Please Read if you have installed a 3rd Gen PanHard/Trac Bar drop bracket

sschaefer3 · 08-17-2004, 09:44 AM

If you have installed a Sonoran Steel Fabrication L.L.C. drop bracket or a clone from copying photos or the old drawings that have long since disappeared.

Did you install the 45-degree supports? By adding the 2 sticks of 12" steel the size of the shipping box and shipping cost greatly increases over a box for a 4.5" bracket. Also in the last 9 months the cost of steel has greatly increased, but I have not increased my pricing.

I know that just the bracket welded on my a Professional Welder is more than strong enough, I added the 45 degree support so it would look just like the 2nd Gen bracketry which is much longer than the 3rd Gen. Basically the dropped 3rd Gen looks just like a stock 2nd Gen.

Please vote in the poll only if you have the part INSTALLED on your 4Runner.

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**waskillywabbit** · 08-17-2004, 09:46 AM

I didn't add the additional bracing as the bracket itself is MORE than sufficiently attached to take the load.

sschaefer3 · 08-17-2004, 09:49 AM

Basically the point of this is to determine if I should continue to include the 12" steel bar stock. Which the installer must still cut to fit his install.

I would actually prefer NOT to include it anymore.

rixham · 08-17-2004, 10:37 AM

Steve - I installed it cause it was there and it looked cool. It really is not needed IMHO. I say leave it out. It would be cheaper for some one to source it locally than to have you ship it out to them anyway. Just my $.02

Phisherman · 08-17-2004, 10:44 AM

I say no as well. I honestly didn't have a clue what it was for! I just bolted it on at first. It then broke on a trail and popped the whole way home. I had it welded the next day and it's been great ever since. I say leave out the 12" steel.

Gadget · 08-17-2004, 12:13 PM

I did not install the braces. The welds were top notch and that sucker is not going anywhere. I also have a bolt going through the top original hole so even if the welds fail it will not separate from the truck.

Gadget

sschaefer3 · 08-17-2004, 02:12 PM

Bump, so it's not burried

Nitro Hotpants · 08-17-2004, 05:24 PM

You wleded them in there for me, i didnt have much of a choice

nightsurfride · 08-17-2004, 06:03 PM

I fabbed a bracket simular to yours on my 3rd gen, but mine extends further up the original bracket. I used a top bolt above the lower bracket to bracket bolt and steel sleeves/ bushings in between the old bracket where the bolts go through. No welding or extra suports needed. So far it has held nicely on and off road.

nightsurfride · 08-17-2004, 06:14 PM

Here is a pic. during the install.

sschaefer3 · 08-17-2004, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nitro Hotpants

You wleded them in there for me, i didnt have much of a choice

That's right, you HAD to get them.

View Poll Results: Did you install the two 45 degree supports?
No, the welder man said it was more than strong enough.	7	53.85%
Yes, I wanted it to look just like a factory 2nd Gen and like the extra braceing.	6	46.15%
Voters: 13. You may not vote on this poll

08-17-2004, 09:46 AM	#2 (permalink)
waskillywabbit Super Moderator-Sponsoring Member Staff Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Tuscaloosa, AL Posts: 14,546	No I didn't add the additional bracing as the bracket itself is MORE than sufficiently attached to take the load. __________________ WabFab Off-Road, LLC MySpace Twitter Facebook 7th Annual South East 4Runner Jamboree, 2010 The toughest part of a Jeep is the chick driving it. WabFab Off-Road 4th Anniversary Sale

08-17-2004, 09:49 AM	#3 (permalink)
sschaefer3 Contributing Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Tempe, Arizona Posts: 5,494	Basically the point of this is to determine if I should continue to include the 12" steel bar stock. Which the installer must still cut to fit his install. I would actually prefer NOT to include it anymore. __________________ Steve Schaefer *WWW.SonoranSteel.Com* Suspension Lift Kits * Rock Sliders * Straight Axle Conversions * 4Runner/FJC Rubicon Express Lower Links * Accessories * Daystar Products Dealer * TJM Bull Bar Dealer * Deaver Leaf Spring Dealer * Tokico & Bilstein Shock Dealer * ViAir Dealer * Total Chaos Dealer * TOYTEC Dealer * and like everyone else a Trail Gear Dealer

08-17-2004, 10:37 AM	#4 (permalink)
rixham Contributing Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Tulsa, OK Posts: 413	Steve - I installed it cause it was there and it looked cool. It really is not needed IMHO. I say leave it out. It would be cheaper for some one to source it locally than to have you ship it out to them anyway. Just my $.02 __________________ Robert 2000 S/C 4Runner Highlander 4x4 5-Speed w/DIFF lock

08-17-2004, 10:44 AM	#5 (permalink)
Phisherman Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 366	I say no as well. I honestly didn't have a clue what it was for! I just bolted it on at first. It then broke on a trail and popped the whole way home. I had it welded the next day and it's been great ever since. I say leave out the 12" steel. __________________ 2000 4Runner w/Limited Interior Swap, 170k miles, last leg. Give a man fish and he can eat for a day. Give a man Phish and he will groove for a lifetime.

08-17-2004, 12:13 PM	#6 (permalink)
Gadget Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: Southern MD USA Posts: 1,531	I did not install the braces. The welds were top notch and that sucker is not going anywhere. I also have a bolt going through the top original hole so even if the welds fail it will not separate from the truck. Gadget __________________ Underdog Racing Development GadgetOnline

08-17-2004, 02:12 PM	#7 (permalink)
sschaefer3 Contributing Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Tempe, Arizona Posts: 5,494	Bump, so it's not burried __________________ Steve Schaefer *WWW.SonoranSteel.Com* Suspension Lift Kits * Rock Sliders * Straight Axle Conversions * 4Runner/FJC Rubicon Express Lower Links * Accessories * Daystar Products Dealer * TJM Bull Bar Dealer * Deaver Leaf Spring Dealer * Tokico & Bilstein Shock Dealer * ViAir Dealer * Total Chaos Dealer * TOYTEC Dealer * and like everyone else a Trail Gear Dealer

08-17-2004, 05:24 PM	#8 (permalink)
Nitro Hotpants Contributing Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 1,135	You wleded them in there for me, i didnt have much of a choice __________________ 2WD 4Runner with 4WD running gear SOME PICS!

08-17-2004, 06:03 PM	#9 (permalink)
nightsurfride Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Santa Clara, CA Posts: 126	I fabbed a bracket simular to yours on my 3rd gen, but mine extends further up the original bracket. I used a top bolt above the lower bracket to bracket bolt and steel sleeves/ bushings in between the old bracket where the bolts go through. No welding or extra suports needed. So far it has held nicely on and off road. Last edited by nightsurfride; 08-17-2004 at 06:18 PM.

08-17-2004, 06:14 PM	#10 (permalink)
nightsurfride Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Santa Clara, CA Posts: 126	Here is a pic. during the install. Attached Thumbnails

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