-----Lower Ball Joint- Uniball Conversion-----

[Z-4runner]

Welded up another set. Still need to flatten the top to mate to the spindle but these welds just seem too nice to grind away. Getting very close to having everything finalized. Knee surgery has laid me up more than I hoped but I am still working as fast as I can. Thanks for the patience and support!

 

[frm_808]

hows the progress coming?

 

[kolelt]

Welded up another set. Still need to flatten the top to mate to the spindle but these welds just seem too nice to grind away. Getting very close to having everything finalized. Knee surgery has laid me up more than I hoped but I am still working as fast as I can. Thanks for the patience and support!

Sorry about ur knee. Hope you feel better. Still waiting on my PM so I can order a set !

 

[Z-4runner]

hows the progress coming?

I am waiting on multiple CNC machinists to get back to me on making the spacers. I have been run around by a couple of guys so I am just waiting to hear back from a few more shops. Other than that there are 5 sets at powder-coat right now and I have all the hardware and uniballs to make it happen. Just waiting on the spacers.

 

[kolelt]

I am waiting on multiple CNC machinists to get back to me on making the spacers. I have been run around by a couple of guys so I am just waiting to hear back from a few more shops. Other than that there are 5 sets at powder-coat right now and I have all the hardware and uniballs to make it happen. Just waiting on the spacers.

Pm me when u get a set for me

 

[frm_808]

I am waiting on multiple CNC machinists to get back to me on making the spacers. I have been run around by a couple of guys so I am just waiting to hear back from a few more shops. Other than that there are 5 sets at powder-coat right now and I have all the hardware and uniballs to make it happen. Just waiting on the spacers.

My coworker has a friend that has a CNC machine here in Vegas. Guess this could be a last resort type deal.

 

[Z-4runner]

My coworker has a friend that has a CNC machine here in Vegas. Guess this could be a last resort type deal.

I appreciate the offer but I'm going to keep it local, San Diego. Just too much room for a hassle otherwise. Thanks though


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[frm_808]

I appreciate the offer but I'm going to keep it local, San Diego. Just too much room for a hassle otherwise. Thanks though


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Totally understandable, I would keep it local as much as possible too.

 

[Diezel]

Z-4runner isn't the first person doing this. I'm glad to see the concern from others over the structural integrity of heated cast parts. Having worked in heavy equipment,spent numerous years in welding classes, and had to field repair cast parts via welding. I can tell you with first hand experience, it weakens it every time. The only question is which design IS more solid and safe.

Honestly Z-4runner. My suggest. Screw the stock bits. Re-engineer the whole damn piece and make an entirely better item. If you do that, sign me up to buy/test a pair.

 

[Z-4runner]

Z-4runner isn't the first person doing this. I'm glad to see the concern from others over the structural integrity of heated cast parts. Having worked in heavy equipment,spent numerous years in welding classes, and had to field repair cast parts via welding. I can tell you with first hand experience, it weakens it every time. The only question is which design IS more solid and safe.

Honestly Z-4runner. My suggest. Screw the stock bits. Re-engineer the whole damn piece and make an entirely better item. If you do that, sign me up to buy/test a pair.

Thanks man. I've been drawing up different designs on making it from scratch but every way runs into problems and I come right back to this. It's much more cost effective and I have no worries about strength. I sent it off a 3' ledge in anzo borrego a couple weeks ago and it's fine. I've cracked checked 3 times in the 4 months they've been on my rig and all is good.

Also the part is not cast, it is a forged part which is completely different. I did a Rockwell hardness test to confirm as well as cutting and welding prove that even more. It cuts in nice long ribbons, which cast would chip off, and welding is flawless where as cast always is popping and spitting. These modified stock parts are plenty strong, but I am still tinkering with producing from scratch. Thanks for the support!


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[Anthony250f]

Would this work with a camburg long travel kit ?

 

[Z-4runner]

Would this work with a camburg long travel kit ?https://www.tacomaworld.com/attachments/image-jpg.972682/

If the Camburg kit uses the stock lower ball joint then yes I believe that it will. I haven't test fit it on one but I do have someone that has the kit on their 4Runner that I'll be test fitting it on.


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[Anthony250f]

If the Camburg kit uses the stock lower ball joint then yes I believe that it will. I haven't test fit it on one but I do have someone that has the kit on their 4Runner that I'll be test fitting it on.


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Ok let me know. I'm assuming the uniball has more range of motion then the lbj? So when cycling a lt kit it won't bind before full droop or bump

 

[Z-4runner]

Ok let me know. I'm assuming the uniball has more range of motion then the lbj? So when cycling a lt kit it won't bind before full droop or bump

In theory that is correct but I designed the uniball spacers for a stock application. I would have to see just how much joint travel a LT kit uses. It would be a somewhat easy fix to add some misalignment into the spacers, but might not be needed. I'll definitely be looking into it soon.


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[Blackdawg]

You have my attention as well. Running an MCM fab lt kit on my tacoma

I also have some OEM cores

 

[Z-4runner]

You have my attention as well. Running an MCM fab lt kit on my tacoma

I also have some OEM cores

I am not sure how these will work with any kit, especially smaller shops kits. I have a couple of people with Camburg and Total Chaos kits that will be test fitting once I am able to get the spacers done.

Also I cant guarantee that these will work with Tacomas. IVe heard there are slight differences in the lower ball joint parts. I would have to have a core for a tacoma to see if it will work the same.

 

[Blackdawg]

I am not sure how these will work with any kit, especially smaller shops kits. I have a couple of people with Camburg and Total Chaos kits that will be test fitting once I am able to get the spacers done.

Also I cant guarantee that these will work with Tacomas. IVe heard there are slight differences in the lower ball joint parts. I would have to have a core for a tacoma to see if it will work the same.

Well the geometry is all the same on my kit as a TC kit or any of the others.

I can send you tacoma cores

 

[Z-4runner]

Well the geometry is all the same on my kit as a TC kit or any of the others.

I can send you tacoma cores

PM sent. I can see what I can do for the Tacoma guys, but not promises. Thanks

 

[Anthony250f]

I may also have cores

 

[Z-4runner]

I may also have cores

I am not looking for anymore cores at the moment. If they are tacoma cores I already have some on the way but am not going to take anymore until I know that they will work.