Anyone looked into IFS?

[Blomdala]

Ive been doing some thinking lately about powertrains, suspension, all the fun stuff. I'm sure this will ruffle some feathers, but has anyone ever considered IFS for their rig? I don't plan on doing rock crawling with my 77, If I get back into that I'll be building something else. Coil suspension swaps can be done as a few have shared on here. For the majority of what I do with my truck, IFS would be perfectly fine, and actually preferred for handling and ride quality. What I was considering was moving the 77 body onto a 4th gen 4runner frame and power train. The wheel base is a about 2.5 in longer which is a plus, they are plentiful, and even have a nice V8 option.

Pro:
- 2UZ option (which fits in the bay)
- IFS and coil suspension
- ABS could be retained (depending on wire harness modification)
- Converting to 12V (this is also a con as its involved, but all my 24V items are available in 12v too)
- lower cost servicing since its market specific powertrain
- Could likely recoup large amount of donor purchase price with selling old frame and powertrain.

It would be a ton of work, things like fuel tank, wiring, sourcing conversion parts from other locations. But as far as cost goes, it seems like it would be pretty reasonable for material costs.

 

[Loober]

I've thought about it, I have a 1st gen tacoma on pretty much stock IFS with some upgraded bolt in coilovers and arms, and I've done the rubicon and all kinds of other rock trails. And it hauls ass in the desert and handles way better on the road then a solid axle ever will. You'd def be the first one that did an IFS conversion on a 70. With that said, doing a 4th gen swap will have all kinds of conflicts that I think will be too much work to deal with versus figuring out a custom IFS conversion for the front. The ultra 4's run IFS, there is plenty of aftermarket out there that make IFS diffs, etc. That way you won;t have to mess with the rest of the truck and all the electrics and packaging. Plus the 70 series frame is way stronger then the 4runner. I say do it!

 

[Blomdala]

I've thought about it, I have a 1st gen tacoma on pretty much stock IFS with some upgraded bolt in coilovers and arms, and I've done the rubicon and all kinds of other rock trails. And it hauls ass in the desert and handles way better on the road then a solid axle ever will. You'd def be the first one that did an IFS conversion on a 70. With that said, doing a 4th gen swap will have all kinds of conflicts that I think will be too much work to deal with versus figuring out a custom IFS conversion for the front. The ultra 4's run IFS, there is plenty of aftermarket out there that make IFS diffs, etc. That way you won;t have to mess with the rest of the truck and all the electrics and packaging. Plus the 70 series frame is way stronger then the 4runner. I say do it!

With the way 80 series parts are priced now adays, even a custom IFS system might be comparable in price! Ha. I hear you on the potential conflicts. Seems like a lot can be dealt with, but not everything has a clear path. And frame strength is definitely something to pay attention to. Time to join the IFS forums ha! Thank you for the input!!

 

[Loober]

Since you won;t be abusing it or putting huge HP to it, you could take stock front end parts off a 2nd gen tacoma or something similar and make it work with the existing frame pretty easy I bet. People put all those parts for sale cheap all the time after doing a SAS. You could even make the rack and pinion steering work, that will really make it ride nice.

 

[Blomdala]

That's a good point as well. For rack and pinion, I was just going to snag a prado steering rack from Australia to use. Same setup as 4runner and GX since they use the same components. That would solve my RHD issue. Might have to look a little hard at the column situation since the column would go straight down after the fire wall.

 

[Blomdala]

The only tricky part is that the pumpkin is on the wrong side....

 

[RHINO]

I would drop the 7x body on the runner chassis, be easier in the end


I've been wheeling and dd'ing my tacoma and push it pretty hard off road, that d train will do ALOT more that you might think.

Having said that however, I am getting into a troopy specifically to go back to solid axles and leaf springs, well aside from my long standing love affair with the troopy.

I really think if you want the more modern system, you will be completely happy with it, the 2uz alone would be phenomenal, if I could drop one in my troopy I would be all over it.

 

[Blomdala]

I would drop the 7x body on the runner chassis, be easier in the end


I've been wheeling and dd'ing my tacoma and push it pretty hard off road, that d train will do ALOT more that you might think.

Having said that however, I am getting into a troopy specifically to go back to solid axles and leaf springs, well aside from my long standing love affair with the troopy.

I really think if you want the more modern system, you will be completely happy with it, the 2uz alone would be phenomenal, if I could drop one in my troopy I would be all over it.

I think its different aspects of difficulty depending on the route, body onto the frame is more about electrical and body mounts, but you know the chassis is ready to go drivability and powertrain wise. Splicing IFS to the frame would be easier electrical wise, but things like 3rd member location and oil sumps would be the hard. I thin kin my mind I see my beautiful 77 with the comfort (mostly) of a 4th gen 4runner and I'm thinking its about perfect for the driving I do in the USA.

 

[RHINO]

also with IFS addition you need to consider frame reinforcments,,,, on leaf springs the frame strength runs out to the horns in a mostly linear force aplication.

with IFS you really need to consider the twisting moment of force and beefing up the crossmember between rails, if you have a look at the IFS frame,,, its a pretty substantial member.