End Link Discovery

[CSL]

So maybe this is old news, but oh well...



I was under my rig one day and noticed this at my rear end links. The threads were toast.

At my front sway bar, on my last trip to moab, the bolts in the brackets that mount to the frame snapped. I had previously replaced the bushings with Energy Suspension bushings, but I think they are too big. Notice in this picture how the bushings are squeezed out. On the other bracket the bolts sheared.

I've been toying with some ideas for disconnects in the front as I am not happy with what I have found on the market. In the meantime, I thought I would see how it drives without the sway bar at all, so I took off the entire front assembly.

When comparing the rear links and the front links they are the same design, but the front are longer and more beefy.

This got me thinking about folks I know that have cut, lengthend and rewelded their rear links so they are longer and work better with the lift. Well...I just simply put my front ones on the rear while I test out the sway bar removal.

So, this seems like a good simple mod for folks with a lift. Get yourself some front links from a parts rig and put them on the rear. Viola! lengthened rear links using good ole' Toyota parts. Now I just need to figure out what to do with my front links.

 

[kball]

Ha! Recycling your own truck for itself, now that's a sweet mod! Let us know how it drives without the front bar on. Some people like it better.

 

[drinknmolson]

will lengthened rear links give you more rear flex? you can change your name to recycler, you are making the planet greener 1 mod at a time!!

 

[jdmaccord6]

you can also use endlinks from a 2nd gen 4runner and they are even longer then those front endlinks, especially if most people are running land cruiser springs in the rear for a lift.

 

[Victor]

You can also leave them out if it's an option. However, exercise caution while driving as your truck WILL lean quite a bit as you turn. A lot of guys may want to leave them in because they don't like the yaw sensation while taking an off ramp whereas I am used to that feeling now. :naughty: A plus for leaving them off? A little more flex, it's much smoother driving on rough-level terrain as the sway bar does not influence the other side anymore and you can travel a little faster. You won't need to worry about breaking off end links, or have your bushing squeeze out on you. CSL, I put in brand new Toyota bushings and not even 1 week old they are already starting to squish out on me. Plus, it's quite the weight reduction as well too.:naughty:

 

[CSL]

"the recycler" how funny! I didn't even think about in that respect.

I definetely notice more body lean while cornering, no doubt. Since my rig is usually pretty loaded down (camping gear, dog, wife, 3 kids) I will probably put my front bar back on and work on my disconnect idea I have. I can see how the 4wheeling will benefit from removing the links, but since I do notice a difference driving...I don't feel responsible to leave it off. Even if proven unrelated...I would never forgive myself if I rolled the rig with the family inside...not worth the risk.

However, I will definitely be disconnecting while wheeling.

Victor, that's funny to hear about your bushings too. I think it's just a matter of flexing. My bushings weren't trashed until I really pushed my 4wheeling experience on trails this spring in Moab. I think if your just city driving, the bushings can handle it, but when you start really stressing the bar on trails, they just don't hold up.