Quote:
Originally Posted by Pathfinder5243
I can't speak on LT directly because I don't have it. However, I have friends that do and unless you're jumping or going through whoops it really doesn't make financial sense. With IFS you're always limited. Not to mention the additional cost or bucket gussets, cam tab gussets, knuckle gussets and so on...
My friends and myself mostly do hill climbs, rock crawling and obstacles. That type of off road doesn't really get any better with LT.
There's definitely a cool factor to it but in the end I'd SAS.
There are several other companies making LT and some offer 4.5". Marlin Crawler is about to release theirs with their MarRack system. I believe it's a complete rack replacement with heim'd tie rods. Requires welding on the knuckle and other modifications.
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Conventional LT is close to 1/4-1/3 the cost of a SAS.
Marlin LT will probably be about 1/2.
The thing is with LT you can get just as much/more wheel travel than a solid axle and more ground clearance. If you can figure out spring rates and shock tuning to allow for good suspension flex you'll still get very good crawling performance, I have a feeling Marlin will be tackling this issue with IFS next.
Part of the problem is people run really loose rear suspensions on these Toyotas. They go OMG look at that rear flex! But if they tuned the rear with a sway bar or stiffer springs they would get more flex out of their front IFS. I would bet having a balanced front/rear is important and even more so with our IFS systems. This is something I have never seen anyone talk about and I am hoping Marlin figures something out along these lines.
BTW the Marlin IFS kit will require no welding on the knuckle, I don't think any welding at all actually.
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2005 4R Sport 4WD
"The last of the V8s!" - Custom TIG'd SS Dual Exhaust - King 2.5" +2 LT. - ARB Front & Rear - 37's - Dana 60 -
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2005 Tundra 2WD Regular Cab V8 - Chopped Frame - Short Bed Swap
1977 Celica Liftback - LFX Swap -
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