Donahoe Coil Over Lift 4th Gen

[RL Lemke]

What are fast sweepers? Maybe a term we don't use in the Northwest? Sorry, but I've never heard of this..

Sorry, it's a motorcycle term for relatively fast curve in the road. As opposed to a twisty road, or a switchback (aka hairpin), or a straight road.

My motorcycle buddies in Washington and Oregon get a happy look when we discuss the fast sweepers on northern California's Hwy 96. When we hit Happy Camp from either direction we are indeed happy with ear to ear grins.

 

[RL Lemke]

Did I miss it, or is there a full side shot of the truck?

Yes, I have lots of them posted already. I'll post some new ones once I get the 4Runner off road again.

 

[Bobby]

What are fast sweepers? Maybe a term we don't use in the Northwest? Sorry, but I've never heard of this..

High speed curves. More of a racing term.

RL - Looks great. I'm thinking about the UCAs but $550 is a bit much for those, I think. Do you know how much the Hoes' UCA will be?

 

[RL Lemke]

RL - Looks great. I'm thinking about the UCAs but $550 is a bit much for those, I think. Do you know how much the Hoes' UCA will be?

Nope, but I will bet there will be a package deal.

 

[Good Times]

good stuff will be expensive. currently you have 2 vendors to choose from: Inland Truck and Total Chaos.

Once Donahoe is ready to release their UCA's they will be 3rd on the list.

on a side note, i do have my used Inland Truck uca's so if any of you guys are interested let me know. You'll be able to find the details in the for sale section.

 

[RL Lemke]

good stuff will be expensive. currently you have 2 vendors to choose from: Inland Truck and Total Chaos.

Lance, maybe you could tell the good folks here why the new upper A arms are better than the stock ones. Why the "uni ball" used in these works better than the regular ball joint.

 

[dcampen]

Lance, maybe you could tell the good folks here why the new upper A arms are better than the stock ones. Why the "uni ball" used in these works better than the regular ball joint.

Yes, please do!

 

[Good Times]

I would write my 2 cents but sean did a great job writing this one up so here it is The full article can be found here:
http://www.trailslesstraveled.com/viewarticle.php?id=35

Keep in mind that this article was based on a review for Total Chaos' UCA for the Tacoma. So the photos in here will not exactly apply to our 4th gens but it's just a reference point.

Uniball are better because it dramatically increased durability and strength as well as the potential for additional, useable suspension travel with better suspension geometry (on lifted trucks).

This image shows the full extension of the suspension (example but not specifically a 4th gen but this will give you an idea of what kind of angles it experiences). Note the extreme load that is placed on these stock ball-joints. Premature wear is a problem that is accentuated by additional lift, suspension travel and the extra weight of larger tires, not to mention hard off-road use.

The difference in quality is obvious in these two images, and the fault does not lie with Toyota. Ball-joints are adequate for most stock trucks, especially within the range of intended use by the manufacturer. They just werent designed to compete with the race-bred performance of these Total Chaos components.
Once the installation is finished, cycle the suspension fully to check for any interference. Because of the suspension geometry that Total Chaos achieves, on some trucks the spindle will make very slight contact with the upper coil bucket (usually only about 1/16th

 

[RL Lemke]

measure from the ground to the fender in the front and rear, would love to know how much lift you now have.

Tonights measurements: FR - 37.25 FL - 37.25

RR - 38.5 LR - 37.75

More consistent than I expected. I do have a full tank of gas.

 

[bulldog-yota]

Tonights measurements: FR - 37.25 FL - 37.25

RR - 38.5 LR - 37.75

More consistent than I expected. I do have a full tank of gas.

The front looks great a little more than 3" of suspension lift 3.25" or so. I take the BFG into account.

The rears look a bit off, more than 1/2" is a bit much. Using Revtek or NE spacers in the rear? I assume Revtek shocks.

SOunds like you are enjoying those Hoes

 

[RL Lemke]

The rears look a bit off, more than 1/2" is a bit much. Using Revtek or NE spacers in the rear? I assume Revtek shocks.

Yes, I am leaving the NE rear spacers there. That is until someone comes out with a long lasting replacement coil spring. I also want to add an airbag inside the new coils. That way when I carry the new 495 pound BMW R1200GS on the back with a hitch carrier the back end won't drag.

 

[RL Lemke]

Here is another place these coil overs work great, washboards. Even some of the blacktop here in Dallas gets a washboard effect at stoplights where there is a lot of truck traffic.

The stock suspension was affected a little by hard braking and turning on the washboard. There was a little clicking from the VSC and ABS.

The spacer lift kits changed everything. They didn't allow for the necessary compliance for the tires to maintain contact with the ground. Thus it was full ABS and no braking with the same movement.

The Donahoe coil overs have given me the braking over washboards I expect from the 4Runner. That is, the washboard surface of the road has no effect on the hard barking and turning movement. The downward pressure the Hoe's place on the tires keep the contact with the ground constant. No clicks or pops from the VSC nor ABS.

This quality of the Donahoe suspension is something that you would have to drive to see. Low speed compliance over ruts and surface flaws as well as high speed firmness to keep the 4Runner going in the inteneded direction.

Additionally, I have been taking freeway ramps at increasing speeds and think that the firmness of the Hoe's offers everything the Xreas did, if not more.

 

[bulldog-yota]

That's great to hear!! It seems the Hoes live up to their reputation on the 4th Gens as well. It seems you have found the best solution for the front lift. Now just to sort out the rear sometime.


BTW, what was NE's response assistance to all your troubles?

 

[RL Lemke]

That's great to hear!! It seems the Hoes live up to their reputation on the 4th Gens as well. It seems you have found the best solution for the front lift. Now just to sort out the rear sometime.


BTW, what was NE's response assistance to all your troubles?

Yes, I would like to find rear coils that didn't require a spacer. Maybe that would allow for too much articulation, maybe not.

NE? Heck, I don't know. Anthony and I talked some time ago when I told him about how the Toyota of Plano tech disconnecting the Xreas when installing the NE lift. He immediately went to his site and blamed all my issues on that.

Starting a small business is always difficult. Without a sound moral base to the business model the result will be unfettered greed. Blind ambition. It's such a shame as Anthony had such a good start with the support of this list.

 

[4route]

I remember that well. Complete b.s. - he just wanted to dodge taking responsibility.

Oh well.

I'm just glad you're happy with those Donahoes - they look sweeeet!

 

[RL Lemke]

Here is a photo of the uninstalled Donahoe.

 

[RL Lemke]

Here are the parts sent by Total Chaos.

 

[RL Lemke]

Walk past the 4Runner and this is what grabs your attention. That is if you are interested in cars.

 

[RL Lemke]

Someone asked for a side view of the whole 4Runner.

 

[Good Times]

RL that just looks soooo yummy! good job

now take that puppy out to Moab and offroad the crap out of it!

o yeah, don't forget photos!!