Builds Evolution of a Land Cruiser: My 80's build thread (12 Viewers)

[jcardona1]

I think where you might see the difference is in DROOP, not compression. Also, I think the swaybar discos will help prevent failure of the swaybar mounts.

True, good point. I have read stories of people tearing off the mounts while wheeling. I also left the sway bar disconnected on the drive home. Felt a little loosey goosey, but not too bad. I'll have to drive it at high speeds and see how it feels.

 

[jcardona1]

Next time I'll go back and pull one of the bolts from the radius arm and take some comparison pics - curious to see what that does.

 

[nukegoat]

When the passenger tire droops the driveshaft will hit the sway bar. You can hitch pin the front and then use a hi-lift in the comfort of your driveway to see what I'm referring to. It's a pain.

 

[jcardona1]

When the passenger tire droops the driveshaft will hit the sway bar. You can hitch pin the front and then use a hi-lift in the comfort of your driveway to see what I'm referring to. It's a pain.

Yeah I was looking at that. Looked pretty close and figured it would hit eventually. I'll have to try the hi lift thing. We really need a better sway bar solution for these trucks!

 

[nukegoat]

Yeah I was looking at that. Looked pretty close and figured it would hit eventually. I'll have to try the hi lift thing. We really need a better sway bar solution for these trucks!

Workin' on it! I like the Schroeder bars and arms, especially since people could choose different rates.

In the meantime, I only reconnect my front swaybar on long trips or during towing.

 

[Dirty Koala]

Those light mounts are pretty slick, I need a pair.

 

[scrowley]

Pretty sure the sway bar disconnect was not intended for better flex but for a smoother flexing front suspension. Less resistance.

Also I believe LCphil's works so well because its used with his mod'd control arms which work amazing.

 

[CruiseOrlando]

True, good point. I have read stories of people tearing off the mounts while wheeling. I also left the sway bar disconnected on the drive home. Felt a little loosey goosey, but not too bad. I'll have to drive it at high speeds and see how it feels.

You wanna know where it goes from "Oh yeah" to "Oh crap!" with the anti-sway bar? Try taking a corner at speed. Especially when it's got some downward angle to it.

I had my anti-sway bar off one time when wheeling. Coming off the mountain (on a paved road), I was going a little too fast, and forgot about the sway bar. Until I tried to brake & turn like I usually do.

I'm lucky I didn't run off the road into the ditch.

 

[jcardona1]

Workin' on it! I like the Schroeder bars and arms, especially since people could choose different rates.

In the meantime, I only reconnect my front swaybar on long trips or during towing.

Nice. Are these similar to the "Anti Rock" design? And I'm assuming they'd be mounted in front of the axle instead of behind?

Those light mounts are pretty slick, I need a pair.

Stay tuned! They should be available soon

Pretty sure the sway bar disconnect was not intended for better flex but for a smoother flexing front suspension. Less resistance.

Also I believe LCphil's works so well because its used with his mod'd control arms which work amazing.

Makes sense. Guess I was expecting to see some wheel stuffing like on Phil's rig. And now that you mention, I do remember noticing that his control arms looked a bit weird. Do you know what he did to them? MUD search feature blows hard, impossible to find anything.

You wanna know where it goes from "Oh yeah" to "Oh crap!" with the anti-sway bar? Try taking a corner at speed. Especially when it's got some downward angle to it.

I had my anti-sway bar off one time when wheeling. Coming off the mountain (on a paved road), I was going a little too fast, and forgot about the sway bar. Until I tried to brake & turn like I usually do.

I'm lucky I didn't run off the road into the ditch.

Heck, I get that floppy jalopy feeling now after a wheeling trip since we're dropping 7k feet via mountain twisties. I feel uneasy taking those curves at 60mph+ WITH a sway bar, can't imagine the butt puckering experience without the sway bar!

 

[nukegoat]

Nice. Are these similar to the "Anti Rock" design? And I'm assuming they'd be mounted in front of the axle instead of behind?

Sort of. Splined torsion bar with arms. You can look them up on ebay. Pretty simple design but stout. A lot of the Ultra 4 guys are using splined sway bars front and rear - it's just a tunable design that works and has adequate aftermarket support. Not cheap new but relatively affordable used.

 

[jcardona1]

Added a GIANT index with links to the first post per @LandCruiserPhil recommendation. This is actually a great idea. Can't remember how many times I go nuts trying to find a certain post, combing each page one at a time

 

[CruiseOrlando]

You're right about the index... or @LandCrusierPhil is! I'm going to have to add one to mine as well...

 

[jcardona1]

BACKUP / CAMP LIGHTS

Well since I moved LED pods up to the front to serve as ditch lights, I needed something for the rear. Decided to get something a little different for the backup instead of another set of 4 LED pods. They were nice, but the light output wasn't what I was looking for. I wanted to throw a good amount of light behind the truck for backing up since most of my rear window is blocked (and tinted dark).

Searched Amazon and found some 9 LED 27w 4.3" round work lights at 2150 lumens. These are all over eBay and have been for a while. Amazon had these at $36 shipped for a pair. And 2 day shipping? SOLD! http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00F4SO446/?tag=ihco-20

Started by ghetto fabbing a light mount out of 1/4" flat bar, welded to my tire carrier.

The lights are stout! Aluminum housing, thick glass lens, heck - they're built better than the fancy pods I have up front.

Big ol' hefer

And BRIGHT!

Can't remember if I posted this before - but I had also added a ground cut-off switch. Comes in handy when at the campsite. Turn the lights on from the inside, then I can quickly turn them off from the outside without having to go back in the truck

REAR SWAY BAR BUSHINGS

Rear sway bar bushings were shot - most likely original. The bushings in the ends of the sway bars are also shot. Ordered these from Toyota and they should be here soon. Couldn't find any aftermarket poly bushings for these. Anyway, did some searching and it looked like these would work. $14 on Amazon and 2 days later (can you tell I'm an Amazon whore?)

But wait, there's more! These come in a pack of 8. You only need 4 for the sway bar, so you'll have an extra set for when these go out.

Out with the OLD. Not bad for 18 years of service.

10 minutes later

 

[1973Guppie]

ur truck is looking super cool, good work man!.......

 

[jcardona1]

ur truck is looking super cool, good work man!.......

Thanks! My next plan is to figure out how to de-clutter the rear bumper - way too busy. Want to get the axe, bow saw and small shovel somewhere inside on the water can rack. I mounted them outside because I really had nowhere else to put them (no racks inside and no roof rack). But now that I have a welder I should be able to find a better solution.

 

[OGBeno]

I was going to say: do you really need an axe, bow saw and shovel in the wilds of Sacramento?

 

[jcardona1]

I was going to say: do you really need an axe, bow saw and shovel in the wilds of Sacramento?

I actually use those 2 tools more than my shovels, jacks and winch combined! Come in handy for firewood during camping. Shovel helps when you're stuck in the snow!

 

[OGBeno]

I've been to Sacramento many times and have yet to see snow.

Tech: I think the light by your rear quarter panel on the DS is going to get ripped off the first time it hits something.

 

[jcardona1]

I've been to Sacramento many times and have yet to see snow.

Tech: I think the light by your rear quarter panel on the DS is going to get ripped off the first time it hits something.

I don't know how it is in GA, but here in CA we have these things called roads that let you travel to other locations

 

[OGBeno]

I don't know how it is in GA, but here in CA we have these things called roads that let you travel to other locations

Yeah, I lived in NorCal long enough to know what CA calls roads = dirt roads here in GA.