I used to have a Bronco II That had 7" of lift on it and 33s before I rolled it. The IFS on that thing sucked. It handled terrible on the road and very weak on rocks. Everytime you gunned it down a rough dirt road the steering would need to be re-aligned. I hammered the thing over mini-jumps and it absorbed them well, but the strengh was still very lacking. So after I rolled it I bought the Toyota Pickup. Can the toyota ifs be hammered down rough dirt roads stock? The wheeling I do is mostly on rough dirt roads. So I got some rancho rs9000s and was wondering if aftermarked torsion bars would work well with them for fast bumpy wheeling? Im running 32-11.50 tires.

Im new to Toyotas, please be patient

GRant

 

It's pretty strong, but I guess it depends on what you mean by "fast" and "bumpy". The aftermarket torsion bars are just a higher spring rate, will make the ride stiffer and possibly limit travel (which may be OK depending on your definition of "fast" and/or "bumpy").

Something like this would be perfect for you:
http://chaosfab.com/gen2caddy.html

 

If you want to upgrade your torsion bars, go to the OME 23.4 MM bars - the stock ones are 22.8 MM and are plenty strong for the most part. The only ones after that are the 25 and 26 MM offerings by I think Downey and Sway-a-Way. The 25 and 26, from reports I"ve heard, will jar your teeth out, the 23.4 is a nice compromise from stock from what I've heard. If you're carrying lots of weight up front though, like a heavy duty bumper and/or winch you might have better luck in weighing down the heavier duty torsion bars. But otherwise I think what tc recommended is probably a better option. The Toyota stock IFS is tough, and built very stoutly, but it's not built for 37's, or even 35's for regular hard wheeling. And beating on it, will eventually break something at some point. You'll probably go through Idler arms once a month if you go hard, and your ball joints will be gone sooner than later, as these are the first items to go - regular wear items. I second TC's recommendation to consider the High travel Total Chaos kit if you plan on hard hard IFS wheeling i.e. beating on it repeatedly. It will probably be a better investment in the long run.

 

E-mail one the guys who has done a solid axle switch and buy there IFS compomnents from them, they will sell it cheap, believe me. Throw those parts in your truck becuase you WILL break them, and need them on the trail!

 

In a Petersons (I think) a few months back there was an ariticle on IFS setups, and they praised Toyota as having a very stong IFS that could handle 37's... While I dont know about that big I have 35's and havent had any issues... I dont beat the piss out of it, and try to wheel smart but sometimes the skinny pedal wins.. but no issues...

breakage occurs, most commonly CV's, but usually it takes some hard abuse..

 

Yes, It was Petersen's who touted it as being pretty tough.



I think many people take the HITRAC IFS for granted when it comes to strength. This has been covered before, but Toyota engineers had the off-roader in mind; torsion bars are mounted to the upper control arms and are tucked up nice and high, steering system is also fairly sturdy and tucked up, and all of it was designed around the existing frame which housed the solid axle on earlier rigs.

 

Toyota doesn't build weak junk.....oh wait this is the US taco market. FYI, toyota STILL uses that suspension in there mini trucks for the rest of the world where tuff trucks are needed along side the 70 series land cruiser.

 

Thanx guys for all the info. I just got back from hunting. I killed my first 2 deer ever. A Doe and a Little four pt Buck.

 

congrates on the first deer! Now come up tp montana where we have some real deer/elk hunting LOL!!!

you should be fine as is on your rig. I used to run my old 94 to the limit of rolling first on the bumpy gravel roads up here (we have more dirt and gravel than paved in this state) with never a hit of breakage. and it was completl;y stock. The part you will most likely wear out first will be the idler arm. but they are rebuildable for just a few bucks from your local dealer.

have fun.....

 

I believe it's strong as anything... i beat the ลลลล out of mine (wheelie's, fast bumps) and it never complains (yes my truck wheelies)

 

I have done some really streching with mine....
and after 100K it's still goin strong...
And if you ever seen the way I drive...
You would be suprised I haven't broken a CV or anythin yet...