Solo Motorsports stock length LCA's will soon be a thing!!!!

[MattJakobs]

We're counting on you for a full open box and install(ed) review!!

As far as I know, I’m the only person here and tacomaworld that will be running these. I’ll take lots of pictures, along with measurements, that can hopefully answer potential questions.

This is gonna be an expensive rabbit hole but I'm stoked for you.

Have you talked to them about pricing for there 4wd spindle and unibal LBJ/heim steering? I can't find it listed by itself but it is part of the extra options for there mid-travel suspension kit.

Who's uppers are you running now?

I haven’t talked to them about their spindles or LBJ/Heim steering yet. I know it’s the same lower for both and that’s all I cared about for the time being since that’s all I can afford right now.

Main reason I’m going for this kit is because I don’t want the added with of LT and I don’t need a solid axle.

Right now, I’m running AllPro UCAs.

 

[jkeith.w]

Did the give you an idea about lead time? (I asked and haven't gotten a response yet.)

 

[MattJakobs]

Did the give you an idea about lead time? (I asked and haven't gotten a response yet.)

They told me they had a few sets come from laser on Thursday. Then just welding them up and shipping them out. I’m hoping they ship sometime next week.

 

[jkeith.w]

updates? I forgot to ask, but I'm assuming you can re-use the existing coilover?

 

[MattJakobs]

updates? I forgot to ask, but I'm assuming you can re-use the existing coilover?

Spoke to them on Monday and they said they just got a few sets from laser and they were getting welded up within the next few days. Similar to what they said when I ordered them. They said they should shop at the end of the week but it’s Saturday and I didn’t get any shipping notifications. I’ve got my LCAs and LBJs pulled so my cars just sitting on jack stands. A little frustrating but hopefully they’ll get shipped this week.

Yes to existing coilover. I’m replacing LBJs and corresponding bolts, as well as alignment cams. Everything else is the same.

 

[sleepydad]

Spoke to them on Monday and they said they just got a few sets from laser and they were getting welded up within the next few days. Similar to what they said when I ordered them. They said they should shop at the end of the week but it’s Saturday and I didn’t get any shipping notifications. I’ve got my LCAs and LBJs pulled so my cars just sitting on jack stands. A little frustrating but hopefully they’ll get shipped this week.

Yes to existing coilover. I’m replacing LBJs and corresponding bolts, as well as alignment cams. Everything else is the same.

I’m also very interested in these. It seems like it’s the same story with a lot of small fab shops. They love to make stuff but the entire business part is an afterthought. Customer expectations based on statements I made? What is that about?

 

[MattJakobs]

I’m also very interested in these. It seems like it’s the same story with a lot of small fab shops. They love to make stuff but the entire business part is an afterthought. Customer expectations based on statements I made? What is that about?

To their defense, King of the Hammers is just starting and I’m sure they had a ton of fab work come in their door for people getting rigs ready. They’re a heavy Ford and Toyota shop that builds a lot more than just stock length LCAs so I’m sure I’m not their highest priority either. I don’t want to actually speak on their customer service to much since I haven’t even received the arms from them.

That being said, they have answered all my questions, answered all my calls, and even returned a call they did miss. I haven’t gotten a shipping notification, but that doesn’t mean they haven’t shipped either.

If I didn’t have another vehicle, I’d be in a rough spot right now since everything is already torn down. I’m just more anxious than anything to get these things in.

 

[sleepydad]

To their defense, King of the Hammers is just starting and I’m sure they had a ton of fab work come in their door for people getting rigs ready. They’re a heavy Ford and Toyota shop that builds a lot more than just stock length LCAs so I’m sure I’m not their highest priority either. I don’t want to actually speak on their customer service to much since I haven’t even received the arms from them.

That being said, they have answered all my questions, answered all my calls, and even returned a call they did miss. I haven’t gotten a shipping notification, but that doesn’t mean they haven’t shipped either.

If I didn’t have another vehicle, I’d be in a rough spot right now since everything is already torn down. I’m just more anxious than anything to get these things in.

any update?

please advise!

 

[MattJakobs]

any update?

please advise!

Shipped last week. Should be in Thursday. Will do a full write up of them when I get them installed. Hoping I get it done within a week of them being in. So expect not this weekend, but hopefully the following.

 

[Fern]

I’m also very interested in these. It seems like it’s the same story with a lot of small fab shops. They love to make stuff but the entire business part is an afterthought. Customer expectations based on statements I made? What is that about?

