3 Link my 4Runner NO MORE Panhard bar
Aug 23, 2005 | 12:07 PM
#81
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From: Deep Gap, NC
Originally Posted by Scottz
Yep, that's partly true, I have had the shocks on for a year or so and got 11" of travel with stock links. When I installed the upper 3link it increased to 13" and when I did the lower links and everything being desighned 1" longer it increased to 14" with shocks deconnected. Anymore then this is almost impossible. As of now I run at 12" do to the limits of 12" shocks mounted 1:1. when I change to Coilovers I will get the full 14" with 12" travel shocks mounted at an angle.
I have to disagree about the shocks being the only limiting factor although they are a large part of it, when I started this project it was clear that if I was going to increase the travel I would have to get rid of the panhard bar and all the stock rubber mounted links, they start to bind up at 11" of travel and it was clear to me that the rubber inside the links would start to rip apart since they don't pivot and twist instead, and once the panhard bar swings everthing to the right it would make my drive shaft rub my gas tank and left tire rub the frame which also limited it.
Another factor is the coil spring, My Downey HDs start to drop out of the spring buckets at 12" and yeah I could put a spring spacer in there so it would give me alittle more drop, but in doing so I would have to limit the up travel so I don't bind the coil under bottoming which then wouldn't be any gain in travel.
So in short I had 11" with stock links and 12" travel shocks , and with 3link I got 14" with it being limited to 12" as of now but not for long!!!.
3link got 3" travel gain over stock and alot of other possibiltes are now out there, like my recently installed Aux Gas Tank.
Heres NEW PIC's
I have to disagree about the shocks being the only limiting factor although they are a large part of it, when I started this project it was clear that if I was going to increase the travel I would have to get rid of the panhard bar and all the stock rubber mounted links, they start to bind up at 11" of travel and it was clear to me that the rubber inside the links would start to rip apart since they don't pivot and twist instead, and once the panhard bar swings everthing to the right it would make my drive shaft rub my gas tank and left tire rub the frame which also limited it.
Another factor is the coil spring, My Downey HDs start to drop out of the spring buckets at 12" and yeah I could put a spring spacer in there so it would give me alittle more drop, but in doing so I would have to limit the up travel so I don't bind the coil under bottoming which then wouldn't be any gain in travel.
So in short I had 11" with stock links and 12" travel shocks , and with 3link I got 14" with it being limited to 12" as of now but not for long!!!.
3link got 3" travel gain over stock and alot of other possibiltes are now out there, like my recently installed Aux Gas Tank.
Heres NEW PIC's
Chris
Aug 23, 2005 | 03:35 PM
#82
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The Tank is from Downey off road, It's the one for pick-up's that holds 13 Gallons. The 4runner tank was less at 11 gal. but more expensive. When I got it they said it wouldn't fit a 4Runner but they had no idea what I was about to do. I removed the stock spare carrier crossmember and the crossmember that held the Panhard bar which gave all the room and more for getting the tank up high and the 1-1/2" body lift helped when it was time to make the two crossmembers that the tank would mount too.
The pic shows what it looked like just as I got done cutting them out.
The pic shows what it looked like just as I got done cutting them out.
Last edited by Scottz; Sep 26, 2005 at 07:35 PM.
Aug 24, 2005 | 05:28 AM
#83
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From: Deep Gap, NC
Originally Posted by Scottz
The Tank is from Downey off road, It's the one for pick-up's that holds 13 Gallons. The 4runner tank was less at 11 gal. but more expensive. When I got it they said it wouldn't fit a 4Runner but they had no idea what I was about to do. I removed the stock spare carrier crossmember and the crossmember that held the Panhard bar which gave all the room and more for getting the tank up high and the 1-1/2" body lift helped when it was time to make the two crossmembers that the tank would mount too.
The pic shows what it looked like just as I got done cutting them out.
The pic shows what it looked like just as I got done cutting them out.
