80 series caster correction plates

[LandCruiserPhil]

I don't have a dog in this fight, but I have yet to see how it would be a conflict of interest for anyone to sell their products here even if they were the President. Innovative creations made by fellow mudders are awesome and help fulfill a need that big companies don't care for in our niche market. Im glad we have folks that think outside the box and make their products available to the rest of us.

Thanks Nicholas for your positive input and support, it is appreciated.

 

[ChaseTruck]

... bullying...

Was asking for free thread locker really that bad?

And as you well know, I've done my share for this club in the past, in terms of organizing and leading trail rides, and generating creative content featuring the orange shirts.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Was asking for free thread locker really that bad?

And as you well know, I've done my share for this club in the past, in terms of organizing and leading trail rides, and generating creative content featuring the orange shirts.

Your participation in CSC in the past is absolutely appreciated

No reason for you to feel the finger was being pointed to you though. Your question was answered politely, no.

 

[murf]

Over the years I have aquired many parts - some of them custom or modified from original - on my Land Cruiser from local guys:

Tools (fan clutch), a rear rack (JJgarcia), fan (LCPhil), drop spacers (Hiti66), Cup holder (Aids10), Front and rear bumpers (Tommygunfab) and plan on more! Maybe rear drawers made by MtKreitz, sway disconnect from Phil, etc

There are MANY others with the same kind of "home-grown" list as mine. This has always been around...thank God - it would be boring otherwise.

The way I look at the custom items the many people in our club make (including Inkpot, Pullboy, and others that dont come to mind right away) is that they are a part of the creativeness and fun of our group. I dont think anyone is making serious dough with this stuff - more done out of the love of our Hobby*

If there is no demand or overpriced, then it wont sell. Takes care of itself.


* Loosen up, this is supposed to be fun -we are not curing cancer here.

 

[jjgarci1]

* Loosen up, this is supposed to be fun -we are not curing cancer here.

I'm the cancer, you can't cure me. But, you can put me in remission. It's amazing what a little chemo will do...
Apparently, I was wrong. I admit to being very frustrated regarding this issue. However, a couple of posts, feedback from some TRAL guys, and I'm convinced there is no conflict of interest.

President or not, if Phil can help out some club members and the club members appreciate the help, I'm all for it.

I won't be at the meeting (family stuff), I'll have my ham on (KG7GKB). Nor will I attend the RoTM (TRAL commitment). I hope you have fun, pack out more than you pack in

I plan to be at the December meeting.

Phil was gracious enough to come over and try to hash everything out. I commend him for that! Of course, he wasnt successful on every point- I still think I'm hilarious...

 

[re_guderian]

WTF is going on in here? It's starting to sound like the freaking 100-series section of late...

 

[azTony]

WTF is going on in here? It's starting to sound like the freaking 100-series section of late...

I figured you would be used to this by now.

 

[Saddletramp]

Phil was gracious enough to come over and try to hash everything out. I commend him for that! Of course, he wasnt successful on every point- I still think I'm hilarious...




You are funny, but looks aren't everything. So did you buy some caster plates or sway bar disconnects?

 

[Saddletramp]

Duplicate

 

[Rudster]

Wow, amazing. Here it is post 190(of which I had 2 previous post on this site) when a simple answer to a question regarding the caster correction plates was asked. A simple answer one would have expected but who knew this would blow up like the Hindenberg !!!!!!

A simple oversight on my part or "I forgot" that the thing needed to be cut would create WWIII. So I am sorry If I FORGOT that the installation was not a direct bolt on. Maybe I am getting old.

I don't claim to know much about child psychology but if I was studying for a degree in this, one could write a thesis paper from this thread with the type of drama / behavior /finger pointing that this created. Life is too short - chill out.

I think we are forgetting what this club is about (and correct me if I am wrong). This club is about sharing the same interest, helping each other, sharing ideas and designs, fabricating and experimenting with parts and upgrades, sharing the knowledge of the cruiser, advice, GATHERING TOGETHER AS ONE at the monthly meetings, comradery you get the point I hope and not at pointing fingers, taking sides, he said she said. What I see going on here with this club is your forcing people to take sides. I have met a lot of great people with integrity (which is hard to find in todays world) in this club and hate to see the all the bickering going on. Who cares what he does or if we are going in this direction or that direction, or my mod is better than yours,who cares it doesn't matter, come along for the ride and except change or at least give credit to your fellow "CruiserHead" for thinking outside the box. Compliment each other even if you disagree.

