Long Travel for 4Runner gen3+ w/o cutting bed

[Chaplain]

Finally the racing season has taken a break so I could get the rear suspension finished...... errr (still need a coil that will take the travel and provide lift) I'm left with 13" of strapped travel and can still sleep in the back.

http://a396.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/93/l_a44507d3ed1913ffaded5b5f7b5501cb.jpg

> Twisted Customs: (see Dec Dirtsport MIM) made the upper/lower control arms and panhard bar. They utilized heims with their special spacers on axle end, and bushings on the frame end to free up all the bind. I know there are beefier looking arms out there but these are the same as their competition rigs.
> Sway-A-Away: Supplied 2x10 emulsion shocks with high capacity remote reservoirs to keep the smaller shock cool. Brian Bell, of SAW valved them to perfection.
> Light Racing's: 6" Jounce controls the uptravel.
> Spidertrax: provided the wheel spacers to keep things from rubbing and allows the rear to track inline with the wider front.

The frame was notched slightly to reset the Light Racing mount deeper keeping things away from the tires. If this is too much work or you don't want to cut into your frame then get the 3" jounce and bucket mounting kit. I wanted more controlled up travel (6" jounce) and easier acceptability to make adjustments. This placement measures out perfect for up-travel contact. Also notice how the cross brace thing (technical term) was sleeved to tie the two hoops together for additional strength. http://a171.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/31/l_0bdda2dd82072618393352f207f3d0a2.jpg

Ignore the length of the upper arm bolts. I wanted the strength of longer shanks but was too lazy to crawl back up there with the sawzaw. Its embarrassing seeing all those threads so I'll get back under there. The Twisted Custom panhard bar is adjustable using treaded heims at both ends. http://a249.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/97/l_40b83787aae8dbf1ba6ceef7a55085f0.jpg

Twisted Custom machined misalignment spacers to fit the factory mounts. All I had to do was drill out the holes for larger bolts. Removing the shock mount bolt is a tight fit past the lower arm mount, but it does come out. Could have used a little more room (up or down) here but that is where the tape measure said to put the shock mounts.
http://a480.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/112/l_03714411fd556b1bf333f8b4b45824e7.jpg
http://a476.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/104/l_3b028e820709b698820cb67cce83a4fb.jpg

A couple shots of Twisted Customs work strapping the bushing housing for additional strength and fitting the factory mount perfect.
http://a108.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/16/l_1b02ab28aafe85fffe95cc094e5f2b9b.jpg
http://a557.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/59/l_a8d905a1a0ee1a9a0e62ce372bc49cbc.jpg

Other options/improvements could be made to get more articulation and/or travel out of the rearend. I didn't want to reinvent the Toyota protractor or cut up my cargo area, at the end of the day its just a 4Runner and a daily driver. :)
http://a331.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/110/l_cbed8e36d408bde4758905d9df2a5c1a.jpg

[MillerPKA]

NICE build. where are the overall pics?

[xonetruthcrewx]

That is sweet. :thumbup:

I too want more pics.

[bigwapitijohnny]

x3 on the pics...great job! :popcorn:

Regards,

BWJ

[mastacox]

Very sweet suspension setup! I suspect I will want to do almost the same exact thing when I go LT.

Kudos for not having to tear into the bed, that is by far the best part :smokin: How far does the axle pull to the side(s) at full stuff or droop?

[Erich_870]

Very sweet suspension setup! I suspect I will want to do almost the same exact thing when I go LT.

Kudos for not having to tear into the bed, that is by far the best part :smokin: How far does the axle pull to the side(s) at full stuff or droop?


Agreed. I too like how you kept it out of the bed and wonder about axle movement at full stuff. This setup seems like the best a person could do before moving the gas tank to go with a tri-4 link, etc. :thumbup:

Erich

[Chaplain]

Thank you for the complements. My hope is that my build/experience(s) will 1)spark even more interest in building 4Runners for the dirt/rocks instead of soccer practice & Albertsons, 2)save someone some headache from buying parts that don't fit/work or are more than they need ie over marketed 3)catch something that I missed or didn't think of.

OK OK you asked for them, here are some teasers of future write-ups. Trust me its really a sleeper. Not much for parking lot bling.

Here is a action pic of the Tundra brake conversion (saved me from hitting a cow in mexico). A no brainer install. Also notice the "chicken wire" meshing, it runs from the hood to the back of the skid. Spend the $10 at the hardware store for the meshing and zip ties, it will save your radiator and your feet from a long walk. http://a196.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/112/l_9a476a4a73c5102d379fa167a9a4c4ab.jpg

Trail-Gear rocker guards. If you don't have rocker guards you either can't close your door or your new to the offroad game. Either is ok! :) Call Matt at TG, great guys!
http://a695.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/26/l_bef95b07359da5254b6bb6268fcbb636.jpg

How did that get in there? The TRD Stupidcharger is really a great investment. Yes investment, I actually get better fuel mileage after install. This thing really wakes up that 3.4L. Also notice the plug wires are flipped behind the cover to tidy things up a bit.
http://a697.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/107/l_830c1093797702a67cd39aaf031bb9d8.jpg

[Chaplain]

I'll get some pictures of it full stuffed and take some measurements. Camera filled up with silt and died so give me a little time.

[914Runner]

Will Twisted Customs be selling those reap hoops? When I get another 3rd gen, that is exactly the setup I would love to run in the rear!

