All long travel options

[T4topher]

Here is a current list of all the 3rd gen 4runner front long travel options out there and some specs comparing them. This is not meant to bash any company at all, simply just trying to do some research. If anyone knows of other kits not listed or think there should be more specs listed please let me know. Hopefully this helps others who are potentially looking at long travel kits.

-Total Chaos:
-3.5” wider/13” of travel
-Included with kit: LCAs, UCAs, brake lines, limit straps, steering extensions, shock mounts

-Camburg:
-3.5” wider/13” of travel
-Included with kit: LCAs, UCAs, brake lines, limit straps, steering extensions, shock mounts

-JD Fabrication:
-3.5” wider/13” of travel
-Included with kit: LCAs, UCAs, brake lines, limit straps, steering extensions, shock mounts

-MCM Fabrication:
-3.5” wider/13”-14” of travel
-Included with kit: LCAs, UCAs, brake lines, limit straps, steering extensions

-Solo Motorsports:
-3.5” Wider/14” of travel (long travel)
-Included with kit: LCAs, UCAs, brake lines, limit straps, steering extensions, shock mounts, axles

-4.5” Wider/17-19” of travel (XLT)
-Included with kit: LCAs, UCAs, spindles, brake lines, limit straps, steering extensions, shock mounts?, axles



-BTF Fabrication:
-4.5” wider/14” of travel
-Included with kit: LCAs, UCAs, brake lines, steering extensions, shock mounts, axles

-Marlin Crawler?:
(specs are from 4th gen+ kit, supposedly there will be a kit for us someday)
-2.75” wider/12-14” of travel
-Included with kit: LCAs, UCAs, spindles, brake lines, steering hardware, limit straps

 

[Devbot]

Why do you prefer LTIFS to a SAS? Always curious to hear people's reasoning since both are a very large chunk of change and effort
I know nothing of them but off the bat I would also go with Solo Motorsports since they offer the most travel. Might as well go big or go home, right? :thumb:

 

[T4topher]

Why do you prefer LTIFS to a SAS? Always curious to hear people's reasoning since both are a very large chunk of change and effort
I know nothing of them but off the bat I would also go with Solo Motorsports since they offer the most travel. Might as well go big or go home, right? :thumb:

I wouldn’t say I prefer LT, I actually would prefer an SAS. Especially for the territory around me: Northern California. My problem with doing an SAS is at that point I’m going to want to go all out (links, fabricated housings, etc). Yes the price on LT is high but that SAS would cost ALOT.. Plus the SAS would most likely take quite a bit more time to install. If someday I decide to just go SAS I will probably be able resell the LT kit at a decent price. Solos travel numbers are really nice, the bad thing about their XLT kit is for that cost I almost midswell go SAS lol…

 

[midcoma]

Solo's standard LT is +3.5" per side like the rest of them.

I run a SAS on my Tacoma and a Solo LT on my 4Runner. Reason is because the 4Runner is my wife's offroad car and I wanted it to be able to keep up with the truck, but have better road manners for her driving and the kids being in there. With that said, my truck drives awesome with the 4WU SAS, but LT is closer to what my wife is use to.

I went all out on the LT build and it probably cost a little more than half of what the SAS cost. There was significant down time for the vehicle, but it was overall easier. It was easier to reinforce the factory frame components than to cut them off and start new like with SAS. Also not having to worry about significantly modifying the steering system and using a different steering box was much easier.

Another thing not mentioned about Solo is that they offer a fully fabricated spindle. This design replaces the lower ball joint with a uniball and also uses Dana 44 hubs, giving you the option to run manual hubs.

Here's a few shots of mine as I was wrapping up the project.

 

[Devbot]

Another thing not mentioned about Solo is that they offer a fully fabricated spindle. This design replaces the lower ball joint with a uniball and also uses Dana 44 hubs, giving you the option to run manual hubs.

How do you like having uniball LBJs, notice any squeaking or anything? There was some member that was soon gonna offer OEM sets with a uniball installed, the same ones that Total Chaos uses (forget the manufacturer) - it seemed very appealing at first but after more research I saw endless complaints about them squeaking with many saying thats just name of the game when it comes to using uniballs

 

[T4topher]

Solo's standard LT is +3.5" per side like the rest of them.

