Topic: SqWADoosh's 85 Runner Build Thread

[SqWADoosh]

Okay I settled on going with the CSF 2314 3 core radiator. Now onto other business. For a couple of months now I have been saving my money to purchase All-Pro's extreme lift kit package. However I have been really hitting the search button hard and I'm leaning towards going with a F-150 swap for my rear springs now. I've yet to find a negative thought on the swap and it would be a fraction of the cost. However I'm still not sure on what route to take with my front springs. Everyone says RUF however I am running shitty Pro-Comp springs now so that isn't an option for me unless I was to go to the yard and try and find some springs. On top of that I'm hearing some people say to use springs out of a 1st gen truck and others saying to use ones out of a 3rd gen. I'm guessing that whatever route I take I'm going to have to frankenspring it to level it out to the F-150s in the rear. I would love some advice on the issue.

My end all be all goal is to run 37s with a frame height of 25" or below. I have a buddy in my club who is going to help me with the fender trimming necessary to achieve that. From what I can gather from build threads like 85Crawler's it will require taking out about 3" from the fenders. I have a bad knuckle on my driver side that has only 2 threads and blue loctite holding the caliper on. So I'm leaning towards taking that money I'm saving by not going the All-Pro extreme lift route and putting it towards six shooters. This will require me to go with Trail Gear for my high steer. While I'm in there doing the knuckle swap/rebuild I would like to put RCV axles in to support the 37s as well. I guess I'll just go with Trail Gear for my u-bolt flip kits as well. I'm thinking aloud here on a very long day of work so I apologize for the ranting.

[84Flatbed]

As far as RUF goes, I know 1st and 2nd gen springs are about 48" and 3rd gen are are over 50". It will take some trial and error to figure out what combination of springs will work for you, you should be able to mix your pro comp springs in the mix in some way.

I think the 6 shooters with rcv's sounds like a good setup. I know a lot of people hate on TG but I think you'll have a hard time finding many/any failures with the 6 shooters. I also don't think you have to use TG's high steer if you don't want too, Marlin, all pro etc. will work. Is it cheaper to get TG's high steer with the knuckles?

[SqWADoosh [OP]]

As far a RUF goes, I know 1st and 2nd gen springs are about 48" and 3rd gen are are over 50". It will take some trial and error to figure out what combination of springs will work for you, you should be able to mix your pro comp springs in the mix in some way.

I think the 6 shooters with rcv's sounds like a good setup. I know a lot of people hate on TG but I think you'll have a hard time finding many/any failures with the 6 shooters. I also don't think you have to use TG's high steer if you don't want too, Marlin, all pro etc. will work. Is it cheaper to get TG's high steer with the knuckles?

TG's high steer has the 6 shooter steering arms is why I said that. I won't be mixing in these pro comp springs. I don't want anything to do with these pieces of garbage.

[twistedtoy92]

Check out my 4runner build, I have 7 leaf packs, top 2 are 3rd gen and the rest is a mix of 2nd/3rd gen. Flex extremely well. I'll post up frame height here when I get back to the shop

[SqWADoosh [OP]]

Check out my 4runner build, I have 7 leaf packs, top 2 are 3rd gen and the rest is a mix of 2nd/3rd gen. Flex extremely well. I'll post up frame height here when I get back to the shop

Will do!

[twistedtoy92]

I'm at 26 3/4'' on 39.5's with 25 psi, no fluids, bumpers, cage, fuel tank, top or rear seats. So I should be around 26'' once thats all installed.

[SqWADoosh [OP]]

I'm at 26 3/4'' on 39.5's with 25 psi, no fluids, bumpers, cage, fuel tank, top or rear seats. So I should be around 26'' once thats all installed.

Yeah you are right around where I want to be. Sick work dude.

[twistedtoy92]

Thanks buddy. Hopefully I get to wheel this damn thing next year!!! I miss my runner...

[Tungsten Slayer]

I too ran a 7 leaf RUF pack with 1st gen springs and Mazda/Ford rear springs, loved the ride.  I started with a 5 leaf and then after it settled I added 2 more leaves.  I used doestech shocks and it was super soft and stable.  Save the money, chances are you might not like the springs you are thinking of getting and end up making a frankenpack anyway. Paid about $40 total for the front RUF pack.

[twistedtoy92]

X2^

[twistedtoy92]

Ran mine with 14'' bilsteins and I used every inch of those shocks!

[SqWADoosh [OP]]

Okay I've got a couple of feelers out to a couple of the guys in my club to see if they have any extra springs lying around. Other wise I'm going yard hunting this weekend. Will I have to drop the gas tank to install the F-150 springs?

[twistedtoy92]

its highly recommended, are you going to flip the springs around to push the axle back?

[SqWADoosh [OP]]

its highly recommended, are you going to flip the springs around to push the axle back?

Yet another factor to consider. I've heard different recommendations. What do you think?

So I just came back from making a sweet little deal on craigslist.



