so here the deal. i've been doing a lot of research on doing a sas to my 96 4runner and i was wondering what brand of you went with and why you went with it?

 

I recommend you look at this website: http://www.hunt4steve.com/4Runner.html

Overall, SASed 3rd gens are relatively rare, so it's hard to say how much feedback you'll get. The most useful thing I can tell you is that you'll need a Dana 44 out of a Jeep Wagoneer for the front axle.

...And F&R leaf springs are the easiest way to go.

 

There is no one "brand" kit that covers everything you need for sas. ORS and Allpro are close to being a "complete" kit, but still require odds and ends.

What axle you planning on going with and what suspension set up?

I have my sas pretty much figured out, just need time to collect the parts and get a DD

You don't need a D44 out of a waggy, you can use any axle you want up front. I won't be using a waggy 44, I'll be using a passenger drop toy axle.

You also need to ask yourself, do you need sas? What type of environment are you wheeling in? I'll be on 35's gear'd locked and armored beating the hell out of my truck before I'll be sas'ing it.

 

What axle you planning on going with and what suspension set up?

i'm going to use one off an early 80's pick up or 4runner and for the suspension i'm probably going to use FOX or bliston. the kit i've been really thinking about getting is the all-pro

 

The reason I mentioned the Waggy D44 is because it's width is close to the 3rd gen's rear axle; the Toyota front axle is narrower. Whichever axle you want to use is fine as long as the diff is on the same side as the t-case drop.

 

Should go with a 14 bolt in the rear and dana 60 in the front. That be awesome to see on a 4runner. Haha.

 

early 80's front axles are typically too narrow like others have said. If you want to stick with toyota check out the FJ60/62 axles, i've seen a 3rd gen with one under it. Also check the vehicle classifieds on TTORA, i've seen a few SAS'd 4runners in there from time to time. That will give you a few more ideas on their setups.

 

I agree w/ crolison, there are a lot of things I would buy before I would do an SAS on mine. For $6 - $8000.00, you could easily buy an entire used jeep for the price (which of course already has solid axles). Unless you're going to compete in rock crawling competitions, you'll most likely never get your $$'s worth out of it.

Also, consider this...a lot people in the sport of rock crawling are actually starting to race their "crawlers" and many of them are building IFS hybrid trucks. Like a cross between a trophy truck and a rock crawler. Even in the early stages of the sport, these heavily built IFS trucks will do rocks 90 - 95% as effective as solid axles, but they'll also do 120+ mph on dirt. I think this is the future of the sport.

 

I know the 44 is a good choice for a swap, but i don't like them (personal opinion), and cost just as much if not more to build a 44 compared to throwing in long's into a toy sfa.

If your going to want to use a mini truck sfa get a diamond or sky manufacturing housing and use that for your front axle so you can get a good width without running spacers.

What tcase where you planning to run on your passenger side mini truck axle?

 

I plan on using a 44 out of a Waggy when I do my swap mainly because I can get one for free. My truck is on 35's/ double locked currently and having to change out axles all the time, while easy, is getting old. I am just starting to do research on the swap, so the axle choice may change in the future.

 

I thought you couldn't use older toy axles when I looked into it about 8 months ago or so. I thought it had to be the same side steering box drop and everything. Any one got good info on doing the swap? It's probably to expensive for me to afford if anything ill probably just get a old beater or something.

 

Check out all the work done on the hunt4steve site listed above.
Check out just the parts list for the Sonoran Steel SA 3rd gen
parts list
http://www.sonoransteel.com/SA_Parts.html
Then check out the pics of the work done.
pics
http://www.sonoransteel.com/Dana44/index.htm
Then go check out the "kit" price at Allpro.
Then sit down and have a good talk with yourself.

 

I know everyone has their reasons, but I just do not agree with how this /\ SAS was done. I don't mind the SUA, but the shackle angle just plain sucks. Way too easy to hit the shackle and invert it. It seems to me that placement of the axle and shackle could have been better thought out.

Anyway, if you want to see a quality SAS, then check out EricB's build:
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=609488

Right now I am really torn as to whether or not I am going to swap my 2000. I am however going to start gathering parts over the next year to have it ready if and when I decide to do it.

I may end up getting a beater 96/97 cheap to work with instead.

 

i'm swapping out cases to passenger drop and going duals with 2.28's

and using an fj axle and radius arm set up to begin with. Going to keep the rear suspension the same, and keep it low. Trim the hell out of it and run 37's