You guys are all my friends but this constant lashing out at each other has got to stop. No place for it in this club or this site. Chill out (this is coming from a New Yorker and I know its hard to believe that) but in all seriousness we are all very passionate about Land Cruisers and many of our responses come with a lot emotion (typical of human behavior) but the next time when you are replying with intensity - before you hit the submit button, step away, have a beer, smoke a cigarette, look at porn, whatever it takes to relax yourself, re read what you wrote and 9 times out of 10 you will most likely take a different direction on your response - hopefully one that is more favorable.

I leave you with this to think about, "If I was an outsider looking in and reading all of this finger pointing what kind of impression do you think we are making." We get enough of this in corporate America.

Have a good day

Regards to all,


Mark

 

[murf]

Wow, amazing. Here it is post 190(of which I had 2 previous post on this site) when a simple answer to a question regarding the caster correction plates was asked. A simple answer one would have expected but who knew this would blow up like the Hindenberg !!!!!!

A simple oversight on my part or "I forgot" that the thing needed to be cut would create WWIII. So I am sorry If I FORGOT that the installation was not a direct bolt on. Maybe I am getting old.

I don't claim to know much about child psychology but if I was studying for a degree in this, one could write a thesis paper from this thread with the type of drama / behavior /finger pointing that this created. Life is too short - chill out.

I think we are forgetting what this club is about (and correct me if I am wrong). This club is about sharing the same interest, helping each other, sharing ideas and designs, fabricating and experimenting with parts and upgrades, sharing the knowledge of the cruiser, advice, GATHERING TOGETHER AS ONE at the monthly meetings, comradery you get the point I hope and not at pointing fingers, taking sides, he said she said. What I see going on here with this club is your forcing people to take sides. I have met a lot of great people with integrity (which is hard to find in todays world) in this club and hate to see the all the bickering going on. Who cares what he does or if we are going in this direction or that direction, or my mod is better than yours,who cares it doesn't matter, come along for the ride and except change or at least give credit to your fellow "CruiserHead" for thinking outside the box. Compliment each other even if you disagree.

You guys are all my friends but this constant lashing out at each other has got to stop. No place for it in this club or this site. Chill out (this is coming from a New Yorker and I know its hard to believe that) but in all seriousness we are all very passionate about Land Cruisers and many of our responses come with a lot emotion (typical of human behavior) but the next time when you are replying with intensity - before you hit the submit button, step away, have a beer, smoke a cigarette, look at porn, whatever it takes to relax yourself, re read what you wrote and 9 times out of 10 you will most likely take a different direction on your response - hopefully one that is more favorable.

I leave you with this to think about, "If I was an outsider looking in and reading all of this finger pointing what kind of impression do you think we are making." We get enough of this in corporate America.

Have a good day

Regards to all,


Mark

Copied so I can be read twice

 

[azTony]

Well said my friend

 

[shockeere]

I just got the TJM 3.5* bushings installed on my cruiser with a 70mm TJM lift. Before the bushings were installed, my alignment shop measured -3* castor on both sides. If the math pans out, I should be at +0.5* castor now. I can tell a DRASTIC difference in handling - it's astounding to me that I drove for a couple of months without the correction. That said, increasing my castor more to get it within Toyota spec of 2-4* is enticing.

For those who have done this plate mod and have previously had castor correction bushings a couple of questions:

Is the difference in handling both on and of road from 0.5* to 3-4* worth the $400 it will cost me to do this mod? (130 shipped to Seattle, WA + 70 for my shop to press in and out new bushings + 200 for 6 new bushings)

Any inhibitions on pulling the hitch pin with the castor plates?

If I press out the TJM bushings, can they be reused? I have a friend who is doing a lower lift than I am and I would love to help him out with the bushings if he wants to go that route.

Thanks everyone!

Michael

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

I just got the TJM 3.5* bushings installed on my cruiser with a 70mm TJM lift. Before the bushings were installed, my alignment shop measured -3* castor on both sides. If the math pans out, I should be at +0.5* castor now. I can tell a DRASTIC difference in handling - it's astounding to me that I drove for a couple of months without the correction. That said, increasing my castor more to get it within Toyota spec of 2-4* is enticing.

