4Runner/Hilux Solid Axle Swap (SAS)

Discuss modifications on your 1979 to late 1998 SFA 4x4 Hilux here.
Post Reply
User avatar
dieseldog
High Range 4WD
High Range 4WD
Posts: 47
Joined: Tue Jun 10, 2008 8:48 am
Town: Polokwane
Vehicle: Toyota 4Runner
Real Name: Ronald

4Runner/Hilux Solid Axle Swap (SAS)

Post by dieseldog »

Hilux solid axle swap - done two years ago. :D

Eventually… Well, after 4 idler arms and as many tie rod ends, as well as zero front flex I decided to take the plunge and do the famed SAS (solid axle swap). I have been dreaming about this conversion for the last 5 years but never had the guts – read cash – to actually attempt it. Well as they say: I should have done it looong ago!
Some people will ask why I didn’t just import the complete SAS kit from AllPro or Marlin Crawler, but what would I have learnt if I just bolted on everything. Although a lot of information is available on the Net and I had accumulated lots of articles in old magazines on this subject, most of the items had to be carefully measured and manufactured.
My vehicle is actually a 1992 4Runner 2.8D left hand drive, but the IFS Hilux is the same except for the wheelbase.
I had the OME IFS suspension for 4 years – excellent – and decided to re-use the rear leaf springs and shocks, as they were still in excellent nick.
My first advice to anybody attempting this: do your homework before the time! This proved to be the best thing I could have done as I only had one snag which was easily remedied, but more on that later.
I decided to convert the steering to crossover steering at the same time, this moves the tie rod above the springs and out of harms way, as well as eliminate the - prone to breaking – horseshoe steering arm and torque rod. The standard IFS steering box is retained.
The standard solid axle steering can still be used, although you would need the steering box from the sa Hilux, as the IFS box is different.
Here is a step by step account of the conversion as I can remember.

The list of items needed was as follows:
- Hilux solid axle complete – swapped for old IFS parts
- Front spring hangers complete – used original Hilux hangers, made gussets
- Front extended shackles complete – made up plates & used original pins
- Front leaf spring packs – OME heavy duty diesel packs + bush kits
- Tubes through chassis for shackle hangers & jigs for cutting holes – had them turned, jigs from Marlin Crawler
- U-bolt reversal front & rear – made plates, bought U-Bolts
- Bump stops – original Hilux
- Extended front shock towers – made them
- Rubicon 14” travel monotube shocks
- Land Cruiser pitman arm and 4 x tie rod ends
- 32mm OD x 16mm ID tie rod and drag link – had them tapped and flats machined
- Marlin Crawler Billet Crossover steering arms
- Land Cruiser vented brake discs – allows re-use of IFS 4-pot callipers for better braking, solid axle has solid discs and smaller callipers.
- 40mm front wheel spacers – had made – needed to clear IFS callipers and to get track width same as rear axle.
- Extended brake lines front & rear – had them made
- Steering damper – used old OME IFS damper & made brackets
- Extended front prop shaft – used IFS front yoke with old Hilux rear CV – the IFS front yoke can twist 40º where the old Hilux only 20º, while the CV knuckle of the old Hilux can swivel a lot more than the IFS CV. Also lengthened by 2”
- Solid axle knuckle service kit & king pin bearings – overhaul front axle
- Rear leaf spring packs – used old OME springs
- Rear shocks – used old OME shocks
- Rear cross member to mount shocks inwards – made them
- Rear extended shackles – made them
- Rear handbrake lever extensions – made them
- Exhaust modification
- Cutting & grinding discs, welding rods, primer, chassis satin black paint, hole saw
Image
Image
Image
Image

Once everything was in my hands it was time to take the plunge and remove all the IFS brackets with a cutting torch, hint – wear proper protective clothing! I still have scars! Great care was taken not to nick the frame and weaken it; this was followed by grinding everything smooth. The engine mounts were boxed again with some 6mm plate.

