All Pro Upper link arms Installed

[Bala de Plata]

Being that I finally had my truck back, I was able to install these last night. Took longer than I expected and as with most things, would have helped to have someone assist. The arms are nice and beefy, and if I can be bit of a wuss, I dont like the color, the gold and red are a little weird in my opinion. Moving on, the first thing I did was jack at the axle and removed wheels. Thne I jacked it up a bit more and placed stands just in front for the lower arm mounts. Then I let the axle droop a bit and put stands on the axle to keep it level. I then removed the stock (undamaged) arm on the driverside. Yeah, the one nice and tucked up behind the gas tank. That was fun, having a set of ratched box wrenches helps in the tight spots but it still took a few minutes to get this one removed. I took out the bolt closest to the axle first, beware depending on the location of your axle to frame there may be a bit of spring in them, so watch your hands and fingers. Then I took this arm and used it to measure and base the spread on the all pro's. These are a bit cumbersome to get just right. They are countered threaded to each other which should have helped, but it was still a bit difficult. Installed the all pro on the driver side then removed the passeger stock arm and then installed the other all pro arm. This side was much easier as there was nothing in the way. I think it is important to note to not take off both arms at the same time either. Go one at a time to limit any possibility of axle movement with both off. Also, it was a bit tricky to get them lined up. I had to add a rotation on one side to aid in this. I played with raisin/lowerin both the axle and frame and was not able to get them lined up perferct and ended up using a screwdriver to kinda force them into postion. Overall, they have some nice flew after install and a bit of rotation. Driving today onroad there was not a huge difference in any feel. Didnt feel like I was getting any road noise or vibration transfer to the frame. But time will tell and I will continue to post up my findings.

And here's the pics

Jacked and supported

Stock arm used to measure offset for the All Pro's

And the installed shots, I was in a funky position when I took the photos. Looks a bit unlevel but just the pic

 

[Thai]

Don't mind the color (crap, i am a wuss!)...it sure looks beefy compared to the OEM arms. Nice. Are you going to replace the other control arms (e.g. trailing arms)??

 

[Bala de Plata]

These were really just a solution to the short term problem of having a slightly bent upper arm. I bought them before she took the little dirt nap a few weeks ago and before I found a toyota salvage yard near me. Figured I would install and at least report on them as a review. I am having custom arms top and bottom made with heim/poly combo but wont have them for a while. Just keep addin to the "spare" list

 

[Muffin-Man]

So.....uh....what does this do?

Void your warranty a little more :

 

[Bala de Plata]

So....Uh.... What do you do?

Crap on peoples threads? :flipoff:

 

[Thai]

So.....uh....what does this do?

Void your warranty a little more :

I gotta agree with Bala...you need to stop crapping on his threads.

 

[HiVel-JR]

Looks good, man those are thick!!! I like them...

 

[Thai]

How much was it??

 

[HiVel-JR]

Looking more closely I noticed zerk fittings on the ends of the arms, those are zerks right?. If so that is pretty neat.

 

[Bala de Plata]

They retail at All Pro for $279 a pair and match their lower arms that they offer also. They are marketed for the FJ, but as we know they are interchangeable form a 4runner to FJ. Yes, they to have zerks as it is a johnny joint, steel ball sitting in a clam shell poly busing type dealy bob . As to the customs, there is no real price tag that I can specify. I am having the guys that did the spindles make these for me and then they may market them on there website. But I dont know, I will post a thread on those when it comes time and if people seem interested I will help to get the ball rolling.

Here's a link to All Pro's site and some tech specs:

http://www.allprooffroad.com/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=120

Ditch the weak factory links and upgrade to All-Pro's heavy duty upper links. These new upper links utilize top quality Johnny Joints ends and have much more strength and flexibility than stock joints and prevent binding. These upper links are made from 1" x .156 wall DOM tubing and are adjustable to accommodate lifted applications

 

[PaulSula]

I gotta agree with Bala...you need to stop crapping on his threads.

uh-oh...drama drama drama...

ps- about the 4RUNNER, the topic of this thread, I like it, I am wondering however, if you were planning on doing such impressive upgrades, why did you chose a 2 wheel drive instead of 4 wheel drive? Just curious.

 

[HiVel-JR]

why did you chose a 2 wheel drive instead of 4 wheel drive? Just curious.

I will take a stab at this question even though it is not directed at me, but some people like Pre-Runners... poeple use them for different things, desert racing is just one thing a pre-runner could be used for. Believe it or not I have seen some two wheel drive vehicles get into places 4wd vehivcles could not go.

I am sure Bala has his reasons too.
IMO I think Bala has one of the best looking pre-runners I have ever seen, and I would be willing to bet he could get further down the trail than I could!