Chris
Aug 25, 2005 | 03:09 PM
#84
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Originally Posted by ravencr
I'm not a big fan of the 13 gallon size, but I'm a huge fan of having it tucked up in there so well. You'll never drag that thing, which is nice. Mine has 21 gallons, definitely hangs down a lot lower, but I've yet to have it hang me up. If I begin to notice getting hung up on it, I'll definitely consider this tank. Do you know if they happen to have a slightl larger tank, maybe around 15-17 gallon range that's only slightly deeper?
Chris
Chris
Aug 25, 2005 | 03:18 PM
#85
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From: Deep Gap, NC
Originally Posted by Scottz
I agree it would be nice at 15 gallons, I don't think they have anything larger, they design there stuff to work with a spare under it (alotta good a spare will do ya draging on the ground but that's how they do it).
Chris
P.S. I'm not knocking your design. I actually love it, kind of jealous of it really.
Aug 25, 2005 | 03:48 PM
#86
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From: Fort Worth/College Station, TX
Cebby and I talked about the possibility of using a previa or some other toyota tank there, but we had trouble finding measurements. Might be worth looking into and would probably be cheaper. Those tanks are $$$
Aug 31, 2005 | 11:13 AM
#88
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3Link Update
Still Going Strong, Put another 238 hard off road miles on it last weekend and 180 a couple of weeks before out "Mine hunting in Mojave Desert" check the Thread.https://www.yotatech.com/forums/show...768#post683768
NEW PIC
NEW PIC
Last edited by Scottz; Sep 27, 2005 at 08:07 PM.
Aug 31, 2005 | 07:02 PM
#89
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From: Deep Gap, NC
Originally Posted by Scottz
Still Going Strong, Put another 238 hard off road miles on it last weekend and 180 a couple of weeks before out "Mine hunting in Mojave Desert" check the Thread.https://www.yotatech.com/forums/show...768#post683768
NEW PIC
NEW PIC
Chris
Sep 1, 2005 | 05:57 PM
#90
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Originally Posted by ravencr
Do you ever do any slow speed rock crawling, or all high speed stuff?
Chris
Chris
Last edited by Scottz; Sep 27, 2005 at 08:09 PM.
Sep 1, 2005 | 06:11 PM
#91
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Originally Posted by Praufet
scottz- do you have the measurements for the space in between the frame rails and the height available for a tank?
Sep 27, 2005 | 07:55 PM
#94
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Photo's
Sorry about pullin the pic's, I was reaching my max storage space and needed to gain some more. I didn't realize anyone was still checking out this thread. Here's some photo's that show the basic's. If you need any to help with building your own, just PM me with your email address and I'll send you some and try and help you. Scott
Sep 29, 2005 | 07:44 PM
#97
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Originally Posted by ravencr
Still no problems with the upper frame mounts and vertically mounted heim at the top of the axle?
Chris
Chris
Here's a Pic I just took.
Sep 29, 2005 | 08:09 PM
#98
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From: Deep Gap, NC
Originally Posted by Scottz
No, none what so ever, Over 15,000 miles and more then a few thousand hard off road miles since I put it on, and I don't believe I will ever have any problems with this set up. If anything was stressed it would of shown some signs by now, so it's good to go.
Here's a Pic I just took.
Here's a Pic I just took.
Chris
Oct 6, 2005 | 10:41 PM
#99
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Originally Posted by ravencr
Do you have any closeup pics of how you beefed up the upper link frame mounts? I like the setup, and would like to do something very similar on my 3rd gen. What do you think?
Chris
Chris
Last edited by Scottz; Oct 6, 2005 at 10:42 PM.
Oct 7, 2005 | 04:54 AM
#100
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From: Deep Gap, NC
Originally Posted by Scottz
I think there's no reason why this type of set up wouldn't work on all linked 4Runners. Since the set ups are basicly the same. I don't think any of them would be inner-changable with other Gens though. Next time I'm under there I'll get some picks of the gussets for ya.
Chris
