MT offset rear lower links

[wfo9]

Who has them?

What bracket skids work with them?

I saw a thread stating that some won't fit with the joint they use (like the Total Chaos skids). MT sells the OPOR ones and their site states those will fit.

I have the RCI bracket skids now and really like the design (I hit them almost every trip to the trails), but I wanted to go ahead and get the offset lower links to avoid the arms from hitting the axle at full drop now that I have LT.

Trying to decide what to do. I need a new arm on one side as the stock one is bent a bit, but not sure if I really need the offset design....

Pics of your MT arms with bracket skids would be useful in my decision making process. I think they want $75 for the OPOR ones. I could probably sell my RCIs easily (they are really well made).

 

[bimrunner]

Who has them?

What bracket skids work with them?

I saw a thread stating that some won't fit with the joint they use (like the Total Chaos skids). MT sells the OPOR ones and their site states those will fit.

I have the RCI bracket skids now and really like the design (I hit them almost every trip to the trails), but I wanted to go ahead and get the offset lower links to avoid the arms from hitting the axle at full drop now that I have LT.

Trying to decide what to do. I need a new arm on one side as the stock one is bent a bit, but not sure if I really need the offset design....

Pics of your MT arms with bracket skids would be useful in my decision making process. I think they want $75 for the OPOR ones. I could probably sell my RCIs easily (they are really well made).

Hmmm. I run my MT lower links and the MT upper links without skids though so... I've been in some pretty gnarly rocks and haven't banged mine up because of how my sliders are build. I know I tried to put some on from another vendor and they weren't compatible with my sliders. My guess is the RCI ones will work just fine though. My arms don't hit the axle either so I am just curious where your axle is coming into contact with your arms.

 

[wfo9]

I probably used confusing terminology. Lower links, rear LCA, lower control arm, all different terms for the same thing.

I currently have stock lower control arms. They bind/contact the axle at full drop (but just barely). The offset design of the metal tech arms avoid this and allow for a little more drop if the rest of the components can support it (shocks, springs....). They are also obviously way stronger than the stock ones (which is the main benefit I'm looking for).

The issue (as I understand it), with the MT lower links is that they use a heim joint on on the frame connection bracket (not the axle connection). This is bulkier than regular bushings and are therefore not compatible with most of the lower link frame bracket skids.

As far as the need for the skid goes. I hit mine all the time. It is the lowest point as I climb a ledge (before the rear tire can get on it). Mainly when I can't come in with a good angle of attack. My sliders sit much higher (it's not even in the same balpark). Once just past the bracket, the tire is typically on the obstacle, so clearance is no longer an issue.

 

[bimrunner]

I probably used confusing terminology. Lower links, rear LCA, lower control arm, all different terms for the same thing.

I currently have stock lower control arms. They bind/contact the axle at full drop (but just barely). The offset design of the metal tech arms avoid this and allow for a little more drop if the rest of the components can support it (shocks, springs....). They are also obviously way stronger than the stock ones (which is the main benefit I'm looking for).

The issue (as I understand it), with the MT lower links is that they use a heim joint on on the frame connection bracket (not the axle connection). This is bulkier than regular bushings and are therefore not compatible with most of the lower link frame bracket skids.

As far as the need for the skid goes. I hit mine all the time. It is the lowest point as I climb a ledge (before the rear tire can get on it). Mainly when I can't come in with a good angle of attack. My sliders sit much higher (it's not even in the same balpark). Once just past the bracket, the tire is typically on the obstacle, so clearance is no longer an issue.

Gotcha. I don't think it is an issue of mine not being as high. Mine just run all the way back and act as a skid for the LCA. You climbing bigger ledges than this? My driveshaft and diff hang lower at full droop but my front bracket is completely protected by the tail end of my slider as it ties in all the way with the frame rail all the way from the side in. Physically cannot be mounted any higher but they are solid all the way into the frame. This post is not meant for anything outside of trying to identify what you might want to protect. The skids I tried would have mounted over them but my slider was providing all the protection I needed. In the back where it attaches to the axle my lower shock mount skids take the hit and protect the LCA. I use the icon shin-guards. Here is what I had planned to install originally: Armor : Rocktek Mount Armor Full Kit Toyota 4Runner/120-150

 

[470SNC]

Nice shot bimrunner!