I run a SAS on my Tacoma and a Solo LT on my 4Runner. Reason is because the 4Runner is my wife's offroad car and I wanted it to be able to keep up with the truck, but have better road manners for her driving and the kids being in there. With that said, my truck drives awesome with the 4WU SAS, but LT is closer to what my wife is use to.

I went all out on the LT build and it probably cost a little more than half of what the SAS cost. There was significant down time for the vehicle, but it was overall easier. It was easier to reinforce the factory frame components than to cut them off and start new like with SAS. Also not having to worry about significantly modifying the steering system and using a different steering box was much easier.

Another thing not mentioned about Solo is that they offer a fully fabricated spindle. This design replaces the lower ball joint with a uniball and also uses Dana 44 hubs, giving you the option to run manual hubs.

Here's a few shots of mine as I was wrapping up the project.

Thank you for posting this, really helpful insight. Did you match the extra width of the LT in the front to the rear?

My end goal is to be able to do the rubicon and fordyce without struggling much, I think with a LT kit I’d be able to accomplish that.. It will already be hard enough convincing my wife we need LT I can’t imagine convincing her we need a SAS haha..

How do you like having uniball LBJs, notice any squeaking or anything? There was some member that was soon gonna offer OEM sets with a uniball installed, the same ones that Total Chaos uses (forget the manufacturer) - it seemed very appealing at first but after more research I saw endless complaints about them squeaking with many saying thats just name of the game when it comes to using uniballs

Uni balls are a ton of maintenance if you don’t want them to squeak. Probably have to clean and put dry lube in them almost every time you drive it.. Same goes for heims joints..

 

[MattJakobs]

My end goal is to be able to do the rubicon and fordyce without struggling much, I think with a LT kit I’d be able to accomplish that..

Interested in hearing [MENTION=143526]theesotericone[/MENTION] comment on this

 

[Devbot]

What are you guys using for axles? Don't think it's been mentioned yet

 

[theesotericone]

Interested in hearing [MENTION=143526]theesotericone[/MENTION] comment on this

First, you can't compare the Con to Fordyce. Not even remotely in the same level of difficulty.

My first time on the Rubicon we did it in 8 hours. Second time it took us 9 hours but an hour of that was waiting for my buddy Kyle to fix his shit. Neither trip required any rock stacking. The tow strap only came out once in both trips.

When I did Fordyce 2 years ago it took 12 hours. It's not even 1/3 as long. My buddy Andy and I did the whole trail and as far as we know there are VERY few other IFS Toyota's that have done that. It's about as hard a trail as you can do. It's the only trail I've ever completed where when we got to camp I was glad it was over. It's hard the whole way and keeps getting harder. Rocks where stacked and winch line was pulled.

With that said, I don't have LT. If you want to run the Con easily you need 35's, dual lockers and a dual case. You also need to know how to drive off-road. Andy, Kyle and I all have a lot of hard trail miles under our belts.

If you want to run Fordyce you need a desire and skills. I have both but that trail approached the limit of what myself and my rig can do.

 

[T4topher]

What are you guys using for axles? Don't think it's been mentioned yet

I think some of the kits come with things to extend your axles, RCV is an option, and I think maybe tundra axles is another. Might be more options this would be a great addition to the OP. Not to mention the Dana 44 joints that the solo XLT kit uses..

First, you can't compare the Con to Fordyce. Not even remotely in the same level of difficulty.

My first time on the Rubicon we did it in 8 hours. Second time it took us 9 hours but an hour of that was waiting for my buddy Kyle to fix his shit. Neither trip required any rock stacking. The tow strap only came out once in both trips.

When I did Fordyce 2 years ago it took 12 hours. It's not even 1/3 as long. My buddy Andy and I did the whole trail and as far as we know there are VERY few other IFS Toyota's that have done that. It's about as hard a trail as you can do. It's the only trail I've ever completed where when we got to camp I was glad it was over. It's hard the whole way and keeps getting harder. Rocks where stacked and winch line was pulled.

With that said, I don't have LT. If you want to run the Con you easily you need 35's, dual lockers and a dual case. You also need to know how to drive off-road. Andy, Kyle and I all have a lot of hard trail miles under our belts.

