2002 Dbl Cab Taco - SAS or 3 link and Crawler install build help

[tracybullard]

I am new to this forum and am looking for as much info as I can get.

I currently have a 1982 Toyota with a Marlin Crawler.  I am wanting to put a solid axle or possibly a 3 link under the front and my existing gear driven crawler under my 02 dbl cab 3.4L v6 with automatic.  I am hoping to build a bit of a sleeper crawler that still gets around town and yet run 35's and performs on the trail.  I understand this will never be a total rock crushing rig due to how long it is and the angles of approach/departure but I did take it on the Rubicon this last year and she did pretty well.  Currently, I am running 33's on a 3" IFS lift and blocks in the rear.  I have a modified Bad-Land's front bumper with a 9000 lbs warn wench and hi-lift jack.  My friend and I build custom front nurf bars at the front finders and a rear bumper.  I purchased and installed Trail Gear rock slicers and a 1/4" full length skid plate at the belly.  The sliders and skid plates were absolutely necessary for the Rubicon Trail, that and the stock Elocker with the computer modification that allows you to lock the rear dif at any time!  Originally, I was going to use the existing front axle from the 82 but have discovered that the axle is too short and to make it look and track right, I have to use 3" spacer, which is a weak system and I don't want to have to deal with breakage on the trail.  I am looking for articles, builds or anything I can get my hands on as I like to have as much information as possible before I start something like this.  I know there are some kits out there but am not convinced at this point that I have to deal with the oil pan conversion or replacing the radiator.  Also, there seems to be some pretty reasonable 3 links systems out there.  I am looking for advice, opinions and things to be aware of for this build. 

Thank you very much for your time.

This is my truck on the Rubicon trail.

[bigarms23]

sounds like a nice plan i would run a ruff stuff axle for the front and then pick the 3link kit you feel confertable running

[tracybullard]

I've decided to go with a standard leaf spring system. I haven't gotten a lot of info out of this post and I'm not sure why, maybe I provided to much info. I'm most interested in oppinions on kits, where I could find documented builds, if it's really necessay to do an oil sump swap and why, any info on bolting my old school crawler box to my 3.4l auto trans and things I should be concerned or aware of when attempting this.

Thanks again.

[Snowtoy]

You might have better luck by posting up on the Tacoma Board.

If you are still considering a 3 link, a wheeling buddy did an extensive build thread a few years ago with his '00 Taco.  It was renamed Rokyoat's mild DC Tacoma build-up, after he traded '00 for an '05. 

A call to Marlin should answer your question about what you need to connect your crawler case from the '82 to the v-6 transmission.  Looking at the TacoBox Tacoma/4Runner/FJ Cruiser Setups
page, it looks like you need two adapter plates, one to adapt the crawler to your transmission and the other to connect the crawler to your chain driven t-case.

[H8PVMNT]

I like the look of these link suspensions but you can't beat leafs for simplicity and cost...