Topic: 1987 4Runner SAS Vehicle Handling

[Steve Black]

I just received a 1985 Solid Front Axle this week and now need to clean it up.  I am looking at a SAS with my 1987 4Runner with a 5" kit from All Pro to do this with.  My question to all of you who know the difference of driving with IFS or a Solid Axle is, that while I want to have this 4Runner set up with 35' Tires, locking front & rears, I still want to use this as my daily driver only driving 12 miles one way and leave the F-350 Diesel at home. 

I've had people tell me how bouncy and stiff the ride, steering & handling will be with a solid axle, but I honestly don't care, however I just felt compelled to ask you, the knowing group who have driven both suspension styles for your input.

Either way, this solid axle is going in.

Thanks, Steve

[Prismo]

It will drive different but you will be just fine as long as it has been installed correctly. I drove my 90 4runner for 5 years to work and back with an sas and 33's. Over 100 miles a day. I drive it all the time now with 35's (529 gears & detroits front and rear).

[4RunnerChevy]

really, do it right and it will drive like a dream. I don't drive my junk daily,  but I love to drive it.  Its a driver to the places I wheel.

[daniresch]

How you set up your SAS will determine how it drives. I daily my SAS on 38" locked F+R and it drives smoooth, low speed or high speed I have zero vibration or rattles. Running balanced dual CV drivelines, and no interco tires helps a lot.

[tyes]

i did my own sas on my 86, and was in the same boat with DD and weekend warrior rig..it had 38.5 SS TSL. It drove a little rough at first but when it settle it drove like a champ. 38.5 tires was a PITA and picked up 35s KM2, it even drove better with that. i had ARB front and rear w/ 5.29 yukons and it pick up speed pretty good. The sas was my first ever install and it was easy. ran just like a stock 84/85 rig..went into dual cases and new drive line and still feels stock. no vibrations and no mystery rattle noises... take it offroad few times and still no issues.. i was always told by many veterans here to BUILD IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME!!! btw all my parts to suspensions were new and not use, knowing the history of my parts on my rig, it will last many many more yrs to come...

[hansi530]

the only thing i noticed was more body roll but i also have a custom cab

[Steve Black [OP]]

Thanks for all the positive feedback.  I broke the axle down today to prepare it for blasting, cleaning, clearing out the diff.  & a primer paint job.  I am planning on a 5" kit from All Pro and am looking at MIT in El Cajon to do the refit and run 35" tires and install front & rear lockers also to get started. 

Today the axle spun freely unlocked and the one side spun when the hubs were locked, so I believe it is good shape, it just needs to be cleaned up before installing.

Thanks, Steve

[Rocksurfer]

Sure you will loose some of the softer ride the IFS gives, that's why they went to IFS for the ride but a well set up SAS rides much better than lets say like my stock 85. So you will give up some ride to get something else, but with the kit from All-Pro you won't even notice much difference.

[Steve Black [OP]]

Nice!  The axle is getting blasted & painted this week & next I need to get the quote for a complete front & rear All Pro SAS Kit.  I'd like to run 35" tires as I mentioned and wonder if the 4" kit would allow that w/o any extra body trimming.

Step by step, the right way & I look forward to the day the truck comes home with that sold axle.

What brand lockers are the best for front & rear & I was planning 5.29 gears?

[rattlers]

Sure you will loose some of the softer ride the IFS gives, that's why they went to IFS for the ride but a well set up SAS rides much better than lets say like my stock 85. So you will give up some ride to get something else, but with the kit from All-Pro you won't even notice much difference.

yeah my 85 4runner is stock  and it rides pretty ruff to

[46&2]

I daily drove 500 miles a week in my 85 runner on 35s for a couple years. But my 4runner never had IFS. My 92 extra cab is definitely smoother down the road. 24 miles a day wouldn't be that bad if you do it right.

[konarider1993]

i dd sas 87 runner probably 50 miiles a week to work i give it a A+

[Cheng Lo]

Got my 85 this past August.  Definitely a rougher ride  than an IFS.  But I only drive it afew times a week.  Not DD.
Just got done blasting, painting and rebuilding my axles this past March.  After the build it's more enjoyable and safe to drive.  Good luck with the build.

[ToyotaObsession]

I don't DD it but I'll drive it to work when the mood strikes me. I don't have any problems with 35's. I had a Stock '85 for years that I did DD and never had any complaints about the ride. It's not going to ride and handle like a Lexus. It's going to ride like a Lifted Truck. But as long as everything is balanced it should be just fine.

[daniresch]

i like the runners graphic and the dog!

[TRACKER]

make sure to have good the angle on the shackles , that would help the smooth ride

[dirtybird]

Yes the further you lay the shackles back the better the ride

[pumkin toy]

Yes the further you lay the shackles back the better the ride

until you lay them back so far they slam against the bottom of the framerail on every bump you hit.     I would say 20-30 degrees is a pretty comfortable riding angle