Apache Offroad - Anyone been able to get a hold of Brennan?

[joshik]

Hey all. Has anyone been able to work with Apache Offroad lately?

I bought some Superpro LCA from them which don't fit properly. I have been trying to get some help for nearly a month now and it has been super hard to get a hold of anyone that can help. When calling their number I only get a hold of Ross who relays messages to Brennan. It seems like he is super busy moving his warehouse but I have not gotten a resolution.

Also, Superpro USA is impossible to get a hold of as well. When calling their US number I only get vmail. I left many messages and emailed them but no reply back.

I'm trying to call Superpro AU but it's hard to call their AU number bc its a ABN number and I cant get a call from the US to go through.

Any input?

 

[JONBOY345]

Hey all. Has anyone been able to work with Apache Offroad lately?

I bought some Superpro LCA from them which don't fit properly. I have been trying to get some help for nearly a month now and it has been super hard to get a hold of anyone that can help. When calling their number I only get a hold of Ross who relays messages to Brennan. It seems like he is super busy moving his warehouse but I have not gotten a resolution.

Also, Superpro USA is impossible to get a hold of as well. When calling their US number I only get vmail. I left many messages and emailed them but no reply back.

I'm trying to call Superpro AU but it's hard to call their AU number bc its a ABN number and I cant get a call from the US to go through.

Any input?

Twitter or instagram DMs.

 

[xtremewlr]

Why don't the LCAs fit properly? What is the issue?

 

[rdruss]

Why don't the LCAs fit properly? What is the issue?

Yes, what problem having. I bought their Superpro LCA bushing kit and installed them in a new set of LCA's from 1Aauto and installed on 4Runner with no issues.

 

[techno]

I'm trying to call Superpro AU but it's hard to call their AU number bc its a ABN number and I cant get a call from the US to go through.

Haha, an ABN is not a phone number so that's why it won't work. ABN's are Australian Business Numbers and are just identification number for tax purposes. Business's are required to show their ABN to prove they are legit and can charge you the GST tax.

 

[joshik]

Haha, an ABN is not a phone number so that's why it won't work. ABN's are Australian Business Numbers and are just identification number for tax purposes. Business's are required to show their ABN to prove they are legit and can charge you the GST tax.

LOL i finally realized that acutally today! LOL.

It's weird that they list that under their contact section! HAhHAhAhAH dumb me

I googled them and found a number to call for warranty and stuff and was able to get a hold of someone!

 

[joshik]

Why don't the LCAs fit properly? What is the issue?

whoa, our 4r are identical looking. Same color and wheels! I had the same headlamps, i just did the oem projector swap a while back


Anyways, so the fitment issue is that their LCA are slightly dimensionally different than the OEM ones. I ordered the whole Superpro LCA which comes with the offset bushings. After I installed one side I found that, when at full droop, the outter CV joint boot clamp hits the LCA. I adjusted the LCA in and out (through the adjustment extremes) and still had the issue. I looked at the LCA carefully and you can tell that the raised point part where the LBJ is attached is slightly shorter and angled less than the OEM one. Also, the new LBJ sits higher off the bracket than OEM. This causes the outter circumference of the outter CV joint to come closer to the LCA and the clamp hits. Also the outter CV Boot gets SUPER close to the lower shock mount on the LCA.

I noticed some stamping differences on the Superpro LCA. The Superpros are stammped with an R6/L6 and the OEM are stamped with a R7/L7. Not sure if that is just because Superpros are not OEM but it almost seems like a measurement marking or something...?

I sent some pics to the guy I got a hold of at Superpro AU and waiting for his response.

 

[xtremewlr]

whoa, our 4r are identical looking. Same color and wheels! I had the same headlamps, i just did the oem projector swap a while back


Anyways, so the fitment issue is that their LCA are slightly dimensionally different than the OEM ones. I ordered the whole Superpro LCA which comes with the offset bushings. After I installed one side I found that, when at full droop, the outter CV joint boot clamp hits the LCA. I adjusted the LCA in and out (through the adjustment extremes) and still had the issue. I looked at the LCA carefully and you can tell that the raised point part where the LBJ is attached is slightly shorter and angled less than the OEM one. Also, the new LBJ sits higher off the bracket than OEM. This causes the outter circumference of the outter CV joint to come closer to the LCA and the clamp hits. Also the outter CV Boot gets SUPER close to the lower shock mount on the LCA.