Image
Image
Image
Image

Spacers were made and welded to the front of the chassis to space the front hangers down, this is essential to ensure enough bump stop clearance as the IFS chassis is much flatter than the solid axle chassis. Then it was time to cut the old front spring hangers from a piece of chassis and make them look new again, I could have made new ones from scratch…
The spring mounts were held the exact distance apart by tack welding a tube between them and then positioning the assembly on the front of the chassis and tack it in position.

Image
Image

Next the chassis jigs were positioned in the centre of the body mount as shown and marked for drilling the holes for the shackle tubes. We spent an entire Saturday morning measuring and re-measuring for correct placement. This was essential as the vehicle is a daily driver and the caster angle and shackle angle had to be perfect to ensure drivability and safety. The holes were drilled with a hole saw and the chassis tubes measured and tack welded in place. Now the OME springs could be hung and the shackle angle checked before final welding. Everything looked OK and the final welds were burned in. The gussets for the front hangers were made and welded in.

Image

I decided on the OME springs for three reasons: ride quality, flex & durability. No other spring, in my humble opinion, can come close to the OME for pure strength and a comfy ride. They can flex like no tomorrow and still retain their camber for many years. Other springs on the market are much cheaper, but the results explain why.

I used the bare shell of the front axle to mock up and test everything as it was very light compared to the fully assembled front axle. I used the old u-bolts to fit the bare axle to the springs and jacked the front up on its own weight to check bump stop clearance, which was OK.

Image
Image
Image
Image

Next the axle was fully rebuilt; new kingpin bearings, seals etc. were fitted. The mount for the torque rod was cut off as the rod will not be used with crossover steering. This also helps with articulation, as there is no more binding which restricts travel. The spring perches were heated up to a dull red and straightened with a hammer & punch to be perfectly level. Gussets were made and welded in to strengthen the perches. This is a very important step, as the perches are all bowed, which leads to the leaf springs being bent when tightened down with the u-bolts, placing unnecessary strain on the springs. The Marlin Crawler steering arms were fitted – these are works of art! – And the new vented discs and IFS callipers were fitted. I decided to import these arms as I didn’t want to weld some arms together and compromise on safety. I was blessed as the axle was in excellent condition – it came from a 1988 Hilux! – seemed as if it was never used off-road as the ring & pinion, birfields and free wheel hubs were brand new! I filled the knuckles and wheel bearings with some new grease and she was good as new. A push lock fitting was fitted to the breather hole, and the pipe routed high up in the engine bay.

I had to change the final drive ratios as well, as the diesel Hiluxes had a 4.56 ratio and the petrol ones 4.88 ratio, which suited me, as the 2.8 diesel is not exactly very fast and the 4.88 would restore some power, although not enough to run 33 inch tyres though! I managed to swap the 4.56 rear centre portion for a rebuilt 4.88 unit at a wrecking yard for free! They needed the 4.56 centre portion as these are quite scarce and had many 4.88 units as all the older petrol Hiluxes had these ratios fitted. I moved the rear auto locker – 4 years old – to the front axle and fitted a new unit to the rear, as the rear axle works most of the time.

Image
Image

Now the pitman arm was fitted and the heavy duty tie rod and draglink lengths were measured. I had an engineering shop machine them to length and tap them left and right hand thread. I could have done this, but it was much easier to do on the lathe as the thread had to be 70mm deep. They also machined some flats on the rods to help fit a 30mm spanner. The rods were fitted to the steering arms with Land Cruiser tie rod ends, these have a 23mm thread where the Hilux units are 21mm, and the tapers are the same. All this ensured a bullet-proof steering system.
The bump stops were modified and welded to the new u-bolt plates I made and the u-bolts were fitted and torqued to 125Nm. The left side u-bolts are square at the bottom and the right side is round. The u-bolt next to the pumpkin has to be shaped and is longer than the others.

Image

Next the wheel spacers and extended brake lines were fitted and the 31” BF Muds could be slapped on. At this stage 31s will have to do, as the 2.8D will not power the 33” donuts I would like to fit!

