Arms VS Brackets...

[alkaline747trio]

Now everyone don't jump the gun on this one..

I have a Slee 4"/863J spring setup which has netted me 5" and 6" of lift. I need caster correction, but don't want to spend a fortune and have to still buy a CV propeller shaft. MAF has a 6" lift drop bracket, and Slee has the 6" lift control arms. There is a $150 difference of the two, but both yield roughly the same outcome, except for the MAF being a new hang up point.

The problem is, I'm only 17 and after the 21st of this month I will be unemployed and in school, so money is tight. I also want to fit 36's like Ty, but don't want to cut more than Ty did to fit his. Will the MAF drop brackets work for me, with the $150 compromise of a hang up point? I don't do any EXTREME wheeling, but plan to do some pretty rough stuff. Would I kick myself for getting the brackets if I get hung up, or would my pockets hurt worse when I've spent $150 more than I might need to?

 

[wileetoyote]

As I just put the MAF 3" drop brackets on my 2.5" OME lift, I personally would NOT do a 6" drop bracket ESPECIALLY if you plan to wheel hard.

I think the 3" is borderline too low but for what medium trails (3-3.5) I do now, they'll be fine. If I rock crawled my 80, I'd remove them and put something else on. My $0.02


WET

 

[FirstToy]

Slee arms get my vote

 

[-Spike-]

I hang up on the stock arm mounts. I'd be really depressed if they were 6" lower.

-Spike

 

[alkaline747trio]

I hang up on the stock arm mounts. I'd be really depressed if they were 6" lower.

-Spike

4" lower with CC bushings...

 

[IBCRUSN]

I'd be willing to bet that there are folks out there that just have to have the new Slee arms that are coming out. If you can hold out for a little while there might be a set for sale. If you can't wait I'd still go for the Slee arms if you plan to really wheel it. Since I have no experience with the MAF brackets I cannot speak to the limitations.

 

[Dusty]

buy a cheap 150amp stick welder and make your own

 

[-Spike-]

4" lower with CC bushings...

Well, that wouldn't be quite as depressing then, would it? Of course, it won't articulate as well as rubber bushings- which are pathetic as it is.

-Spike

 

[Nay]

I'd lower my lift to 3", run 35's, and put some money back in my pocket.

You are heading down the spend route without the need for the extra performance - if you don't do extreme wheeling why do you need so much lift and tire?

You are going to spend all that money on top of what you have already spent just so you can lower your mounts and have the same level of hangup point as a much lower lift that would save you a bunch of money?

Nay

 

[lowtideride]

flip the arms, correct the caster, reweld. 2 bucks worth of wire.

 

[OGBeno]

flip the arms, correct the caster, reweld. 2 bucks worth of wire.

Exactly. ActionJackson has some good info. about this manuever.

 

[lowtideride]

Exactly. ActionJackson has some good info. about this manuever.

I will soon with any luck. I am dropping the engine into the frame tonight and have it about ready to roll back under the body. After that, the front axle will be the next thing on the list...Arms flipped,6" slee's...I just have yet to find out what a good caster woould be for an 80 series running 37's since larger tires require more caster....

 

[OGBeno]

I will soon with any luck. I am dropping the engine into the frame tonight and have it about ready to roll back under the body. After that, the front axle will be the next thing on the list...Arms flipped,6" slee's...I just have yet to find out what a good caster woould be for an 80 series running 37's since larger tires require more caster....

You should probably contact either Christo or Action Jackson, considering they have both done some serious modifications to caster angles both with arms and customization.

Get us some pics Al!!

 

[reffug]

My vote is go with the Slee....

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

I will soon with any luck. I am dropping the engine into the frame tonight and have it about ready to roll back under the body. After that, the front axle will be the next thing on the list...Arms flipped,6" slee's...I just have yet to find out what a good caster woould be for an 80 series running 37's since larger tires require more caster....

If your plan is to run AWD your caster will be at the mercy of the pinion angle or could it be your plan is to cut and turn?

 

[alkaline747trio]

I'd lower my lift to 3", run 35's, and put some money back in my pocket.

You are heading down the spend route without the need for the extra performance - if you don't do extreme wheeling why do you need so much lift and tire?

You are going to spend all that money on top of what you have already spent just so you can lower your mounts and have the same level of hangup point as a much lower lift that would save you a bunch of money?

Nay

I consider extreme wheeling what you see on TV in rock crawling events. I plan to do everything that is avaliable at UREs, which isn't as extreme as the TV stuff, but still pretty rough.

I've already bought the springs, if I were to sell them and buy shorter ones, then I would probably end up short the same amount of money, and not be happy.

I am only considering the drop brackets because of money and the lack of evidence of them being a common point to be hung up on.

I would rather have the Slee arms as they are a proven design, but if the drop brackets will work close enough to the same, then I can compromise a little bit.

flip the arms, correct the caster, reweld. 2 bucks worth of wire.

That was the original plan, but I don't know if I have enough lift for it to work, and whether or not it will bring the arc of the tire forward enough like the Slee arms do to minimize cutting.

 

[Jason Andrews]

Not 100% sure this will work but, what about the castor plates and some ~3* castor bushings at the back eyes of the control arms. This might rotate the axle enough from both points to give you close to the same degree of correction as the arms. I think Christo knows of someone who has done this but tie rod clearance is the BIG Q! Anyone with the castor plates still have clearance when the wheels a turned? This would be a good reference point.

I heard of M A F asking a customer who had to custom fab his bracket, to send it back to them so they could copy it. Do some research.

 

[wileetoyote]

Ooorrrr, OME caster correction bushings and the MAF 3" drop brackets. That may work but you'd only be saving $50 over the Slee arms in the end and still be somewhat worse off with that hangup point vs. the stock setup.

WET

 

[lowtideride]

If your plan is to run AWD your caster will be at the mercy of the pinion angle or could it be your plan is to cut and turn?

Oh heck no, Its a part time case from a fj62

 

[alkaline747trio]

Ooorrrr, OME caster correction bushings and the MAF 3" drop brackets. That may work but you'd only be saving $50 over the Slee arms in the end and still be somewhat worse off with that hangup point vs. the stock setup.

WET

That is what the drop bracket for 6" lift consists of, except it's a 4" drop w/ CC bushings. And the price is $373 + 25ish shipping VS. $515 + 50ish shipping, so more like a $150 difference.