Going to do a straight axle swap

What kind of axles are everyone using for SAS

 

Never seen one on a tundra.

 

I bet @Cruzer has some opinions on this type of deal with how he wheels.

 

It's not about what axles you are going to use, but which wheel speed sensors...

 

dana 60?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkKCy1Mbprg&ab_channel=WheelerWalkArounds

 

Usually Dana HD axles are used. Robbed from HD GM trucks. Quite a few FGT SAS trucks out there. I’ve seen one ridiculously lifted 2nd+ gen (like 14” lift) with SAS up front, also HD GM Dana axles.

 

The front Tundra unit bearings should be relatively easy to integrate into a solid axle. We could probably build some manual hubs, too.

 

Ahem; Spidertrax…

 

What are your goals?

Tire size?
Lift?
Actual intended use?
Budget?

 

The front of this things looks like it eats pedestrians. Hope they have a FRAC kit installed. Could be a ton shorter, but nice build.

Staying tuned to see the 2/2.5 gens getting converted for the rocks. I miss my SAS'd 3rz 4Runner.

 

Not a fan of the way they did the 4 link in the front. Looks like articulation is restrictive with upper and lower arms in the same plane

 

I noticed the rear shocks had virtually zero give in the reservoir line, too. Easy fix but I'm not sure it was designed for actual use in the rocks.

 

Rite now, I have 4.5 Inch lift, 37s, looking for more durability when offroading but also don't want to go to big so I'm still able to drive on the road, alot of driving up mountain roads. Correct me if I'm wrong but the solid axle suspension is much simpler and durable than the IFS

 

It may be simple but the ride quality sucks on a solid axle. I am not liking being limited with ride height because of the IFS so I am looking at SAS or get me a Taco with the RCLT HD kit. I really wish they had a RCLT HD for a Tundra but nope, they have the patent to keep anyone from doing it but not even a thought to when or if they will ever do it. I really like Marlin Crawler for years but man there are so many things on their website I would like for the Tundra but they do not offer it for the Tundra. Then you look into the patents and there it is, protected

 

It's the idea of greater ground clearance and tire contact in specific situations that most want from SAS. Otherwise, they ride worse, track worse, and introduce the possibility of death wobble. If you rock crawl primarily, SAS is what most prefer. If you drive your truck on roads most, and off-road some, IFS all the way. If you off road a lot, and ride on roads some and do not rock crawl, IFS for the win.

 

There are many more knowledgeable people than myself, but the reason for swapping (nearly 20 years ago now) was for articulation in the rocks and a more simple and trustworthy design.

When I did mine (be it on a narrower rig) I chose to stay full Toyota and swapped in an FJ60/62 front axle. It was stout and had good aftermarket support at the time.

Custom axles have come a long ways and you can pretty much create whatever you want these days, almost as easily as sourcing from the salvage yards. Concurrently, so hasn't IFS.

I'm fully subscribed to this thread. Good luck and share progress!

Edit: The more knowledgeable folks beat me to it above. Cutting and turning knuckles isn't a good time, but helps a ton with death wobble.

 

Agreed. A lot of decent ideas, but the delivery could use some refinement. I cringed a bit when looking over the front suspension geometry. Another example is the adapters they used to mount the rear shocks.

 

For 37” tires, you can make your IFS pretty darn reliable. I’d think a bit of reinforcing on the shock towers, alignment cam tabs, and knuckles should keep your front end mostly together. Add some RCV shafts if you wheel hard enough to warrant them, and you’ll be ahead of about 98% of us.

Our rear axles are tough as nails. You’ll likely want to regear for 37’s anyway, so put a good differential in while you’re at it. If I was actually wheeling, I’d go with selectable lockers in both axles.

We all like what we like, but a full size with 12” of lift is not a good wheeler in my book. 3-4” is plenty for 37s on our trucks if it’s done right. Even lower if you’re good at it…


Making your IFS reliable should be quite a bit less money and hassle than going SAS. That’s a ton of work and parts!

Suspension
Wheels
Steering
Drivelines
That shit’s gonna add up quick.

 

How hard are you really going to wheel?

SASing it out is not cheap and you will lose your street drivability with hydro steer.

You will still run into the same problems that all of the Tundras have that SASing will not overcome, which is the poor break over angle. Once she’s sitting on the frame going up a waterfall or ledge, a solid axle will not pull her up.

 

Damn that’s one ugly build! And no way is that better than any Tundra off road. First rock you hit will leave King steering stabilizers in pieces!

 

Not my kind of build and a waste it appears, no way can this go Offroad unless it is a FR or unless you want to try and see if you can get through some places without damage. Would be a great video

 

Just came from the Jeep world. All straight front axles. My Grand Cherokee Overland (Triple factory hydraulic lockers) would go anywhere. Very uncomfortable motions on the street when hitting even a small bump. All with completely new suspension. Will never again own a straight front axle for street use. Just my opinion.