Image
Image
Image

I mocked up the flex using a workshop crane and checked the steering clearance and bump stop gap as well as measured for shock placement. Everything looked great and the flex was amazing. Don’t be fooled though, real world flex is totally different and this became evident later when I flexed my baby through a serious ditch.

Image
Image

Shock mounts were made from scratch and holes cut through the inner fenders to stick them through. Once the correct measurements were taken, they were welded on and they look great!

Next the prop shaft was modified as mentioned above and fitted.
Image
Image

Now attention could be turned to the rear suspension and as the front was ± 70mm higher than the rear, I had a hard time deciding what to do. The correct thing to do was to get new spring packs with 5” lift (OME 50mm + new 70mm), but the budget was stretched already and the old OME springs were still fine. The other reason was that the flatter OME springs flex much better than springs with a heavy arch. I decided to fit 2 overload leafs, cut to the length of the spring perch, under the springs for a 25mm lift and the rest was made up with longer shackles. Not the ideal setup, but fitting a 70mm block under the leaf springs was a no-no as the axle wrap was already a problem with the long springs. (IFS Hilux rear springs are 200mm longer than the old Hilux springs). I could have cut of the front spring hanger and spaced it down, but this would hang too low down and be snagged by every rock in sight.

To retain the handbrake, the levers on the back of the drums had to be extended as well as the bracket on the diff. The handbrake cable was moved down and tied to the fuel tank guard with the original clip.

Image

To mount the shocks inward at the rear, I had to make a new cross member. I used heavy wall square tubing and used the pins of the old spring plates to attach the top of the shock. The bottom mounts were made and welded to the top of the diff as close to the spring perch as possible. The axle was fitted with only the main leafs from each spring pack, to allow full compression, this way I could see exactly where the cross member had to be mounted. This is essential as the axle moves around an arc and not straight up and down.

Image

Next I decided to re-paint the shocks with the OME yellow and it made the world of difference. Shocks were mounted front & rear and all bolts & nuts were checked for tightness.

Then on to some real world testing, I drove through quite a ditch and proceeded to rest the full weight of the vehicle on the draglink on the right side, not to mention stuffing the tyres into the back of the fender well. This is where I was glad to have over killed on the steering, as the draglink was still fine!

Image

Back to the workshop where the draglink was removed and after careful measurement a - z – was bent into the left side of the link. I must not let it sound too easy as we actually heated the link till it was red hot and still had to use a length of pipe to get it to bend! This solved the problem completely and the draglink no longer hit the chassis, nor the sump. The back of the fender was customized with a BFH (big friggin hammer) to clear the tyres. At a later stage when I fit 33s, I’ll cut out the foot wells and weld some new plate in for clearance. I could have mounted the axle forward 1”, but then the steering would not have been as easy to fit; the steering box would need to be moved forward.

The IFS exhaust is routed under the front prop shaft and has to be modified, had it routed to go just underneath the gearbox, just behind the bell housing and out to the back. At the rear it had to be snaked around the left shock. All came out very good.

Lastly the OME steering damper was fitted with a custom bracket and small u-bolts.

Image
Image
Image
Image
Image

Feedback after a month of driving and wheeling:

- I was ready for the notorious hard ride of the solid axle, but in all honesty, the ride comfort is equal to, if not better than the IFS! No joke! The body roll is a lot more, but this is still a controlled roll where the body will roll when negotiating a corner at speed, but doesn’t feel wallowy at all. This can be remedied by fitting an anti-roll bar with quick disconnects for wheeling. I’m already used to the body roll, in any case it is fun to scare little old ladies when you go around a corner and it looks as if you are going to fall on them! Only joking!
- There is a bit of feedback through the steering wheel when on uneven tar roads, but this is due to the wheel spacers which alters the turning angle of the knuckles.
- The steering effort is the same as with the IFS steering, which is an added bonus.
- Braking is powerful as with the IFS.
- Off-road the suspension is just awesome. Actually you don’t appreciate it until you let somebody else drive and you can see the suspension at work. It is very hard to lift a tyre and most hills and rocks can just be crawled at idle speed.
- The big problem now is clearance, under the diffs, fuel tank etc. Previously with the IFS, the vehicle would run out of traction long before you get hung up on an obstacle. Now, it just wants to go forward and anything in the way will just be, well, in the way. Rock rash is a very real concern!
- As I said before, I should have done this a long time ago and with the nice smooth ride, what a pleasure!

