I'm sure the toyota people are Gods on earth, and do no wrong. But when they designed IFS, they did it with the idea on their head to have better on road handling. They did it so that the majority of people who purchase these vehicles had nice cushy rides. Not b/c it provides better handling off road. If IFS was the way to go then why don't they throw it on all the Jeeps, and not just the ones they directly advertise towards the mainstream? Why isn't everyone who has a solid axle rig, cutting it all off, and replacing it with IFS?

Now I did call ORW today, the price of the basic total chaos kit is about $2400. There is other expenses involved as well, which I didn't have a chance to total up. So its not like I'm coming in a lot cheaper by keeping the IFS, and trying to make that set up work.

Honestly my take on this is that I bought an IFS truck. Now I can modify the current suspension to be "as good as" a solid axle. Or I can I just go ahead and do it the right way. I don't want to spend $3000+ upgrading this, and then later finding out that this set up has its limitations, and then wanting a SA. You guys have the time, the tools, and the skill to work on your own trucks. I don't have those luxuries. Also its not like I can go out and test drive a version of both, and decide which one works for me. So that leaves me to the experiences of others, and then make the best decision I can.

You guys keep refering to web wheeling vs real wheeling. I'm not as fortunate as some of you to have the time to go every other day. But when I do get the chance to wheel, as anyone who has wheeled with me will tell you, I hold my own pretty well. and I've never backed down from a challenge.

 

I can agree

 

Hell if you have the money, then SA that mutha! To be honest, if I had enough cash and didn't care about my rig, I'd SA it. I just don't like the idea of SA my rig because of the cost. For that kind of cost I could buy a true trail rig that I can bash, trash, and don't mind getting a dent or two in. Hey its your cash, not mine!!! SA your rig and be done with it! I'm ready to see the final cost. I believe at one time, I was quoted at around $10k for everything.

 

Joining the game late...

You cannot make IFS comparable to a well done solid axle.

A stock Dana 44 will be comparable to stock CV's in my humble opinion.

Hunt's truck works. He is a good driver and handles an IFS rig fearlessly.

Schaefer's truck works. He too is a good driver and handles IFS carefully. I have ridden in and spotted for both trucks.

The being said, I think Hunt will have a solid axle within the year and Schaefer's truck will be pretty much the same. Why? Because Schaefer's rig does all he wants it to do while Hunt still has a few screws loose.

You can wheel the piss out of IFS. I don't think you have yet. You are making it sound like a solid axle is the only solution. We have outlined many more.

Web wheeling is conjecture based on suppositions far removed from reality usually proven false when a rig hits a trail.

 

 

I think this is appropriate right about now...

 

I guess there's the misconception that we're talkin about the same wheeling. While half the people that have spoken in this thread do mostly just rock crawling out west, Shahzad has to live with lots of mudding and rocks that sometimes requires the use of the skinny pedal. You can't just crawl through some stuff out here. Let's keep that in mind as well.

 

I still appreciate their input .. it made me go back and re-think my stance several times, and when I finally do it I won't go back and second guess myself or have any regrets.

 

Well then it's VERY clear. Dana 60, Ford 9" or Toyota FJ 9" diffs.

Take a look at: http://www.dynatrac.com/

 

 

Nobody here has said IFS is stronger than SA, it's just that doing a SAS to a 3rd Gen 4Runner is a waste. The amount of work needed to make an effective hardcore trail rig is far more than building a buggy from scratch. The few 3rd gens that have been SAS'ed aren't anywhere near the full capabilities that other type of SA rigs have achieved. Trying to fit 37's will take a lot of cutting, something I'm not willing to attempt. As for the Total Choas Kit, the A-Arms aren't the weak link, the 7.5" diff and CV axles are.

I think the reason why many have changed their minds about doing a SAS is two fold, the first being the amount of work required to accomplish the task, but more so, it wasn't needed for the trails being attempted. Secondly some of us have realized that the 3rd gen isn't a good base vehicle for doing the Hardcore stuff that a buggy is better built to do. Even Breezy has decided to sell his SAS'ed 4Runner, just so he can get a buggy.

 

Yes I agree with you all, an older truck would be much better, cuz then you could flop it for fun. which is why I have been thinking about a trail rig for a while, but it's just not the right time for me. I was just trying to make you guys see it in a different perspective. Either way, we'll just see what he decides to do.

 

LOL Adrian, you are one articulate funny guy.

And that kicking the dead horse icon, that was really funny!

I hope to have a Solid axle, just because (I do have a few screws loose, they are still MIA in the garage ) I tend to push my rig to the edge of the envelope. I'm sure one day, it will roll, hopefully after I get the roll cage in, and probably while Carole is driving. But, until them, I'm going to break a couple more axles pulling that heavy tank up ChinaMans Gulch!

 

SteveO, I got a good idea, on when your gonna roll it

 

When do ya think???

I may be this Moab run, I dunno at this point. I know I won't roll it on the Poison Spider combo run, thats all pretty easy. Although, there was one obstacle towards the end I almost bounced too far to the right and rolled it. On second thought, who knows......it could be the Poison Spider combo trail....

 

Guys, this has been a great debate, with lots of info and opinions.

Awesome thread!

 

Ya know, I was just thinking of something.....

What about putting an early Ford Bronco D44 up front with coil-overs? A great cushy ride, and mad flex. I know its still a SA, but the ride would be pretty nice......

 

I am so going to print this and show her...you are in trouble mister

 

NOOOOOOOOOooooooooooooooo

 

If you want to talk about the rig for conditions, then the swapped 3rd Gen is wrong for all of them.

Get an old rig from the big 3. It has power and fenders to hack for clearance. Either that or a Jeep.

Some of this is not beating a dead horse. This is specific to one man's inquiry about his truck.

SteveO, thanks man. The funny thing is I get a kick out of you too.

Pay someone else to hang a solid axle. Leaves should suffice for stiff, throttle down non-crawling. Then leave it open so the wheel spin in your front end will nuke the stock 44 u-joints.