 

[cbielat]

I run both the uppers and lowers. I don't have the skids on the lowers but will eventually get a pair. Try looking at All Pro. Maybe they make some. I thought Bud Built has them too.

 

[wfo9]

Gotcha. I don't think it is an issue of mine not being as high. Mine just run all the way back and act as a skid for the LCA. You climbing bigger ledges than this? My driveshaft and diff hang lower at full droop but my front bracket is completely protected by the tail end of my slider as it ties in all the way with the frame rail all the way from the side in. Physically cannot be mounted any higher but they are solid all the way into the frame. This post is not meant for anything outside of trying to identify what you might want to protect. The skids I tried would have mounted over them but my slider was providing all the protection I needed. In the back where it attaches to the axle my lower shock mount skids take the hit and protect the LCA. I use the icon shin-guards. Here is what I had planned to install originally: Armor : Rocktek Mount Armor Full Kit Toyota 4Runner/120-150

I'm not going up stuff quite like that ;-), but I do hang on the brackets (not so much now that I have skids on them as the skids provide a smooth transition). Also, I'm hoping the LT helps. Maybe your sliders are very different than mine.

Here is a pic on the passenger side to explain. The slider is higher than the bracket. When I'm going up a ledge the brackets often hit and then everything clears once a back tire (usually the on the other side) starts to climb. I get no contact when I can get a solid angle of attack, but sometime s the trail is too narrow to allow my big best to do that. I'm going out tomorrow, so maybe I can snap an actual video or pic of the situation.

 

[wfo9]

I run both the uppers and lowers. I don't have the skids on the lowers but will eventually get a pair. Try looking at All Pro. Maybe they make some. I thought Bud Built has them too.

Just to be clear, I'm not looking for skids for the lower control arms. Just the lower control arm frame brackets. I have some now (made by RCI). They work well, but I'm concerned they won't fit with the Metal Tech lower control arms since the joint is larger. Someone else mentioned this problem in another thread, so I'm trying to find out what bracket skids will fit with the MT lower control arms.

The guy in the other thread stated the Total Chaos ones would not fit. I'm assuming they are similar to my RCI. The metal tech site states the OPOR bracket skids will work, but they don't specify if others won't.

I should probably just call them.

Another option I have is just to go with another lower control arm made by someone else, but I like the concept of the offset for more down travel clerance on the axle connection.

 

[bimrunner]

Just to be clear, I'm not looking for skids for the lower control arms. Just the lower control arm frame brackets. I have some now (made by RCI). They work well, but I'm concerned they won't fit with the Metal Tech lower control arms since the joint is larger. Someone else mentioned this problem in another thread, so I'm trying to find out what bracket skids will fit with the MT lower control arms.

The guy in the other thread stated the Total Chaos ones would not fit. I'm assuming they are similar to my RCI. The metal tech site states the OPOR bracket skids will work, but they don't specify if others won't.

I should probably just call them.

Another option I have is just to go with another lower control arm made by someone else, but I like the concept of the offset for more down travel clerance on the axle connection.

Yep. That's why I gave you a link to some. Cheers!

 

[wfo9]

:bathbaby:I'll probably just end up ordering the MT skids along with the arms and selling mine. They are $75, so no big deal. For some reason I thought they were more expensive than that. :cheers:

I highly recommend the RCI ones to anyone who has standard style links, They are well crafted.

Also [MENTION=89562]bimrunner[/MENTION], would love to see more details on how your setup is configured in that area. I'll check your build thread. But if you have any pics handy....

Just looked at your build thread. My truck suddenly feels so ghetto. Man. you did it right. I did not realize you had a skid that tied the slider and frame together...Totally different deal. Your truck is in the major leagues. I knew it was nice, but never really dug into your build thread. You have a very unique setup all around.

 

[bimrunner]

I'll probably just end up ordering the MT skids along with the arms and selling mine. They are $75, so no big deal. For some reason I thought they were more expensive than that. :cheers:

I highly recommend the RCI ones to anyone who has standard style links, They are well crafted.

Also [MENTION=89562]bimrunner[/MENTION], would love to see more details on how your setup is configured in that area. I'll check your build thread. But if you have any pics handy....

