SAS - Solid Axle Swap

[pwuser15807562518]

Aoa friends,
I live in the twin cities and have recently been bit by the 4x4 bug. Been busy researching different rigs with potential for upgrades.

So some questions and an advice:
Are there any seasoned 4x4 mechanics around who are good at mod's and upgrades on proven rigs?

Secondly, does anyone have any experience with doing a front SAS from an IFS here in Pakistan?

As you might tell that I want to make a mildly serious off-roader and not break the bank at the same time, what rigs would you suggest? I've shortlisted J90, early model J120, LC100. Any advice or any previous forum posts y'all can direct me to?
TIA

[tintin1]

This post was flagged by the community and is temporarily hidden.

[UAHMAD]

Instead of going into the hassle of this conversion, why not buy an original SAS vehicle like LC 105?

I am saying this because you have already shortlisted LC 100.

[umairjamil6]

Why do you want to go for an axle swap in the first place. IFS is more comfortable and better for normal offroading and GENYAN is GENYAN.
Everything depends on your budget. For some people 1.5mil is expensive and some can spend 15 mil.
What exactly you want to do with the rig? Dune bashing? Mudding? Rock crawling?
Narrow down your objectives/targets then the experts can guide you.

[pwuser15807562518]

I can't seem to find any 105's for sale or maybe I'm not using the correct keywords. Though that would be an ideal rig to buy.

Also, I imagine true off-roaders would have had the sh*t kicked outta them before being put on sale. So I'm happy to work on a project from the start rather than taking over somebody else's used up ex.

[pwuser15807562518]

Wish I had 15 mil to throw into a hobby. Looking to find something for under 3.5 and put in another 1 to 1.5 to compete the job.

Basically looking for a sturdy machine to put through extreme rock crawling without worrying about breaking a control arm or a tie-rod end; and manageable enough for a bit of weekend driving around town.

[umairjamil6]

Thats a decent budget and extreme rock crawling is the only thing that warrants solid acles. You can also get a surf and swap in the front and rear axles from an lc80. You would also need the lc80trans and transfer case. Maybe swap in the 1vd for high torque. If you want to use the stock motor then get another low gear but i dont know if its possible with the lc80 drivetrain. By putting both in low gear you get very very low speed and high torque that makes rock crawling easier. The prados arent really as good as the surf for rock crawling and the lc is very heavy. Or you could just get an lc80 and mod it for rock crawling. Easiest and most cost effective option overall.

[UAHMAD]

If that's the case then better visit some auction to bid on LC 105 or HZJ78 and rebuild.

Our mechanics don't have the capacity to do the kind of swap which you want. They can't handle basic jobs. All the time you have to tell them what to do (based on what you're suspecting).

But it's your money and your decision. Good luck.

[umairjamil6]

Cant get the 105 in this budget. Its already in high demand with very low supply. The 78 cant be daily driven due to the ancient suspension

[pwuser15807562518]

Thanks for all the feedback friends.

I think as Umair suggested, a decent LC80 seems like the best option considering availability and ease of acquiring one. No comparison to a 105, but that's too much hassle to buy and the budget is limited.

However he got me dreaming about the 1vd engine. How easy is it to get one? Approx. cost and how difficult is it to swap one into the 80's bay? I agree with Umair, the "ustaads" around here are a handful to deal with.

Besides the 1vd, what turbo diesel would you recommend? Looking for higher torque and better high elevation performance.

Also, what model years of LC80 are the preferred ones for such a project? Any known issues to check when buying? How do the differentials work? Lockable? Elec or mech.?

[umairjamil6]

A clean vd used to go for 2laakh a few years back and rates have increased a lot rn. This is one of the very few torue monsters that are still available with a manual. Australian half cuts can be acquired with a trans too and would make things far more simpler. 80s are very old now and have several problems but since you are going rock crawling (and maybe with a new motor and trans) the previous suspension and tires etc are not that important. A few guys have made monster trucks of lc80 here you would find a lot of help regarding this project. Just start working on it

[bmuqtadir]

I think they cost more than 12 lak now. (1vd)

A much cheaper option is to get a much lighter (by 400-500kg) vehicle like a 2nd Gen surf. It has solid axles as required by op and late models came with a reasonably powerful (for its size) 1kz

Op has indicated he's starting this journey... Better to opt for something cheaper if you just want to off-road at nearby areas.
For longer journeys, that include a lot of highway travel, I would go with 1996-2002 Prado or surf.
They are significantly safer vehicles albeit with ifs.

I own a 96 surf. And the amount of time and money is required to keep it in reasonable shape for my camping/Offroading trips....

80 series and 105 would cost much much more. Just wanted to give a heads up.

[umairjamil6]

Are you sure that surf has i
Solid front axles. I think its ifs but a hilux front solid axle is an ez swap. If the vd is THAT expensive get the 1gd. Thats a fine motor too.

[bmuqtadir]

Apologies. You are correct. It had ifs.
Yes, 1VDs are that expensive and pretty rare too. A fresh 1GD ain't cheap either, around the million mark probably. Even 1Hd-ft in good condition is not that much cheaper.. I have heard ppl asking 7-8 for.
That's why I suggested to go for a simpler and cheaper build for someone who wants to start of. The money they will spend modifying the vehicle, they won't get it back. Simple.

[umairjamil6]

These prices a
Sound unrealistic but i am sure market mein aisay hi maangtay hon gay sab. Thori khawari kar k kam price par bhi mil jayen gi yeh motors. At least i hope so

[pwuser15807562518]

The LC80 ticks most of the boxes for me compared to other machines. Bigger size also translates into bigger payload for longer trips. Whether it's auxiliary tanks or camping gear.

Now I remain uncertain about the engine. How's the 1hd 4.2 engine that comes with it? I think most of them around here are NA.

1gd is a very good engine on paper, but I heard the turbo system is a bit complicated. Could be just an opinion. The 1KD is a solid engine too.

Do you think these 4 banger TD's will feel underpowered for pushing about 2.2 + tons? Because all the vehicles Toyota released them for are sub 2 tons mark.

[umairjamil6]

The 1hd has a turbo but its super old now. The design wasnt that great as it didnt come with an intercooler in the lc80. It got significant upgrades in the lc100. These 4bangers are pretty nice. drove the 1kd in a hiace and its pretty torquey. The hiace can start from 2nd gear comfortably. The gd is even better. It drives nicely in the fortuner which is also a bit heavy.

[bmuqtadir]

1hd is direct injection, turbo version of the 1hz.
You cannot find it without a turbo.
Early models had a 1hd-t and later models had the 24 valve 1HD-ft, also called the 'multivalve'. It's the engine to get. They are fairly bullet proof if left. unmolested....

[bmuqtadir]

The one on the 100 series has electronic injection etc... Makes a few more ponies

[pwuser15807562518]

I guess the 1hd is more than what I expected it to be. I'm sure in case I need to replace the engine, the electronic injection iteration would have no issue settling into an 80's bay.

Btw a wild idea came to mind. Need all y'alls input on it. Saw some 100's for sale that come within range. Obviously they're the 98 and 99's with relatively high mileage. Do you think it's possible/practical to fit the 90's front SA suspension onto the 100?