For those who have done this plate mod and have previously had castor correction bushings a couple of questions:

Is the difference in handling both on and of road from 0.5* to 3-4* worth the $400 it will cost me to do this mod? (130 shipped to Seattle, WA + 70 for my shop to press in and out new bushings + 200 for 6 new bushings)

Any inhibitions on pulling the hitch pin with the castor plates?

If I press out the TJM bushings, can they be reused? I have a friend who is doing a lower lift than I am and I would love to help him out with the bushings if he wants to go that route.

Thanks everyone!

Michael

Caster bushing verses caste plates is night and day with your lift.

I would not have a hitch pin mod with or without caster plates but that is just my opinion. Im sure someone will disagree

If the bushing are in good shape with tight collars I would reuse them.

 

[shockeere]

Caster bushing verses caste plates is night and day with your lift. I would not have a hitch pin mod with or without caster plates but that is just my opinion. Im sure someone will disagree If the bushing are in good shape with tight collars I would reuse them.

Thanks for the reply - I may be in for a set of these if you're making another run. I read the thread and understand that they are plug and play?

Jk, all kidding aside, these look great and I appreciate the minimal loss of clearance.

The bushings that I have on there are 2 weeks old/120 miles - I believe that they are in the best shape possible given the circumstances.

Right now, with the bushings, my steering is best described as "twitchy". I'm looking to improve that, and this looks like a good way to do it.

 

[ttubb]

I just got the TJM 3.5* bushings installed on my cruiser with a 70mm TJM lift. Before the bushings were installed, my alignment shop measured -3* castor on both sides. If the math pans out, I should be at +0.5* castor now. I can tell a DRASTIC difference in handling - it's astounding to me that I drove for a couple of months without the correction. That said, increasing my castor more to get it within Toyota spec of 2-4* is enticing.

For those who have done this plate mod and have previously had castor correction bushings a couple of questions:

Is the difference in handling both on and of road from 0.5* to 3-4* worth the $400 it will cost me to do this mod? (130 shipped to Seattle, WA + 70 for my shop to press in and out new bushings + 200 for 6 new bushings)

Any inhibitions on pulling the hitch pin with the castor plates?

If I press out the TJM bushings, can they be reused? I have a friend who is doing a lower lift than I am and I would love to help him out with the bushings if he wants to go that route.

Thanks everyone!

Michael

I just went through this. I had CC Bushings pressed out and installed fresh stock bushings and the Slee CC Plates. Difference in steering and roadability (is that a word?) is night and day. Terry

 

[inkpot]

Thanks for the reply - I may be in for a set of these if you're making another run. I read the thread and understand that they are plug and play?

Jk, all kidding aside, these look great and I appreciate the minimal loss of clearance.

The bushings that I have on there are 2 weeks old/120 miles - I believe that they are in the best shape possible given the circumstances.

Right now, with the bushings, my steering is best described as "twitchy". I'm looking to improve that, and this looks like a good way to do it.

We have had good luck salvaging used bushings when replacing them, but the key is having the right sized slugs to press them out with. We cut the slugs to match on a lathe so they mate right up. Another option for you is just swap arms with your buddy. You could still press in fresh bushings into the arms for your rig if needed, but that would still cut the work in half. Other than a roughly 1 x 3/8" trim on the bottom of the brackets, installation is easier than pressing in the bushings. Top outboard bolt is a royal pain to install, but it can be done. Have you set your toe in to help reduce the twichy steering? John

 

[shockeere]

We have had good luck salvaging used bushings when replacing them, but the key is having the right sized slugs to press them out with. We cut the slugs to match on a lathe so they mate right up. Another option for you is just swap arms with your buddy. You could still press in fresh bushings into the arms for your rig if needed, but that would still cut the work in half. Other than a roughly 1 x 3/8" trim on the bottom of the brackets, installation is easier than pressing in the bushings. Top outboard bolt is a royal pain to install, but it can be done. Have you set your toe in to help reduce the twichy steering? John

I have set the toe to stock numbers, but I understand that it may want a little more toe than stock with 35"s on, so I get to tinker there.

I checked my alignment and with the bushings I'm still at -1.8* (was -3.0* pre- bushings)

 

[shockeere]

I'll definitely take a set if you guys have another one laying around or are willing to make another run. I would like to get them soon though - steering so twitchy! Haha

 

[80hog]

Hello
I am interested in these plates.
Is it still relevant?
Thanks a lot