I have someone here locally that is going to either extend my stock control arms by aprox. 3in. on each side or we will make tube ones from scratch using my stock ones as a guide for ball joint angles (similar to rail A arms) havnt decided which. But my question is will T-100 cv axles bolt up to my taco? and does anyone know how long they are? i want to keep 4 wheel drive with my long travel so if i know how long the T-100 axles are ill know exactly how far to push out each control arm or what have others done for cv axles on their custom LT? Thanks ahead for the help

 

Yes T-100 axles will work, but I think the extension needs to be more like 3 1/2". I'd pm nate from Blazeland cause he makes the setup it sounds like you are going to attempt.

 

I took a close look at the Tacoma a long while ago to see if the control arms could be lengthened like what I am doing to the 1986-95 rigs. I don't think its a good idea. I'd recommend building the longer arms as new units. Better yet save yourself time and money and not re-invent the wheel but purchase something that has all ready been perfected. As far as the axles for LT Tacoma I think what people are using is from the Tundra. Best of luck with your plans.

 

Ok so you think that axles from a tundra would work? ill have to research that i guess. and yes it would be easier to buy a kit but easy isnt always the best route i like knowing that everything thats done to my truck has came from my time and sweat with maybe some helping hands here and there. for me thats the fun of building a toyota, is personally building it

 

Well, this one depends. Do you have manual hubs or ADD on your tacoma?
Total chaos has a modified tundra CV for ADD trucks and their kits are 3.5" over. I believe those axles only work on ADD trucks though.

 

Info on total chaos website about axles and track width increase.

Tacoma world has a good long travel section with tons of info.
One company makes a kit with sixteen inches wheel travel with or without 4wd

Keep us updated on the project.

Edit that is 19" travel from solo motorsports kit.

 

Phone problems double post...

 

ive got manual hubs. and alright thanks ill check out those websites and see if i can find anything.

 

There's some confusion, but the consensus seems to be that if you have a Tundra factory OEM shaft that you can mate it to your inner and outer joint.

http://ttora.com/forum/showthread.php?t=196745

Pismo joe is also on this board, I'd PM him and triple check this info.

 

Ok i did some research and looked at the link you posted and it seems like if i purchase tundra CVs ill be able to make it work with mine. Ive also decided that i am absolutely going to start from scratch in building longer control arms after seeing some threads of people trying to extend the stock tacoma control arms it looked sketchy as he11 and extremely dangerous so i have decided that i will be building tube control arms. So my next question is only for those who know what they are talking about but i was wondering if it is absolutely necessary to use chromoly tubing or if it would still be safe to use like some heavy duty 1/4in. wall steel tubing?

 

Does anyone know if it is safe to use heavy wall steel tubing for LT or is it necessary to use chromoly?

 

ask nate at blazeland he builds and sells LT kits.

 

I believe he just extends the stock pick-up control arms and doesnt start from scratch. could be wrong tho

 

yea he does, but he could answer your material question. or call total chaos fab.

me i would see if i could go with a solo motorsports 19" travel kit 2 or 4wd.

 

The problem being is that there are many ways to build custom arms. Such as different ways to gusset and the correct way to fishtail a joint. Just telling what size the tube should be isn't going to work. If you don't know how to build arms please don't try. There are alot of stress's to consider. I have been fabricating for many years and I will still buy Blazeland's kit because he has already done the engineering and testing, however I will be doing my own welding (not picking on your welds Nate but I always weld my own stuff). I have just been through fixing many failed attempts at things and seen too many self made suspension parts fail.

 

Yep, my long arm system uses modified and rebuilt stock LCAs. They are lengthened with rectangular tube and plating/boxing for additional reinforcement. UCAs are lengthened to matched geometry with a UCA Extension Bracket. Its been tested, and has been installed on a large cross section of vehicles.

When someone examines the LCAs they will can usually tell the fabricator welds from the robot welds from the factory. Just so you know it may not be Nate's welds you are looking at. I do hire a shop with a certified welder to do the work at times. The thing is the certified welder is just the trainer and inspector of a group of underlings. My observation, if you MIG weld all day long as your trade you will probably be better than your boss doing the inspecting who drinks coffee and surfs the internet all day long!

 

I agree. I am teaching quite a few people to weld and they get annoyed when the can't achieve a good looking weld. It takes a lot of practice to get a nice bead. I have been welding for around 30 years. Oh and since I work for a shop when I get your kit I may have to keep your jig kit, is that possible? As we will do more.

 

Going with a all ready built product makes way more sense to me just in the time savings alone.

Then if your time has no value I guess I could grasp the theory it is more cost effective to build one of something.

 

No offence but if the welds on your control arms are like any of the welds in your build thread, i hope you never drive it on the road. Critical safety items like control arms are not something you should try to be duplicating at home unless you are a skilled fabricator.

 

For the sake of clarity, which poster are you referring to?