On the opposite side of the off-road fence, the grass is almost always greener. We invest a lot of effort and money into customizing our equipment, tweaking features that OEM designers and engineers spent years perfecting. purpose-driven and purpose-built. Many 4×4 owners view their vehicles in this way.
People who go to the trouble of replacing their 4×4’s independent front suspension (IFS) with a straight-axle are a wonderful illustration of this kind of thinking. When smooth roads give way to large rocks and deep ruts, when strength takes precedence over weight, or when the need for greater suspension articulation outweighs the desire for a car-like ride, IFS works wonderfully to smooth out the ride as each front wheel moves independently from the one on the opposite side. However, many wheelers see IFS as a hindrance rather than a help in these situations. Off-road driving is often governed by a solid axle up front.
For many owners who live to off-road, Toyota 4Runners and Tacomas are the perfect illustration of that way of thinking. Many ardent Toyota off-road enthusiasts grieved when Toyota discontinued solid axles in the U.S. models with the introduction of the IFS-equipped ’86s. After wiping away their tears, they worked out how to change the 4x4s’ IFS to solid axle configuration.
Solid axle swaps (SAS) are conceptually quite straightforward. To make the conversion worthwhile of the time and money invested in making it happen, they call for skillful use of a plasma cutter and welder as well as the necessary pre-planning.
Since four-wheelers have been using SAS kits for almost three decades, finding them is simple. We learned that when Casey Castle, a technician at Dunk’s Performance in Springfield, Oregon, decided he wanted to improve the off-road performance of his 1998 Tacoma.
His used Tacoma was mounted on a six-inch IFS lift, but it lacked the flexibility and travel he wanted. He went parts hunting at a nearby scrap yard and found the basic components for the swap in the form of a front axle from under a ’83 Jeep Wagoneer and a steering box from an early ’90s Tacoma. Then he put the remaining conversion components from Trail-Gear, Sky’s Off-Road Design, and Tom Wood’s Custom Drive Shafts together to transform his Toy into a dependable, long-legged, mud- and rock-running trail rig that is still very adequate as a daily driver.
We observed Castle’s Tacoma SAS makeover from start to finish and then took it on its first off-road excursion. The grass is unquestionably greener and tastes better on the solid axle side of the off-road fence, as demonstrated by performing an SAS on one of these first-generation Tacoma vehicles. The highlights of the conversion are detailed here.
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How difficult is it to swap a solid axle?
Now, changing a solid axle is not exactly a simple task. But it is undoubtedly possible for those who have the necessary aptitude or willingness to learn. Despite being a fantastic system, the original Toyota IFS lacks wheel travel and articulation. This is the reason why this serious off-roader chose to convert to a solid axle.
How much does a solid axle conversion cost?
Depending on how active the engineer must be throughout, the process typically costs between $2500 and $3000. However, it’s essential to make sure the car is constructed legally and safely.
Solid Axle Suspension
The axle is the center of any off-road suspension arrangement on a 4WD vehicle because any suspension system must take that axle’s design into account. There are several different suspension types used for solid axle designs, which are also referred to as “live axle” or “beam axle.” In any instance, a single axle housing that spans the entire width of the vehicle will be used to connect both wheels. The suspension is dependent on this solid axle because it physically connects both wheels to the same housing. This implies that one wheel moving up or down will have a direct impact on the wheel on the opposite side, regardless of the precise type of suspension.
“In a comparison of the two systems, aftermarket producer Fab Fours claims that a solid axle layout can increase traction over significant hills and bumps as well as obtain more torque from the differential because there are fewer pieces that power must flow through. ” Axle repairs on off-road trucks are straightforward thanks to solid axles’ superior durability compared to the majority of independent front suspension (IFS) axles and their ease of replacement.
Independent Suspension
Because of how the upper and lower control arms are constructed, the term “wishbone suspension” frequently appears when independent suspension is being discussed. As you might have guessed, an independent axle is the kind of axle used in this kind of suspension. The ring gear and carrier are housed in an axle housing at the center of an independent axle assembly. The use of CV axles eliminates the need for axle tubes to extend to the wheels. Constant velocity (CV), which refers to the transmission of engine power at a constant rotational speed regardless of turning angle, is denoted by the term.
The wheels can travel up and down without interfering with one another because to this configuration. Again, there are many different suspension kinds in use, but the axle design is ultimately responsible for the wheels’ ability to move independently of one another.
IFS, in the words of the Fab Fours, “offers enhanced handling most of the time and freer movement of the individual front wheels and tires,” making it more maneuverable and agile. Due to the front wheels’ higher articulation, it occasionally offers extra front end clearance. All things considered, it appears to be a more popular and comfortable alternative for off-roading, particularly when operating your customized truck or Jeep at higher speeds.
Why are solid axles preferable than ifs?