I noticed some stamping differences on the Superpro LCA. The Superpros are stammped with an R6/L6 and the OEM are stamped with a R7/L7. Not sure if that is just because Superpros are not OEM but it almost seems like a measurement marking or something...?

I sent some pics to the guy I got a hold of at Superpro AU and waiting for his response.

Interested to see what the response is to this. I've been look at the Superpro LCAs as I need to replace my stock ones sometime in the near future.

 

[joshik]

Yes, what problem having. I bought their Superpro LCA bushing kit and installed them in a new set of LCA's from 1Aauto and installed on 4Runner with no issues.

Do you happen to have pics of your1Aauto LCAs? I'm curious to see what the markings looking like at the part that the ball joint mounts to.

 

[rdruss]

Are you concerned with the off-center of the ball joint? I just looked at a 1Aauto and stock LCA that I have and both are off-center like that with the wheel turn limiting pad in the off-set area.

 

[joshik]

Are you concerned with the off-center of the ball joint? I just looked at a 1Aauto and stock LCA that I have and both are off-center like that with the wheel turn limiting pad in the off-set area.

nawh, its not that. It's the dimensions of the LCA. Overall the dimensions are the same between SP and OEM but that angled part that had the LBJ on it is different.

I took some pics and measurements. The SP are supposed to be direct replacement so they should be same dimensionally if they are supposed to be OEM replacement (minus the offset bushings)

Been exchanging emails with SP in AU and they are talking with their engineers. I'm sure it'd be totally fine fitment wise during normal use but at full droop the worm drive clamps won't work.. and I'd worry how close they get with OEM boot clamps. Also, the bracket that the coilover mounts to on the SP LCA, the boot gets SUPER close to it. Just don't want to have to worry while wheeling.

How are the A1Auto LCA and LBJ? I'm considering going the route that you did with the A1 LCA and using SP offset bushings.


here are two:

 

[y=mx+b]

Just thinking out loud, I would guess this angle is different because the SuperPros are intended for lifted vehicles, so having a steeper angle of the casting will have the ball joint more centered in its travel. I do see how this could possibly interfere with your CV clamps, as the shallower angle of the OEM keeps that Ball joint section further down at the end.

I wonder if, although those aspects are different lengths, the overall bushing to BJ numbers are similar. This is just something I drew up thinking this through how they could possibly have difference component dimensions but overall similar. Just a thought though, I'm not sure if this was their thought process or what. Sorry that it hits your CV clamps

 

[joshik]

Just thinking out loud, I would guess this angle is different because the SuperPros are intended for lifted vehicles, so having a steeper angle of the casting will have the ball joint more centered in its travel. I do see how this could possibly interfere with your CV clamps, as the shallower angle of the OEM keeps that Ball joint section further down at the end.

I wonder if, although those aspects are different lengths, the overall bushing to BJ numbers are similar. This is just something I drew up thinking this through how they could possibly have difference component dimensions but overall similar. Just a thought though, I'm not sure if this was their thought process or what. Sorry that it hits your CV clamps

I think the "for lifted vehicles" is because of the offset bushings. I asked. The LCA themselves are the same as their "standard replacement" ones. I took measurements and overall its similar to OEM except for that one angled part.

As for the steeper vs shallower angle and being shorter. Bc of the shallower angle, that angled piece gets closer to the CV, thus closer to the CV boot clamp. I don't mind going back to OEM clamps but if these are supposed to be OEM replacements they should be the same specs.

The clamp sits just past where the angle part starts to go down. With the angle shallower it gets closer to the clamp.

I loosened the alignment bolts too to cycle through the range of motion and it did not help any.

This is OEM with clamp but not at full droop. I don't have a pic of it at full droop but I know it doesn't hit bc I'm working on brakes, axles, suspension and tires often and it never hits.

This was when I installed the driver side and torqued everything back down. Got it "aligned" as close as possible and was about to put the tire back on. Found it hitting when I was rotating the rotor/hub. I was all "WTF?" This was at full droop of course. Also, I did a comparison of how the new LBJ seats on that lower bracket. The LBJ bolt doesn't seat as far down as the OEM (I think the LBJ bolt/shaft is slightly thicker) so it pushes the whole LCA assembly closer to the CV joint.