Got a custom made drive shaft from a guy who sold his truck and forgot to include it (was a spare) as well as some extra axle shafts all for $80! The drive shaft will be long enough to support the axle moving forward on the RUF. Saved myself some serious coin just now. The axles will just be trail spares.

[1985CRAWLER]

My end all be all goal is to run 37s with a frame height of 25" or below.

 

check my build, our runners are almost the same and i went with the same goal, low on 37s and thats what i acheived with RUF and 63" rears. 37s sitting at 24" frame to ground and fenders cut out a few inches. 14" bils up front. 12" pro comps in the rear.

you can achieve the same with f150 rears which is what i wanted to do but i got a deal on 63s for next to nothing so went that route.

nothing wrong with the trail girl u bolt flip and high steer, lots of guys run it and have good results, their other stuff...eh not so much.

looking forward to more of this build!

[SqWADoosh [OP]]

check my build, our runners are almost the same and i went with the same goal, low on 37s and thats what i acheived with RUF and 63" rears. 37s sitting at 24" frame to ground and fenders cut out a few inches. 14" bils up front. 12" pro comps in the rear.

you can achieve the same with f150 rears which is what i wanted to do but i got a deal on 63s for next to nothing so went that route.

nothing wrong with the trail girl u bolt flip and high steer, lots of guys run it and have good results, their other stuff...eh not so much.

looking forward to more of this build!

I did check your build  I left a post on there a couple days ago saying pretty much that I was following it's example. 

[MRHilux87]

Ive done RUF and 63s a few times.  Love it.  I mixed some F150 leaves in with the 63s last time because if was a heavy third gen runner.  I would definently spend the money on axle parts or bumpers or anywhere else than buying springs new from anyone.  Ive also mixed ranchos, pro comps, or whatever I had in with Rear springs to make a good front pack.  Its fun to play with them and get it to sit where you want.  Ive made the mistake of running to few springs up front with no bump stops.  That makes for jacked up W springs every time. 

[SqWADoosh [OP]]

I've got a guy selling a pair of 37x14.5x15s tires and wheels next to me for $1300 bucks. They look brand new. Is there a reason he would be selling them for that cheap? Is that sizing undesirable by chance the reason?

[MRHilux87]

What kind of tires?  That sounds about right, not incredibly cheap but a decent deal if they are in that good of shape. 

[SqWADoosh [OP]]

What kind of tires?  That sounds about right, not incredibly cheap but a decent deal if they are in that good of shape.

Toyo M/Ts they are in great shape. I'm wondering if the extra 2 inches of width is asking for rubbing problems though?

[twistedtoy92]

Whats the backspacing on the wheels?

[MRHilux87]

I had that width on this runner i think.  I  love toyo Mt's.  They do 90% as well offroad as MTRs but last alot longer.  IMO.  And they are expensive tires, so that is a good deal.  The sidewalls are tough too.

[SqWADoosh [OP]]

Whats the backspacing on the wheels?

I will find out.

I had that width on this runner i think.  I  love toyo Mt's.  They do 90% as well offroad as MTRs but last alot longer.  IMO.  And they are expensive tires, so that is a good deal.  The sidewalls are tough too.

Man I'm fighting my urge to go pick these up. I wouldn't be able to run them anytime soon. I need to upgrade axles, 3rds, suspension, and trim my fenders.

[1985CRAWLER]

offer up 1k if u have the $  and buy them and just sit on them for awhile and if u dont end up using them sell them off. i have done that before.

only thing is about the toyos is they blow big time in the snow and they are heavy sob's. but i would run a set right now if i had them.

BTW glad to hear my rig is an inspiration to ur build! 

[SqWADoosh [OP]]

They say they don't know what the backspacing is. Here they are:

[twistedtoy92]

look around 3.75

[1985CRAWLER]

yep, 15x10 wheels it looks like.

what a shame about that runner, it looked clean

[SqWADoosh [OP]]

yep, 15x10 wheels it looks like.

what a shame about that runner, it looked clean

I thought it got flopped...but worse it had a tree fall on it!   

[toyodaaddict]

I hate to say it but Id reconsider those toyo's. I have a set of 33x12.5' on my DD and they weigh as much as most 35's. I can only imagine what a 37 14.5 weighs. They are also pretty terrible on the muddy trails hear in wa. they dont clean out for sh#t. I hate to be a downer so I'll say they do seem pretty tuff and last forever.

[SqWADoosh [OP]]

I hate to say it but Id reconsider those toyo's. I have a set of 33x12.5' on my DD and they weigh as much as most 35's. I can only imagine what a 37 14.5 weighs. They are also pretty terrible on the muddy trails hear in wa. they dont clean out for sh#t. I hate to be a downer so I'll say they do seem pretty tuff and last forever.

Thanks buddy you are just re-affirming what my research has told me tonight. It would be stupid anyways for me right now. I'm no where near ready to run 37s yet and should be putting money towards getting there.