rochmpr
Senior Member
No additional supports underneath. With the addition of the piece I made, the thing is pretty solid now.
rochmpr Rev. 4 - Broke (Build) Thread
- Thread starter rochmpr
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No additional supports underneath. With the addition of the piece I made, the thing is pretty solid now.
rochmpr
Senior Member
Been wanting to do this for a bit. With the long travel rear suspension, I have noticed that the upper link hits the top of the gas tank on full drop-out. The only three options I can see to help reduce or eliminate this would be;
1) Install limit straps (which defeats the purpose of the LT set-up)
2) Have custom made upper links fabricated with an offset similar the lower links (still processing this option)
3) Adjust pinion angle of the rear axle up which hopefully may change the geometry enough to eliminate or minimize the contact. To due this, you need to have a Double Cardan driveshaft.
I went with option 3, but now I am thinking option 2 would have had similar costs and possibly have had a better outcome. I am now processing the offset links in my head.
Anyway, this weekend, I measured where the rear axle sits at standard ride height, then proceeded to remove the rear springs and upper links. I then slowly jacked up the pinion angle until it was pointing at the T-Case. Then I adjusted the upper links (approx 3/8") to accommodate this new axle position. Since I was at this point, I decided to grease all of the joints. That is when I used a few choice words. Greasing one the Johnny Joints put too much pressure on the inner bushings and the bushing started pushing out of the housing. Fortunately, I was able to disassemble the joint, clean it all up and reassemble and regrease. After this slight issue, I was able to re-install everything back in and install the new drive shaft.
Unfortunately, the upper link is still making contact with the tank in full droop, that is why I am thinking about custom offset upper links.
1) Install limit straps (which defeats the purpose of the LT set-up)
2) Have custom made upper links fabricated with an offset similar the lower links (still processing this option)
3) Adjust pinion angle of the rear axle up which hopefully may change the geometry enough to eliminate or minimize the contact. To due this, you need to have a Double Cardan driveshaft.
I went with option 3, but now I am thinking option 2 would have had similar costs and possibly have had a better outcome. I am now processing the offset links in my head.
Anyway, this weekend, I measured where the rear axle sits at standard ride height, then proceeded to remove the rear springs and upper links. I then slowly jacked up the pinion angle until it was pointing at the T-Case. Then I adjusted the upper links (approx 3/8") to accommodate this new axle position. Since I was at this point, I decided to grease all of the joints. That is when I used a few choice words. Greasing one the Johnny Joints put too much pressure on the inner bushings and the bushing started pushing out of the housing. Fortunately, I was able to disassemble the joint, clean it all up and reassemble and regrease. After this slight issue, I was able to re-install everything back in and install the new drive shaft.
Unfortunately, the upper link is still making contact with the tank in full droop, that is why I am thinking about custom offset upper links.
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JSparky
New member
Damn. Califab’s rears are offset, upper and lower. Their uppers use heims though which I’m not a huge fan of. If you do go with them, ask to have the uppers made to the exact length of your current ones. I have their “off the shelf” links for 5th gens and, with the double cardan rear, the uppers are completely maxed out. Ideally I’d have another inch so the heim shank was extended so far. Hope that helps.
rochmpr
Senior Member
Funny you should mention them. I have thought about contacting them, but seeing about getting the Johnny Joint instead of the heim joint. They are pretty close to me, so I hope to go by there one day and see what they can do.
JSparky
New member
I actually ordered my uppers specifying Johnny joints but the order got mixed up.. something about shank sizes not being the same and having to completely change the link. I just said forget it and kept them cause the design is really nice, it’s a quality link. I do despise heims though.
atchcraft
New member
I’m glad I saw this. I’m gett ready to fab my rear links. I’m offsetting the lower for sure, but wouldn’t have thought about the uppers. You happen to have snapped a pic of how they contacted would you?
rochmpr
Senior Member
[MENTION=145287]atchcraft[/MENTION]
Here you go. If the upper link was offset like the lower, it would gain more room and should eliminate the contact on the tank.
