Marlin RCLT Suspension

[canadian bum]

Finally getting something to beef up the suspension and move the tire forward to fit bigger tires on the IFS rigs. I knew they were running big tires on the custom IFS Tacoma but didn't think they would be developing a bunch of different options to bring to the market.

This has pretty big potential to change a lot for those who want to run bigger tires on their IFS rigs without cutting so much apart. I asked to see if in the future they may offer lower kits with ball joints for those of us who live in areas where the uniballs crap out quickly.

What does everyone think of this? I'm surprised something like this hasn't been developed sooner for the market.

Marlin Rock Crawler Long Travel

 

[Bumbo]

Can of Worms

I’m looking at this right now too, very exciting, but it still depends on what you are trying to accomplish.

Most people into long travel are generally the desert race types, and even then, the RCLT setup might not be as good (for desert running) as what is already out there when compared a +3.5 LT with a secondary bypass shock. Plenty of people crawl with that too, and fit a 35+ sized tire.

This product really is focused on rock crawling, but will probably satisfy a huge part of the user base wanting to go big, even the desert guys like myself. I’m considering it, if fact it put my LT project on hold until I learn more about it and see pricing.

Ill be keeping a close eye on this one, but I think it’s going to cost more than most will want to pay. I know what Total Chaos cost, this might be Double Chaos from the looks of it. I do think the RCLT can build a better balanced setup which is very exciting to me considering these 4Runners are not really high speed trophy trucks.

I can’t help but want this too, in fact I’m really excited about it, just have a feeling its going to be a new level of sticker shock.

 

[Inv4drZm]

It's pretty cool, but I have a feeling it'll make conventional LT sound like the new cheap option. The 2.75 kit that is.

That being said, easier to install and miles cheaper than a SAS.

 

[canadian bum]

[MENTION=144483]Bumbo[/MENTION] Yeah the HD kit that they have pictured is going to be huge money. Me personally I'd be more interested in the kit that just relocates everything forward to clear for a little larger tire. I have my SAC Tacoma for the intense stuff that I should be finishing up in a few months.

Reading through they say for desert racing there are better kits out there that don't weigh as much designed for the go fast guys. I think the first level would be good for the weekend wheeler or the DD type that want bigger tires without having to hack up the truck to do so. I'll be following along for sure to see how this progresses.

 

[Bumbo]

I have a feeling even that might be more expensive than you think… I think it’s biggest saving grace will be the cost of labor of fabrication/welding when compared to a TC kit for those people who don’t weld and want to DIY, or even when factoring in shop labor for those who want turnkey.

That is what made TL expensive for me… I can do my own bolt-on work, but I don’t weld. I would need to farm that out. It made adding a secondary bypass even more expensive for me than a +3.5 TC kit with a single shock.

I still need to weld up spindle gussets on things like the TC kit, but Marlin is replacing those parts with new. That said, those guys seem business savvy, they don’t look like the types to leave money on the table, they know a bolt-on install and labor savings is a huge selling point, and will of course be reflected in the price and mark-up.

Marlin has done a fine job of positioning themselves on this one… Pricing won’t be released until after KOH in spring or summer. While I am rooting for its finish and success of the 4th Gen KOH rig, if successful in the race, it’s only going to help Marlin maintain healthy margins, and volume. Very little reason to discount something like this.

I’m trying to not get too excited, but if the price is right, I’d love to go down the +2.75 RCLT route.

 

[rochmpr]

Thanks for spending my money!

 

[shrub1]

Apart from the welding (which is no small thing), can someone explain how this set up is different from the offering from TC? This seems really well thought out and I am interested for sure. Does this kit bridge the gap between drop bracket lifts and TC stuff?

 

[canadian bum]

Thanks for spending my money!

Haha don't worry I spend my own a lot too. Just check out my Tacoma build thread.

Also now that people are running bigger tires and there is soon going to be stronger steering rack available is there steering upgrades down the line like tie rod ends and the ball socket that connects to the racks?

 

[Bumbo]

Apart from the welding (which is no small thing), can someone explain how this set up is different from the offering from TC? This seems really well thought out and I am interested for sure. Does this kit bridge the gap between drop bracket lifts and TC stuff?

Drop bracket lifts don’t do much of anything for off-road performance. I don’t think it’s bridging any gaps… this system is pretty unique.

TC on the top end of their catalog is basically for people who want the best possible desert race / high speed performance without going into a world of custom fabrication & linked suspension… this is doing the same thing for the IFS rock crawler. Call it a Tier 1 fork in the road with build direction.