[Chaplain]

Here is a pic I took the other night with the tire almost all the way stuffed. As you can see there is still an inch before any tire rub on the shock. (this is the stuffed tire).
http://a937.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/64/l_8901224edde1eb5ba672bb329b09c630.jpg

I increased my tire size from a 265 to a 285x70x17 (33") BFG KM2's so I had to do some cutting. The added tire size was going to work havic on the fenders so out came the cutoff wheel.:saw: I was able to trim a good 1" out of the fenders without getting into the door.
BEFORE:
http://a716.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/87/l_8512b9dea7ecc4b6dba342d81ff0072b.jpg
AFTER:
http://a795.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/9/l_4cc3dbd8c39b2d6ac4e4ee9a2c95f382.jpg
I covered the sharp edges and hacks with a small piece of trim.

[slosurfer]

Here is a pic I took the other night with the tire almost all the way stuffed. As you can see there is still an inch before any tire rub on the shock. (this is the stuffed tire).
http://a937.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/64/l_8901224edde1eb5ba672bb329b09c630.jpg



:thumbup: Trim job looks good. In that stuffed pic it looks like the tire is hitting the shock reservoir hose.

[neliconcept]

that is a sick job on the rear quarter, looks clean as hell. i might do that if i ever go bigger then a 35 on the ifs (for now)

[xonetruthcrewx]

You say better mpg after the SC install? How much better?

[neliconcept]

do you have a picture of the entire truck? id like to see how the front and rear wells compare

[PRA4WX]

You say better mpg after the SC install? How much better?


I can't speak for the 4rnr, but in a 99 taco 2mpg or so better.

[Chaplain]

The SC seems to give me about 2mph better in the city but less on the highway. I credit this too: in the city it takes less effort to do the same thing but on the highway I'm now going 80+ up grades where before I was going 60. My foot is heavier on the open road i guess. Wheeling wise; with the small tank I don't wonder far from fuel.

Recent overall pic down at San Felipe MX during the baja 250. Both fenders are trimmed to help clear the tires. I have one fiberglass fender for the front (thanks Bruce) and am waiting for another one from glass works.
http://a101.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/66/l_b6eea928da7f5d1baf78b590a1484774.jpg
http://a969.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/119/l_887db7bc33f2d478d9fc08fc5e68c800.jpg

What is everyone running for rear coils??

[Chaplain]

Fixed it: ARB 891's
http://a145.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/6/l_cb682d15b80b5d64bd6e77df224db950.jpg

[Chaplain]

Finally figured out how to squeeeeeeze a bypass in the rear and also added Trail-Gear's new frame support. http://www.trail-gear.com/tacoma#box (http://"http://www.trail-gear.com/tacoma#box")

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs783.snc4/66356_439935084753_714089753_4919083_8283480_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs006.snc4/33659_439935004753_714089753_4919081_4701846_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs810.snc4/69086_439934289753_714089753_4919073_1337873_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs902.snc4/71547_439934324753_714089753_4919074_2491755_n.jpg

[strykersd]

Have any video of your 4runner in action? I'm curious to see how this setup works out at the desert! Looks good!

[some_odd_girl]

Nice, I bet that rides SMOOTH. :thumbup:

[DHC6twinotter]

Looks good! Where'd you get the rear disk brake conversion from? :thumbup:

[Chaplain]

Have any video of your 4runner in action? I'm curious to see how this setup works out at the desert! Looks good!

Thanks, I'm looking forward to feeling the improvement from immersion shock to the bypass myself. I should get some video of it in action hu


Nice, I bet that rides SMOOTH. :thumbup:
Thanks


Looks good! Where'd you get the rear disk brake conversion from? :thumbup:

www.Trail-Gear.com (http://www.Trail-Gear.com) sells the conversion I use.

[PRA4WX]

Did you upgrade your master too? Rig looks nice!

[Chaplain]

Did you upgrade your master too? Rig looks nice!

PRA4WX, Thank you! The FUNrunner is a '96 so it already has the better master vs pre'95's. It is a PIG tipping the scales at 5125lbs but still stops reeeeeeeal good because of all the brake upgrades.

[Front brakes have been upgraded to larger Tundra size S13WE calipers and Stillen dimple/slotted rotors & Stillen pads (much better then the EBC stuff that I previously ran), from there DOT 4 brake juice goes into a proportioning valve, then to a CNC turning brake controller and then to the rear disks.]

[Flexus]

How much wheel travel does it have? From my experience, any serious travel will bend the sway bar or break the links if it is connected. Appears to be in your pics and the link is bent.

My '99 had about 18" of wheel articulation. I would disconnect the bar on the passenger side to keep from bending it.

[Obi..]

How much wheel travel does it have? From my experience, any serious travel will bend the sway bar or break the links if it is connected. Appears to be in your pics and the link is bent.

My '99 had about 18" of wheel articulation. I would disconnect the bar on the passenger side to keep from bending it.


His first post shows the upgrades (rod ends, etc) he did to prevent and issues of bending and shearing. :thumbup:

[Chaplain]

How much wheel travel does it have? From my experience, any serious travel will bend the sway bar or break the links if it is connected. Appears to be in your pics and the link is bent. My '99 had about 18" of wheel articulation. I would disconnect the bar on the passenger side to keep from bending it.


Are you referring to the stock swaybar or upper/lower links? I don't do any serious rockcrawling where wheel bind has been an issue due to articulation and offsetting traction.
Upper/lower links have been upgraded to chromolly with heim rod ends to prevent binding as noted by NorCalBorn. Swaybar is stock and has stock bends in it for clearance. Measuring articulation on a 5-link rear-end is so misleading that its not mentioned.
Thanks for looking and your comments.