Just looked at your build thread. My truck suddenly feels so ghetto. Man. you did it right. I did not realize you had a skid that tied the slider and frame together...Totally different deal. Your truck is in the major leagues. I knew it was nice, but never really dug into your build thread.

Don't know if you can tell really well as I've not climbed under at full flex... But you can kinda see what I've got going on.

 

[3wbdriver]

Don't know if you can tell really well as I've not climbed under at full flex... But you can kinda see what I've got going on.

DAYUM!!!!! :jaw:

I can see where your fuel tank skid is helpful on the driver's side also. But what about the passenger side? There's nothing hanging down that low over there but the forward LCA mount as far as I can recall. I'm off to read your build thread and see what it says....

 

[bimrunner]

DAYUM!!!!! :jaw:

I can where your fuel tank skid is helpful on the driver's side also. But what about the passenger side? There's nothing hanging down that low over there but the forward LCA mount as far as I can recall. I'm off to read your build thread and see what it says....

Lol. Passenger is more exposed but the muffler takes the brunt of it. I don't have a pic that shows it but I'll get one.

 

[wfo9]

I would not call those rock sliders, I would call them rock skis. :lol:

For those of us with sliders, the passenger side is vulnerable at the mount. Would like to see what yours looks like on that side bim. Take a close look and see if it has been hit... Your skis may protect it.

 

[bimrunner]

I would not call those rock sliders, I would call them rock skis. :lol:

For those of us with sliders, the passenger side is vulnerable at the mount. Would like to see what yours looks like on that side bim. Take a close look and see if it has been hit... Your skis may protect it.

Looking at it on my passenger side it does look like I could hit it hard. I just haven't yet. I think I favor that side since I can't see as well so tend to take the hits more on the driver side to protect my muffler and driveline and therefore have not crushed the mount. Maybe I should armor that bad boy! Thanks for pointing it out! I didn't take a night shot of it because it is pretty useless to do that.

 

[3wbdriver]

Looking at it on my passenger side it does look like I could hit it hard. I just haven't yet. I think I favor that side since I can't see as well so tend to take the hits more on the driver side to protect my muffler and driveline and therefore have not crushed the mount. Maybe I should armor that bad boy! Thanks for pointing it out! I didn't take a night shot of it because it is pretty useless to do that.

Whoa! I asked a valid question! Will miracles never cease? :thumb3:

 

[bimrunner]

Whoa! I asked a valid question! Will miracles never cease? :thumb3:

Here is my passenger side:

 

[wfo9]

[MENTION=89562]bimrunner[/MENTION]
You may want to consider an aftermarket muffler the way you wheel your rig. It looks to be pretty low in your setup... Mine is way up and out of the way.

Reason I mention is that I know someone local with an FJ that banged theirs up and the the cats went bad shortly after. The dealer blamed the dented muffler. not sure if that was legit reasoning, but possible.

 

[bimrunner]

[MENTION=89562]bimrunner[/MENTION]
You may want to consider an aftermarket muffler the way you wheel your rig. It looks to be pretty low in your setup... Mine is way up and out of the way.

Reason I mention is that I know someone local with an FJ that banged theirs up and the the cats went bad shortly after. The dealer blamed the dented muffler. not sure if that was legit reasoning, but possible.

What? And give up my LCA skid? Jk. I know. It just hasn't been priority... yet. I plan to put on a Borla or Flowmaster muffler to get it tucked up. It is crazy and has taken some big hits. Been lucky so far... I guess if it is banged up not to allow enough airflow through it could damage cats... idk.

 

[wfo9]

What? And give up my LCA skid? Jk. I know. It just hasn't been priority... yet. I plan to put on a Borla or Flowmaster muffler to get it tucked up. It is crazy and has taken some big hits. Been lucky so far... I guess if it is banged up not to allow enough airflow through it could damage cats... idk.

Yea, I have no idea what the internals of it are. But the dealer denied the warranty on the cats and said the dented muffler caused the cat to clog up. It seemed like BS to me.

I can't wait to get my Y pipe routed up higher. That drives me nuts. Even though the skid protects it, the clearance is minimal. One good smash on the skid and I start getting noise in reverse until I bang it back out a tad.