If you want to run Fordyce you need a desire and skills. I have both but that trail approached the limit of what myself and my rig can do.

I kinda figured Fordyce was more difficult. I’ve tried it a bit with a buddy and had to turn around maybe a couple miles in (only had 33’s and rear locker). I have 35’s/5.29’s/dual lockers/dual cases now (not fully installed yet) so I’ll just focus on completing the Con for now.. I have the desire, skills I will get with a little more seat time hopefully lol. Very helpful in making my decision of which kit I’ll probably be going with someday.

 

[theesotericone]

I kinda figured Fordyce was more difficult. I’ve tried it a bit with a buddy and had to turn around maybe a couple miles in (only had 33’s and rear locker). I have 35’s/5.29’s/dual lockers/dual cases now (not fully installed yet) so I’ll just focus on completing the Con for now.. I have the desire, skills I will get with a little more seat time hopefully lol. Very helpful in making my decision of which kit I’ll probably be going with someday.

Experience will absolutely come with seat time. It doesn't have to be all hard trails. Even cruising moderate trails will let you learn about where your going to be when you line up a line. Sometimes having that rear tire off by 4" will be make or break.

Sounds like your rigs gonna be plenty capable when you get everything installed. LT is great and I won't steer you away from it but it's not needed in the rocks. If you like the go fast stuff then it's absolutely needed. My rig goes plenty fast but I get left in the dust when hitting the dirt with my LT buddies. lol

 

[T4topher]

Experience will absolutely come with seat time. It doesn't have to be all hard trails. Even cruising moderate trails will let you learn about where your going to be when you line up a line. Sometimes having that rear tire off by 4" will be make or break.

Sounds like your rigs gonna be plenty capable when you get everything installed. LT is great and I won't steer you away from it but it's not needed in the rocks. If you like the go fast stuff then it's absolutely needed. My rig goes plenty fast but I get left in the dust when hitting the dirt with my LT buddies. lol

Well I’m more going for rocks than go fast.. Maybe I will just slowly collect SAS parts instead when the time comes..

 

[xx3xil3xx]

Anyone in north county san diego knlws where to get just the regular steering extension? Have a jdfab im about to install and it came with heimed steering...nlt sure if i want to run those yet

 

[Dezert4Runner]

Anyone in north county san diego knlws where to get just the regular steering extension? Have a jdfab im about to install and it came with heimed steering...nlt sure if i want to run those yet

The only place within reasonable driving distance that I know will have it is TC in Norco or Camburg in HB. You could try calling Dirt King to see if they have anything on hand but I know they only sell 2003+ 4Runner and 2005+ Tacoma kits so it’s doubtful. Unless the tie rod threads are the same diameter and pitch between generations but I’d guess not.

Just a word of advice on the JD kit. Make sure you grind down your steering stops because their lower arms aren’t narrowed where the steering stop on the lbj makes contact with the lower arm. I learned the hard way and my lower arms have some nasty gouges in them. I ran their heimed outers because that’s what they gave me too. I’m guessing the just don’t keep those steering extensions in stock so they tend to upgrade to heimed at no charge.

 

[Sean K.]

I contacted Marlin Crawler maybe a month or 2 ago.....no plans for 3rd gens getting the RCLT kit. JFYI

 

[Romeo1]

I contacted Marlin Crawler maybe a month or 2 ago.....no plans for 3rd gens getting the RCLT kit. JFYI

I've been bugging them since they released it.

I have a feeling it's not gonna happen.

 

[Sean K.]

I've been bugging them since they released it.

I have a feeling it's not gonna happen.

Nope....market is now too old. Not enough RCLT projected units sold for the 3rd gen to recoup the R&D.

I'm going custom width FJ80 front, Tundra 8.4" rear instead....but keep thinking Tons are a better investment. Trying to keep it all Toyota though out of pure nostalgia.

 

[Twisted Sid]

Add this to the list

TT Motorsports 95 - 04 Toyota Tacoma Race Long Travel Kit

 

[phattyduck]

Add this to the list

TT Motorsports 95 - 04 Toyota Tacoma Race Long Travel Kit

That kit eliminates the front axles. (different hubs - no spot for the axles). It is 5" wider per side though, so pulls a ton of travel.

-Charlie