80's 4runner IFS or Solid?

[thekingoffoxes]

wondering which 4runner to get, some friends say go IFS and one says Soild, I dont intend to go "4x4ing" that oftern, maybe up a track or two to a camp site every few months but nothing serious. I do live in the city and this will be my daily driver, (P plater). and as such I want to have the better supremacy on the road.

[brendanteck]

Hi,

I have a solid axel 84 4runner. I find it is a rougher in the suspension than the IFS model for on the road but more than makes up for it with how good it is in the bush. But it is fune on the road and i have no trouble keping up with the traffic. MY mates with the IFS are getting hung up on things and i go straight past them. The leaf springs are a bit tougher and ( in my opinion ) easier to rapair than the IFS model.

[a-frame81]

Hi,

I drive an 84 solid axle, if you want comfort and handling then the solid axle is probably not for you. That being said I love mine I have mine for the extra wheel travel and the simpler nature for modifications.
You'll probably start wanting to do more 4wding once you have one so I'd still go the solid axle.
If you want a little bit (and I mean little) of get up and go around town I'd look for the petrol, but if you want better in the bush go the diesel any day. Be prepared though, the 2.4 diesel will never win a speed race.

Great choice of vehicle! Good luck finding one to suit your needs they are out there.

Just a small thing to look for, if they still have the chrome dress strip around the wheel arches look underneath if you can as they catch mud and stuff and will make rust in no time.

Cheers.

[thekingoffoxes]

I drove a mates 85' Hilux (soild) and found the stearing to be shocking with a 1/3 turn of slack and while going down the freeway at 100, he's really fighting to stay in controll. is this common to these solids or is it just his shiity example?

[Mr DJ]

shiity example?

Yes

[dans-paj92]

i'm also guessing that your mates 85 lux didnt have powersteering as well??
I got a solid axle runner, 84 model.
Im a red p plater.
It had a 3y petrol in it but recently converted it to diesel.
If its not going long distances i recommended the petty, has powersteering and has more get up and go then the diesel and it costs like $100 all up for oil, oil filter, air filter every 10,000km.
cheers
Dan

[Matt_85Lux]

I drove a mates 85' Hilux (soild) and found the stearing to be shocking with a 1/3 turn of slack and while going down the freeway at 100, he's really fighting to stay in controll. is this common to these solids or is it just his shiity example?

you'll find it most likely has worn steering components, mine did the same thing as the drag link had worn bushes, I fixed that up and no more play, and mine sits at 100 with no dramas in the steering department.

I would prollie lean toward a solid axle one as you may find yourself getting more into 4x4ing after a few trips out and the solid axle is a fair bit more robust than the IFS one but that's just my preference

[error]

Have had both, if you are doing soft-roading as you say go the IFS, you will get a better example for your money..

[thekingoffoxes]

thanks for all the replies, i was origonaly considering Diesel because of the aparently better fuel economy, but just how under powerd is the 2.4?

[dans-paj92]

Im probably not the best example as I run 35s,
but with the 3y petty motor with 4.88 ratios i got 350km highway and only like 280km city. That was complete fill to nearly dead empty.
With the 2.4 disel with 35s and 4.88 ratios i have gotten 480km highway and had 10L still left in the tank.