Marlin RCLT: The shape of the LCA produces an amazing amount of ground clearance, very cool… if you look at the photos, the CV almost tucks into the LCA.

They also move the knuckle 1 to 2 inches forward allows fitment of much larger tires. They provide a completely new fabricated part there, where you would reuse the factory part in a TC setup, and reinforce it with their spindle gusset kit. Compared to TC, it looks like they might be including a significant amount more factory welding due to that extra part… just by looks, might even be more than twice as much welding in terms of inches shipped.

 

[srsrogerissrs]

Apart from the welding (which is no small thing), can someone explain how this set up is different from the offering from TC? This seems really well thought out and I am interested for sure. Does this kit bridge the gap between drop bracket lifts and TC stuff?

It provides more ground clearance under the LCAs as it's notched for axle clearance. It also shifts the whole hub assembly forward giving even more clearance to the body mount. Their selling point is that you can go Long travel w/o chopping the body mount (not that it's a big deal). However with a typical long travel setup from TC, you would still run into clearance issues with the body mount. It also allows for use with the new Marlin steering rack that is beefier than the oem rack.

 

[Inv4drZm]

Apart from the welding (which is no small thing), can someone explain how this set up is different from the offering from TC? This seems really well thought out and I am interested for sure. Does this kit bridge the gap between drop bracket lifts and TC stuff?

Their +2" wider kit moves the spindle forward 1" which means you can run 2" taller tires for the same amount of firewall area trimming. Also an increased approach angle.

Bent LCA design for higher clearance, and will likely give the same amount of wheel travel as conventional +2" LT kits. I'm guessing it will cost about the same as well.


Their +2.75" wider kit uses heavy fabricated spindles with better geometry for reduced bump steer, uses a heavy duty steering rack, and moves the spindle forward 2" which means you can run 4" taller tires for the same amount of firewall area trimming and increased approach angles.

Bent LCA design for higher clearance, and will give 3" more wheel travel than conventional +2" LT kits. I'm guessing close to $8-9k... But you could run 40s a lot more easily....

Either way you still need to weld limit strap mounts to the frame, and gussets if you want them. Not to mention air bump mounts, secondary shock hoops, or a body mount chop. I think the MarRack will be fully compatible with conventional LT kits so the +2" wider kit doesn't have that as a distinct benefit.

 

[shrub1]

Drop bracket lifts don’t do much of anything for off-road performance. I don’t think it’s bridging any gaps… this system is pretty unique.

TC on the top end of their catalog is basically for people who want the best possible desert race / high speed performance without going into a world of custom fabrication & linked suspension… this is doing the same thing for the IFS rock crawler. Call it a Tier 1 fork in the road with build direction.

Marlin RCLT: The shape of the LCA produces an amazing amount of ground clearance, very cool… if you look at the photos, the CV almost tucks into the LCA.

They also move the knuckle 1 to 2 inches forward allows fitment of much larger tires. They provide a completely new fabricated part there, where you would reuse the factory part in a TC setup, and reinforce it with their spindle gusset kit. Compared to TC, it looks like they might be including a significant amount more factory welding due to that extra part… just by looks, might even be more than twice as much welding in terms of inches shipped.

Yes, I'd never consider a drop bracket lift.

Thanks for the explanation.

 

[shrub1]

Their +2" wider kit moves the spindle forward 1" which means you can run 2" taller tires for the same amount of firewall area trimming. Also an increased approach angle.

Bent LCA design for higher clearance, and will likely give the same amount of wheel travel as conventional +2" LT kits. I'm guessing it will cost about the same as well.


Their +2.75" wider kit uses heavy fabricated spindles with better geometry for reduced bump steer, uses a heavy duty steering rack, and moves the spindle forward 2" which means you can run 4" taller tires for the same amount of firewall area trimming and increased approach angles.

Bent LCA design for higher clearance, and will give 3" more wheel travel than conventional +2" LT kits. I'm guessing close to $8-9k... But you could run 40s a lot more easily....

Either way you still need to weld limit strap mounts to the frame, and gussets if you want them. Not to mention air bump mounts, secondary shock hoops, or a body mount chop. I think the MarRack will be fully compatible with conventional LT kits so the +2" wider kit doesn't have that as a distinct benefit.

Gotcha!
I can't wait for a few installs and reviews.

 

[JKLNHYD]

I dread what this is going to cost, although, I don't think most of us need the +2.75 kit to accomplish the average expectations, which I believe to be 35's with a few actually going to 37's. It sounds like the +1 kit will accomodate 35's and may be more affordable. But it's the incidentals that will make this costly; gears, new coilovers to match the travel the kit will allow, and the larger tires you'll be adding. And if severe duty rock crawling is your intent, the Crawler Box is a must for another $2200.