For reference, my upper link is about 12-1/2" eye to eye.
Feel free to make me a set while you're at it. [emoji23]
Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk
Here you go. If the upper link was offset like the lower, it would gain more room and should eliminate the contact on the tank.
For reference, my upper link is about 12-1/2" eye to eye.
Feel free to make me a set while you're at it. [emoji23]
Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk
Last edited:
rochmpr
Senior Member
Doing offset at both ends would be even better, especially since you can get DIY Johnny Joints and use one of these mid link for adjustment.
https://www.jegs.com/i/Allstar-Performance/049/ALL56197/10002/-1?CAWELAID=230006180000861334&CAGPSPN=pla&CAAGID=44693592161&CATCI=pla-208647220151&CATARGETID=230006180039217642&cadevice=t&jegspromo=nonbrand&gclid=CjwKCAjw1tDaBRAMEiwA0rYbSK0VEJRkqV_T08MasFYXK224yeqq4v6cWRj--vvahojiU-flVZVCpxoCLOAQAvD_BwE
https://www.jegs.com/i/Allstar-Performance/049/ALL56197/10002/-1?CAWELAID=230006180000861334&CAGPSPN=pla&CAAGID=44693592161&CATCI=pla-208647220151&CATARGETID=230006180039217642&cadevice=t&jegspromo=nonbrand&gclid=CjwKCAjw1tDaBRAMEiwA0rYbSK0VEJRkqV_T08MasFYXK224yeqq4v6cWRj--vvahojiU-flVZVCpxoCLOAQAvD_BwE
atchcraft
New member
That’s an excellent idea, thank you!
rochmpr
Senior Member
Today, I decided to get off work early and head up to the mountains as I have a lot of work to do, but, one really should go play real quick to get it out of the system. Headed down the hill to Sourgrass Trail. It's a short in and out trail. Took about 90 minutes total. Since it's Thursday, before the holiday weekend, I ran it solo and had the entire trail to myself. Not a sole out there.
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rochmpr
Senior Member
About a month ago, [MENTION=106195]v_man[/MENTION] and family happened to be staying at a cabin right near ours, so they stopped by and hung out for a few and had some cold beers. We talked about getting some wheeling in soon. Over the next couple of weeks, we had gone back and forth about what trails to run. Well, just a little over a week ago, the El Dorado Forest announced that Strawberry Pass Trail was officially open. According to a book and some other sites, 4X4Trail Maps, the trail was listed as difficult.
Sounded good, so we decided that would be the plan. I was able to get [MENTION=88231]having fun[/MENTION] to join in last minutes and [MENTION=106195]v_man[/MENTION] brought along someone else as well. We headed up 88 a little after 8:30 am and made it to the Caples Lake Maintenance Station just before 10 am and aired down and performed some dust control. We headed out to the trail and quickly can to a barricade across the trail with a closed sign. After some debate, we moved everything aside and proceeded through a little nervous. We would have called, but no cell reception. After maybe a quarter mile, we had reception and placed a call and it was confirmed the trail is open. We suck a ton of dust as we cruised along with no real obstacles. Made a couple side treks, but nothing notable. About 10 miles or so is, we can across the first real obstacle. Not much so a challenge except for Drew, but eventually he made it without a tug. Down a little further, there was a tight spot and I came down too hard on the rear bumper and exploded the tail light. We made it down to pavement and stopped by a stream for lunch at about 2 pm. From there, home bound.
As for the trail, honestly, I would say it does not rate as difficult. Only one spot was challenging, at best, for Drew in his 3rd Gen slightly modified 4Runner, and he did make it through after some rock stacking and use of the skinny pedal. Most of the trail was just a dusty forest service road.