A solid axle has fewer working parts and requires less maintenance because there are no crossmembers to clog up the system. I object to the fact that aluminum is frequently used for the central section of new IFS rigs. Cast iron is often used for solid-axle centersections because it is more durable.
What does a car’s live axle do?
A vehicle’s differential is housed inside the axle of a solid axle suspension, also known as a “live axle” or “beam axle,” and is connected to the wheels by stiff half-shafts.
The right wheel will raise up in reaction if the left wheel hits a pothole because the entire axle moves as one unit.
The differential unit is separate from the axle in an independent suspension system. Rather, driveshafts provide power to each wheel while the differential is affixed to the chassis.
Each wheel can have a separate suspension link to the car because the differential does not move with the axle. The right wheel does not move if the left wheel hits a pothole. However, because the suspension element is shorter, it has a lower travel radius, which limits wheel travel.
What year was the last Hilux with a solid axle?
The Xtracab extended cab option, with six inches of room behind the seat for in-cab storage, was introduced with the August 1983 redesign (sold as model year 1984 vehicles in North America). These versions maintained the carbureted 22R engine when the fuel injected 22R-E engine debuted in model year 1984. The 2L and the turbocharged 2L-T were the two additional diesel engines available. After the 1986 model year, the engines were removed from sale in the United States due to increased customer demand for performance and the widespread availability of cheap gasoline. The 22R-TE turbocharged option was introduced the next year, possibly in response to increased rivalry from Nissan, which was already selling a V6 truck at the time. In 1986, the 44 model abandoned the solid front axle in favor of an independent front suspension and torsion bar system, with an optional automated differential disconnect for the front differential (an alternative to automatic locking hubs). In most markets, 1985 marked the final year for the solid front axle. Up until 1997, the fifth generation 4×4 LN106 vehicle would still have a solid front axle. Up until 1986, all 4×4 Toyota cars featured solid front axles.
The truck underwent a minor interior and exterior redesign in late 1986 for the 1987 model year. This included a new grille, a new one-piece front bumper, an updated interior with full high door panels with faux leather stitching on the base and DLX models, the gauge cluster surround was more rounded and featured faux leather stitching on it, the dash pad featured a shorter tray than earlier models, the steering wheels were changed from black to gray, red, brown, or bl, and the steering wheels were In 1988, a V6 engine was released. This iteration of the Hilux served as the foundation for the Hilux-based 4Runner, which debuted in Australia, North America, and the United Kingdom. In certain other regions, like as Japan, it was known as the Hilux Surf. On 2WD vehicles in North America, the automatic shifter was moved to the column. [Reference needed]
Late in 1988, Toyota updated the Hilux in most regions, however South Africa continued to produce the fourth generation of the truck until 1997. According to the manufacturer, this was caused by “content laws” in South Africa, which made it more affordable to keep making the fourth generation of the Hilux rather than retooling the factory for the fifth generation model. [19]
What is meant by SAS Toyota?
The unique System of Active Stability from TOYOTA (SAS) Technology of Active Stability (SAS), a proprietary dynamic system exclusive to Toyota forklift trucks, continuously monitors forklift operations and immediately initiates corrective action when it detects elements that could cause truck or load instability.
Tacoma’s front axle is it solid?
The BTTF’s solid front axle, which substitutes the Tacoma’s conventional independent front suspension, is the ultimate salute to the Toyota Truck. Because an SFA offers better wheel travel off-road over obstacles than IFS does, ardent rock crawlers and trail hounds readily recognize its legitimacy.
A Dana 44 rear end is what?
Automobile manufacturers and the automotive aftermarket both frequently employ the Dana/Spicer Model 44 axle. The Dana 44 is produced in front- and rear-axle configurations.
The Dana 44 has been produced with independent front and rear suspension and as a beam axle. Over a dozen automakers have produced vehicles with the Dana 44, and there are numerous versions of the axle. One such automaker is Jeep, which now produces four-wheel-drive vehicles with both front and rear Dana 44 axles.
What drawbacks does a solid rear axle have?
Solid axles are heavy, adding to the weight of the car, and when manufacturers take drastic steps to make them lighter, they often wind up looking nothing like they once did. When those of us who push them push them, these light-duty versions frequently bend and shatter.
-Independent suspensions also typically provide for greater ground clearance since the driving axleshafts can extend all the way to each wheel when at riding height and the differential can be tucked up high.
Which 4×4 is the best ever?
The 12 Most Powerful 4x4s Ever Designed
- Hummer H1, 19922006
- Suzuki Samurai, 19851995.
- Land Rover Defender, 19931997.
- Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 200319.
- Toyota Trucks, 19791985.
- Dodge/Ram Power Wagon, 200519.
- Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen, 19792018.
- Ford F-150 SVT Raptor, 201019.