Suspension Dilema

[RG79]

I'm currently in the process of upgrading the suspension on my 2011 SR5. I already ordered Icon Ex Travel Coil-overs with the CDC valve along with Icon Omega Bypasses & SAW coils for the rear.

I'm trying to decide if I should order just the Icon tubular arms or if I should just bite the bullet and get the Total Chaos Heimed UCA's and Rear link kit.

Some people tell me the stock rear links are tuff and it's a waste of money to get the Rear links.

I also notice on TC website that these links will also allow for 1.5" more of droop travel.

Please tell me what you guys think. The TC option is expensive and thus my hesitation to pull the trigger. Thanks

 

[jbstrd]

I'm currently in the process of upgrading the suspension on my 2011 SR5. I already ordered Icon Ex Travel Coil-overs with the CDC valve along with Icon Omega Bypasses & SAW coils for the rear.

I'm trying to decide if I should order just the Icon tubular arms or if I should just bite the bullet and get the Total Chaos Heimed UCA's and Rear link kit.

Some people tell me the stock rear links are tuff and it's a waste of money to get the Rear links.

I also notice on TC website that these links will also allow for 1.5" more of droop travel.

Please tell me what you guys think. The TC option is expensive and thus my hesitation to pull the trigger. Thanks

Metal Tech has the TC UCA's for $599. Not sure if they are the heimed ones or not.

Not sure who told you the factory links are tough, but they don't know what they are talking about. Rear lower links like the Metal Tech and TC ones are a night and day upgrade over stock and they both allow for additional down travel due to the offset mounts. Metal Tech has all of their Long Travel stuff on sale right now.

 

[RG79]

Metal Tech has the TC UCA's for $599. Not sure if they are the heimed ones or not.

Not sure who told you the factory links are tough, but they don't know what they are talking about. Rear lower links like the Metal Tech and TC ones are a night and day upgrade over stock and they both allow for additional down travel due to the offset mounts. Metal Tech has all of their Long Travel stuff on sale right now.

The guy that went over this with me owns a reputable shop here in SD and said he has chased several baja 1000/500 with his T4R and has yet to have any issues with his OE rear links.

The metal Tech's look like a good option as well. I noticed that toytec has a version of rear links also.

Thanks for the reply.

 

[jbstrd]

The guy that went over this with me owns a reputable shop here in SD and said he has chased several baja 1000/500 with his T4R and has yet to have any issues with his OE rear links.

The metal Tech's look like a good option as well. I noticed that toytec has a version of rear links also.

Thanks for the reply.

I guess it really boils down to what you will use it for. If you knock the factory links on a rock with even mild pressure, there is a good chance they will bend. This will then make your rear axle out of alignment. The MT links are made of .250 wall tubing. You wouldn't be able to bend them unless you dropped with very significant force. Even then they would probably stay straight.

 

[RG79]

I guess it really boils down to what you will use it for. If you knock the factory links on a rock with even mild pressure, there is a good chance they will bend. This will then make your rear axle out of alignment. The MT links are made of .250 wall tubing. You wouldn't be able to bend them unless you dropped with very significant force. Even then they would probably stay straight.

I noticed that Metal Tech sells there links separate. Do you think the upper links are even necessary? I also read in an earlier post by MT that the factory panhard bar is strong and not necessary to replace.

I guess what I'm trying to figure out is would it be a solid set up to just replace the lower links and run them with my SAW coils along with the Icon Omegas???

 

[mikey's2010SR5]

You can always run the factory links until you bend one. Then upgrade to the ones you want.

For the uppers...if you want to get the most articulation then yes. The Johnny joints or heims will allow for more flex over the stock rubber bushings.

I am running full Metal Tech links minus the panhard bar. The links are strong and have taken some hits on rocks and just brushed them off. They are Johnny Joints on one end then a bushing on the other.

On a side note, how you like the 295/70x17 tire size? Deciding between those and 285/75x17 in the Trail Grapplers myself.

 

[RG79]

On a side note, how you like the 295/70x17 tire size? Deciding between those and 285/75x17 in the Trail Grapplers myself.

I like the Nitto's quite a bit I've always been a BFG guy but when they didnt make them in the size I wanted I switched to the NIttos.

I feel this size (295-70-17) is a great size for our trucks. I was able to fit them with minor trimming and I'm only running 5100's for now. I've done all sorts of wheeling and dont have any rubbing issues.

Keep in mind you might have some rubbing due to the different wheel offset and might have to due a body mount chop.

Once I install the Icons and rear springs I'm also adding wheel spacers I know I will need to do a body mount chop at that time.

 

[mikey's2010SR5]

I like the Nitto's quite a bit I've always been a BFG guy but when they didnt make them in the size I wanted I switched to the NIttos.

I feel this size (295-70-17) is a great size for our trucks. I was able to fit them with minor trimming and I'm only running 5100's for now. I've done all sorts of wheeling and dont have any rubbing issues.

Keep in mind you might have some rubbing due to the different wheel offset and might have to due a body mount chop.

Once I install the Icons and rear springs I'm also adding wheel spacers I know I will need to do a body mount chop at that time.

What back spacing are you running?

And yeah i figured the body mount needs to get cut and the_josh has stated he could do it for me. Probably have to do a little hammering to get the 285/75x17 to fit. Time will tell.

 

[RG79]

What back spacing are you running?

And yeah i figured the body mount needs to get cut and the_josh has stated he could do it for me. Probably have to do a little hammering to get the 285/75x17 to fit. Time will tell.

I'm running TRD wheels I believe they have slighltly less back spacing then factory. Very close to OE wheels, thats why I want to run wheel spacers. so I can push em out a little further..