Ripcord's 2002 4Runner Sport Ed.

[4-Ripcord]

Wow Rip, those things are a piece of art! I'm looking forward to your review on the rear UCA's with that increase in length of 1/4" - I have the same slight vibration at higher speeds. I was thinking of going with factory length units when I replace mine, but may need to follow suite instead....

Thanks Addison! I have taken her up to 90 (cough-cough.. er I mean 75..) olice: :
No vibes yet! 65 is smooth as is every other speed.

Huge difference becuase the U-joint on my new driveshaft did NOT like that old pinon angle. Felt like the truck was gonna shake apart before when I would hit 65.

Awesome rig! Very drool worthy. I like how much time you put into everything so that it is done right.


Those upper links look super nice. Good job on those to you and your buddy! :artist:

Thanks!

I like!!! Very nice work. These should suit your truck very nicely.

I'd be interested in a set if he wants to make more, those look killer!

Thanks James! So far they are a thousand times better.

I don't plan on making any other sets. We used all the scrap tubing they had in that size and his shop is over 100 miles from my house..

Those links look top notch. The buggies look sweet too.

Thanks! Too bad I didnt get to drive one.. I REALLY wanted to!

 

[BigFishAllDay]

Finally got the longer, stronger DOM links built the other day!

You and I are on the same wavelength, dude. I was out today getting materials to build some upper links of my own, and when I got home I took a quick gander at the forum, and whattaya know???????

You beat me to it by a couple of hours.

Those came out pretty sweet, and the chromoly steel is a nice feature. I'm not set up for welding that stuff, but that's cool your friend was. Let us know how those poly bushings work out (in terms of noise). I've come to hate those things. I pulled everything poly off the '01 because it was all squeaking like crazy w/the colder temps. Good work as always and I'm glad to see you got the weak links handled once and for all.

 

[00_4runner]

Great work! I had the same issue with vibrations as you and I'm so glad it worked for you (makes me feel better about attempting it haha). I can't wait to do this upgrade. Your rig gets better every time I check in on this thread, keep it up.

 

[1985taylor1925]

Awesome work on the control arms ripcord! You could probably produce those and make some decent money on the forum.

Your friend Steven is super lucky. Is he a mechanical engineering student? Designing my own off road vehicles and then racing them is something Ive always dreamed of doing. Coolest job ever. But, I kinda "fell" into science rather than engineering . . .

 

[SoAzTim]

Upper links look good. Question though, do the poly bushings flex enough?

The upper links on our trucks are made out of solid rod steel similar to what Torsion bars are made out of so they can twist and flex. A few guys snapped the upper mounting ears off of their frame/axle when they went to DOM tubing upper arms like yours because the wouldn't allow any twisting. (I don't think they used Poly bushings like you did so that may have solved the lack of flex issue)

 

[4-Ripcord]

You and I are on the same wavelength, dude. I was out today getting materials to build some upper links of my own, and when I got home I took a quick gander at the forum, and whattaya know???????

You beat me to it by a couple of hours.

Those came out pretty sweet, and the chromoly steel is a nice feature. I'm not set up for welding that stuff, but that's cool your friend was. Let us know how those poly bushings work out (in terms of noise). I've come to hate those things. I pulled everything poly off the '01 because it was all squeaking like crazy w/the colder temps. Good work as always and I'm glad to see you got the weak links handled once and for all.

Thanks dude, let me know if you have any questions about the links! Maybe I can help YOU for a change haha.

I have not had any problems with my poly bushings, but I keep them well greased. I take my rear sway bar off in the summers and re-lube it when I reinstall in the fall. The front Ill take off a few times for wheeling and do the same.
Ill keep you informed though!

Great work! I had the same issue with vibrations as you and I'm so glad it worked for you (makes me feel better about attempting it haha). I can't wait to do this upgrade. Your rig gets better every time I check in on this thread, keep it up.

Thanks for the compliments.

It made a huge difference. Anyone with a 3" lift should do this mod!

Awesome work on the control arms ripcord! You could probably produce those and make some decent money on the forum.

Your friend Steven is super lucky. Is he a mechanical engineering student? Designing my own off road vehicles and then racing them is something Ive always dreamed of doing. Coolest job ever. But, I kinda "fell" into science rather than engineering . . .

I would If I could! That was a one time thing though.

Yeah he is a senior ME student at NMT, Im a junior/senior ME at UNM. We have the formula SAE program here. Which is like the same but with track cars! Ill be getting onto that in the spring.

Upper links look good. Question though, do the poly bushings flex enough?

The upper links on our trucks are made out of solid rod steel similar to what Torsion bars are made out of so they can twist and flex. A few guys snapped the upper mounting ears off of their frame/axle when they went to DOM tubing upper arms like yours because the wouldn't allow any twisting. (I don't think they used Poly bushings like you did so that may have solved the lack of flex issue)

I flexed it out a little bit to test. All seemed well, time will tell though.

 

[Antman]

I always like when your thread shows up! Almost like getting a subscription mag in the mail. Great work as always.

I want your truck whenever you get finished with it!:biggrin2:






...seriously.

 

[4Running Daily]

I always like when your thread shows up! Almost like getting a subscription mag in the mail. Great work as always.

I want your truck whenever you get finished with it!:biggrin2:






...seriously.

Both rigs need tires.

 

[4-Ripcord]

I always like when your thread shows up! Almost like getting a subscription mag in the mail. Great work as always.

I want your truck whenever you get finished with it!:biggrin2:






...seriously.

Thanks Antman!

Both rigs need tires.

Soooooo bad, you have no idea!

Went to Denver this weekend and it snowed, I am now a professional drifter. ..

 

[4Running Daily]

Thanks Antman!


Soooooo bad, you have no idea!

Went to Denver this weekend and it snowed, I am now a professional drifter. ..

So you're a professional drifter and you look like Tanner Foust?

 

[4-Ripcord]

So you're a professional drifter and you look like Tanner Foust?

 

[4-Ripcord]

New Tires!.. Finally!

Well I finally got new tires!

Same thing, 285/70-17 Duratrac D's

$1236 out the door, with $200 in rebates heading my way plus whatever I get for the old ones..

-----------------------------------------------

Next on the list is to Re-do my rear shock mounts, again.

My 5150s ride great, but they limit travel in each direction severely.

My plan is to get much longer shocks with longer travel range and make a new mount for them. Then I will employ the use of limit straps and extended bump stops. Not sure which ones yet, gonna be a while anyway.


Plan to find a setup like this:

And make shock mounts like these:

Got my new shocks installed

 

[spenedwrds]

That thing is so sexy!!

 

[ALBPM]

Bout time you put some new treads on the Beast....:hungry:

 

[DarkSideGTI]

What rebates are you getting? I just bought mine but am only aware of the $80 goodyear rebate.

 

[1985taylor1925]

Oh, and nice tires too

 

[downpour11]

View attachment 77167


Oh, and nice tires too

Lol you sure? looks like an older F-150....! :bigok:

Otherwise, those duratracs are looking sick on your truck Rip!!

 

[blcktpgsr]

Where'd you get the Duratracs again? just that a friend is looking for a spare and maybe I could point him out to a better source...thanks bud.

Second pic^ is sick too!

 

[1985taylor1925]

Lol you sure? looks like an older F-150....! :bigok:

Otherwise, those duratracs are looking sick on your truck Rip!!

I thought that too. BUT, look closely at the shape of the wheel wells



Edit: Sorry to cloud your thread Ripcord. Gotta have some fun ya know

 

[SCRunner12]

^It's a 2nd Gen Tacoma.

The tires look great Rip and I'm looking forward to what you come up with for your shock mounts.