eBay Rear Links. Discuss.

[A.Wilson013]

Saw the 4th gen guys discussing theirs here... http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/213813-ebay-track-bar-rear-control-arms.html and was wondering what you all thought.

Personally, I'd be interested in giving them a shot, but don't feel like wasting money to buy upper arms, lower arms, and the panhard bar since I do not need the panhard bar. I sent all 3 sellers a message asking if they'd be willing to sell just the upper and lower arms. If they will, I'll likely purchase.

Link to eBay sellers: (All within an hour from Total Chaos Fabrication Headquarters, if that means anything to you. I feel it's worth mentioning.)
1.1996-2002 4-Runner Upper & Lower & Track Bar Control Arm For 2-4" Lift Kit
2.Upper Lower Track Bar Control Arm for 2 4" Lift 4 Runner 1996 2002 | eBay
3.Upper Lower Track Bar Control Arm for 2 4" Lift Kit 4 Runner 1996 2002 | eBay

Pictures:

 

[A.Wilson013]

From the guinea pig [MENTION=123332]Drunner97[/MENTION]:

First impressions. These things are solid and heavy. Welds look good, bushings look good, joints look good. My guess, is that these are blemished pieces without stickers. Every single piece has paint runs or some scrapes on them. That might bother some people, but I don't care, they'll be covered in dirt soon enough. I don't think anything is going to snap or fold if I land on a rock.

edit: They look dead on balls accurate to the Total Chaos set without the stickers.

Here we go. Bushing pics. Sleeves are fairly flush.

 

[A.Wilson013]

Cont...

Installed Friday night, buttoned it up Saturday morning. I didn't really take measurements but I think the pictures show the big differences. My only issues were that I busted a zerk fitting on one lower arm and I had to force one of the upper arms into place. It wasn't an issue with the sleeve so much as it was that I didn't have things lined up right on the arm.

Couple things to note. I used the bolts and the original arms to line up the new arms to stock length. I forgot to tighten things down before I installed and had to drop the lateral bar to lock the nuts so make sure everything is tight before you install.

The brake line bracket bolts come out, but the nuts are welded to the stock arms, so you need to have a replacement bolt/nut combo or nut to match the stock bolt.

All bushings had grease in them evidenced by the grease I pumped in and got legit grease coming out. Looks like mobil 1 grease loaded in the bushings based on what came out.

1 zerk broke when I pulled my grease gun out, that sucked and I'll have to replace it eventually.

Otherwise it was a standard install and everything set up correctly and without issue.

 

[bmodo16]

The rears look solid. They're on my list due to price. I'm iffy on the front uppers due to the issues people have had but there's not too much you can screw up with the rears. I would replace the grease fittings if you buy them, that seems to be a big issue with the front uppers. Hope this helps.

 

[Roc Doc]

Originally Posted by Drunner97 View Post
First impressions. These things are solid and heavy. Welds look good, bushings look good, joints look good. My guess, is that these are blemished pieces without stickers.

edit: They look dead on balls accurate to the Total Chaos set without the stickers.

TC uses FK heim joints, and those on the ebay links look like generic items with unknown ratings. My bet is that they'll loosen up long before a FK.

 

[Dephcon]

I do need a replacement panhard bar, and those stock rear upper control arms look pretty iffy to start with (so thin). Wetcoast rust has been pointing me in the direction of replacing all the links in the rear already, I'm just weary about cheapish Ebay parts that have such a vital role in vehicle safety. This does however give me something to think about, thank you for the post and sharing a review you found. Would be interested in hearing a long term review on how they hold up.

 

[A.Wilson013]

TC uses FK heim joints, and those on the ebay links look like generic items with unknown ratings. My bet is that they'll loosen up long before a FK.

I noticed the different heims as well, but that'd be easily remedied with the installation of some FK heims. I've never priced them, but I doubt it'd cost $1000 (the difference in price between these and TC) to upgrade to FKs.

