Longer axles with lift?

[confyushus]

Hey everyone, I am putting my rear superflex coils/5100s and front trd/5100s (3rd perch, stock bumper) on my runner. I took my axles to get new boots this afternoon and he said that unless I got longer axles they would pop out and I would just destroy them at the angle they would be at. I have read several build threads and no one has mentioned longer axles. He really knows his stuff and has done a lot of cvs for me. So what do you guys think about it? Also, should I drop the front to the 2nd perch, I was afraid it would be too much rake (rear too high). Thanks for the help, I love this forum!

 

[NachoPitt]

Based on what I have read the third perch and a stock bumper will make for a pretty harsh ride. Most go with the second notch from the bottom on their TRD/5100 - that is what I am going with.

There is no need for longer CVs. The boots might need to be adjusted/stretched but otherwise you should be fine.

 

[GX4SEVEND]

Doesn't sound like he knows his stuff. Sorry but you don't need longer cv's. Stronger ones, yes.

 

[JamesDean91]

Rcv!

 

[audiness]

Did you install the Diff drop? Without that, i can see how your mechanic might think the angles were too steep

 

[confyushus]

That's what I was thinking too, I never had a prob with my cvs on my lifted Tacoma and I beat the hell out of it! Thanks for reassuring me everyone. Now about the perches, I was afraid the 3rd might ride harsh, but was even more afraid the 2nd wouldn't give enough lift to match the super flex coils and I would have too much rake. Has anyone had any experience with the superflexes and trd/5100 setup?

 

[white_n_slow]

They are not going to pop out, so he's completely wrong on that count. The angle is kinda steep, but it won't really do any damage in the short/medium term other than tear the CV boots. I guess in a way he's right... over time with heavy usage, it probably could cause the CV's to wear out prematurely. But how premature compared to stock would be difficult to measure. But that's just one of the realities of off-roading in a IFS truck.

As far as longer axles: I don't think anyone makes them, pretty sure they don't exist.

 

[Gerdo]

As said, longer axles, no.
IF you could do a longer axle, then it wouldn't be able to compress fully when stuffing a wheel.

You are not changing the wheel travel (amount of droop) with longer shocks. Stock and aftermarket shocks keep the factory travel. The axle has been designed (OEM axles) to work (not overextend and pull apart) with the stock travel. This is where "top out" spacers (lift spacers that mount on top/outside of the coil /shock combo) can cause issues. These spacers effectively lower the shock mounting point and allow the wheel to droop beyond the designed limit.

As far as which perch. they will not change the spring rate and will not effect the ride quality. They will change the amount of droop. If you go too high, you max max out the height and eliminate any droop. This WILL give you a harsh ride. Once you get the shock/coil mounted, measure the distance (hub to fender lip) with the wheel hanging. Then lower the vehicle, drive around the block to settle the suspension and re-measure. This will tell you your droop. The front of our rigs have about 9" of travel. I would not have less than 3" of droop. You may have to take your best guess and give a perch a try. You may have to adjust again.

The TRD coils should give you about 1.75"-2" of lift (depending on the year of your rig, 99s being the tallest stock, 2001 & 2002 being the shortest). Measure the perches and you will know how much lift you will get. Read this http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/101871-top-out-spacers.html . It explains how to figure the amount of lift you will get (it's not quite double the measurement from the shock to the wheel height).

 

[confyushus]

Now that you mention the top out spacers, that's probably what he thinks I'm doing, oh well, I'm not worried about it now. I put the springs on the 3rd perch last weekend and they didn't seem to have any droop, I didnt let them settle, but even if I did it probably wouldn't be much droop. I believe I will go back down to the 2nd perch this weekend and see how they do, and with my axles I can finish it up and see how bad the rake is!

 

[DeTwizzle]

I always cringe when I read that someone has replaced their boots, but I guess everyone has to learn their lessons on their own time. I did it once, got those really expensive orange boots from Slee Offroad, took all day to replace and a PITA. Next outing, gone. Just dont break the axles... guess it depends on how much you wheel, so play nice with them.
I would personally try to find a junkyard that has 3rd gen stuff and pull the CVs whenever they come in and just start stock piling. That or man up and get the Lotus CVs, which is a lot of manning up, but may be worth it in the long run.