About time for a major overhaul of my crawler, so I'll see if I can document some of it here instead of all over other threads.
I'll start off with a quick explanation.
I have successfully talked myself out of major mods for a long time now. Main reason being that the Gecko works pretty darn good as it is. For being "all Toyota" still - primarily meaning Yota axles and still running leaf springs - it holds up great and flexes awesome. Problem is that with all that flex, almost everything related to the leaves doesn't last very long anymore. I bend or break leaves at least annually, I go through bushings about twice as often, I bend up shackles and hardware about every 12-18 months, bend up U-bolts and top plates every couple of years, break center pins about one a year (due to U-bolt issues probably), demolish bump stops about every other hardcore trip, and even bending down the front side of my spring perches and cracking their welds on the axles. Lastly, because of having so much flex, I started breaking front drivelines - which is saying a lot since I run square tube shafts.
All that being said, I finally decided it's time for links. I'm scared of all the setup, geometry, time and cost, but I think it'll be worth it in the end. Should gain flex, gain stability and greatly reduce suspension repairs.
Current plan (always changing)
Front suspension:
3-link, keeping hydro assist
16" ORI struts (already have)
Rear suspension:
Dual-tri 4-link, set up like a 4 Wheel Underground system, and using aluminum lowers
ORI struts or Fox 2.5 air shocks
Other changes:
W56 with triple cases will get swapped for a W59 with stock chain-drive, driver-drop case and divorced dual gear cases. Chain case front output will be utilized as a PTO.
Since I won't need so much driveshaft extension with links, I will try to swap back to round driveshafts.
Gas tank will be moved up and behind the cab to clear the links.
Bed floor will be recessed to get weight lowered.
Rear Detroit locker getting swapped out for a Yukon Zip locker.
Rear cutting brakes added with the addition of the rear air locker.
Large belly pan will have to be heavily modified or totally removed.
I'll start off with a quick explanation.
I have successfully talked myself out of major mods for a long time now. Main reason being that the Gecko works pretty darn good as it is. For being "all Toyota" still - primarily meaning Yota axles and still running leaf springs - it holds up great and flexes awesome. Problem is that with all that flex, almost everything related to the leaves doesn't last very long anymore. I bend or break leaves at least annually, I go through bushings about twice as often, I bend up shackles and hardware about every 12-18 months, bend up U-bolts and top plates every couple of years, break center pins about one a year (due to U-bolt issues probably), demolish bump stops about every other hardcore trip, and even bending down the front side of my spring perches and cracking their welds on the axles. Lastly, because of having so much flex, I started breaking front drivelines - which is saying a lot since I run square tube shafts.
All that being said, I finally decided it's time for links. I'm scared of all the setup, geometry, time and cost, but I think it'll be worth it in the end. Should gain flex, gain stability and greatly reduce suspension repairs.
Current plan (always changing)
Front suspension:
3-link, keeping hydro assist
16" ORI struts (already have)
Rear suspension:
Dual-tri 4-link, set up like a 4 Wheel Underground system, and using aluminum lowers
ORI struts or Fox 2.5 air shocks
Other changes:
W56 with triple cases will get swapped for a W59 with stock chain-drive, driver-drop case and divorced dual gear cases. Chain case front output will be utilized as a PTO.
Since I won't need so much driveshaft extension with links, I will try to swap back to round driveshafts.
Gas tank will be moved up and behind the cab to clear the links.
Bed floor will be recessed to get weight lowered.
Rear Detroit locker getting swapped out for a Yukon Zip locker.
Rear cutting brakes added with the addition of the rear air locker.
Large belly pan will have to be heavily modified or totally removed.