UPDATE:

- The Rubicon shocks fitted to the front turned out to be too softly valved for the 4Runner. I bought some 14” Fox Racing shocks, re-valved them and fitted remote reservoirs – awesome! Have been running these for the past two years now.
- Had some issues with the tie rod hitting the sump on full compression after airborne antics – ended up re-drilling the front spring perches and moving the axle forward 1 inch. This worked out very well and gave some extra clearance for fitting 33’s.
- Massaged the inner fender well with a 14 lbs hammer to clear 33’s.
- Recently fitted 1KZTE engine with original computer etc. See other posting for details.

Image
Image
Image
ImageImageImage

WILD ABOUT WHEELING!
User avatar
Family_Dog
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 12692
Joined: Tue May 22, 2007 10:09 am
Town: Klerksdorp
Vehicle: Hilux DC SFA, Hilux 2.7 DC, Hilux 2.7 SC, Prado 95 VX
Real Name: Eric
Club VHF Licence: HC101
Location: Klerksdorp, NW
Contact:

Re: 4Runner/Hilux Solid Axle Swap (SAS)

Post by Family_Dog »

Thanks for a most interesting article, Ronald!

Now, go rest your typing fingers :mrgreen: , must be sore after all that :)


-F_D
Image

White Fang: 1999 2.7i DC Raider 4x4
Bull Dog: 1987 4Y-EFI 2.2 DC 4x4
Pra Dog: 1998 Prado VX 3.4
Hound Dog: 2000 2.7i SC 4x4


One Staffie, One Jack Russell, One Ring Neck Screecher, 17 Fish of questionable heritage


Image
User avatar
Scorpion
Monster Truck
Monster Truck
Posts: 2158
Joined: Wed Jan 16, 2008 6:31 pm
Town: Emmarentia
Vehicle: 1988 Hilux 4x4 D/C with more attitude than Mike Tyson
Real Name: Johann
Location: Constant Kloof

Re: 4Runner/Hilux Solid Axle Swap (SAS)

Post by Scorpion »

Excellent article!
1988 Hilex D/C 4x4 (Import spec), Lexus V8; Marlin Crawler; Custom Suspension: front and new 4 link in the rear; Disc Brake conversion rear; 35" Cooper STT tyres; Xenon lights; Custom bullbar;Next? Aircon; new front seats, redo the whole interior in nice soft leather, Respray, Double Lockers
1978 Land Cruiser HJ45
1971 Mercedes Benz 280S Automatic
2011 Land Cruiser 79 V6 (60th Anniversary Edition)
User avatar
Outlaw
Low Range 4WD
Low Range 4WD
Posts: 124
Joined: Tue Jun 03, 2008 7:41 am
Town: Piet Retief
Vehicle: Hilux V8 Lexus 1995
Real Name: Pierre
Location: Piet Retief

Re: 4Runner/Hilux Solid Axle Swap (SAS)

Post by Outlaw »

Great work Ronald. That front axle comes from a Hilux? Isn't a LC 75 ser axle wider than the Hilux axle? It will work better then as you won't need hub spacers.
User avatar
Cookie Monster
LR 4WD Full Lockers
LR 4WD Full Lockers
Posts: 968
Joined: Tue Jun 26, 2007 7:02 am
Town: Port Elizabeth
Vehicle: 2006 Hilux DC V6 Auto 4x4 Oldman Emu suspension
Real Name: Justin
Location: Eastern Cape
Contact:

Re: 4Runner/Hilux Solid Axle Swap (SAS)

Post by Cookie Monster »

