to see if it's a 4 link:
http://offroadsolutions.com/projects/954runner.htm

Good luck.

Not me! I'm gonna keep mine IFS :bowdown:

Once I reach that magical point where I've reached the limit of what my suspension will do, I'll start a new project.......

Maybe this will work:
Clicky

I am quite confused.

You are a car guy who has built a lot of four links, but you want to see them on a Toyota.

They are the same as on hot rods, but you need to see pictures?

Steve pointed out, and I agree, that leaf springs are much easier. Not the case if you are a veteran though in which case I don't understand this post here.

Have you got lockers?

What size tires are you looking to run?

Are you going to use a Toy front?

Not my rig but a member of pirate4x4, I originally found the picture at: http://www.c-rmotorsports.com/Suspension%20Kit.htm

http://www.c-rmotorsports.com/images/Suspension_Kit.jpg

When I had originally planned on doing my 4-link rear suspension Bob Roggy's design was exactly what I was looking for. I've e-mailed him but never got a response, so after doing more research, I decided to do the suspension myself. I've got most of my calculations figured out, but I need to do some finishing touches to my rig to get exact weights on all 4 corners.

Actually the front suspension on that rig uses a panhard bar in front, because of clearance issues, it's actually the best way to go. And in the rear he's got a 3-link design.....Check out this thread, make sure you read the whole thing, very imformative: http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showt...hreadid=216388

hey a site - http://www.mudtruk.com/suspesion.html

Well, I can understand why he'd want to see pictures...just part of the research you know. It's always best to see if there are some hidden problems that maybe one didn't think of, for example, the driveshaft hitting the gas tank. I'm sure he doesn't have that kind of problem with a hotrod.

I've personally done many different types of suspension designs, by seeing what others have done successfully, it's much easier to re-create, than thinking out of the box. The 4-link for offroad is quite different compared to what is normally used on street rods.

Yes, basically, I wanted some links and info on other peoples rigs to see what kind of problems that they have run into with doing the set-up. Also, with a 4 link, you can use different angle when attaching to the axle from the frame. I'm kind of curious if some have used different angle for any certain reasons (clearances and what not). Steering would be a concern on a lifted vehicle which isn't on a hot rod.

I'm trying to research it to decide if this is the route that I want to go.

As far as my 4Runner......it is pretty much stock at this point other than the 31" tires and different rims, which from what I understand some come with stock (tires that is). I'm trying to decide the route that my rig will take before I get started. I'd rather not spend money on lifts if it's going to get a custom 4 link and coil-overs at some point. I want to spend my money once so that I can get the most out of it.

BruceTS....Thanks for the link. I'll look into all of that. The panhard and steering are my biggest concerns in the front. I want to use a cross-over type steering and I'm kind wondering how I'll set it all up. I'll have to have the 4 links, the panhard and the steering all running across the axle. I want to see how others have set this up on they're rigs. I had considered a 3 link for the back for a second, but thought if I do a 4 link in the front I might as well go the same route out back.

And I'm not sure who commented on on lockers and crawlers, but I'll be honest about that. Yes, I know what the purpose and use of a locker is, but I have no clue about crawlers. This is my first serious rig. I had a small Dodge truck when I was younger that I use to take out mudding, but that was just something fun to do at the time. This 4Runner is going to be a serious rig when finished.

If I were you , I'd go with a leaf SAS. It would be much faster and easier to do than a 4 link! There is sooooo much geometry involved in designing a "proper" 4 link setup for the front end. Now, if you are going to run full width D60s and are planning on crawling over things taller than 4ft., then it would be worth the time and money to do it. Then, you might as well do the rear too.

IMHO, stick with a leaf SAS! You can still flex like mad!!

heres another shot of the same flex.

This is my truck
87 runner
5"Allpro leaves
Hy-Steer
etc......

for the money, id rather be locked front and rear..