TC or Toytec Complete Links Question

[RunnerLimited]

I have a set of adjustable upper and lower links from a company that used to be called the Toy outfitters. They are now Hardline Fabrication Services. The use Currie Johnny Joints instead of heims. Same amount of flex way less noise. Had them for about 4years now and have no complaints HFS Suspension Links | Hardline Fabrication Services

Gave them a shout and apparently they don't make them anymore! dangit I guess im stuck with the other 2 I would go for SS but they are not adjustable

 

[MojaveMadMan]

Hey guys,

I really didn't want to start up a new thread about this but I searched google and this whole forum for days about these 2 kits. I found a bit but really didn't find any good reviews or detailed write-ups about the kits. I am not mechanically Inclined, I do the usual oil, differential changes and basic maintenance but when it comes to taking apart a car I have to take it to a shop. So question is which of the kits are better, maintenance wise and use wise. I would like to get the most use of it and the less I have to maintain it the better

*NEW* Complete Rear Adjustable DOM Link Kit

Im gearing towards this kit, first of because it is half the price of total chaos kit and toytec has a discount code right now. But what my question is why are they including the drop bracket as well? wouldn't the adj. pan hard bar be sufficient enough, what's the benefit of installing the pan bar and drop bracket together?

TOTAL CHAOS FABRICATION

This the total chaos, once again I don't know anything between the 2 and I do the occasional easy to medium trails on the weekends.

For the adjustable LCA and UCA wouldn't stock length be good enough, whats the benefit of extending either one of the two

So question is which of the kits are better, maintenance wise and use wise. I would like to get the most use of it and the less I have to maintain it the better For maintenance concerns you need to avoid both of these kits. Hiems are maintenance heavy. They need to be replaced annually if you want them to stay quite and not get lose. Even the best ones, they may stay quite for longer but it is a plastic or kevlar race that the ball sits on they they wear out. As far as installation, I am confident you can do it if you have some 1/2" drive tools and good jack stands, etc. It is still a time consuming thing though, even if you have done it a few times. So if you don't want to do all that I would shy away from a heim joint version. There are some companies that make heim style bushings, but they are not a direct replacement for a heim, they are different lengths and diameters and may cause you problems if you try to incorporate them into a link set that is not designed for them.

Im gearing towards this kit, first of because it is half the price of total chaos kit and toytec has a discount code right now. The TC kit is much more expensive because it is made from chromoly (carbon steel) which is substantially stronger. The trail gear kit is made from seamless mild steel which is good enough for an occasional trail trip, heck our stock arms are mild steel and have a seam... So just understand that when you buy TC you are getting something that is significantly stronger material, which is also like $20 a foot more in cost as well... Is it worth it if you don't do a lot of hard core stuff, probably not for you, but it's not more expensive just for funs sake.

But what my question is why are they including the drop bracket as well? wouldn't the adj. pan hard bar be sufficient enough, what's the benefit of installing the pan bar and drop bracket together? Both of these products do two separate things. The adjustable pan hard allows you to move the axle left or right depending on your personal needs. This allows for better alignment as the axle is centered perfectly. It does not however fix the change in suspension geometry like the drop does. The drop flattens out the pan hard bar allowing the axle to stay more centered under the vehicle as your wheels go down. Here is a super quick crapping drawing showing it.



So the red is the pan hard, the blue is the drop, and the green is to show you how much it moves as the suspension goes down. I know it's a ruff picture and not to scale, but it show how much of an impact it can make. But remember these are two separate things, so just because you drop the pan hard down, doesn't mean your axle will be centered, that is why a combination of both gets you the best results.

For you I would like to suggest you buy these. They are from a forum member which is great to support our community. He also offers full poly style bushings which means you don't have to replace the joint's nearly as much, no more than stock. For you I would suggest adjustable UCA and fixed LCA, and the adjustable pan hard bar. This will allow you to get perfect pinion angle (which you can have a good alignment shop sort out for you) and it will work for you down the road if you lift higher or whatever you need. Plus these are very quality and you will enjoy them. I know he is out on a long multi month hike, but worth the wait to get a best fit for you!
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/sale-t4r-items/181163-group-buy-rear-control-arms-3rd-4th-5th-gen.html

Not trying to thread Jack, but this is good info.
with that being, are adjustable uca and lca even necessary? I have super flex coils sitting in the garage now and I know I will need a drop bracket and even considered making my own adjustable pan hard since I have the tools to do that. I've been back and forth on weather just leaving my arms stock. Replacing the bushings. Or trying to fab 4 new arms.
Do a lot of guys just run stock arms In the rear?

UCA's are worth it but not something you need to rush out and do. If you have any sort of lift you have now moved your drive line out of the stock config. While you can drive like this and not get any shakes, rattles, or big issues, it will eventually wear your joints faster. And for those that have a 4" or more lift it is a great idea to get your pinon angle fixed because at that height it can cause some vibrations and other wear problems because you are fairly out of spec. Adjustable LCA's are not necessary for most folks, but there are a couple of us that are freaks and want to make things a certain way. 99% wouldn't notice the difference and there is no big benefit or much worth arguing about. I will say the stock LCA's are rather weak and it is absolutely worth replacing with stock length high strength ones. You can find a lot of people on here who have bent theirs on the trail...

 

[white rocket]

I have the Toytec rear link kit with drop bracket. As others have mentioned it gives more adjustability to the rear axle in terms of alignment. Mine are a bit noisy but to be expected with spherical end links and I just grease the shit outta the grease points. We were able to play around with them at the alignment shop but with only a 3" lift I felt it didn't really offer anything ground breaking over just getting the drop bracket itself and leaving the arms stock.

Is it worth it? I'd say no but I was doing everything at once and just said F-it, i'll try it. If I were doing it again I'd just get the drop bracket and spend money elsewhere. Just my $0.02