Shaving front end bumpstops......?

[SD4runner]

Why hasn't anyone done this? I'm assuming there must be something bad that would happen. Over compression of front shocks?!

Basically, I took some rough measurements, and calculated that if you shaved .5" from the front bump stops, you'd be getting 1.5" of UPWARD wheel travel. (Measured at the center of the tire). Right now, my bump stops are only 1" away from the "stops". Seems like a cheap way of adding an extra 1.5" of travel.

If you're in my situation, where my geometry is pretty much at stock location, would you try this? Would this be detrimental to the shocks?

[bamachem]

you would probably bottom out the shocks, but more importantly, you would bind the ball joints w/ too much upward travel as well as get the tires into the sheetmetal.

[4runnerchevy]

It has been done. You can buy low profile bumpstops. I believe Energy Suspension carries em. In various bling colors of urethane. I wouldnt advise going too low.

[bamachem]

i think those low-profile bump stops are for the 2nd gens, right?

he's talking about a 3rd gen...

[4runnerchevy]

If its got bumpstops then I bet there are shorter ones out there. This is definitly not new science, in the world of IFS travel. Just shave them away to a world of better travel and carnage!

[BruceTS]

You all have to remember he's running the 6" Trailmaster and a 2" body lift, so it's can be done. For a stock vehicle, the tire will contact the sheetmetal. Like mentioned you'll have to see if the upper ball joint can handle the extra travel, but if I recall it should not be a problem.

[SD4runner]

Thanks for the replies.

Well, considering I don't have an upper ball joint (it was replaced with the 2nd strut assembly) I won't worry about that. I have at least another 3-4 inches before that bottoms out. But, there's always that lower ball joint. Hmm... I don't wanna be screwing up ball joints. ;)

Funny how I had to make longer bumpstops for the rear, but, I want to shave the fronts.. hmm.

[BruceTS]

Well, considering I don't have an upper ball joint

yes you do have an upper ball joint...... how else is the upper A-arm supposed to pivot?

The lower ball joint will never be an issue, it can handle much more travel that you'll ever achieve.

[SD4runner]

Thats the problem with the TM kit. It eliminates the upper a-arm. Instead it uses a strut which moves vertically up and down and is "armored" by large steel supports.

Here's a pic taken from WATRD's website.
http://www.wattora.com/mods/tminversion/img_0656.jpg

Weird, eh? :D

[BruceTS]

And I thought I had seen everything :roll: Talk about screwing up a perfectly good suspension design...... No wonder there are a few who want to remove them.

[SD4runner]

Knock on wood, but, I haven't had any issues with the strut yet... and its been about 2-3 years on my truck.

Of course, I'd love to get rid of it, and put on a longer spindle assembly and attach the upper a-arm back.

[Albuquerque Jim]

I have low profile bump stops...and heavily trimmed fenders and fire wall :)

[4runnerchevy]

I need to stay out of IFS Threads, cause A: I got rid of it years ago, and B: There is too much crap under there ! :flipoff:

[SD4runner]

Yeah man, it would be pretty sweet to simplify things and throw a nice clean solid axle in there in its demented place.