I took a look at the ProForge website and it too is selling a reproduction of the original Toyota design. As long as the reproduction is using a .700 diameter or even a .780 diameter shaft that cantilevers it will bend. If they made the shaft similar in size to the Pitman arm size, then it would work. I would propose they make the Idler Arm housing work with the Pitman arm style splined shaft. Of course you would want to make it with a reduced size tapered stud to fit the center link.

 

Greetings,
Ordered the ProForge Idler Arm today. Have to wait and see what it looks like.
So, what exactly does the reinforcing brace do for the idler arm steering? I can see that it makes the arm stronger but, what else. Is this something that I ought to consider before I install the new arm? And will it be worth it for how I use my truck. Meaning that I don't abuse it doing radical rock crawling and the like. I use it to access trailheads that are sometimes rough and steep but not abusive and snowy muddy roads and dirt roads.
Ideas?
Thanks

 

I work for AutoZone and finding parts like this is HARD. I've had several customers come in with a Franken-Beast vehicle. If you're looking for this part and have knowledgeable staff, ask for the one made in Mexico. We can call up any sister store and have other staff pull the parts for comparison.

In other news for those that buy at AutoZone, if you buy calipers, they now will be selling bracketed calipers only. I'm told we'll stock a few popular calipers only, but for the most part you'll need to bring/return the whole bracket caliper.

 

I just recently talked with Blazeland on this issue. I had bought a new idler arm about a year ago. Just a month ago I was out wheeling and snapped the shaft clean. This Idler arm had a grease zerk fitting and the FA1739 stamp on it, but only one plastic bushing on the shaft. The sad part? The shaft was less then 19mm in diameter... less than factory!


So I took the arm to autozone and he pulled a new one off the shelf and we compared. Completely different arms, looks just like the one blazeland posted just a couple posts ago, but it does not have a single stamp on it anywhere. They swapped out the arms under warranty for me. The minute I got home I pulled it apart...


Shaft size is 20mm!! .786 inches. I thought I had the FA5040, but looking at Blazes photo is making me wonder.


Moral of the story? The 20mm shaft is out there, but who knows how to find it. This idler arm had the FA5040 number on the box, but nothing on the arm. Like Blaze said though, it doesn't matter the size of the shaft, but rather the brace. After installing the idler arm, with the front tires on the ground, I wiggled the tires back and forth to move the steering, and the arm still flexes a considerable amount even under normal conditions! I can't believe it is allowed to flex that much.


Get a brace, or make one, only way to solve the issue.

 

I came across this thread while researching a replacement for my 87 4runner, I didn't care much about the fitment of the pre-made bushings as I can turn my own on the lathe, but I did want to find a 20mm shaft for the increased strength and the increased surface area on the bushing for load dispersal.

In case the following is useful to someone, NAPA sells a ~88$ unit with a 20mm shaft. Here it is disassembled next to the worn out OEM unit.



The part number can be clearly seen in this shot.

 

Went to Autozone last week and picked up another Duralast FA5040 and this is what I got this time.



I have been getting feedback from others this is what is commonly the typical unit available now. I made a welding fixture and ran a small batch so if your looking for a brace to fit this model I got them in stock. I all ready sold three to a local guy who dropped by yesterday.

 

Okay, weird one here. I just picked up a FA5040 intending to put the brass bushings in it, and at first glance it was encouraging. Just like the 4crawler site says, my unit had the more glossy black and the “L” stamped on it. But after pulling it. Apart, not only does it just have an 18mm shaft (not good) but there are no plastic bushings. These bushings are some sort of metal. Not brass or bronze, but seem like carbon steel (magnetic) that is machined and polished. These are substantial bushings and pressed in place. They are each about 1” long. No grease zero either, which seems odd with a steel bushing.
anyone seen these? Send it?
I feel like the week point will still be the 18mm shaft, no matter the bushing material.

 

It sounds like you've been on a quest to find the correct idler arm for your 1992 Pickup 4x4, and you're looking for information about the diameter of the shaft for the idler arm FA5040 or its alternatives like 450-1109 or K9242. It's unfortunate that you couldn't find the information you were looking for from Raybestos or other sources. However, you seem to have an idea about the possibility of parts being sourced from different suppliers and assembled by Raybestos, which can make it difficult to obtain accurate specifications.