They've been around for years. I heard of them 15 years ago when I was bombing around the desert in a caged front to back, 20" of wheel travel Ford Ranger. They've been producing offroad suspension for Toyota's for over 20 years. No one stays in business that long if they
had "business as an afterthought" mentality.

 

[sleepydad]

They've been around for years. I heard of them 15 years ago when I was bombing around the desert in a caged front to back, 20" of wheel travel Ford Ranger. They've been producing offroad suspension for Toyota's for over 20 years. No one stays in business that long if they
had "business as an afterthought" mentality.

I realize that my statement may sound harsh. I'm not saying anything bad about solo.

I'm planning on ordering a set of lower and upper arms from these guys.

my comment is more of a fact about how small biz operates. usually they are very busy and seldom have time to make the transactions smooth/transparent like the evil empires like amazon. I just ordered a custom shower pan from USG and they said 10 biz days. it was on my doorstep on the 10th day, with a in process, completed, shipped and tracking email. it's all about my expectations and I have come to expect that level of service.

if your going to have a website and offer something for sale, but then have 30+ days of turnaround time? put all the facts in writing, install vid is a huge plus. do these control arms move the LBJ forward 1"? yes they do but that is not in the web site description... only in comments or on somebodies Instagram. give us a call? well... yes I did and it took 4 days to get a call back from you. the fact is small biz operates in a niche market where nobody else operates, so... service can be slow. that is why they exist there.

it's not that they are bad at custom fabrication, it's that they don't have the bandwidth to provide evil empire level service.

 

[Fern]

I realize that my statement may sound harsh. I'm not saying anything bad about solo.

I'm planning on ordering a set of lower and upper arms from these guys.

my comment is more of a fact about how small biz operates. usually they are very busy and seldom have time to make the transactions smooth/transparent like the evil empires like amazon. I just ordered a custom shower pan from USG and they said 10 biz days. it was on my doorstep on the 10th day, with a in process, completed, shipped and tracking email. it's all about my expectations and I have come to expect that level of service.

if your going to have a website and offer something for sale, but then have 30+ days of turnaround time? put all the facts in writing, install vid is a huge plus. do these control arms move the LBJ forward 1"? yes they do but that is not in the web site description... only in comments or on somebodies Instagram. give us a call? well... yes I did and it took 4 days to get a call back from you. the fact is small biz operates in a niche market where nobody else operates, so... service can be slow. that is why they exist there.

it's not that they are bad at custom fabrication, it's that they don't have the bandwidth to provide evil empire level service.

I agree with you 100%. A small business in a niche market will be lacking where large companies excel.

 

[jkeith.w]

I agree with you 100%. A small business in a niche market will be lacking where large companies excel.

Slow to return phone calls I can understand (I quit answering the phone at my day job; too much tire kicking and telemarketing for a one-man shop to be able to keep the doors open) - but having typos and arguably weak self-promotion on the specific product page is kinda sad.

Doesn't change my first opinion of the product though - very promising! - I'm happy they're one of the few companies paying attention to this market, TBH.

 

[jkeith.w]

Shipped last week. Should be in Thursday. Will do a full write up of them when I get them installed. Hoping I get it done within a week of them being in. So expect not this weekend, but hopefully the following.

Matt.. feed us.

 

[MattJakobs]

Matt.. feed us.

I know, I know...

I've been slammed with school. Test today and test Monday, studying has been taking up all my free time. And the weather has really sucked lately here. I should have some free time tomorrow and I aim to get at least one side done (probably passenger side since I don't have to mess with the steering rack as much). This is assuming the rain holds off. If not, Monday afternoon is in the mid 50s with no projected rain.

I have a feeling this install will take me longer than normal as I'm not one for taking pictures during installs and all that but I hope to be able to answer some questions with pictures so we'll see.

First impressions on these things are that they're beefy. The bushings are poly which I'm not a huge fan of but it looks like getting these out to service them will be easier than servicing an OEM bushing since there's no metal sleeve. And they probably won't last as long as OEM. But in my discussions with Solo, new bushings are around $60, same as a Whiteline poly bushing.

I opted for limit strap tabs, although I won't be using them right away. Their location is in a different location as pictured on Solo's website. Not a big deal.

The powdercoat is clean with no blems at all. The welds are pretty and look stout. The overall quality of them look solid.

I'll be running Superbumps and the directions on those are to install them to the rear of the LCA. Solo only has a mount on the front so I'm told to expect a limited uptravel. I'll still run the Superbumps for now and see how they go. The coilover is pulled so I can see how much room I have till bump.

