I've long been unhappy with the stock steering system on the 60 series. If the truck is loaded up for expedition travel, with a bullbar, rear carrier, 2 spare tires, spares, tools, roof tent and stuff for a few weeks, the stock steering does not perform well. There is a delay in the system and it could be much more responsive. Furthermore, I've been going through tie rod ends every 20k miles or so, as they just don't hold up to the washboard roads in Baja.
So I've seen Kevin Rowland's experiments with 4X4 Labs steering systems, talked to Luke Porter and he made steering arms and rods for my truck. It took a little back and forth to get the arms right, and they came out perfect. The arms as well as relay rod and steering rod are much heavier duty than stock. The tie rod ends are FJ80 ends, which are still available from Toyota and heavier duty than the 60 series ends.
The System is simply great. there is zero lag in the steering and the truck is more responsive than it ever was. Time will tell whether the ends hold up better than the 60 series ones. I am off to 9 days in new Mexico tomorrow, so this is a start.
Here are some pics of the arms, ends and the system installed.
So I've seen Kevin Rowland's experiments with 4X4 Labs steering systems, talked to Luke Porter and he made steering arms and rods for my truck. It took a little back and forth to get the arms right, and they came out perfect. The arms as well as relay rod and steering rod are much heavier duty than stock. The tie rod ends are FJ80 ends, which are still available from Toyota and heavier duty than the 60 series ends.
The System is simply great. there is zero lag in the steering and the truck is more responsive than it ever was. Time will tell whether the ends hold up better than the 60 series ones. I am off to 9 days in new Mexico tomorrow, so this is a start.
Here are some pics of the arms, ends and the system installed.
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