I was reading the downey installation review in the tech section... and it has this picture... with item circled



WHAT THE HELL IS THAT CIRCLED THINGY?

ive never been able to figure that out. seen it many times... but couldnt figure it out.

heres a link to the review itself

http://robinhood150.tripod.com/downeylift/

 

Its the Brake Proportioning Valve (BPV) bracket that RobinHood made. The BPV helps determine how much braking force change is applied to the rear wheels when the weight shifts forward during braking. Too much braking force results in premature wheel lock during hard stops.

Hope this helps.
Dr. Z

 

so.... is it required? whats it hooked up to? is it just a simple piece of metal?

honnestly.. im still clueless about what it is/does

thanks Dr. Z for any info

edit: after looking at that.. does that whole thing move up and down or something?

 

Heh heh, watch my "4runner topsites" rank go up

What Dr Z said. I'll add this though. The BPV figures out how much to bias the brakes front to back by where that rod is. So, if you raise the suspension by 1.5 inches then you should also raise that BPV bar by 1.5 inches.

Steve

 

ok.... so since the new coils moved that bar down... then there needs to be some kinda spacer to keep an accurate reading?

so as that bar goes up and down, it moves that lever (valve) and tells it how much to brake?

i think i gotcha

 

My braking got a lot better once I added it.

It is just a simple piece of 1/4in thick aluminum.

The end of the bar, where the Al piece is, is attached to the axle. As you add more weight to the back of the runner, like camping gear, the back end sags a little. That moves the bar a little, changing the bias.

Steve

 

Yup.

 

cool! now i totally understand what it does.

now a few more questions

does it come with a standard downey kit installation?

if not, can any piece of sheet metal be used? or does it have to be really thick... or what?

exactly what length should it be from center to center or each bolt?

are those bolts supplied in mentioned kit?

I just wanna know EXACTLY what im getting if i get myself in to this...

 

You're welcome. RobinHood seems to have this well in hand, so I'll let him finish it.

Peace!
Dr. Z

 

The downey kit comes with the bracket and the bolts. There is also another drop bracket for the ABS line but I don't think it's really needed. Look on my write up right below RobinHoods for pics of it. If you get the Downey kit you'll get the LPSV drop bracket, the ABS wire bracket and a Stainless Steel extended brake line.

 

Just like UK said the kit comes with everything you need. Here's a pic of the other bracket and the brake line extension.



Here's what your bracket will look like. It has a couple of settings depending on what height you go with.

 

I'm still trying to figure out where to buy them online. the downey site doesnt have a store online....

whats the best/cheapest way of buying these? can you get these any auto stores?

I live close to the downey headquarters (i think) maybe i could go on a road trip, save some shipping costs, and get them myself

i looked up the address 10001 So. Pioneer Blvd.

Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670



I live 22 miles from there....

 

That would be your best bet.
Downey lives in the stone age as far as websites is concerned.

Mike on the forum can get you Downey's also, but if you live that close, just buzz on over.

I ordered mine through my local Central 4WD store as they order a lot of stuff from Downey.

 

I just called them and ordered over the phone...But like Corey said you live maybe 30 minutes from them. Just drive over.

 

Ooooh, I didn't know about that one. I'll have to do something about that.

Steve

 

besides the rear end not looking sagging.... what are the pros to this? I'm not sure if i wanna spend 150-200+ to get rid of the sag

 

Steve I think you'll be alright. Do a full flex and see if it comes tight or not.

L33 your ride is alot better with new coils and if you put 2 people in the backseat you can defintly tell the difference when driving! Lot less body roll on corners too!

 

Well, I want to try to get as much flex as I can out of it...more than normal.

Steve

 

Has a drop for the ABS line always been a part of the kit? Corey do you have it? I can't recall my kit coming with that - just the new brake line and the Proportioning Valve relocation bracket.

Is this something I need to check into?