Topic: "Ideal set-up" is subjective, but...

[teamfx3]

...here is my wishlist for my upcoming 1985 4Runner build.

4.3
700R4
dual Toy cases 4.7/stock(or whichever order is better)
IFS rear/ V6 4.88's/ selectable locker(still working on that one)
stock front/ HP 4.88's/ 30 spline Longs/ high steer/ selectable locker
fuel cell mounted in cargo area
And the fun challenge of it all will be retrofitting the Clayton long arm linked suspension from my Jeep ZJ onto this truck. I hope to use coilovers in front and appropriately sized coils springs for the rear. Final height will be determined later, but it will need to be tall enough to flex 33's. Unfortunately New Hampshire's lift laws are limited to 30" to the bottom of the frame and the cops are so bored from the lack of real crime they love to bust our balls over moving violations. I'm sure I've overlooked some things or simply failed to mention them here, but this is the foundation I'd like to work with...

[MiniSimp]

Cut the fenders instead of lifting.
I've got 35x14.50's pushed out 5" with only around 3.5" lift, and 27" frame to ground.

[RRMike]

Get the chromo hub gears with your 30 spliners.  With the 30's the hubs will break before the axles and when the hub gear lets go it'll waste the splines on the birf and bobby won't warranty that.  If you break his hub gears and have that happen he will warranty the whole shebang.

[alwaysbroken]

Your toy frame is wider than your zj frame..  so your arms are going to be a few inches in board from your toy, and right where your transfer case mounts at.. Thats for the front not to sure about the rear..I kinda did the same thing my self..

[Ramrod]

why only 33"s  thats tiny. why even lift the truck

[boggerunner]

no need for any lift with 33's, i never did on my 86 and they cleared fine in the back, and needed a little clearence in the back of the front fender

[Northern Runner]

I am running a 305, 700R4, dual cases, 5.29's, and a 16 gal cell mounted back centre. It's a great set-up, expecially on the highway driving to the trail.

[teamfx3 [OP]]

RRMike: Thanks for the tip, its good to know about potential warrantee snafu's.

alwaysbroken: Wow! I'd love to see some more pics of your set up. I held the arms up to my truck and everything looks like it should play well together, we will see.

TEAM RAMROD: If you read my initial post you'd see that I said I will be lifting just high enough to flex 33's. And 'only' 33's because this will be a DD that will need pass local inspection laws without incident.

boggerunner: I want to lift this truck slightly for increased clearance and to flex the 33's without trimming. The rust doesn't need more exposed metal to attack.

Northern Runner: That's good to hear, I'm looking to build a bulletproof rig that will drive to and from the trails without a lot of issues.

[Shamb]

From what i've heard the 700R4 tranny's are garbage.. heard alot of stories about people blowing them up.

[teamfx3 [OP]]

From what i've heard the 700R4 tranny's are garbage.. heard alot of stories about people blowing them up.

 That's odd, I've heard just the opposite. Do you have a source for your claims?

[Shamb]

Only source I have is the numerous people i've talked to on Pirate and Marlin boards.

Including the few i've seen blow on the trail..

[kneedownnate]

Stock 700r4 is kinda junky.  Build it up a little and they're just fine.  Just don't slap a stock one in and expect it all to be peachy keen!