Out of the box, I did a quick comparison of where the bottom of the coilover bolts to. It appears to be the same location as the OEM one. With the LBJ moved forward 1", I'm interested to see how the coilover (2.5" King) lines up with the CV (OEM with OEM boots. No stretched boot or anything like that).

If I don't get a chance to do one side tomorrow, I'll try and get some pictures in here.

Edit: I lied, I work Monday after my test. So expect pictures this weekend.

 

[MattJakobs]

As promised [MENTION=28464]eimkeith[/MENTION]

From Above
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/150884531@N04/32260157257/in/dateposted-public/" title="Solo 1"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7915/32260157257_b4e8d8dae5_b.jpg" width="1024" height="683" alt="Solo 1"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
From Below
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/150884531@N04/46478876554/in/dateposted-public/" title="Solo 2"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7866/46478876554_ba62603903_b.jpg" width="1024" height="683" alt="Solo 2"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Bushing and Sleeve
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/150884531@N04/46478877394/in/dateposted-public/" title="Solo 3"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7818/46478877394_f2d0872c8a_b.jpg" width="1024" height="683" alt="Solo 3"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
LBJ Location
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/150884531@N04/32260156657/in/dateposted-public/" title="Solo 4"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7824/32260156657_6ddc9548ae_b.jpg" width="1024" height="683" alt="Solo 4"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Shock Tabs
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/150884531@N04/46478877174/in/dateposted-public/" title="Solo 5"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7863/46478877174_8d9a16c0e9_b.jpg" width="1024" height="683" alt="Solo 5"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Limit Strap Tab
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/150884531@N04/47202297931/in/dateposted-public/" title="Solo 6"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7868/47202297931_bbfee012f6_b.jpg" width="1024" height="683" alt="Solo 6"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Pass Side Lined Up Bushings. You can see that the LBJ is noticeably forward. I left the LBJ on the stock arms just cause it was easier to pull them that way. With that, you can see that the LBJ is leaning on the stock arm's steering stop. This steering stop is removed on the Solo arms.
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/150884531@N04/46478876824/in/dateposted-public/" title="Solo 7"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7844/46478876824_eab2c27614_b.jpg" width="1024" height="683" alt="Solo 7"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Bushing's Lined Up. Driver side Solo arm and passenger side OEM arm. A noticeable shot of the LBJ location.
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/150884531@N04/47202297581/in/dateposted-public/" title="Solo 8"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7805/47202297581_8cd7d7682c_b.jpg" width="1024" height="683" alt="Solo 8"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
LBJ's Lined Up
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/150884531@N04/47202297001/in/dateposted-public/" title="Solo 9"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7844/47202297001_111ae6035d_b.jpg" width="1024" height="683" alt="Solo 9"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Will get the passenger side done hopefully Tuesday after class. Or Thursday. Or sometime. But passenger side shouldn't take more than 45 minutes hopefully since the steering rack isn't in the way so we'll see. Just super limited on time this week.

 

[HiluxSurf SSR-G]

Thanks for the pics!



got some questions:
1. What's the plate above the bolt hole for the bump stop?
2. Why only one bump stop bolt hole?
3. Where's the bracket for the stabilizer bar end link?


Thanks again!

 

[MattJakobs]

Thanks for the pics!



got some questions:
1. What's the plate above the bolt hole for the bump stop?
That plate is a strike pad for an air bump. I think Solo's idea for these LCAs are that the people that buy them will want to run nicer suspension set ups and air bumps are included with that. After I move and get settled in this summer, I'll be adding an air bump.
2. Why only one bump stop bolt hole?
I think something to do with the above answer, and they may not of had room. They have options for limit strap and sway bars. And the configuration of the arm changes with each. So my guess is lack of room but I don't know this for sure.
3. Where's the bracket for the stabilizer bar end link?
I don't run sway bars and have no plans to again so I opted out of having them include the mount.


Thanks again!

See above. A little hairy on number two.

 

[HiluxSurf SSR-G]

Keith,


Forgive my ignorance, but what would be the benefit(s) of moving the LBJ forward?


Thanks!

I got that confirmation by email as well just now. 1" forward. Very cool, thinking hard about this!

 

[jkeith.w]

Keith,


Forgive my ignorance, but what would be the benefit(s) of moving the LBJ forward?


Thanks!

Less interference with the firewall (and better approach angle) for larger tires - in conjunction with an SPC UCA, you're basically shifting the front suspension forward.