lets talk about draggin the drag link mount (4runners)

[troyboy162]

ive been thinking about this since the hammers....that drag link bracket that hangs down like a anchor needs some rework. for one its getting beaten to death and two its a guaranteed show stopper when trying to slide over a rock. what have you guys seen done or think?

chop and relocate?
-messed up link geometry

build up a gradual ramp to slide a rock over it?
-more to hang up on maybe?

build it stronger and keep slamming it?
-if no other solution it might come to this

[4x4mike]

You've seen what I've done. Last time I was on my back looking at it I wondered why they get hit so much, other than hanging down. I mean, on the drivers side the gas tank will take an equal hit from the same rock and on the passenger side the muffler. Is yours like this? I don't hit my link mounts much, I just had some time and was messing around when I made my skids, and my muffler is fine and no huge hits to the gas tank.

Also, if you're sliding over a rock do you slide on the lower links? Do they have as much damage? If not (and for some reason I don't think they do) why is it that they stay protected? If you built up the mount area I think you'd be more apt to running a harder line (because you had the protection) and damaging the links. This is just my thought and nothing against you or your driving (I'm tired and don't think I'm making sense).

Out of your 3 choices I'd say build it up stronger and keep slamming it. Keep the scrap from the project to throw at the guys who tell you to run leaves.

[AxleIke]

Get rid of the gas tank, and build a proper 4link. It'll solve a lot of problems.

[troyboy162]

to expand on the problem, yeah the tank and the muffler are there too but being more inboard you can protect them more or generaly aim them down the center of the trail. its the drag links mounts that hit as your trying to get a rear tire on a ledge or coming up the corner of a rock. it doesn't happen all the time but they are the lowest point on the undercarriage.

my drag links them selves are beginning to get beat up but i find that one tire or the other is usually climbing at the point where they begin to contact the rock and ends up lifting them out of the way.

one thing i do know is larger tires will progressively lessen the chance of hitting them both by raw ground clearance and the fact the rear will climb sooner.

custom short armed 4 link would be nice and isnt out of the question. moving the gas tank would be a great help too.

[Scuba]

Out of your 3 choices I'd say build it up stronger and keep slamming it. Keep the scrap from the project to throw at the guys who tell you to run leaves.



:spit:

So does that mean you'll be bringing some scrap to throw at me at pismo 2010 ?

[Good Times]

Get rid of the gas tank, and build a proper 4link. It'll solve a lot of problems.


ditto. though this isn't probably a cheap solution :)

[AxleIke]

Just for clarity, a drag link is something associated with steering. You are referring to a lower link, or lower control arm. Might help if you are doing searches or whatnot on other sites.

[BruceTS]

Relocate the fuel tank is the first step, inbound the mounts flush to the frame mounts next. Since your raising the pivot point, to get proper geometry, the links should be lengthened. That's the route I plan to go, but will make a new crossmember for the front mounts. I still want to do a double triangulated 4-link and eliminate the panhard bar.

My mounts are quite mangled and I recently replaced mounts on a 4th gen with aftermarket one's, could do a similar mount on the 3rd gens as well.

plasma cut old mounts off
http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/ad39/marksphotos62/Trailing%20Arm%20Hangers/Trailingarmhangars009.jpg
grinding smooth, then deciding how to install them
http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/ad39/marksphotos62/Trailing%20Arm%20Hangers/Trailingarmhangars019.jpg
best method was to pocket the frame
http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/ad39/marksphotos62/Trailing%20Arm%20Hangers/Trailingarmhangars058.jpg
welded in place
http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/ad39/marksphotos62/Trailing%20Arm%20Hangers/Trailingarmhangars035.jpg
ran a series of beads and then ground it flush so it'll glide over rocks easier.
http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/ad39/marksphotos62/Trailing%20Arm%20Hangers/Trailingarmhangars036.jpg

[troyboy162]

hey bruce what are the considerations when modifiying the gas tank in cali?

i like your link idea. if its a simple as getting extended links and making a new bracket...that would be great

[BruceTS]

hey bruce what are the considerations when modifiying the gas tank in cali?


see this thread
http://www.ultimateyota.com/index.php?option=com_smf&Itemid=26&topic=4861.0

[troyboy162]

hey bruce what are the considerations when modifiying the gas tank in cali?


see this thread
http://www.ultimateyota.com/index.php?option=com_smf&Itemid=26&topic=4861.0


nice! i just thought maybe it was illeagle to mod your gas tank here, but i read up on it. theres lots of rules but basicaly if you make it as good as it was or better your fine.

now this lover link..... if a 3rd gen relocats it up close to the frame like a 4th gen will our pinion angle get screwy when cycling the suspension? i know it will require a longer link to compensate but will it still be messed up?

[NakSuKow]

Why not just do a three link and move your muffler instead?