Five years ago a group of friends from work took off for a weekend camping/fishing/wheeling trip up to the Sierra mountains here is northern california. None of us had ever done a real trail. Sure I'd done the trails that required 4wd, but nothing that threatened body damage or would leave me stranded. We finally happened upon a trail on the map that was still there and hadn't been fenced in. Off we went in our shiny SUVs. It took us all day to finish but by the time we were done I had been hooked, despite the drunken rednecks that came along at the end.

I soon discovered the real power of the internet and these things called forums. I joined 4x4wire in Aug of 2001. At this time all I could do with any confidence was change my oil and change my tires. One of my first questions here was, "how big of a tire can I fit on my stock 4runner." Yeah...what a newbie...

Anyway, in the past 5 years I've come a long way. My SAS is done.

Specifications:
4" SAS kit for Front
5" leaf spring kit for Rear
5.29 HP elocker front
5.29 ARB rear
CV front drive shaft from high angle drivelines
Stock toyota axle for now
33x10.5 for now
Stock auto tranny single tcase

Before SAS:



After SAS:







The total lift I got so far is 5" in the front and 4" in the rear, with the rear being 1" lower than the front. I suspect without my heavy rear bumper it would be level or slightly higher in the rear.

Here's how much it all cost. I have included everything from nuts and bolts to the gas I used getting to my friends house to work on the truck. SAS's ain't cheap.
http://www.robinhood4x4.com/misc/SAS%20cost.jpg

This is how many man-hours it took the three of us to finish the front and rear


I do have a rear driveline vibration when coasting at 80-85 mph, which most people say is because the rear pinion angle is too low. So, I think I'll try longer shackles which will raise the saggy rear and hopefully fix the vibration.

On the freeway it obviously doesn't handle quite as well as before. I have a little bumpsteer and the steering isn't quite as responsive. For example, if wind blows me towards the edge of my lane it I need more steering input to re-center it. There's also a thunking noise when I swerve left and right. Not sure what that is yet.

I still have quite a list of things to do but at least it's driveable. Sorry, no flex shots, I live in the middle of a city.

And yes, the tranny cooler location is temporary.

Here are a few more links to lots more pictures (best viewed with IE so you can see the thumbnails) :
http://www.robinhood4x4.com/gallery2/Rear%20Leaf%20Swap/
http://www.robinhood4x4.com/gallery2/Front%20SAS/
http://www.robinhood4x4.com/gallery2/SAS-done/

The rig looks great! Is that a 4x4Labs rear bumper?

I am curious about the diff choices, why ARB in the rear and electric in the front?

And finally, what was that trail that got you hooked? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/notooth.gif" alt="" />

Thanks Harry.
No, I made the bumper myself, along with all the other armor.

Two years ago I had installed front and rear ARBs along with the 5.29s. I would have went with ARB for the front again, but the elockers are $200 cheaper.

The trail was slickrock up Hwy 4.

Are you sure you wheel that thing? I dont see whan scratch or dent on it ???... J/K... Nice rig lets see if you can keep it that nice for the next severall years ....hehe <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Very nice. Now you need a 3.4 to pull that slushbox and tires around!

Body damage is highly overrated IMHO, that is a nice truck.

I got more body damage after SAS....go figure.
<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Looks good man! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Naw, you ain't cool unless you regularly break parts, have lots of body damage, over-use the little "flip off" gremlin, flame everybody older than you, and wear a knit cap in the summer. Least that's what they told me over on Pirate... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Dat's a VERY nice truck...