The interesting part about the arms he purchased from ebay is that every single piece has a blemish in the powdercoat. He hypothesized that maybe TC sold them to a 3rd party (possibly without any bushings/heims) at a discounted rate in order to avoid blasting and re-coating which would have a substantial impact on their cost of production, and therefore their profit potential.

I think that the chances of that are pretty low, but I also think it's worth discussing. Especially at a price point 70% less than the TC kit...

 

[97Run-Man]

I noticed the different heims as well, but that'd be easily remedied with the installation of some FK heims. I've never priced them, but I doubt it'd cost $1000 (the difference in price between these and TC) to upgrade to FKs.

The interesting part about the arms he purchased from ebay is that every single piece has a blemish in the powdercoat. He hypothesized that maybe TC sold them to a 3rd party (possibly without any bushings/heims) at a discounted rate in order to avoid blasting and re-coating which would have a substantial impact on their cost of production, and therefore their profit potential.

I think that the chances of that are pretty low, but I also think it's worth discussing. Especially at a price point 70% less than the TC kit...

So if I am interpreting this correctly, you are saying buy these and some heims that we know are quality and then screw them in where the ebay ones are. Then boom we have some good links with hopefully a long life? also use good zerk fittings and I'm thinking of leaving them off and putting a hex screw in to keep them from breaking off in there.

 

[A.Wilson013]

So if I am interpreting this correctly, you are saying buy these and some heims that we know are quality and then screw them in where the ebay ones are. Then boom we have some good links with hopefully a long life? also use good zerk fittings and I'm thinking of leaving them off and putting a hex screw in to keep them from breaking off in there.

Easy there- I am not saying to buy anything, but I think that if you did that'd be a good approach to the situation.

I contacted the sellers and asked about the thickness of the tubing as well... We'll see about the answer.

 

[MStudt]

So if I am interpreting this correctly, you are saying buy these and some heims that we know are quality and then screw them in where the ebay ones are. Then boom we have some good links with hopefully a long life? also use good zerk fittings and I'm thinking of leaving them off and putting a hex screw in to keep them from breaking off in there.

I will second what [MENTION=63487]A.Wilson013[/MENTION] is saying about the heims. Those heims look like complete junk to me, and those would be the first thing I'd replace. You can get some good budget friendly joints for about $25 each. You can also step up the some good ones by going with Ruffstuff or FK.

Just from looking at the links they look like good quality. I'd want to be able to see the weld penetration though being these are from eBay. I'm willing to bet that'll never happen since I'm pretty certain the powder coating will cover it up. I'd also check on the dimensions of the tubing. With heims on the one end they should be using 1-3/4" OD DOM for the lowers with a .250 wall thickness. Those only look like they have 1-1/2" OD DOM to me though. The uppers should be 1-1/4" OD DOM with a .120 wall thickness. Not saying this is what everybody uses, but those are the numbers I'd go with.

 

[LookAtThatDog]

[MENTION=83128]velomatt[/MENTION] bought these and didn't like them:

Well I never installed them.
Here is why I returned them:

• The powder coating was flaking off
• The were the wrong size for the stock bolts
• Zerks
• They never provided any sort of install guide.

I'm sure if one wanted to buy larger bolts and drill out the stock bolt openings on the frame and axel they would work.
They claim its a bolt on upgrade 1-2 hours... Not hardly.

I'll Pass

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/214727-cheap-ebay-ucas-4.html

 

[orbot]

so what about quality, welding and craftsmanship? are they worth it?

 

[A.Wilson013]

so what about quality, welding and craftsmanship? are they worth it?

That's the obvious unknown variable.

Honestly, if they'll sell me just the upper and lower links I'll buy them and run the hell out of them.

 

[orbot]

haha pleasse do.

 

[A.Wilson013]

Response from seller "Blitz.Auto"

"Jennifer F." from Blitz.Auto just messaged me back to let me know they will NOT sell just the upper and lower arms, they will only sell as a package with the panhard bar.

Since I know this seller is willing to respond to questions I asked a few more about the construction materials... Will report back when/if they respond.