85 4runner and the work never ends....

[John Doe]

Ok so im not about to start turning wrenches when I am still in Iraq and the truck is in CA. I wanted to get this started though, toss my ideas out there and get some feed back. I will only have about 3 weeks home, then its off back to Fort Polk LA  
I have alot more I want to doin that 3 weeks so I will be trying to get the build done quick so I can get to other things. Hopefully I will have time for a shack down run

The basic plan.... no more then 35's (for now), LOW, wide, long, strong, reliable, dependable. I anticipate this 4runner to last me a very long time.

For ease of installation I plan on going with 1 of the many lift kits, most likely  . However I think the 4" front and 5" rear will be taller then I want. With that I am considering going with the   Rear 4" and I shudder to say this, but Trail gear 3" front. I want to push the front axle out a good 3 or maybe 4 inches right off the bat. I'd like to go with RUF but I dont think I'll have the time to assemble and fine tune them. In place of the usual IFS steering box, would using a fj80 froward swing steering box save me the work of pushing the ifs box far enough to clear. Or would I then run into a clearance problem with the pitman arm hitting the spring pack? I am thinking 4.88 gears for the 3rds. I would love elockers right now, but that will have to wait. I may settle for a detroit in the rear though. I am still debating on dual cases at this time. Don't get me wrong, if not now someday there will be dual cases under my rig. Regardless when it does happen, I plan on using the 4xinnovations x member to hold them in place when that day comes. Of course Im going with the v6 brakes and vented rotors on the front axle, and the wider 86-95 rear axle. For the rear shocks I want to avoid / \. I plan on using the lower shock tabs from skys http://www.sky-manufacturing.com/images/suzuki/universalshockmount_small.jpg I am sure there was more, but my mind is blank now.

Years down the road I expect to be putting in a 3rz, or 5vz, diamond front (and rear?), Coiled 3 link front, rear ford gas tank and York OBA.

I welcome all questions, comments and suggestions.

[toyotanner]

why not just throw some toyota rears up front and mix in like two other leafs from something else.
that will give you about 3-4 inches.

[John Doe]

I'd like to go with RUF but I dont think I'll have the time to assemble and fine tune them.

RUF: Rears Up Front

This is still a option dont get me wrong, but I am kinda leaning away from it doe to the amount of work needed. Break them down, cut and add leafs, clean them all up, paint, re assemble and install. I really dont like the idea of the trail gear leafs, but it would be nice to just bolt them up and run with it.

[79coyotefrg]

RUF: Rears Up Front

This is still a option dont get me wrong, but I am kinda leaning away from it doe to the amount of work needed. Break them down, cut and add leafs, clean them all up, paint, re assemble and install. I really dont like the idea of the trail gear leafs, but it would be nice to just bolt them up and run with it.

then dont buy that chinese junk, and go get some Allpro 3 inch or downey 3 inch
or God forbid  run Marlin 4 inch front and 5 inch rear

[John Doe]

then dont buy that chinese junk, and go get some Allpro 3 inch or downey 3 inch
or God forbid  run Marlin 4 inch front and 5 inch rear

I was under the impression, and just double checked that Allpro doesn't sell there 3" springs any more. However I never thought about Downey. I might just go with them. I could still always go with the marlin spring front and rear though. Only time will tell.

[Tallchevy]

Here is a pic of the left front Downey spring on my buddys 4Runner. It didn't take long for it to do this. All 4 springs on his 4Runner are Downey & he ended up adding 3" blocks to the 4" springs in the rear just to keep it level.

[John Doe]

  Looks like negative arch to me, right?


-Edit-
Speaking of front springs, something I forgot to ask earlier.... Since I already have the stock front spring hanger, is the new 1 needed? I know the Marlin kit moves the front axle forward 1.5 inches, is it because of the springs, or the hanger?

[88_Pathy]

Both. The springs are 1in and the hanger 1/2in. I think.

[John Doe]

Guess I could post a pic....




I have a few parts already....
-a spare 84-85 front housing to  while I'm stripping the 1 currently under the truck
-3" front Allpro front springs
-1 shinny new 3rd geared to 5.29 (for the rear)

I have a few other small things in the mail as well. I keep restraining myself from just going on a all out buying spree right now. I would hate to get a hate email from my folks as the ups guy drives off after dropping off a ton of boxes. 

[Wermz84]

Awsome.  Glad you've got one.  I like the plans as well.

[John Doe]

Just wondering what you guys would suggest as far as shocks go. Given the 3" fronts and 4" rears what shocks would suggest?
I have 2 12" 5125's which I was planning on using up front. What do you think for the rear, 12's or try and fit 14's?

