Ordered the IFS Truss and got around to trying to bolt the thing up today, the Downey install instructions suck balls as always, so holding it up I just can't see where the sucker goes. Where I thought it went is about 1/2" too narrow to fit it up there. They sent me the 17" for a 86-88, maybe my front end was swapped for a newer year by a previous owner and I actually need the 16 3/4" one.

Anyway, if someone has a pic of theirs mounted - it would be much appreciated. So I can see how it mounts.

 

I don't have a pic, nor Downey anything, but according to them, the truss mounts between the lower pivot points of the lower a-arms.

the best I can figure is that it would go where the truss that came with my kit is.

Do the instructions mention drilling holes?
Do you have a pic of the truss?

*edit- wow, I just realized that my front end is sagging...

 

I have a Sonoran Steel Front Truss but they do the same thing so I'd assume they install similarly:

Before:


During:


After:


There are some instructions for the Sonoran Steel Truss:

http://sonoransteel.com/Early_IFS_Brace.html

Where abouts in Mesa do you live? I could give you a hand if you need. I'm in Chandler near Dobson and Warner.

 

Wouldnt you want that welded?

 

Yeaa - I stumbled on the Sonoran Steel one and figured that's where the Downey fit. But it's way to long to fit up there, plus I don't think it's gonna fit with my Diff Drop. I may just pull the Diff drop and order the same one from Steve.

 

I thought that at first too, but the Steve from Sonoran Steel corrected me; If you were to weld it on you'd have to cut it off if you ever need to service the diff

 

just use grade 8 hardware....
and i always wanted that soroan one but you gotta catch him on an order but he really makes nice stuff..just wish more for the older trucks but thats neither hear nor there lol

 

I wish those were still made (and that I could afford one). Group buy this spring anyone?

 

why wait til spring? Take your truck to a fab shop and have them make one. Unless your alignment is way too foobar'd, the cost locally is probably a better deal than ordering out.

 

Because I am FLAT broke right now. I though about welding it up myself if I can find the materials. Let's see some more pictures.

 

Here is a pic of mine from a thread about bump stops which is why you can't see both sides, but it gives you the gist of it. I think you may have issues with the diff drop. As you can see mine touches now without a diff drop.

 

Nice factory swaybar/frame mounting hardware

 

whats a sway bar? maybe some rustier pics would help, mine might be under some rust somewhere.

 

More:













Thats all I have of mine - you can always see more at Sonoran Steel's site:

http://sonoransteel.com/Early_IFS_Brace.html

 

1) In general, diff drop --> truss won't fit
2) In answer to earlier point, SS truss meant to be bolted on

 

What about Total Chaos's? It is made to weld on and be able to remove the diff.

 

Yeah, I know. I tore it up a couple weeks ago, but I'm going SA next month so I see no point in any real expenditure of time or money on it. If worse came to worst, I would just pull it all together, though I'm not a fan of that.

 

When I ordered mine through trdparts4u, it wasn't made by Sonoran Steel, but instead by RockTech(?). I think it was only $80 or so. Looks identical to the Sonoran except it has a smooth bottom and doesn't have those welds protruding like those in the pics. I installed mine with grade 8 bolts instead of welding it. Took some finagling and a little bit of grinding to get it on since the Toyota welds were too thick to slip the brace on easily. Hardest part of installation was drilling the holes.