Upper & Lower Link Mount Reinforcement! (ULR & LLS)

[jkeith.w]

Hey guys, I started some ads on IG for the 3rd Gen LLS and realized I hadn't formally announced it here yet!


As you know, most of my stuff is born right here on T4R, because of you guys; after [MENTION=135317]rkntoy[/MENTION] folded over his frame side lower link mount (read about it here) I looked into existing products and didn't really see anything that actually reinforced the factory mount and acted as a skid to lift the mount up and over rocks, so I made something to do both:

super easy install; just slide it over the mount, reinsert the factory pivot bolt, swing the LLS up into position against the frame, and weld it on.

(please excuse the HUGE weld seams on the prototype pictured here - the production version is shown directly below)


[MENTION=143526]theesotericone[/MENTION] was the first install, and it went well - without dropping the tank:

and just last week, [MENTION=146407]Plastics guy[/MENTION] joined the club:

(awesome shot)



needless to say, I'm pretty stoked about these - if you're planning to wheel with stock links (or beefy links in the stock configuration), these may save you a lot of headache!

If any of you guys install them, please send me pics!

EDIT: Upper Link Mount Reinforcement is a go as well - click here to order the ULR!

 

[Twan]

Dang, that blows the coverage of the Lotus RCAM skids I have out of the water.

 

[jkeith.w]

Dang, that blows the coverage of the Lotus RCAM skids I have out of the water.

Lotus is definitely an easier install, but since I know that a lot of you guys wheel hard, something beefier was in order...

 

[kolelt]

Very nice.

 

[Plastics guy]

Dang, that blows the coverage of the Lotus RCAM skids I have out of the water.

Couldn't agree more about the better coverage than the Lotus skid. They are also way thicker and have huge advantages over Lotus like welding to the frame AND lower link mounting tabs which really strengthens the entire area significantly. I have seen the entire OEM mount twist/bend. I never understood the purpose of Lotus bolt on skids... they just wrap around a weak point. Keiths LLS reinforce and improve the Toyota lower link tabs and with the obviously better approach angle there is no chance of the lower link mounts catching a rock or hanging up on anything.

As usual the cuts/angles/bends are all PERFECT and the fit was tight as can be. There is nothing better, I would have paid double (seriously)

Lotus is definitely an easier install, but since I know that a lot of you guys wheel hard, something beefier was in order...

Come on Keith!!! Easier install???.... I suppose your correct about that, BUT if we were looking for whats the easiest install why not wrap the factory lower links in some Aluminum Foil? It would serve the same purpose and be just as good as everything else that's been on the market and cheaper to boot!

Weld her up!!!

 

[jkeith.w]

hahahaha. you're hilarious. and thank you!

 

[rkntoy]

Quick kit for the axle side upper mount?

I know I could do my own, but yours are prettier.

 

[96RedRunner]

Something else you come up with gotta have on mall crawler.
Good design for sure.

 

[theesotericone]

Quick kit for the axle side upper mount?

I know I could do my own, but yours are prettier.

I'm pretty sure the uppers are fine as long as you don't bend a lower like a pretzel. I'm the only one I know of that's twisted an upper. With beefier links and [MENTION=28464]eimkeith[/MENTION] LLS I don't think the uppers will ever give.

I did get a chance to test out the LLS and my new Metal Tech lowers on Saturday. The did just fine.

I also tested out my Savage skids. Still not bent. lol

 

[kolelt]

Awesome photos. Everything good in the last photo ?

 

[theesotericone]

Awesome photos. Everything good in the last photo ?

Yep. Other than the fact that I couldn't move in reverse or forward. Turns out that that angle is to steep for the trans to keep working. As soon as it leveled out I drove off no problem. lol

I've never really given much thought about where the trans pump pickup line is until that moment. As soon as I couldn't move my first thought was I busted the linkage. That looked fine so I got a tug out of that trap. Then the rig drove fine the rest of the trip.

 

[Rockdawg84]

Yep. Other than the fact that I couldn't move in reverse or forward. Turns out that that angle is to steep for the trans to keep working. As soon as it leveled out I drove off no problem. lol

I've never really given much thought about where the trans pump pickup line is until that moment. As soon as I couldn't move my first thought was I busted the linkage. That looked fine so I got a tug out of that trap. Then the rig drove fine the rest of the trip.

5speed dual cases rule!!:lookout::banana: LOL



also, I really need a set of these. Awesome work as always [MENTION=28464]eimkeith[/MENTION]

 

[jkeith.w]

Quick kit for the axle side upper mount?

I know I could do my own, but yours are prettier.

Abracadabra:

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[jkeith.w]

I'm pretty sure the uppers are fine as long as you don't bend a lower like a pretzel. I'm the only one I know of that's twisted an upper. With beefier links and [MENTION=28464]eimkeith[/MENTION] LLS I don't think the uppers will ever give.

Dunno; someone sent me these photos yesterday:

There really isn't room for big joints in the mounts, so they get a lot of additional loading when the joint contacts the mount during articulation. The reinforcements above allow the upper to be cut away to clear properly.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[96RedRunner]

....Abracadabra:....

How far along are you with upper link mount?
Have Axle build going on right now be perfect timing to add them.

 

[jkeith.w]

How far along are you with upper link mount?
Have Axle build going on right now be perfect timing to add them.

Just need to sell a few things to go into production with them; between the LLS, rear bumper, and another product I'm finishing up I've got a lot tied up in prototypes at the moment.
Once I order the run of parts it's typically 3-4 weeks turnaround time.

 

[jkeith.w]

truck is hot, Matt. looks great.

 

[96RedRunner]

What ya got for sale may can help out, you think 6-8 weeks maybe?
What can you show of bumper proto haven't heard of it, looking for one.

 

[jkeith.w]

What ya got for sale may can help out, you think 6-8 weeks maybe?
What can you show of bumper proto haven't heard of it, looking for one.

Well, I have these LLSs.. lol.

Let me knock the dust off of that axle-side reinforcement file tonight and send it out for quoting and we'll see what's up.

 

[96RedRunner]

Well, I have these LLSs.. lol.

Let me knock the dust off of that axle-side reinforcement file tonight and send it out for quoting and we'll see what's up.

Ha I thought you had something good to sell like Xfer case, boat, guns.
Can't do paypal on computer I'm on, tonight will make it happen.