[DTB]

I would try the 12s first.... most companies will allow you to exchange them if they are the wrong size (granted they havent been scratched and stuff) Just dont touch them until you get it all set up and measure

[SLIVER]

That thing looks exactly like mine when it was stock.
Even the same wheels!

))--SLIVER-->

[ajordan1975]

nice.  looking forward to seeing the process 

[John Doe]

Stupid question, but with the lift and no dual cases, should I expect drive shaft work in the rear? Since I'm trying to push my front axle forward I'm expecting some there but it would be nice to avoid if possible.

[Wermz84]

Ideally you should have one made to length after the lift is in.   With longer splines to accommodate more suspension travel.   

[John Doe]

I thought that was the case.

[Doof]

bookmark

[unclejpl4x4]

can't wait 2 see you back  and start on your project  I have been wanting a 85runner for a while now.............

[John Doe]

ok time to descide.
Duals now? or single case with 4.7?  I'm thinking duals will run me about say $1600 including driveshaft work and crossmember. Does that sound right?

I am going to hold off on a front locker for a while. So with my 35"s should I worry about upgrading to Long fields now, or stick with my stock axles?

I dont expect do be doing to many hard trails for a while if it matters.

[fordh8r]

ok time to descide.
Duals now? or single case with 4.7?  I'm thinking duals will run me about say $1600 including driveshaft work and crossmember. Does that sound right?

I am going to hold off on a front locker for a while. So with my 35"s should I worry about upgrading to Long fields now, or stick with my stock axles?

I dont expect do be doing to many hard trails for a while if it matters.

If your time is still limited I would do 4.7's and bolt it back in. When you go to duals later it just bolts back up to the crawl box and then some d-line work.

Also, since you're not planning on any hard trails you could leave the stock axles for now with no real worries as long as you don't go too heavy on the skinny pedal and keep any excessive wheel spin to a minimum. You should be OK. 

Oh yeah, looks like your build will be pretty cool!    Keep us posted and post lotsa pics. 

[Doof]

go duals

410 to the door from MC, the skid plate they sell is 290 to your door, and your rear DL shouldnt be more than 1 hundo and you can build the front super easy out of square tube. simple and easy

your looking at about 8hundo plus or minus a little pocket change

[toyotanner]

duals!

it gives you more options for low range.

[LilChief87]

i say go dauls

[John Doe]

Looks like I'm going to try and go Duals. Now I'm guessing since I will be pulling my T-case it would be a good time to rebuild it. AS much as I want to support  , I'm going to go with a different crossmember.

My folks were telling me that they put all the boxs that arrived already in my old room. Guess I'll be sleeping on top of my parts pile until I finish my build. Time to go place some orders.

Oh yeah, looks like your build will be pretty cool!    Keep us posted and post lotsa pics. 

No pics right now since I'm still in Iraq. But I assure you there will be plenty of pics!

[John Doe]

I just placed 1 large order with 
Hy steer, brakes, U bolt flip kits just to name a few.

A little over 2 weeks and I should have my hands on everything. I cant wait 

[fordh8r]

  Schweet! Post pics as you build.   

[John Doe]

Before I make my next order I have another question.....

When people upgrade there soild axles with the V6 brake calipers, the reasoning for going to wheel spacers is to avoid contact between say a 15in wheel with near stock back spacing. Am I correct on that 1.

Long story short I have the v6 calipers on order and I got some used 15" wheels with a 3.5" backspace. Will they have issues or should they clear?

[fordh8r]

Before I make my next order I have another question.....

When people upgrade there soild axles with the V6 brake calipers, the reasoning for going to wheel spacers is to avoid contact between say a 15in wheel with near stock back spacing. Am I correct on that 1.

Long story short I have the v6 calipers on order and I got some used 15" wheels with a 3.5" backspace. Will they have issues or should they clear?

It will greatly depend on the design of a given wheel. For example, when I had my Chevy Rally wheels on my Toyota with the V6 calipers they fit without a problem. When I put my Street Locks on, however, I ended up having to use wheel spacers because the design of the wheel in the center was a little flatter and it would hit the caliper. 

  I don't know if you can picture the difference in the two wheels I just mentioned...but basically the wheel that fit had a 'wheel center profile' kinda like this " ) " and the wheels I have now are more like this " / ". The extra shape in the first wheel cleared the caliper nicely. The second hit only enough to warrant the need for wheel spacers.

[John Doe]

Thanks. Guess I am just rolling the dice on this 1.

Looks like I will end up with Lockers Front and rear, and duals!

Should I run the MC 08 or 07? 1 weighs less, 1's stronger.

Mco7 R10 ordered