Just installed Total Chaos lower link skids

[T4Rfun]

TC has now developed a lower link skid for the 4Runner and FJC.

The new link skid is more compact then some out there, but seems to do a good job offering the protection where the protection needs to be. I've compared a few, and liked their thought process here.

This is what Total Chaos has to say...

Lower Link Skids - 07+ FJ & 03+ 4Runner
Protect your factory FJ & 4Runner lower link brackets from rock damage by installing these TOTAL CHAOS bolt on lower link skid plates. Designed using 3/16” mild steel, these brackets bolt on using 9/16” grade 8 hardware. They are designed to work with factory lower control arm links and aftermarket upgrades. TC link skids are intended to bolt on but can also be welded to maximize the reinforcement to the factory bracket. They incorporate an added spacer that is designed to prevent the factory tabs from elongating like the other brands. The TC skids were designed to reinforce the gap created from the taper design in the factory bracket.

Here is a shot of TC's new Lower Link Skids on my 4th Gen 4Ruuner. Mine have the forward facing tab welded to add strength and to eliminate the chance that it could get caught on an obstacle.

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj128/cp92620/IMG_9717.jpg

[Crinale]

looks good...

[Good Times]

looks sexy :)

[Scuba]

Thats badass !! Congrats man !!


:bling:

[T4Rfun]

Thanks guys. You continue to be a bad influence on my bank account...but I'm loving my 4Runner and go into withdrawals when I can't get it dirty.

[troyboy162]

hmmm i could use a set of those. i always bang those hard.

[Ric]

Im also running these, had them for a few months now, and I will say THAT THEY WORK :clap:
mine aint as pretty anymore, lol

[4x4mike]

I was just thinking about making some of these for my 3rd gen. I was scrounging around for some thin cardboard last night.

[troyboy162]

I was just thinking about making some of these for my 3rd gen. I was scrounging around for some thin cardboard last night.

shipping to 92394?

[4x4mike]

I haven't made anything yet but once I finish my carton of Budlight (thin cardboard source) I'll start mocking something up. I'm not sure if it will have bends of everything cut and weld but we'll see. I haven't had time to research on the products available out there now but I have seen guys with jacked up factory mounts. I'm not super careful when it comes to scraping the underbelly and I'd rather mess around with making something like this instead of having to cut the factory ones off and having someone put new ones on.

[troyboy162]

yea theres two trails i take that smash them every time. i have thought of getting them torched off and replaced, but there not beyond saving yet so i figure the above type of reinforcement is alot easier. i have not found anything thing for the 3rd gens. let me know if you do. its odd...there seems to be surprising things available for 4th gen and tons for 2nd, and 1st...but us 3rd's get forgotten lol

[4x4mike]

You say reinforcement. I'm just thinking about something that will slip over the mount and be attached with the bolt for the link. Nothing too thick that'll stick out much more and beg to get banged on.

[troyboy162]

You say reinforcement. I'm just thinking about something that will slip over the mount and be attached with the bolt for the link. Nothing too thick that'll stick out much more and beg to get banged on.

yea i wouldn't want anything to hang low either but 1/4 inch steel shouldn't come into play very often. that spot is tender on our trucks and its always a factor when bumping over and obstacle. my left one gets slammed every time when bumping it up through the squeeze in Odessa canyon.

[Ric]

hey all,
did a little LIGHT wheeling the last couple days, but yesterday I noticed a squeak, really didnt think anything about it, so this moring I go to autozone to get some silicone spray, coming out I noticed the TC mount skid, Ill let the pictures do the talking:
http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd139/Rix4rnr/2004%204Runner-new/Mods/Mount%20Skids/Breakage/DSC_0001.jpg
http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd139/Rix4rnr/2004%204Runner-new/Mods/Mount%20Skids/Breakage/DSC_0003.jpg
http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd139/Rix4rnr/2004%204Runner-new/Mods/Mount%20Skids/Breakage/DSC_0004.jpg
Im going to clean it up reweld where it broke, then add another plate to it..

Would I buy these again ? YOU BET, they have been saving that mount, I just they would last a little longer, lol

[4x4mike]

$100 for something that broke during light wheeling?

I'm done with one of mine and am going to weld up the other one today if I have time.