Really awesome article and great pics :mrgreen: :mrgreen:
2006 Hilux DC 4x4 4.0 V6 Old Man Emu suspension, Long Range Fuel Tank and a LA Sport Sump Guard, Natko railings with spade and high lift brackets, LA Sport high lift jack mounts, Powder coated Hilux Nudge Bar, Hella LED light bar, LED Work Light
User avatar
Scooter
LR4WD, Lockers, Crawler Gears
LR4WD, Lockers, Crawler Gears
Posts: 1280
Joined: Fri Jul 20, 2007 9:42 am
Town: JHB
Vehicle: '94 Raider, '05 Vigo 4.0 v6
Real Name: Scott
Location: Strubens Valley

Re: 4Runner/Hilux Solid Axle Swap (SAS)

Post by Scooter »

I am in AWE.......some article and AWESOME ride. :D
One day when I'm big, I will be able to do such things. :mrgreen:
"I know that you believe you understand what you think I said, but I'm not sure you realise that what you heard is not what I meant."
User avatar
dieseldog
High Range 4WD
High Range 4WD
Posts: 47
Joined: Tue Jun 10, 2008 8:48 am
Town: Polokwane
Vehicle: Toyota 4Runner
Real Name: Ronald

Re: 4Runner/Hilux Solid Axle Swap (SAS)

Post by dieseldog »

Thanks Guys!

Outlaw, the 75 Series Cruiser axle is a spring under design and the Hilux a spring over. Although it could be made to work, the other problem is the ratios. The Cruiser has much longer ratios than the Hilux - 4.1 vs 4.88 - read extra cost to change ring & pinion. Also the knuckles and birfields are of similar strength, so no advantage there.
Actually the wheel spacers job is not only to get the track width the same as the rear, but also to get your rim to clear the IFS brake caliper. When you bolt the Cruiser brake disc on with the IFS caliper, the mounting face for the rim is inside the caliper. I used 1" wide spacers in the end and made them so the spacer mounts to the hub and the rim mounts to the spacer with seperate bolts. I have been checking them every time I remove the wheels and have never needed to tighten them.
A further reason for not using the Cruiser axle is just purely availability. Upgrades for the Hilux axle are plentiful - just look at Marlin's, Trail Gear, Longfield and All Pro's sites. Also there are many more Hilux axles around for spare parts. The Hilux axles can be made pretty bulletproof by firstly fitting some lifetime guarantee Longfield birfields and gusseting the top of the axle tube as well as the knuckle balls. :mrgreen:
ImageImageImage

WILD ABOUT WHEELING!
Thys
High Range 4WD
High Range 4WD
Posts: 36
Joined: Tue Aug 28, 2007 9:58 am
Town: Knysna
Vehicle: '93 Hilux 4x4 d/cab with ome susp other wise stock std
Real Name: Niel

Re: 4Runner/Hilux Solid Axle Swap (SAS)

Post by Thys »

Very nice setup you have got there!!!!
BenHur
Monster Truck
Monster Truck
Posts: 5906
Joined: Fri May 18, 2007 7:12 pm
Town: Pretoria
Vehicle: '96 D/C Raider
Real Name: Bennie
Location: Doornpoort

Re: 4Runner/Hilux Solid Axle Swap (SAS)

Post by BenHur »

Cool article Ronald


Now the real question. When reading your article I noticed your use of words / lingo's etc, Are you originally from the US or have you just spent so much time on the American forums researching your projects :twisted: :twisted:




Eendag as ek groot is wil ek ook so suspension hê :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:
User avatar
dieseldog
High Range 4WD
High Range 4WD
Posts: 47
Joined: Tue Jun 10, 2008 8:48 am
Town: Polokwane
Vehicle: Toyota 4Runner
Real Name: Ronald

Re: 4Runner/Hilux Solid Axle Swap (SAS)

Post by dieseldog »

Bennie,

Ek is eintlik 'n boertjie! :lol:

Ja, mens leer maar die amerikaanse jargon aan as jy al van 1996 af die Petersens en Four Wheeler elke maand koop en op al die Toyota forums surf.

