Kuntryboy

also i might get lucky and be able to nab on a super clean 87 4runner with locking hubs already.... it has 215k miles NO rust, everything works perfectly even the quartz clock, and even comes with the books and everything in the glove box. me likey hahaha

tried4x2signN

The front suspension is Torsen bar... But wait! There's more!

Ok, now a lot of 4WDs out there today, or at one point were TBar setups like the Toyota... Only they had the Tbar mounted to the bottom control arm...

You can spot a lifted one a mile away... How? B/c it's suspension was noticeably lower than the frame... Like a dog dragging his... well...

See, b/c the bar was at the bottom, in order to lift it, you had to lower that point. Well... Now you have a liability hanging down below the frame of your truck... B/c if you hit it going over something it could ruin your day. You might not even be able to drive it out... It's not a skid plate after all. It's holding the front of your truck up!

Not so with the Toyota. It's TBar is high and dry, safe and sound, above the frame rail... Where it can never be a liability, or get damaged off road.


To my knowledge Toyota is the ONLY one to use this this type of TBar setup.


But wait! Even more!!!

The Toyota IFSes 86-95 have basically equal length control arms... This means LESS leverage on the alignment of the truck, and therefore it needs to be be serviced less. EDIT: As the tires cycle through the suspension, they actually do not change their angle all that much. IMO that's what makes knocking them out of alignment harder. And b/c the contact patch remains almost constantly flat, that's why they handle as good as they do.

Put it to you like this. You can go out and beat on a Toyota IFS ALL DAY... At the end of the day, it WILL NOT need an alignment...

You can go out in a Chevy Z71 (UN-equal length control arms, basically rides balanced on the alignment) and beat on it all day long... It WILL need an alignment by the time it gets to the road.


That is why, the best mass-produced IFS 4WD system in my opinion, is a 86-95 Toyota IFS 4WD...

1st place would actually be a H1 Hummer... But it's unobtainium and not really mass produced... So it's disqualified!


The Tacoma's were equal length control arm to, but that's another story...

And you'll notice I didn't say they were the best to me...

Kuntryboy

wow awesome!!! great info!!! so what is the best to you? haha btw really appreciate all your help. !!!

oh and if no one minds me asking... is there a possibility someone could post pics of the torsen bar so i can really get an idea of it. thanks.

tried4x2signN

BINGO! FAQ worthy here...

also edited post above...

http://www.4wheeloffroad.com/product...ons/index.html

Kuntryboy

okay that helps a ton.... so when you here of ppl crankin there torsion bars they are cranking the red thingies hahah i know u like my terminology

az4x4runner

One thing you may want to look into if you are going to REALLY beat on your 86-95 IFS is a brace for the rear section of the lower control arms. As you can see in the image posted by tried4x2signN there is a cross bar on the front but not on the rear (below front drive shaft). Just an anti-sway bar.

If you jump the truck, especially upon impact, the rear LCA mounts can spread causing alignment problems. Not trying to worry you, you would really have to beat the hell out of it or jump it alot. I got one from Downey years back to be safe, haven't had an alignment done since.

Unfortunately Downey is no longer an option.

Edit: Here is a rather nice IFS Truss. The skidplate/crossmember in the pics lower on the page are optional upgrades of course.

RobD

You're close. Torsion bar, not Torsen bar.

Torsen is a type of differential http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torsen

Kuntryboy

awesome info guys and i never knew you could have a truss for ifs

az4x4runner

For Toyota's IFS, for sure. You can beef it up good. I don't jump my truck but it gives some peace of mind when I am out wheeling. Was easy to install, just takes a little time and drilling.

az4x4runner

By the way... got any pics of this truck you are considering?

Kuntryboy

also what about using warn locking hubs? are they in any comparison to the other ones stated earlier?

az4x4runner

The Aisin hubs are known to be much stronger than the Warn hubs. Warn hubs stick out further so can be damaged by rocks easier, which could be a disaster if you are in a place you need 4wd. Warn hubs do not have cone washers so they can come lose.

One advantage to Warn is the price, if you needed to replace a broken one. Which is irrelevant since the Aisin hubs are indestructible.

Kuntryboy

oh okay and damnnnnnn i just found aisin hubs on wabfabs site and 300$$!!!!!!!!!!!! HOLY !!! hahaha searching for ones off a pickup or older runner would def. be worth it

az4x4runner

That's what I did. I got them years back, not sure what I payed for them but it was under $100 I'm pretty sure. Go to a Toyota stealership and get new gaskets and some grease, tear em down clean and lube and you're good to go.

There are 2 gaskets you will need. One under the cap where the dial is, and one star shaped one behind the hub body.

Kuntryboy

alright that sounds confusing. is this easy for someone that doesnt really know what they are doing or should i take to a shop to install. i would be comfortable paying and having it done right the screwing it

az4x4runner

It's pretty easy. You'll know if you screwed up anyway because once they are back on the truck they wont lock or unlock.

Here is an article you may find useful. The first picture shows the components and their names.

Also I think I got it backwards, the star gasket goes behind the dial cover.

Kuntryboy

awesome! that helps a ton!.... only thing that scared me was when he said the water tight part..... what happens if water gets in?