[4x4mike]

Cut up the Pepsi carton

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e13/mezamichael82/Skid%20Plates/DSC07638.jpg

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e13/mezamichael82/Skid%20Plates/DSC07638.jpg

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e13/mezamichael82/Skid%20Plates/DSC07642.jpg

1/8" steel cut out.

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e13/mezamichael82/Skid%20Plates/DSC07645.jpg

Using a long bolt to hold it together while I weld up the sides.

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e13/mezamichael82/Skid%20Plates/DSC07646.jpg

Bottom skid portion is cut on the inside, bent and then welded. Still needs a little tweaking before being tacked.

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e13/mezamichael82/Skid%20Plates/DSC07649.jpg

[Ric]

$100 for something that broke during light wheeling?

I'm done with one of mine and am going to weld up the other one today if I have time.

well just the last two days were "light" wheeling, and they have saved the mount, I think it would cost alot more than $100 to cut off the stock mount and have something to replace it. maybe its just cheap steel, hell I dont know, lol

[4x4mike]

I'd at least email TC and send them a picture and let them know that they're product failed. Who knows, they might kick down.

Here's my junk.

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e13/mezamichael82/Skid%20Plates/DSC07653.jpg

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e13/mezamichael82/Skid%20Plates/DSC07654.jpg

Paint is still wet.

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e13/mezamichael82/Skid%20Plates/DSC07657.jpg



I'll probably need to put another coat of paint on them and maybe get some longer bolts. INstall might be some days away but I'm in no hurry.

[troyboy162]

when can we expect production and whats your retail cost going to look like?

[4x4mike]

when can we expect production and whats your retail cost going to look like?


I'm not totally sure I'd produce these. For all I know someone would buy them, jack up their mounts and want me to pay to fix their frame. Really I think I'll run these and see how they work. It wouldn't be any harder to make thicker ones, I just went with 11 gauge because I already had it. In all if I sat down and did it all at once it wouldn't take more than a couple of hours. Hardest part was measuring for the holes and drilling them. I still haven't checked to see if they are exactly where they need to be (damn cardboard tolerances). If you'd like I could photo copy the cardboard template and email it to you. I was thinking about PDF'ing it anyways so I don't loose it.

[troyboy162]

when can we expect production and whats your retail cost going to look like?


I'm not totally sure I'd produce these. For all I know someone would buy them, jack up their mounts and want me to pay to fix their frame. Really I think I'll run these and see how they work. It wouldn't be any harder to make thicker ones, I just went with 11 gauge because I already had it. In all if I sat down and did it all at once it wouldn't take more than a couple of hours. Hardest part was measuring for the holes and drilling them. I still haven't checked to see if they are exactly where they need to be (damn cardboard tolerances). If you'd like I could photo copy the cardboard template and email it to you. I was thinking about PDF'ing it anyways so I don't loose it.

id defiantly be interested in the pdf or if you decide to make a few. are you going to weld yours up completely to the mounts? might as well and it should help out the strength

[4x4mike]

Once I get them mounted I'll how well I can get in there. If it's worth it I'll stitch them in. Maybe even cut another long skinny piece and stagger it so when I weld it in it'll tie in the frame to the skid piece.

[T4Rfun]

Well, I guess we are a bit off topic here with a custom design and fab skid, but the concept and design are interesting.

As for the TC skid I mounted on my truck months ago...it has taken several hits. I came down on it hard enough for me to stop mid trail and crawl under expecting the worse. What I found was a lot of rock dust, some serious scraps and no real damage to either the skid or the stock lower link mount it is protecting. So, as an update I'll say that these TC skids have worked great for me. They are not over designed, no clearance issues, strong and durable. Now I need to get under there and paint the scraps before rust starts attacking the metal...maybe SS would be a cool way to go.

[Ric]

well since total chaos couldnt take 5 seconds to reply/respond to my email, we went ahead and repaired it:
http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd139/Rix4rnr/2004%204Runner-new/Mods/Mount%20Skids/Breakage/DSC_0001-1.jpg
Ill never buy a thing from them again, INFACT, Im going to fill in the TC on the sides of the skid, I will NOT advertise for such a chitty company, with very POOR customer service.

[slosurfer]

Did you try calling them?

I don't trust emails for something like this because it is easy to get looked over or end up in the junk folder. Just saying...

[T4Rfun]

Did you try calling them?

