RockAuto AAE new steering rack

[the great him]

i say do it if you have them, i mean you will have to basically pull the rack to install the LCA bushings(cause the cam/bolts are long enough that the rack is in the way), so may as well do it now while the rack is out. its not hard, just time consuming

 

[shouldbeasy]

so i have the safari rack, and it came in a big rectangle box, stapled at both ends, inside was a sheet of cardboard that looks very much like what you have there, only yours has a lot more shrink wrap around it, and shiny silvery clamps on the boots, where mine has just black or dark clamps on the boots... leads me to believe that the safari rack has the brass bushings and the rockauto only has the facotry OE nylon bushings. again this is just a theory and sense i have not seen a rockauto rack in persona nor have i seen the guts of the two side by side i can not be for sure, and i only speculate. if how ever they both are the exsact same rack i will be remorseful that i spent $250 more for two sticker...

So basically you're speculation is based on the colour of the clamps on the outside of the rack?

Oh, and more shrink wrap too...

 

[the great him]

So basically you're speculation is based on the colour of the clamps on the outside of the rack?

Oh, and more shrink wrap too...

That, and the fact that safari area that they put brass bushings in their racks, and rock auto says or claims nothing other than a new rack... So you take that and put that with the fact the the box appeared to have been repackaged and the rack has different clamps on the boots(something you'd have to remove to access the bushings) then yes logically with the evidence presented thus far, and having no reason to doubt anyones(companys) claims....


Plus it helps me.sleep at night when I spent $500 on my rack.

 

[threadlessclimber]

Someone should get on the horn to Atlantic Automotive Engineering or safari--I would but I'm a casual reader. My runner's rack doesn't need any augmentation.

 

[PitbullRescuer]

I'll bet someone a rack that [MENTION=49442]thekid[/MENTION] is correct.

 

[the great him]

Someone should get on the horn to Atlantic Automotive Engineering or safari--I would but I'm a casual reader. My runner's rack doesn't need any augmentation.

i have talked with the guys at safari, hey stated that their rack has the upgraded brass bushings as apposed to the standard nylon bushings.

 

[afg10000]

Didn't mean to start any poop storms. I do want to make clear that all of this on my end is to fix the 4Runner I bought for my wife. It is intended to be stock (other than the TBU). I just want it safe and secure before we sell her Acura and I hand her the keys. I also want this done cheap as possible without cutting corners. No less research/parts would be done on my 4Runner.

i have talked with the guys at safari, hey stated that their rack has the upgraded brass bushings as apposed to the standard nylon bushings.

Hey, the kid, Don't mean to sound like a yahoo, but which bushings are you talking about?

 

[jmildoc]

So there is still no sound evidence that the AAE rack is the same as a Safari rack. Come on guys lets do some market research and figure this out.

 

[shouldbeasy]

That, and the fact that safari area that they put brass bushings in their racks, and rock auto says or claims nothing other than a new rack... So you take that and put that with the fact the the box appeared to have been repackaged and the rack has different clamps on the boots(something you'd have to remove to access the bushings) then yes logically with the evidence presented thus far, and having no reason to doubt anyones(companys) claims....


Plus it helps me.sleep at night when I spent $500 on my rack.

Sound logic. I'll buy it so you can sleep tonight.

 

[the great him]

[MENTION=88079]afg10000[/MENTION] the bushings I am referring to, the bushings inside the rack, where the inner tie rods inside the rack. It requires disassembly of the rack.

Imo if You are trying to go back to stock with only minor upgrades for improvements and safety, just stick with the RockAuto rack. The nylon bushing should last at least 200k mi with day to day commuting and driving. I only upgraded because I have a lift, bigger tires(plan on going to 35s), do a lot of off road driving and put larger than normal loads on my steering and suspension. If you don't plan on wheeling the truck -and I'm not talking back roads trips to go camping or a Saturday/Sunday exploring day trip, I mean off roading then I honestly see no need to the safari rack.

 

[jmildoc]

and why would a company disassemble a rack only to replace bushings with brass ones?

 

[the great him]

and why would a company disassemble a rack only to replace bushings with brass ones?

Because the brass bushing are much stronger and more durable... And safari is a shop that gears most of its work towards overlanders, and 4wheelers ect. They know the nylon bushings wont hold up to the loads and abuse of off roading.

 

[jmildoc]

Because the brass bushing are much stronger and more durable... And safari is a shop that gears most of its work towards overlanders, and 4wheelers ect. They know the nylon bushings wont hold up to the loads and abuse of off roading.

I guess I said it wrong. If we are saying that AAE manufactures the racks for safari wouldn't the AAE rack be the same as safari?

 

[01thunder]

so are these things made in china and packaged in US? that is the way i read it.

 

[the great him]

I guess I said it wrong. If we are saying that AAE manufactures the racks for safari wouldn't the AAE rack be the same as safari?

Not necessarily, AAE could make a rack specifically for safari(only) and be the ones to instal the bushing when they make the rack initially, and sell that rack only to safari under contract. And sell the other standard rack(nylon bushings) to anyone else ie rockauto. Or they could only make the one rack that they sell to everyone -nylon bushings, and then safari takes and upgrades the bushings once they get the rack. Or AAE makes only one rack, and it already has brass bushings and rockauto just sells it super cheap, compared to safari... But if the last was the case, I'm sure safari would soon drop their price on their racks as they would probably not sell very many. I'm going with either options one or two.

 

[jmildoc]

I think I will go with the rock auto rack. I would be happy to check the bushings if it were something fairly easy to do so everyone could know.

 

[Jasonredwood]

Getting close to buying a new rack either from Safari-ltd or AAE. CANT DECIDE:ranger:

Having a hard trying to the prices for AAE. Created an account but it wont let me log in...

 

[ReconCmdr]

Did you ever order the AAE and take it apart to find out?

 

[afg10000]

Got the AAE rack installed last week. Everything seems great. Swapped the mount bushings out with polys. Only snag we ran into is Toyota doesn't send new tie-rod adjustment bolts with their new outer tie rods. That cost me a few days having to order some from the dealer. Haven't really drove the truck much yet (needs alignment). I'll keep ya'll posted if I experience any issues with the rack.

 

[the great him]

Well my safari ltd rack came with the adjustment bolts... And everything needed to install with new outter tie rods... So I guess there are not the same rack...