This is the "Difficult" spot
Sounded good, so we decided that would be the plan. I was able to get [MENTION=88231]having fun[/MENTION] to join in last minutes and [MENTION=106195]v_man[/MENTION] brought along someone else as well. We headed up 88 a little after 8:30 am and made it to the Caples Lake Maintenance Station just before 10 am and aired down and performed some dust control. We headed out to the trail and quickly can to a barricade across the trail with a closed sign. After some debate, we moved everything aside and proceeded through a little nervous. We would have called, but no cell reception. After maybe a quarter mile, we had reception and placed a call and it was confirmed the trail is open. We suck a ton of dust as we cruised along with no real obstacles. Made a couple side treks, but nothing notable. About 10 miles or so is, we can across the first real obstacle. Not much so a challenge except for Drew, but eventually he made it without a tug. Down a little further, there was a tight spot and I came down too hard on the rear bumper and exploded the tail light. We made it down to pavement and stopped by a stream for lunch at about 2 pm. From there, home bound.
As for the trail, honestly, I would say it does not rate as difficult. Only one spot was challenging, at best, for Drew in his 3rd Gen slightly modified 4Runner, and he did make it through after some rock stacking and use of the skinny pedal. Most of the trail was just a dusty forest service road.
This is the "Difficult" spot
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shrub1
Member
Had to say good bye to my best co-pilot today. Hopefully she is always looking out on my next adventure.
Our good byes.
Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk
Been there recently myself brother. My heart goes out to you.
MTN4RNR
New member
Had to say good bye to my best co-pilot today. Hopefully she is always looking out on my next adventure.
Our good byes.
Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk
Sorry to hear that, Krister. My best to you and yours.
rochmpr
Senior Member
Spent the weekend at the cabin preparing for winter and sealing the driveway. Directions call for the ambient temperature to be above 50°F. Well, it's fall and that wasn't going to happen until about 11 am. I get up early, so I figured I had plenty of time to kill, so might as well hit the trail. Slick Rock Trail is a short 30 minute drive and only take about 2 hours to run, so I thought this would be good. Plus this spring, the trail's official by-pass was opened and I was looking forward to going through this. I arrived at the West trail head about 7 am and aired down. From here, I went into the trail. The first bit has some fun stuff and was quickly beating some rocks into submission. Most of the trail, while challenging, use of sliders, armor and the occasional rear bumper tap happened, but no issues. Then I mad it to the first real hiccup. It's tight S bend with a huge boulder on the drivers side, a rock wall on the passenger side and a huge rock in the middle that is unavoidable. Had to wiggle the ass end around over several attempts and with some 3-wheel action and the ARB assist, I finally made it around. After that, a few other tight spots and some more liberal application of powder coating on granite and I was finally at the by-pass and a few hundred short feet from the end of the trail. I got out and walked up the by-pass, all the way to the top and said a few expletives out loud. I walked up and down the by-pass looking for a line, cursed a little more and tucked my tail between my legs and headed back from where I came.
The by-pass had been severely tore up by large tired, solid axled, locked rigs. There were large boulders strewn everywhere. By large, I mean 30" was small. Not to mention all of the loos dirt and the steep climb.
To me, it was not worth it to get stuck or break or both, especially since I was alone. Should have taken some pictures of this, but I was too busy looking at lines and cursing.
Made it back out and to the cabin by 11 am, just in time to get to work.
The by-pass had been severely tore up by large tired, solid axled, locked rigs. There were large boulders strewn everywhere. By large, I mean 30" was small. Not to mention all of the loos dirt and the steep climb.
To me, it was not worth it to get stuck or break or both, especially since I was alone. Should have taken some pictures of this, but I was too busy looking at lines and cursing.
Made it back out and to the cabin by 11 am, just in time to get to work.
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rochmpr
Senior Member
I have run it a few times, so I knew what I was in for. Wasn't expecting a couple of the obstacles to be as difficult as they were, like the one I was getting held up on. Other than that and apparently the new by-pass, it's not too bad.
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