 

[Bala de Plata]

I get that one alot, several reasons. It was either a v6 4wd or a 2wd v8, wanted the v8. A 2wd is less money for insurance. There are less things to upgrade and worry about on a 2wd vs. 4wd, and this in turn costs less to mod in my type of moding overall. There are less things to break on a 2wd than a 4wd. A 2wd v8 is overall a bit lighter than a 4wd v8. My brother has 4wd tacoma and my dad has a 4wd FJ, so I will always have theres to borrow if I decide to go do something that may require it. Actually, Im buying my dads FJ at the end of his purchase and thus then will have both types of rigs. But so far not having 4wd has never limited me in what I want to do.

And last but not least, I live in california. We dont have winters, there's overall not that much mountain areas and it doesnt rain that much either. I got wide open deserts that I can haul ass on as I like to do that sort a thing. I will still do some expedition and stuff with friends but that was not my mine purpose in this vehicle. I wanted a bad ass prerunner and the v8 2wd is an unbelievable platform to start from. Only limitations are rear wheel travel from keeping beatin any tacoma prerunner out there. (without major mod work, and yes I know exactly what this would take. Got it all planned out.)

 

[Bala de Plata]

I will take a stab at this question even though it is not directed at me, but some people like Pre-Runners... poeple use them for different things, desert racing is just one thing a pre-runner could be used for. Believe it or not I have seen some two wheel drive vehicles get into places 4wd vehivcles could not go.

I am sure Bala has his reasons too.
IMO I think Bala has one of the best looking pre-runners I have ever seen, and I would be willing to bet he could get further down the trail than I could!

Right on Hivel, you got it exactly. And even though I may leave you in the dust. I would be much more appreciative when you caught up and helped me out instead of winchin myself out if I ever get stuck. But speakin of winch, as soon as my bumper shows up I guess you could say that my rig is actually 3wd.

 

[Muffin-Man]

Hey that was a serious question! The : was to show I was joking, I think we need better translation on smilies.

 

[HiVel-JR]

Hey that was a serious question! The : was to show I was joking, I think we need better translation on smilies.

Dude Bala answered your question read this:

Ditch the weak factory links and upgrade to All-Pro's heavy duty upper links. These new upper links utilize top quality Johnny Joints ends and have much more strength and flexibility than stock joints and prevent binding. These upper links are made from 1" x .156 wall DOM tubing and are adjustable to accommodate lifted applications

it is on the first page

 

[Pirate VI]

Why would a 2wd be better in the desert wouldn't think it would be that much of a difference if it is just a weight issue. Also how would a 2wd be able to go any further than a 4wd. Just wondering cause I still don't know that much about off roading. Also I too have a 2wd, love offroading, and am working on modding mine (money is a big issue, and luxuries such as leather and nav were top priority).

Oh, and in case I never posted on any of your other threads I think your truck is bad ass.

 

[Bala de Plata]

Have not made a claim that a 2wd is better in anyway as compared to a 4wd. And as far as getting further, the only thing that i can claim is because the driver makes the difference. The times that I have left 4wd's behind is either they did not want or think they could get through something and I just kept on truckin. The only thing I got on a 4wd really, is clearance. But being a locked 2wd with my clearance makes a big difference compared to your normal 4wd.

And thanks buddy, end of the day we are all here for the same reason. We love our 4runners. And indirectly, Im helpin all of you with what Im doing with my rig as far as options and going and meeting owners of these companies and challenging them for more as a few others have. Yes, it is self motivating for myself but there are many things Im working on and people that meet. Once they see my 4runner, it makes them think a bit differently. And whenever I meet them, your all coming along for the ride as I will let everyone know what Im up to. All you may not like everything I do, but maybe one of them is for you. And there are many other things Im workin on.

So cheers to all, I have no superiority complex about my truck. You can like it or dislike it, but I will still blaze my own trail.

:bigok:

 

[Pirate VI]

Have not made a claim that a 2wd is better in anyway as compared to a 4wd. And as far as getting further, the only thing that i can claim is because the driver makes the difference. The times that I have left 4wd's behind is either they did not want or think they could get through something and I just kept on truckin. The only thing I got on a 4wd really, is clearance. But being a locked 2wd with my clearance makes a big difference compared to your normal 4wd.

Yea, I guess that was really directed towards HiVel, as he was the one who said 2wd was used for desert racing and could go some places 4wds couldnt (was probably talking about the driver though too).

But your truck kicking ass was directed to you.

 

[HiVel-JR]

OK, I was not claiming 2wd is better than 4wd or 4wd is better than 2wd. It is all situational dependent. Most of the desert racers I have seen were 2wd, now does that mean that all desert racing vehicles are 2wd, no.
I have seen two wheel drive vehicles (2wd Tacoma) up in the mountains of Southern Arizona and wondered how they had traveled so far up the trails that most guys with 4wd could not get up. I also realize that being a good off road driver has a lot to do with it as well.

Cheers