so the wheels are turning

[mud_duck]

thinking of getting a truck and starting a trail rig. what year do yall think i should use has a base. thinking something with straight axle any advice would be great

 

[Silverback]

thinking of getting a truck and starting a trail rig. what year do yall think i should use has a base. thinking something with straight axle any advice would be great

1985, only year with solid axle and EFI.

 

[mud_duck]

ok sounds good i already found one if i can get it for the right price

 

[taco4x4rar]

1985, only year with solid axle and EFI.

Neg IFS would be easier to start with no need to modify the steering pick up solid axle and trailgear swap kit and presto instant trail machine. Seems like just as much work to make an already solid axled truck into a good wheeler what with having to move the spring hangers and add an IFS steering box for crossover/highsteer. Not to mention the 85s are getting pricey and harder to find

 

[mud_duck]

sounds like i am getting in over my head. i should say this whole thing will be on on some what of a budget. i am not trying to get this done over night. so i can spend here and there

 

[taco4x4rar]

sounds like i am getting in over my head. i should say this whole thing will be on on some what of a budget. i am not trying to get this done over night. so i can spend here and there

I think the trail gear idea is quite budget friendly, pick up IFS truck or runner 1000 or so depending on condition, pick up trail gear swap kit which is all inclusinve of parts necessary about 1200 or so, solid front axle 200 tops, rebuild for axle 100. Keep it low on some 33-35s on what ever wheels it comes with and bam you've got a really good wheeler for right at 3 grand. And then you can upgrade from there is parts as they become neccessary (gears, lockers, t-case gears)

 

[mud_duck]

so what an 86. then get an axle from older toyota or should i go bigger

 

[taco4x4rar]

so what an 86. axle from older toyota or should i go bigger

The non toyota axles are somewhat of a pain to adapt so an older yota axle (pre 85) is the best route to go, and any of the early IFS yotas are good candidates to swap (just not the V6s the 3.0s are horrible engines)

 

[mud_duck]

to bad the trail gear doesnt work for my 02

 

[mud_duck]

chrome olly axle shafts?

 

[Silverback]

You realize that moving a spring hanger is about the same as adding one. My money is still on an 85

 

[Silverback]

Just buy an 85 and wheel it. You won't regret it

 

[mud_duck]

so what about the IFS box do i have to have one, i am some what new to this so i dont know all the ins and outs but if i dont start now i never will gotta get all this going before the kids get to old cause then my money will be going towards their trucks

 

[Silverback]

so what about the IFS box do i have to have one, i am some what new to this so i dont know all the ins and outs but if i dont start now i never will gotta get all this going before the kids get to old cause then my money will be going towards their trucks

You can buy an IFS box for 125 from Sky.. my brother-in-law just bought a ported IFS box from PCS for $200. The mount for it is about $30-50 depending on how you want to do it.

 

[mud_duck]

i am going to have to get with sombody to sit down and explain all this to me one day i am one of those visual learners

 

[yotarob]

You will want the IFS box, but it is not mandatory. The old solid axle trucks have steering linkage that is low and gets damaged while wheeling, converting it to "hy steer" raises the steering linkage up out of the way and an IFS box is required to do so.

 

[SamSter0077]

1985, only year with solid axle and EFI.

x2 Sweet Trail Rig.. you will spend more $$ than you expect with any ride you get.

 

[mud_duck]

ok that makes sense, why would i have to move the spring hanger

 

[Silverback]

Neg IFS would be easier to start with no need to modify the steering pick up solid axle and trailgear swap kit and presto instant trail machine. Seems like just as much work to make an already solid axled truck into a good wheeler what with having to move the spring hangers and add an IFS steering box for crossover/highsteer. Not to mention the 85s are getting pricey and harder to find

Sorry Randy, been responding with frozen fingers in the garage with a phone.

I have to disagree. The only thing that might hold merit here is the fact that 85's are harder to find and thus more $$. But for me, and my plans, it was the perfect platform to start with. So you might have to move some spring hangers (easy) or add an IFS steering box (not that $). Considering the amount of work that would go into swapping over an IFS rig to SAS I still think its the way to go. If you are equipped with a full shop and are ready to spend nights/weekends out in it fabricating then a 2WD IFS rig is the way to go... add the parts you want. But since he's looking for a good basis to start with, my initial statement holds true.

 

[mud_duck]

[QUOTEyou will spend more $$ than you expect with any ride you get. [/QUOTE]

i would love to not have a budget but being in the air force i only get so much I would LOVE to work over time and get some extra cash but i dont get that choice i get to work over time BECAUSE they tell me to and get paid the same.......