The other interesting part is the new steering rack. They said very little about it other that it sounds like it is longer to reduce the length of the links to the knuckles. I think 33's are the limit for the stock steering rack and links even though some folks have 35's. It's just a matter time before anything bigger begins to damage it.

I'm still excited, nonetheless.

 

[rochmpr]

Haha don't worry I spend my own a lot too. Just check out my Tacoma build thread.

Also now that people are running bigger tires and there is soon going to be stronger steering rack available is there steering upgrades down the line like tie rod ends and the ball socket that connects to the racks?

I have been waiting for the release of the upgraded steering since I first read about in on Mike's Taco. That 2.5 LT is really slick, but probably way overkill for about 99% of people at the moment, but Marlin killed it. That guy is uber smart. I went to his shop with my old '81 and he looked at the VIN and told me all about my truck. Nicest guy as well.

 

[canadian bum]

I have been waiting for the release of the upgraded steering since I first read about in on Mike's Taco. That 2.5 LT is really slick, but probably way overkill for about 99% of people at the moment, but Marlin killed it. That guy is uber smart. I went to his shop with my old '81 and he looked at the VIN and told me all about my truck. Nicest guy as well.

My buddy will build upgraded ball sockets and tie rod ends, I'm going to drop off an old steering assembly I have from my SAC Tacoma because it looks like the current only upgrade is converting to heims which is junk.

The ones with the MarRack will be different. Will they work with the 5th gen? Been reading up on it and there is no mention of it working in the 5th gen 4Runner only 4th Gen...

 

[Bumbo]

But it's the incidentals that will make this costly; gears, new coilovers to match the travel the kit will allow, and the larger tires you'll be adding. And if severe duty rock crawling is your intent, the Crawler Box is a must for another $2200.

I'm still excited, nonetheless.

I hear you... I already hear myself getting yelled at by my wife who actually likes this shit too.

RCLT Kit
Shocks
Steering Rack
Front and Rear diff gearing
front and rear lockers because why would you not
crawl box because you need to protect those expensive CVs
Rims and tires
Front bumper / skid armor

Going all out, I estimate... 20k tab, 22k with a crawl box assuming the RCLT kit is 10k with the rack.

 

[wfo9]

I hear you... I already hear myself getting yelled at by my wife who actually likes this shit too.

RCLT Kit
Shocks
Steering Rack
Front and Rear diff gearing
front and rear lockers because why would you not
crawl box because you need to protect those expensive CVs
Rims and tires
Front bumper / skid armor

Going all out, I estimate... 20k tab, 22k with a crawl box assuming the RCLT kit is 10k with the rack.

Don't forget new gas tank (custom) to fit the crawl box. It pushes the tcase back quite a bit.

You don't want to do any serious rock crawling in this truck without a crawl box though. It's absolutely required to do anything hard core and worth every penny (more so than the suspension). It gives you amazing control. However, It's just not a great platform for anything really hard core. The body is ridiculous. Good general off-road with 35s. Which can be done with conventional LT or stock control arms. Good trucks, just not hard core crawlers.

If you want to get hardcore.. better to buy a different truck (older toyota...) or a new jeep....

 

[rochmpr]

Don't forget new gas tank (custom) to fit the crawl box. It pushes the tcase back quite a bit.

You don't want to do any serious rock crawling in this truck without a crawl box though. It's absolutely required to do anything hard core and worth every penny (more so than the suspension). It gives you amazing control. However, It's just not a great platform for anything really hard core. The body is ridiculous. Good general off-road with 35s. Which can be done with conventional LT or stock control arms. Good trucks, just not hard core crawlers.

If you want to get hardcore.. better to buy a different truck (older toyota...) or a new jeep....

Says the guys with a nice crawler! But yes, dual cases changes so much in regards to crawling and control. Simply amazing how the truck can completely stop and you just feather the gas and up and over you go.

 

[JSparky]

Says the guys with a nice crawler! But yes, dual cases changes so much in regards to crawling and control. Simply amazing how the truck can completely stop and you just feather the gas and up and over you go.

Toyota would be smart to offer a lower t-case option moving forward, just to help compete with other offerings, at least in their TRDPro lines similar to how Jeep does it for the 'cons.. I agree it makes a huge difference. We built a doubler out of an fj60 case and np203 reduction unit for my Rover, 116:1 overall reduction. Now if we can just finish up all the little things and get it out of the damn garage lol.

I'm reading the marlin post on this now, it's definitely intriguing. Always liked Marlin's stuff.