And look how close it gets to the CV boot. Prob a non issue but it get's darn close. Any more droop from sway bar delete it might hit?

I'll keep everyone posted on updates.

 

[y=mx+b]

I'll keep everyone posted on updates.

Gotcha, yeah I was just thinking out loud about some of those things. Now I see how tight it is with the clamp there, and I do like the worm drive clamps so those would be a bummer to give up. Also that CV boot is close I see now.

I bet you're onto something with the taper, that would explain why it was sitting higher like you mentioned

 

[rdruss]

Isn't it interesting how many variables need to be considered when a part is "redesigned" for some of the vehicle systems!
With regard to the 1Aauto LCA's, I do not off road so I'm not too tough on them and haven't put 2000 miles on 4Runner since last March. My only concern with them would be the long term durability of their ball joint as I know nothing about it.
Two things I did to mine in addition to adding the SP bushings:
Lightly sanded/primed /painted/clear coated for more protection against rust
Plugged all the holes on top side of arm with plastic plugs/RTV as well as the holes in the bushing bore so as to keep corrosion to a minimum.

 

[Silver Stallion]

Interested to see what the Super Pro engineers have to say. I've got the SP standard replacement LCA and OEM CV clamps. I've been offroading multiple times now with them and no issues as far as I know, but I've never tested full flex to see how close it gets. Hopefully it won't be an issue, but this does worry me a bit.

 

[joshik]

Interested to see what the Super Pro engineers have to say. I've got the SP standard replacement LCA and OEM CV clamps. I've been offroading multiple times now with them and no issues as far as I know, but I've never tested full flex to see how close it gets. Hopefully it won't be an issue, but this does worry me a bit.

I think with stock clamps you would be ok.

I did lift my front end up the other day on jackstands to replace the tie rods and I observed the OEM LCA with the wormdrive clamps. It get's DARN close. I would think they even brush past each other at full droop. Obviously it hasn't been an issue as I wheel semi-regularly.... I even had my front end up in the air so had full droop...

But still too close for comfort. I'll prob switch back to OEM clamps and keep wormdrives as backups.

However, with the SP LCAs, they hit big time. Can't rotate the tire.

[MENTION=25304]Silver Stalion[/MENTION], do your SP LCA looks like the ones in my pic?

 

[rdruss]

Are you concerned with the off-center of the ball joint? I just looked at a 1Aauto and stock LCA that I have and both are off-center like that with the wheel turn limiting pad in the off-set area.

It just dawned on me what you are looking for!
My 1Aauto has "SH" and below that an "R" on the angled piece that holds ball joint, the other arm I have is off a Lexus and it has "L3" in that area. Don't think it's of any help.

 

[Silver Stallion]

I think with stock clamps you would be ok.

I did lift my front end up the other day on jackstands to replace the tie rods and I observed the OEM LCA with the wormdrive clamps. It get's DARN close. I would think they even brush past each other at full droop. Obviously it hasn't been an issue as I wheel semi-regularly.... I even had my front end up in the air so had full droop...

But still too close for comfort. I'll prob switch back to OEM clamps and keep wormdrives as backups.

However, with the SP LCAs, they hit big time. Can't rotate the tire.

[MENTION=25304]Silver Stalion[/MENTION], do your SP LCA looks like the ones in my pic?

Yeah I believe they look identical, they just don't have the extra caster adjustment.

 

[rdruss]

Isn't it interesting how many variables need to be considered when a part is "redesigned" for some of the vehicle systems!
With regard to the 1Aauto LCA's, I do not off road so I'm not too tough on them and haven't put 2000 miles on 4Runner since last March. My only concern with them would be the long term durability of their ball joint as I know nothing about it.
Two things I did to mine in addition to adding the SP bushings:
Lightly sanded/primed /painted/clear coated for more protection against rust
Plugged all the holes on top side of arm with plastic plugs/RTV as well as the holes in the bushing bore so as to keep corrosion to a minimum.

The marking on my 1Aauto is "SH" and right below it "R". I have the opposite side and it's OEM off a Lexus, marking is "L3".