I don't trust emails for something like this because it is easy to get looked over or end up in the junk folder. Just saying...


I agree. I think I'm occasionally guilty of using email when a phone call might be easier, quicker and more appropriate. I know the team and TC wouldn't be happy with a product issue like this and would appreciate knowing what and how it might have happened. Give them a call and then if you aren't satisfied let us know.

[Ric]

sometimes customers cant pick up the phone during that companies business hours to make that call...

my point still stands, if a company cant take 5 seconds to reply to an email, thats pretty chitty customer service..PERIOD. if they wont take 5 seconds to reply to an email, what makes you think they are going to answer the phone ??? just so you all know, I DID CALL THEM, (during thier normal business hours) and geuss what ?? NO ANSWER...
screw them, they have chitty customer service, no, i take that back, have have NO customer service.

[Obi..]

IMHO, and well, limited materials experience with this stuff, it looks to me that the design flaw lies in the area where the forward plate is bent. They look to have half round holes at the bend, but without them being smoothed out, or filled in.

http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd139/Rix4rnr/2004%204Runner-new/Mods/Mount%20Skids/Breakage/DSC_0001.jpg

http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd139/Rix4rnr/2004%204Runner-new/Mods/Mount%20Skids/Breakage/DSC_0004.jpg

This created what appears to be a stress riser that propagated from first your inside corner, then through that being able to flex, allowed it to also begin from the outside one, finally meeting in that middle area where the two cracks met haphazardly.

Now, sorta O-T..looking at Mike's design (which I do like) I think when we finally get mine taken care of, I might copy him, but round the outside corners with the flapper more, then think about using some rod on the inside edges to spread out the shear forces. Now whether or not to just tack them or fully tig them is the question.

My other concern with Mike's design is how will the outer plates be transferring the stresses to the support's outer surface, away from the edges and would they possibly cause the factory sheet to get dimpled and create an issue there later on.

Maybe it would be just better to either fully plate them, or make replacement ones out of higher gauge, torch off the factory stuff and weld 'em in?

[Ric]

funny this was just "bumped" I just got an email from them, from a Nicole, she seemed nice and realy sincere, was appolojetic and as far as Im concerned we are good... :thumbup:

[Obi..]

Ric, I forgot, check your link bushings, that sort of tear/break can also occur from too much off-angle articulation, loading up the pockets, stressing that one specific point of the brace. Looking at the pics I just copied, they appear to also be skewed and offset. Worn bushings or possibly the rear axle pulling sideways on full articulation are possibilities.

Thoughts here?

[Ric]

Ric, I forgot, check your link bushings, that sort of tear/break can also occur from too much off-angle articulation, loading up the pockets, stressing that one specific point of the brace. Looking at the pics I just copied, they appear to also be skewed and offset. Worn bushings or possibly the rear axle pulling sideways on full articulation are possibilities.

Thoughts here?

thankx, Ill check them today

[4x4mike]

Now, sorta O-T..looking at Mike's design (which I do like) I think when we finally get mine taken care of, I might copy him, but round the outside corners with the flapper more, then think about using some rod on the inside edges to spread out the shear forces. Now whether or not to just tack them or fully tig them is the question.

My other concern with Mike's design is how will the outer plates be transferring the stresses to the support's outer surface, away from the edges and would they possibly cause the factory sheet to get dimpled and create an issue there later on.


The 4th gen and 3rd gen mounts are similar but also quite different. For one the 3rd gen mounts are larger and have an angle outward. The 4th gen ones are actually smaller but still look adequate and resonable in design.

As for mine I had to do some work on them and I haven't update this thread or the other one. I cut 75% of the metal off the side plate to allow for the outward bent in the mount. This made installation much easier and IMO the metal cut out was not needed. Most of the protection is needed in the forward facing piece and the sides/ears are for mounting and a little side protection. My inboard sides of the mount most likely won't see much damage and if they do it'll be because I slid sideways and, depending on the side, took out my gas tank or muffler also. The outer sides are out in the open and are pretty much perpendicular to the ground, this side remained on my design. With the inboard side cut out the mount isn't as boxed and has some wiggle room. If it needs more than it currently has it's likely to snap off the frame. I replaced the factory bolt with a 4.5" grade 8 bolt, drilled a drain hole in each one and called it good for now. This thread has been hijacked enough. Check my other thread for updated pic.