Die beste site vir regte tech bly maar Pirate4x4.com. Hier het ek meeste van die inligting gekry vir die sas.
ImageImageImage

WILD ABOUT WHEELING!
User avatar
blom
LR4WD, Lockers, Crawler Gears
LR4WD, Lockers, Crawler Gears
Posts: 1014
Joined: Mon May 12, 2008 11:44 am
Town: Landrovia
Vehicle: xj jeep & SERIES 3 & Isuzu KB 300 Dtec DC
Real Name: Blom
Location: Landrovia
Contact:

Re: 4Runner/Hilux Solid Axle Swap (SAS)

Post by blom »

:shock: :shock:
Luister my vriend van die US
die REBEL manne wil bietjie crawl en ons beoog 'n ROCKCRAWL die naweek van 6 September.
Ons wil 'n klas vir manne soos jy maak , toets die drywer ,toets die trok ,MAAR hou almal oppie wielle en heel?????
Dink dietjie en laat my weet
Grensvegter van LANDROVIA
User avatar
dieseldog
High Range 4WD
High Range 4WD
Posts: 47
Joined: Tue Jun 10, 2008 8:48 am
Town: Polokwane
Vehicle: Toyota 4Runner
Real Name: Ronald

Re: 4Runner/Hilux Solid Axle Swap (SAS)

Post by dieseldog »

8)
Dit klink grend Blomma, sal met jou gesels!
ImageImageImage

WILD ABOUT WHEELING!
User avatar
Umvubu
Low Range 4WD
Low Range 4WD
Posts: 152
Joined: Thu Sep 13, 2007 2:51 pm
Town: Lydenburg
Vehicle: Hilux D/C 4Y & Hilux S/C 2.4D & Musso 602EL
Real Name: Ezere Du Plessis

Re: 4Runner/Hilux Solid Axle Swap (SAS)

Post by Umvubu »

Die artikel maak dit sommer baie makliker vir die manne met minder meganisie kennis. Great artikel. :mrgreen:
1993 Hilux 2.4D S/C - 31" Khumo Muds , Lockers F/R , OME Suspension , Snorkel , Extended Shackles etc
1996 Ssanyong Musso 602EL - OME Suspension
User avatar
Bundu
High Range 2WD
High Range 2WD
Posts: 28
Joined: Fri Oct 26, 2007 5:27 pm
Town: Centurion
Vehicle: 2.7
Real Name: Leon Cahill

Re: 4Runner/Hilux Solid Axle Swap (SAS)

Post by Bundu »

Very interisting article, if i do my IFS one day i will definatly push your button for some advice.
MAXXIS BIGHORN 31' THAT GRIP LIKE A BULL
FRONT LOCKER LOCKRITE THAT WORKS LIKE THE BULLS FRONT PACK
User avatar
dieseldog
High Range 4WD
High Range 4WD
Posts: 47
Joined: Tue Jun 10, 2008 8:48 am
Town: Polokwane
Vehicle: Toyota 4Runner
Real Name: Ronald

Re: 4Runner/Hilux Solid Axle Swap (SAS)

Post by dieseldog »

Thanks, Guys!

Recently had Blom make me some rear swivel shackles - tested them at The Rebel Crawl - they work beautifully!

Will post soon with some pics.
ImageImageImage

WILD ABOUT WHEELING!
User avatar
Hiluxdave_nz
High Range 2WD
High Range 2WD
Posts: 25
Joined: Fri Apr 25, 2008 11:04 am
Town: Christchurch New Zealand
Vehicle: 95 2.8 turbo d/cab hilux with a soild axle conversion ,diff locks,high steer falcon spring rear end
Real Name: Dave

Re: 4Runner/Hilux Solid Axle Swap (SAS)

Post by Hiluxdave_nz »

hi

Nice build

i have done the same to my d/cab but insted of putting front springs in made for the front. i put rear hilux springs in out of leaf sprung hilux and get heaps better flex out of the front "took 1 leaf out". dont use the ones out of a ifs hilux because they are 4 inchs longer .
Post Reply

Return to “1979 to early 1998 Hilux (Gen 3&4 aka SFA 4x4)”