First off... my tires kick ass. I didn't slip once (assuming I had weight on the tires), and everyone in the group was impressed. They climbed up rock faces with easy, and cleaned very well.

Next... ground clearance is my major issue at this point, so locking and regearing isn't really an option for me anymore. I don't see the point of dumping a bunch of money into mods that won't address my major shortcomming - ground clearance.

Last... while IFS might not flex as well as SFA, you don't have a diff to get hung up on. So for people like me (running 33s and open diffs or 1 locker), wheeling only on weekends and not every weekend, toyota IFS is more than adequate. It's plenty strong, and plenty flexy. I know I've commented on the IFS vs SFA thing before... but the more I wheel, the more I understand the differences, and how they actually work on the trail.

 

I agree with just about everything you've noted, except that lockers are awesome. Your rig (and the open-diff TJ) proved to be very capable without lockers though.

IFS really isn't that bad if you know how to wheel with it (and if it's not a beat up 17 year old rig with very little frontend maintenance ever performed). With all the parts that are worn out on mine, I'm leaning more and more towards a SAS. But my IFS junk has been beat hard for the 12 years I've owned it, and Saturday was the first time I have ever broken a steering, suspension, or driveline related part.

 

Those Firestone Destinations do kick ass. I liked them before and after seeing them in action yesterday I like them even more. Even more than the MT/R's I used to have.
As far as clearance, have you looked into one of those IFS lifts that drops the suspension components? They make them for Tacomas but a few people here have their 3rd gen 4Runners lifted well above 3" this way. Then slap some leaf springs in the rear and you'll have the baddest 3rd gen in the East.

 

I too agree with what you are saying! There are VERY FEW things that are really neccessary to really make your truck a fun wheeler. I see trucks/4runners on the con that are mildly built do very well with a competent driver & spotter. Of course these rigs take all the bypasses (no little sluice etc).
I think the main thing is to be able to get "unstuck". If you have the tools (a high lift jack & assc.) , and points on the truck to use it you can have alot of fun with a mild/stock vehicle. Glad your having fun!
Richard

 

One locker really makes it a good trail truck for the weekends. The second and the crawler make it done.

For me, the issue is also ground clearance. The solution requires a solid axle.

Schaefer has a solution for your problem.

 

I'm sure they are... but I don't think they would have helped me at all yesterday. The two things I wanted to do but couldn't (the one stream crossing on inner spare tire, and the rock on doe run), I couldn't because of ground clearance. Granted, that was just one run, but it seems like my dragging belly is an issue before traction is.

I guess I should put some heavy duty skid plates on my to-do list.

 

Oh? (damn 5 character minimum)

 

No, I haven't... but if I'm thinking of the same thing you're talking about... aren't they for 2wd only? I think fabtech makes them? Either way... I'm not so crazy about the cost of fabbing up leaf spring mounts for the back - but if it would get me some significant groundn clearance...

Any idea who makes the gear you are talking about? I'll search for IFS drop and see what I can find.

 

Yeah, 35's with hardly any lift. Sure it looks like an Arctic truck, but it works when you need clearance.

 

Oh, yea... my 33s rub enough as it is.