4th gen 4runner lower links

4runner DOA

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I cheaped out and bought a link kit off eBay a couple years ago. Upon getting them they were basically Chinese total chaos ripoffs which was fine at the time. They worked fine for awhile until I r Ally started wheeling my rig and then I found out quickly how terrible they actually were.

To begin with I was never able to use the uppers because the sleeves were for a 19mm bolt. Stock 4th gen upper is a 17mm bolt so the diameter allowed for enough movement which created a clunk on braking and acceleration. Couple weeks of that and I tossed my stock uppers back on. Fine, whatever. The panhard and lower links both fit so I ran with it. To date I've bent the driver side lower link and panhard bar. So now I need both.

@AssBurns and I were talking while he was doing some work for me and he's got enough tubing to create some beef lowers for me. For the moment I tossed my stock panhard back on.

So here's the current measurements to go forward with the project.

61mm or 2.4" or 2 5/8" for the stock bushing/sleeve.

IMG_20181207_193113.jpg

The bolt is a 19mm bolt on both ends. 14mm or 1/4"

IMG_20181207_193137.jpg

Stock arm length from outside bolt to outside bolt is roughly 27 1/4"

IMG_20181207_193555.jpg

Now when we changed my mounts it lowered them so *I* I need it a little longer to put the axle back at stock length. Right now I'm just shy of 28"

IMG_20181207_203310.jpg
 

Brindybot

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I cheaped out and bought a link kit off eBay a couple years ago. Upon getting them they were basically Chinese total chaos ripoffs which was fine at the time. They worked fine for awhile until I r Ally started wheeling my rig and then I found out quickly how terrible they actually were.

To begin with I was never able to use the uppers because the sleeves were for a 19mm bolt. Stock 4th gen upper is a 17mm bolt so the diameter allowed for enough movement which created a clunk on braking and acceleration. Couple weeks of that and I tossed my stock uppers back on. Fine, whatever. The panhard and lower links both fit so I ran with it. To date I've bent the driver side lower link and panhard bar. So now I need both.

@AssBurns and I were talking while he was doing some work for me and he's got enough tubing to create some beef lowers for me. For the moment I tossed my stock panhard back on.

So here's the current measurements to go forward with the project.

61mm or 2.4" or 2 5/8" for the stock bushing/sleeve.

View attachment 2252

The bolt is a 19mm bolt on both ends. 14mm or 1/4"

View attachment 2253

Stock arm length from outside bolt to outside bolt is roughly 27 1/4"

View attachment 2254

Now when we changed my mounts it lowered them so *I* I need it a little longer to put the axle back at stock length. Right now I'm just shy of 28"

View attachment 2255
:popcorn2: I'm on the same project and rather make my own. What joints do you plan on using? I was looking in to Jonny joints cause of cost but also planned on reusing the one of the link ends with the factory bushing so one side is set and the other is adjustable. What's your current plan?
 

4runner DOA

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:popcorn2: I'm on the same project and rather make my own. What joints do you plan on using? I was looking in to Jonny joints cause of cost but also planned on reusing the one of the link ends with the factory bushing so one side is set and the other is adjustable. What's your current plan?

Not sure yet. @AssBurns Has a bunch of tubing left over from his 4 link project so we'll be using that for the links themselves. I definitely need at least one side adjustable because my frame mounts got moved down with the CaliFab mounts and stock length links put my axle too close to the rear doors. I expect we'll start out slightly longer to begin with. I've got heims in the current links, and they were trash after 3 years of abuse. Probably been trash the last 6-8 months but I haven't pulled my links in awhile so we didn't notice it until recently. I've always had noises from the rear so it was probably those, haha. More importantly, we have to find joints that fit stock width mounts. If I'd known we were going to dive into this project I would have bought the frame mounts slightly wider instead of keeping it stock width.
 

4runner DOA

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I'll be making lower and upper links and selling them as SRQ Racing Arms using Ballistic joints now that SRQ is a dealer of Ballistic. FYI

Forgot about Ballistic joints. Have their lead times gotten better? Didn't you and @AssBurns both have issues getting joints from them earlier this year?
 

AssBurns

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First of all. Replace the batteries in your damn digital caliper! I can't tell what the hell you are measuring because "61mm or 2.4" or 2 5/8???" 2-5/8 = 2.625"

"The bolt is a 19mm bolt on both ends. 14mm or 1/4" I'm assuming you are saying the bolt size is 14mm? but 1/4" isn't even close to 14mm. 9/16" is probably the closest to 14mm but still off enough to not be interchangeable. Also is the 19mm measurement the socket/wrench size?

Also, I like fucking with you :flipoff::flipoff::flipoff:
 

4runner DOA

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First of all. Replace the batteries in your damn digital caliper! I can't tell what the hell you are measuring because "61mm or 2.4" or 2 5/8???" 2-5/8 = 2.625"

"The bolt is a 19mm bolt on both ends. 14mm or 1/4" I'm assuming you are saying the bolt size is 14mm? but 1/4" isn't even close to 14mm. 9/16" is probably the closest to 14mm but still off enough to not be interchangeable. Also is the 19mm measurement the socket/wrench size?

Also, I like fucking with you :flipoff::flipoff::flipoff:

I'll ship you the fucking bolt and you can measure it yourself. Bolt end is 19mm socket, sorry. diameter is 14mm, look at the fucking pictures. :rofl: As for the 2 5/8" are you sure about that? Because I used a tape measure across the caliper to confirm that's what it was because I didn't feel like doing the math. Maybe I was drinking. I don't remember.
 

Brindybot

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Not sure yet. @AssBurns Has a bunch of tubing left over from his 4 link project so we'll be using that for the links themselves. I definitely need at least one side adjustable because my frame mounts got moved down with the CaliFab mounts and stock length links put my axle too close to the rear doors. I expect we'll start out slightly longer to begin with. I've got heims in the current links, and they were trash after 3 years of abuse. Probably been trash the last 6-8 months but I haven't pulled my links in awhile so we didn't notice it until recently. I've always had noises from the rear so it was probably those, haha. More importantly, we have to find joints that fit stock width mounts. If I'd known we were going to dive into this project I would have bought the frame mounts slightly wider instead of keeping it stock width.
Never thought about making the mounting tab bit bigger to fit a more common link end in there.
I'll be making lower and upper links and selling them as SRQ Racing Arms using Ballistic joints now that SRQ is a dealer of Ballistic. FYI

I work right next to Ballistic, cool place to visit. Last time I was there they had a whole stock of joints in the back room.
 

4runner DOA

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@AssBurns we need to get working on this while I'm "saving money" not working. I can't move my axle back any further and it's still not where it should be.

IMG_20190316_202859.jpg


IMG_20190317_132001.jpg
 

4runner DOA

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Don’t let me forget about this. I’ll look into what parts we need.

Definitely. I need to finish dialing in the rear and cutting for clearance. Wait until you see how much I'm limiting my up travel right now. Partly because of clearance and partly because I'm rubbing my flange on my gas skid.
 

AssBurns

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Are you able to fit a 2" diameter tube under your axle for the lower axle side mounts? I know the 4th gens mount the links behind/under the axle. just wanna make sure it will work.
 

4runner DOA

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Are you able to fit a 2" diameter tube under your axle for the lower axle side mounts? I know the 4th gens mount the links behind/under the axle. just wanna make sure it will work.

Hmm. It'll be close I think. I'll get the tape measure out shortly. Shock might be an issue too.

IMG_20190325_155247.jpg
 
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