If you're a Toyota owner who's into hardcore trails, you know one thing's certain: solid front axles rule the rocks. No question that IFS systems are popping up here and there in the world of competition rockcrawling, but those IFS systems are usually one-off and involve plenty of cubic dollars. Budget guys and those who want something tried-and-proven have long lusted after solid front axles.
Toyota last produced a solid front axle mini truck in 1985, over 20 years ago. And those '85 trucks are becoming fewer and further between, so solid axle swapping (SAS) has become de rigueur in the Toyota trailriding world.
Using a pair of leaf packs to suspend a swapped-in solid front axle is almost as tried-and-proven as the solid front axle itself.
To shed some more light on the subject, we turned to Trail-Gear, which offers its SAS kits in two flavors: leaf springs and links. We've seen several examples of swapped-in solid front axles using leaf springs, and we bet you have, too. This time we'll take a look at Trail-Gear's Trail-Link Three front three-link suspension kit.
The Trail-Gear Trail-Link Three kit comes with links, brackets, Creeper Joints, and fasteners. The links are made from 2-inch, 0.250-inch-wall round DOM steel tubing which means they'll be right at home being dragged across the rocks. The brackets are similar, made from 1/4-inch (0.250) steel plate. Yes, you can assemble and build your own linked suspension system, but this ready-made kit takes the guesswork and homework out of the process. The axle itself is not supplied in the kit but if you can't find one Trail-Gear offers everything from a high-clearance Rock Assault housing to Six Shooter steering knuckles. You can actually build your own solid front Toyota axle using Trail-Gear parts for almost everything.
Shocks are another "not included" item, but Trail-Gear recommends 14-inch stroke coilovers for maximum articulation. Flex numbers are impressive. Trail-Gear's testing revealed that the Trail-Link Three front system is capable of up to 50 (yes, fifty) inches of front articulation when paired with an equally-flexy rear suspension. Rocks? What rocks?
Take a look at the photos and captions for the rest of the details. The Trail-Link Three SAS system is ready. Are you?
 |  1. It would be a mistake not...  1. It would be a mistake not to mention Trail-Gear's "IFS Eliminator" solid axle swap (SAS) kit that uses leaf springs. If you want tried-and-proven trail performance that remains street friendly, this is the kit for you. Whatever route you choose, keep in mind that swapping in a solid front axle is major surgery. It's not something you can expect to pull off in a single afternoon. There's a lot of cutting, grinding, and welding involved in getting rid of the IFS crossmembers and attaching the leaf spring hangers and shackles. Don't use an SAS kit for your first welding project. Personal safety depends on high-quality welding so if you're not quite there yet it's worthwhile to pay someone else. |  2. Yes, you could figure out...  2. Yes, you could figure out a link kit on your own, but Trail-Gear has done the homework for you with its Trail-Link Three front SAS kit. Why use links instead of leaf springs? Links completely eliminate axle wrap, and they often soak up the bumps and jolts better than leaf spring systems, thanks to the high-quality coilovers that are used with of most linked suspension systems. Trail-Gear recommends 14-inch stroke shocks with this suspension system, but leaves it up to the end user to purchase the shocks. |
 3. Frame and axle brackets...  3. Frame and axle brackets are included in the kit to make mounting a faster process. Note that the brackets tuck in close to the frame and axle to maximize ground clearance. |  |  4. Spiderweb-style corner...  4. Spiderweb-style corner gussets are a slick touch. |
 5. A Panhard rod keeps the...  5. A Panhard rod keeps the axle located side-to-side. Hi-steer crossover steering may not work with this kit, so full hydraulic steering is the recommended route. |  6. The frame end bracket for...  6. The frame end bracket for the Panhard bar tucks in close to the frame for maximum bump travel. |  7. Here's a front view of...  7. Here's a front view of Trail-Gear's Rock Assault front housing. The axle tubes are offset upward across the middle between the differential and the knuckles. This gives greater ground clearance without the complexity of a portal axle. |
 8. Yes, you could also round...  8. Yes, you could also round up your own collection of hydraulic steering parts, but just like the link kit, Trail-Gear has already done the homework on this complete setup. |  |  9. Not very streetable, but...  9. Not very streetable, but this rig is built to rule the trails. |