I'm super excited with some ideas, and figured I'd throw them up on here instead of posting on instagram or something so I can get some thoughts before I go further insane.
So my thinking prior to yesterday was build the lizard for 4800, then build my 4runner and LT it (again), then use what I learn from the runner and build a 4400 IFS car. Well, why not just turn the lizard into an IFS build? At the end of the day the cost is about the same, IFS 9" setups are insanely expensive but the axles I wanted to run were already insanely expensive---and in some ways IFS would be cheaper since I would fabricate the arms and spindles and stuff myself so wouldn't need to spend $1800 on spidertrax knuckles. So if SA vs IFS costs the same, why even go SA? I like IFS, and nothing against SA but they just don't turn me on. I like to go fast, and occasionally crawl, not vice versa.
So I started thinking about it and talking to some friends, and then there was kind of this flurry of thoughts of oh well the front diff might be hard to package and stuff but what if the engine was just rear mounted for the hell of it... So I was like fuck it, and flipped the chassis around so the engine was in the back, and that bitch fits GOOD. Like at first glance it fits better in the back than in the front. The seat fits nicer since the engine and bellhousing isn't getting shoved into the passenger area as much, it fits easily within the constraints of the current rear chassis "outline". If I had a front diff, well now the front driveshaft is short and straight, then the transfer case offset output would help clear the engine and tranny for the rear axle and run an offset rear diff. Then the IFS I can mount anywhere and pull the axle line way closer to the seats to sit more forward. With the 48" trailing arms and 40s I would be looking at a minimum ~112" wheel base, but pull it back to like 116" probably.
So obviously with it being a tube chassis IFS car it would fall into the unlimited class, but let's be honest, most of the races would be desert races (BOR, SNORE, short course, etc.) where IFS makes sense. And then for the rare Ultra4 race, well I would be rolling with the big dogs and it'd cost a lot but there's not even that many U4 races I planned on doing anyways since they're so far away. For a rig that will be used 90% in the desert where I like to play, and occasionally racing, and since I'd rather build an IFS car, it seems like this is the more fun path to go down. Not to mention I can build the whole thing and do the front diff and axles last and run it as 2WD and test it out before spending the $5k on a front diff, hell I might want to even remove all that shit for strictly desert races anyways to lose weight.
Pros and Cons that I see:
Cons:
-Biggest is the transfer case setup, which I'll give Advance Adapters a call today, but seems like what is normally the front driveshaft is just the rear and the rear is now the front. Unless there's an issue with that, which I would assume they can just flip the gears or something and make it so normal 2WD is just what normal front dig is and vice versa.
-Fuel cell placement, I could put it up front but that's maybe a little sketchy? Not sure.... I was also thinking I could run twin fuel cells under the seats (I don't want to make a custom one) and that would keep the weight balanced out and keep the CG low. In the back would add a lot more rear weight plus you have exhaust and stuff going on.
-Front drive stuff? The IFS 9" housings are really expensive, but everything seems straight forward. Spidertrax even sells like hub "bungs" that you can build a spindle around and that a unit bearing bolts to, it's chromoly though so I would have to ask for mild steel or just make one myself for my spindles. So little questionable with all that, but not much crazier than normal.
-Steering would need to be like a TT rack or something, which sounds scary but I don't think would be that big a deal. I've also seen creative IFS steering setups with gear boxes and normal hydro rams, so probably not that big a deal with some research.
Pros:
-I like IFS and building it
-I would bump to unlimited/Ultra4 for racing, so I could run any size tire (probably 40s)
-I could run a coilover + bypass, and for my trailing arms I can actually reuse my 14" coilovers and then they mate up perfectly with a 18" bypass behind it so could save a little money
-Maybe/hopefully the same overall end of the day cost between IFS and SA
-More room with the engine behind the seats
-Transfercase easier to package arguably
-Rear mount radiator has less plumbing
-I like IFS
Other thoughts? I have awhile to make up my mind but just trying to think of everything. I haven't touched the chassis in 2 weeks, and hoping to order an Atlas race case by the end of the year, then I'll have everything for the drivetrain so can lay it all out and keep chugging with the chassis.
EDIT: Just talked to AA, they said there's no issues or additional cost to build the tcase for a rear engine setup.