Solid front axle truck years?

[Camo]

I am considering building a light duty fireroad cruising truck. I want to look for a used Toyota locally and want to know what years they came with solid nonindependent front suspension as I want to lift it easily and cheaply.
Thanks for any info.

[80toy]

79 to 85. i have an 80, and i love it.

try Downey-Offroad or Tough Country (same as EZ-Ride).


edit: 79 to 80 came with the 20r and a L43 (4sp tranny)
81 to 84 came with the 22r
85 was the first year to come with a 22re and the last year to get a Solid Front Axle (SFA)

85 is the year you should look for in my opinion, as it has EFI and SFA.

[rogerman]

85 has a bad frame. right were the cab and bed meet, that gap tends to gather water and rust out the frame. 79-84 would be the best bet in my book, but what is wrong with IFS? since your only gonna do light duty off roading. Just get stronger torsions maybe dual front shocks and new rear leafs.

[Sidney]

These rigs in Canada & USA:

1984-85 4-Runner
197X-85 pickup
1980-90 Landcruisers models:BJ/FJ/HJ60/62-70 series 4 door wagon suvs
196X-90 Lancruisers models:BJ/FJ/HJ40/42 series 2 door suvs

all had SFA=solid front axles as they are simpler,tougher,reliable,easier angles of incline when off-roading and easier suspension/body lifts.
But in North America some goverment body or private body complained that SFA's were dangerous on the highway and not as comfortable so Toyota decided to change the suspension from dump truck to Cadillac reliability and ride. I don't know if it became a law or Toyota did it due to other reasons.Most of the globe still uses SFA upto 1995 or newer just look at Central America,South America,Africa,Afghanistan and Australia.

These sites explain the history of the 4-Runner & pickup:

http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/faq
http://www.brian894x4.com/Toyotapick...nermodels.html
http://www.off-road.com/toyota/4runner/history.html
http://www.toyotaoffroad.com/Article...ry_4Runner.htm
http://www.top4runners.com/ja/runhist1.html

Sidney® ™
Repairs tv's,vcr's,home/car audio out of my home
E-mail:sidneybek@yahoo.com
Dartmouth,Nova Scotia
Canada
1985 Toyota 4-Runner,solid front straight axle,factory cruise control,sunroof,22R-E,W56,RN60LV-MSEK,rusted rear step/towing chrome bumper with 246 000 KM

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[Tercel GTS]

Earlier models rusted the frame between cab and bed also. Just check for damage.

[Camo]

I had no idea that to get SFA I'd have to go that far back in years! I live in the Salt Belt and the chances of me finding an 81-85 that is has even a repaired frame would be slim to none. Hmmmm.........I guess I'll go with IFS then, just figured it would be much cheaper to lift a SFA, but at least with IFS I'll get a better ride. Thanks for the info, You guys are very helpful!

[nikita]

I had an 84 and didnt like the solid axle setup. It NEEDED lift because the reverse-arch front leafs meant almost no suspension travel. Also, the closed knuckle u-joint setup limited steering angle a lot. It is simple and rugged, but there are downsides.