Brian over at Front Range Offroad did the 8" swap in his 3rd gen 4runner. That's the only actual swap I've seen done. I'm eventually planning on swapping the front diff out for something stronger. My idea is to use the AAM 9.25" diff out of the 3/4 and 1 ton GM trucks. That is if I can make it fit. @coloradolawlor put a custom made D44 in the front of his Chevy Colorado with GM 1 ton CV axles. It's been holding up to a supercharged LSX and 38" tires.
I wish I could help but I have never even heard of someone sticking a 2nd gen diff in a 1st gen
So he actually finished the project? He never followed up on the thread for us to all see unfortunately. A tundra diff could be another great option too, but I think the highest gear ratio on those is 4.88. I'd like to go 5.38 with the AAM diff.
Fuck it! Get some RCV's and run it till it breaks. That's what @theesotericone does (he's running 35" pitbulls which are like BFG 37's). RCV's are pretty awesome. We are just thinking the ADD stub shaft is the next weak link now.
Yeah I'm actually really surprised that your's is still intact. I keep telling myself that I should wait for RCV's but I might just blow my load and get some this summer. I can send them back when I get LT and get extended axles. I have too many ideas in my head and can't make up my mind on how I should "invest" my money properly. Summer months it's crawling and winter months it's go-fast stuff.
I'd love to find more info on it. Such a great idea that never went anywhere (that we can document).
Have you ever had any issues with the stub shaft? I think Dirtco was the only one I've seen with an actually broken stub shaft. @Theblackflag twisted the splines on his, but it never sheared.
Untitled by Tyler Carvell, on FlickrOhhhhh. Jeesussssss. More pics.Pretty much nothing directly related to the tire size. Skipped/chipped off a tooth on my steering racking bashing up way too big ledge on metal masher. Had a wheel bearing get real sloppy (also 190k on the truck so take that with a grain of salt) but I attribute that more to my wheel spacers. I bought 4.5 BS wheels so the back end would tuck within the body, so I had to get 1.25" spacers up front to even think about having a turning radius, and I still rub the frame. And my speedometer is laughably off. But as far as real carnage goes, no broken CVs, no busted diff (ARB front), no ADD tube issues.
First time 37s felt small, even with all the approach angle I've tried to give this thing I scraped going up and down.
27147607848_a494fce486_o by Tyler Carvell, on Flickr
40976687642_9a607e6f02_o by Tyler Carvell, on Flickr
40976681332_b26ca72100_o by Tyler Carvell, on FlickrI’m already tubbed and clear 37s. But have 35s on
In hindsight I probably could have made it with some realignment, with this line I was all over the belly skid, gas tank skid, and lower links. But when I backed off and dropped the front end down to terra firma I was no longer able to turn left so I didnt push it too much after that as I still had the rest of Metal Masher and another day of wheeling to do.
So the thing with tubbing is I could technically drive around on bumpstops in the front (and the 1" BL). With how much I cut nothing rubs besides my limited style flares at certain steering angles & full bump, but I refuse to give those up. And I would lose some steering angle as I still haven't notched my frame. The rear is pretty solid at all levels but I do still rub at full bump inside the fender area, filler cap, etc. But I also cut nothing in the rear.
I dunno, I doubt 37s and no lift/BL has been done before (I've seen 35s I think) but in the end, if you're tubbing the front you make sure it works at full bump so no issues there, and you clearly have the fab skills to rework the bed. After tubbing with the BL I think its possible to do it without, more cutting in the firewall area is whatever, easy cuts easy welds. Where I think it would get difficult is the top of the inner fenders where the batter, airbox, fusebox, etc is all mounted. I got away with just hammering problem areas and smoothing them out, but I think you would need to fully cut them.
If you haven't read this one check it out. 37s with 3" lift no BL on a 99 Taco Slodgetto's Green Dragon .
Well fuck me right? Write a long ass response like this is T4R or TW. Gotta remember people aren't so dumb here...
What are you waiting for then!
It helps people who are looking to do it. We're hoping this forum can teach newbies as much as help experienced players. Gives guys something to look forward over the standard "you can't do that, you need a 2" body lift and 3" suspension lift" response.
We can easily take this to a new thread since we like talking about it and seeing how it’s done.