High Steer - Low range vs. tailgear vs. marlin

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J

josephpatrickgray

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I am getting ready to do the high steer conversion and I noticed low range and trailgear offer a six stud hubs and steering arms and marlin only has the four stud steering arms. The kits from trailgear and low range seem pretty similiar, I wonder if they are made by the same company? I am building a minitruck for street and trail. I am planning to run 35inch tires, front and rear elockers with 5.29 gears. Is there a big jump in strength with the six stud hubs? While I am doing the conversion I am trying to figure out if the six stud hubs would be a wise investment while I am tearing everything apart? I also plan on longfields at some point in the future. Are there other vendors or better choices available?

Thanks,

Joe
 
Low range is a Trail Gear reseller, they also carry some products from Sky and other vendors. Low range does have better pricing then Trail Gear. Trail Gear will not undercut their own vendors, so you can always find their stuff at a lower price through other vendors.

I wouldn't bother with the 6 stud knuckles/arms with 35's. I don't think you need that strength unless you are running 38's or bigger.

I think Marlin has stronger arms then Trail Gear, but Trail gear has a stronger and thicker pitman arm. Marlin also includes higher quality TRE's from what I have heard. With the Trail Gear kit, you will be replacing your TRE's sooner. Good idea to buy some quality ends once they wear out.

I have the Trail Gear kit installed on my truck, I have no regrets in buying it. I also have some parts from Marlin, I am not biased to any one company. I just do my research and go from there.
 
Howsy! Have you considered the 5th knuckle stud setup? It is much cheaper, especially if you can do a bit of weld/fab work youself. I installed Bobby Long's version on my Piggy. There are others, like 4x4Labs, I think. Could even DIY. John
 
I like Marlins because I believe they carry a stronger TRE. They call them the 1ton fj80 TRE, I didnt think anything of the title til I saw a stock fj80 TRE next to my Marlin one....there is a big difference. And since TRE are a major wear concern especially on a street truck, I say Marlin.

The six shooters are nice, but I dont think they are necessary for you because you are not running hydro assist. But it wont hurt. You could buy the six shooters knuckles and arms, and Marlin TRE's, and who's ever links you want. They can all be sold seperatly.

Ive been running hyrdo assist, on 37's, on stock knuckles and stock studs, and my studs never even come loose! But I am lucky in that area.
 
Marlins arms are billet steel, much stronger than cast counter parts(Allpro,Trail-mart,etc etc). Skys arms are also billet steel if IRCC. Just about all high steer arms are setup to run fj80 TRE's most aftermarket TRE's wont last very long, some are worst than others. If you really want TRE's that will last for years stock (From TOYOTA) FJ80's series arms will be the way to go. More than likely cheaper in the long run.

As for the tierod/drag link as long as its DOM and at least .250 you should be good to go.

Not like I am plugging something I am selling but I have brand new set of arms for sale (cheap), Not using them because my rig is stock(more or less). Shoot me a PM if you want.
 
I busted the s*** out of my studs on my last trip running 35's
Mike C said:
Low range is a Trail Gear reseller, they also carry some products from Sky and other vendors. Low range does have better pricing then Trail Gear. Trail Gear will not undercut their own vendors, so you can always find their stuff at a lower price through other vendors.

I wouldn't bother with the 6 stud knuckles/arms with 35's. I don't think you need that strength unless you are running 38's or bigger.

I think Marlin has stronger arms then Trail Gear, but Trail gear has a stronger and thicker pitman arm. Marlin also includes higher quality TRE's from what I have heard. With the Trail Gear kit, you will be replacing your TRE's sooner. Good idea to buy some quality ends once they wear out.

I have the Trail Gear kit installed on my truck, I have no regrets in buying it. I also have some parts from Marlin, I am not biased to any one company. I just do my research and go from there.
Click to expand...
 
cruiser88 said:
I busted the s*** out of my studs on my last trip running 35's
Click to expand...

were the arms possibly a little loose and allowing some movement?
i can see that sheering some bolts with the quickness.
 
You know I am blaming myself a little and possibly the spool. I had just done the cross over/ high steer conversion 2 days before. I should have checked the nuts and even going as far as using locktight.

Every nut was loose
CruisinFJ60 said:
were the arms possibly a little loose and allowing some movement?
i can see that sheering some bolts with the quickness.
Click to expand...
 
if you arent killing studs then you wheel like a girl. Sixx shooters or a 5th stud are a MUST on a toyota.
doesnt matter, even if they are tight they will still shear off
 
Wheeling style does play a huge part in how strong you need to build your truck too. I daily drive my rig, so I don't pound on it and drive like a idiot. If my rig wasn't a daily driver, it would be on at least 37's and I would have picked up the 6 shooters. But for a DD I am building it up a little lighter, and street friendly.
 
Chop Shop said:
if you arent killing studs then you wheel like a girl. Sixx shooters or a 5th stud are a MUST on a toyota.
doesnt matter, even if they are tight they will still shear off
Click to expand...

:rolleyes:
 
cruiser88 said:
I disagree, I am hard on my junk. I know I am the the cause of most of my breakage.
Click to expand...

same here.
ive seen some people really beat their junk with no stud issues, and ive seen others who are pretty tame snap nearly every single one...

im pretty hard on my 60 but im still on 33's right now and ive not had a problem with studs, we will see what the 37-39.5's do when money allows, tho i still really think if its all tight it wont be a major issue.
 
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