Ivan Stewarts old Prerunner

[jgolden]

Back in the mid 90's when Ivan drove for Toyota, he would prerun in a white 80 series LC.

Does anyone have pics or more information about the truck? I remember it was a 3 seater (2 up front, i think 1 in the middle in back) It looked pretty stock but I'm sure it was highly modified.

thanks in advance

 

[slamd58]

When I worked for Toyota, I got to sit in the desert and wait for Ivan to come by us in case he needed at new tire, Gas, water, etc... It was kinda like an emergency pit crew if you will. GREAT FUN!! I remember the white LC and it definitely had three seats as you said. I will see if I can find my pics from back then and see if I have one of it. I know I took some, just not sure where the pics are. He told me once that he could do 100 mph in the Cruiser in some spots... yes it was modified...!!

 

[Downey]

The only thing I remember of it was that it ran Downeys FJ80 coils. There was a time when they were getting some parts from us to rebuild the vehicle (after about 1.5 or 2 years of hard use)
I asked them if they needed a fresh set of coils, they said no, the ones on the vehicle were still perfectly fine. Frankly I was shocked, most parts on Pre-runners or Race trucks usually only last a couple of runs.

 

[ARussell]

Hey Guys,

I raced a Toyota stock mini in the mid/late-90s and occasionally would see Ivan's prerunner. Going on memory which is a little clouded now, the rear used a rocker-arm setup with two 2.0 shocks on each corner mounted forward horizontally. Nothing special as far as shocks (non res from what I remember.) I don't remember anything's special about the front.

OK, so what made it work so well? I believe the main ingredient was the "Downey" springs. I have 220K miles of freeway & prerunning on mine and even tried the typical "others" spring/rate combinations prior. Amazing is an understatement.

 

[24HOURSOFNEVADA]

We still need pictures.

 

[pint]

I would love to see that baby!

 

[Bikeman]

He drove a 1997 that was featured in the August 1999 issue of Off Road magazine. I still have the article. It had 2-17" 65mm Bilstein shocks at each wheel, trussed axles, 285 BFG's on American Racing wheels, and tube bumpers that I modelled mine after.

 

[ARussell]

Bikeman, Anyway of scanning the article and posting?

 

[jgolden]

Great info guys!!!! Anyway you can scan the article and post it?

Another question......Has anyone out there seen an 80 Series built up as a "sleeper" prerunner / trail rig? I'm NOT talking fiberglass fenders, massive roll cage, etc. Just a nice clean rig with extra attention to suspension travel, upgraded shocks, maybe a roll cage? I've been racing in the desert for 15 years and now that I have a son I'd like to build a rig that's street worthy, trail ready and can still prerun some of the smoother races.

Please keep the information and pics coming!!!!

 

[ARussell]

Hey JGolden, Below is my 97 LC... It has Downey springs, 2-3in lift, 295x16 BFG's (approx 34in), custom 2.5 shocks using stock mounts - one per corner (with Fox pistons & King by-passes - 10in stroke - must use weld top shocks with posts), 3in Light Racing bump stops on each corner (they were tricky to setup cleanly). Also replaced the tank with a 38gal unit, stock unit was on fumes one lap around Parker. Selling it to JLoth...I've been playing with it for 10 years, let me know if you have any questions. Allen

 

[24HOURSOFNEVADA]

Hey JGolden, Below is my 97 LC... It has Downey springs, 2-3in lift, 295x16 BFG's (approx 34in), custom 2.5 shocks using stock mounts - one per corner (with Fox pistons & King by-passes - 10in stroke - must use weld top shocks with posts), 3in Light Racing bump stops on each corner (they were tricky to setup cleanly). Also replaced the tank with a 38gal unit, stock unit was on fumes one lap around Parker. Selling it to JLoth...I've been playing with it for 10 years, let me know if you have any questions. Allen

I have some questions about your bumpstops. Could you please send me some detailed pics and more information. I've been working with Light Racing to put some on my 80series. I'm curious if you went the same route the engineer at LR advised me to go.

Thanks

 

[ARussell]

For those of you interest, below are pics of the Light Racing bump stops on my LC. On the front, I sandwitched a mounting plate between the coil carrier and the top bucket mount. Cut the top coil carrier and used it as a spring guide to keep the spring from moving around. I also reinforced the bottom axle spring carrier with plate just in case. Fab not too complicated and basically bolt on.

 

[ARussell]

The rear is a lot more complicated. I used the 3in versions on the back, but highly recommend using the 1.5in version if you want to attempt. Also the back moves sideways through the cycle, so you need to check clearances until completely compressed. Used a top plate and welded at the upper most part of the top spring carrier (also needed to cut a hole in the top spring carrier to fit the bump stop). The bottom axle spring carrier need to be "hollowed" out and the bumps actually compress on the axle. (this is the main reason to go with the 1.5in versions). I would have now if I had known, but I had to try and fit the 3in...

http://www.racefactoryinc.com/lcimages/lc_rrshocks_004.jpg
http://www.racefactoryinc.com/lcimages/lc_rrshocks_005.jpg
http://www.racefactoryinc.com/lcimages/lc_rrshocks_007.jpg

 

[ARussell]

Light Racing Bump Stop Recap: These work great and allow you to set your suspension up soft/plush with only 10in of travel. Really progressive and without a harsh initial hit. I have not tested the bump stops with other shocks, but I think they work so well you probably don't need large bodied shocks (if you can keep your shocks cool enough) for all but extreme prerunning. Definitely makes the by-pass shocks un-necessary.

 

[JO MAOMA]

what's the up travel vs drop on your setup....

 

[ARussell]

6-6.5" up travel, 3.5-4" drop. The suspension is setup soft, always using the entire travel stroke in offroad conditions. The trick is to have the high-speed rebound as light (fast) as possible to keep the tires on the ground. Makes a huge difference in ride quality and handling. I actually tried going heavier (slower) on the rebound once during a revalve and made the ride a lot rougher on the vehicle and driver

 

[24HOURSOFNEVADA]

Total hi-jack on now!

The engineers at LR recommended the swivel mounts that would allow the bumpstop to rotate with the axle upon contact. They also recommended the cupped ends with the domed targets. I think you used the fixed mounts and can't tell what ends and targets you used? Am I partially correct?

thanks again.

 

[ARussell]

On top, I used used a fixed mounted welded to a plate. (fixed mount drilled & welded to the plate from the inside of fixed mount). For the shaft, I used the Delrin cupped shaft end. I thought about using the swivel mounts originally, but opted against it because they are sitting inside the spring bucket & spring. I didn't want anything moving around and getting banged up.

Not sure I would use the domed targets with the sideways movement of the axles (especially on the back). I like the idea of having a flat surface that base of the shock shaft can slide on if needed. It's held up great and would still go that route if building another 80 series.

 

[24HOURSOFNEVADA]

Very cool thank you.

 

[JO MAOMA]

thanks for the info...