My Custom LT Build *Pic Heavy*

[Crinale]

Ive been meaning to make this post for a while now, as iv had my suspension for almost a year :chair: but i just remembered about these pics, and figured i would post em up for all you to enjoy :wrenchin:

The Kit was designed and built by Steve Fike, Owner of DIRT Designs Fabrication in Atascadero, CA. He also is the fabricator for Milton's (Cabbage on here) sick Tacoma that they desert race. He is a really good guy, and an amazing fabricator, you need anything built, call this guy ;)

He used roughly the same dimensions as the Total Chaos Kit to retain 4wd using t100 cv's.

first things first, remove the old crap
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/Crinale/long_travel_build/PICT0883.jpg

Look Ma! No wheels!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/Crinale/long_travel_build/PICT0901.jpg

Testing the geometry for the bottom arm
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/Crinale/long_travel_build/PICT0880.jpg

Beginning the top arm
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/Crinale/long_travel_build/PICT0881.jpg

Upper arm getting built
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/Crinale/long_travel_build/PICT0891.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/Crinale/long_travel_build/PICT0892.jpg

Testing the camber change through the travel, everything just tacked
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/Crinale/long_travel_build/PICT0895.jpg

Completed product, fully TIG welded, with Fox AirShox installed, and the stock torsion bar acting as helper spring (was necessary to get the ride height i wanted, as AirShox cannot hold a vehicle up near the end of their extension due to their design)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/Crinale/long_travel_build/PICT1001.jpg

Also at the same time I installed All-Pro 1" longer arms in the rear 5-Link, with Johnny Joints for the lower arms, and heims for the upper links and Panhard.

Removing the stock rear end
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/Crinale/long_travel_build/PICT0899.jpg

Everything Completely Removed
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/Crinale/long_travel_build/PICT0904.jpg

Comparison of the upper links:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/Crinale/long_travel_build/PICT0900.jpg

And the completed product
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/Crinale/long_travel_build/PICT1004.jpg

[Obi..]

Sweet..did you all think about ever reinforcing the shock towers with a backhoop since they´re already in double shear it would just stop any minor twist and flex? How about reinforcing or plating in the top link towers on the axle so the base of them doesn´t crack like mine did under full and stuff? *The cracks happen right below where the brake line crosses and the towers triangulate in towards the bottom.

When´s all that getting transferred over? :D Post any more pics when you get them, his stuff is always really nicely done, especially when compared to what I remember him quoting a friend for on his beemer cage.

EDIT: Even nicer, are those the quick bleed ports on the rear calipers like they use in NASCAR? :D :D

[Crinale]

haha, u like my plugs? those are actually plugging the ABS sensor holes cuz the axle is from a 95 :P

Steve ordered my parts for building my heimed steering, so ill bring my trucks over there when the stuff arrives. The shock towers will be reinforced in the new truck with the engine cage im having Steve build.

Here's my album with the rest of the pics http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v283/Crinale/long_travel_build/

[AxleIke]

SICK!! Very cool

[strykersd]

I've always wondered, why did you decide to get a custom LT kit built instead of just buying a TC kit? I can't imagine the custom kit being any cheaper and the TC kit has been tested and proven for years.

[Crinale]

the custom kit actually cost less than a new TC.. plus i like plate better than tube ;) oh, and Steve let me make payments, for TC i would have had to pay all up front.

edit: just looked up a TC Caddy ball joint kit, and they run $1925, which does not include steering, shocks, or installation, so including all that stuff i actually saved like $800 not doing TC