My 3 linked daily driver build thread

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Okay so, here is what the upper link mount looks like. If it weren't raining outside at the moment I would go snap a shot right now.
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1) It looks great and I like the cut & turn. Good attention to detail.

2) It's essentially impossible for a 3-link to behave the same as it did with radius arms. I'm sure it drives great, acceptable, whatever - but don't delude others into thinking a 3-link will feel the same as the radius arms. Others (including myself) with linked setups on here will tell you it's a big difference. Not a bad one, mind you, but not transparent.

Nice criticism sandwich, you're missing the other positive compliment though. In fact when I stated that it drives the same as it did before the lift, what I meant to say was ... It drives the same as it did before the lift. Not that it handles like it did before. That it drives up and down the road smoothly, no wander, no steering issues. I have no sway bars so I get more body roll than before for sure, with the rear sway bar on its substantially better though. I think you over analyze simple conversation, I was asked my feedback on my lift that I built, I gave my honest feedback. I didn't say it's the best thing since sliced bread or that it's for everybody or that your results would be the same as mine.
 
Nice criticism sandwich, you're missing the other positive compliment though. In fact when I stated that it drives the same as it did before the lift, what I meant to say was ... It drives the same as it did before the lift. Not that it handles like it did before. That it drives up and down the road smoothly, no wander, no steering issues. I have no sway bars so I get more body roll than before for sure, with the rear sway bar on its substantially better though. I think you over analyze simple conversation, I was asked my feedback on my lift that I built, I gave my honest feedback. I didn't say it's the best thing since sliced bread or that it's for everybody or that your results would be the same as mine.

So just out of curiosity would you consider this the best thing since sliced bread? Jk

I'm running without a rear sway bar now so I'm not concerned about a little body roll. Although I would imagine it's pretty hairy with emergency braking having that much lift?

The articulation looks good.
 
I thinks its people from San Jose. They are just plain haters. Maybe something in the water.

However nukegoat also did a link setup and was honest about what he though about it afterwards.

I honestly got worried when I saw you were reusing the brackets and mounts. Would be nice to see how you sorted out the steering. Did you move the axle forward?

How do you access the nut for the upper mount on the frame?
 
Don't think I've seen a link tower that didn't connect around the curvature of diff housing from one axle tube to the other, even on mini trucks running 80 axles.

My dumbass conclusion is there has to be a reason for, so can you elude to what inherent strengths you seen in the top of the housing that otters haven't?
 
Don't think I've seen a link tower that didn't connect around the curvature of diff housing from one axle tube to the other, even on mini trucks running 80 axles.

My dumbass conclusion is there has to be a reason for, so can you elude to what inherent strengths you seen in the top of the housing that otters haven't?

Oh, now your gonna open the can of worms.
 
Don't think I've seen a link tower that didn't connect around the curvature of diff housing from one axle tube to the other, even on mini trucks running 80 axles.

My dumbass conclusion is there has to be a reason for, so can you elude to what inherent strengths you seen in the top of the housing that otters haven't?
The one that 4WU is working on doesn't have it either

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Nor this 80 axle on a 4Runner

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The first pic has the bracket partially welded to the front of the diff.

It's been popular for years to do it either way. Especially on track bars.


Delancy, the reason why you see a lot of other axles with the front truss that extends to the axle tubes is because they are usually not Toyota housings and are cast center sections.
 
The first pic has the bracket partially welded to the front of the diff.

It's been popular for years to do it either way. Especially on track bars.


Delancy, the reason why you see a lot of other axles with the front truss that extends to the axle tubes is because they are usually not Toyota housings and are cast center sections.

Correct. I'm not running a triangulated 4 link or a cast iron diff housing with ductile steel axle tubes. It's 3/16 sheet metal to 3/16 sheet metal, the mount sits on top of the housing and is welded inside and out, the mount also extends down the front of the housing and is fitted to the curvature of the diff cover and welded also. The link mount angles slightly inwards to detract from leveraging as badly. I have beat the pis* out of my rig since I lifted it, the only breakage I've had so far was a birfield with more than 250k on it, and of course the carnage an exploded birfield causes. As far as reusing the original spring mounts, why not? It's not like I reused the radius arm mounts to make my link mounts, and the original spring mounts are plenty strong enough to hold the springs and weight of the truck.
 
I thinks its people from San Jose. They are just plain haters. Maybe something in the water.

However nukegoat also did a link setup and was honest about what he though about it afterwards.

I honestly got worried when I saw you were reusing the brackets and mounts. Would be nice to see how you sorted out the steering. Did you move the axle forward?

How do you access the nut for the upper mount on the frame?

I think you're right about the San Jose people, my old lady is from there and so is her ex. As far as the coil mounts go, there's no reason not to reuse them. I made all my link mounts , didn't reuse any of that.
Now the upper link mount at the frame is nasty, the bolt goes in behind the cats through the frame and the nut is on the outside of the mount. Part of the reason I made new mounts to install. I reassembled the exhaust system with stainless hardware though, so it's not hard to get it out if I need to at the moment. But my new upper mount, aside from being angled is a captive nut design.

As far as steering goes, I sleeved the tie rod and drag links and that's it. Plenty of clearance for the links since I cut and turned the entire housing and knuckles.
 
So just out of curiosity would you consider this the best thing since sliced bread? Jk

I'm running without a rear sway bar now so I'm not concerned about a little body roll. Although I would imagine it's pretty hairy with emergency braking having that much lift?

The articulation looks good.

I wouldn't know that much about emergency braking, I drove armored trucks in a city full of morons for 7 years. I was trained with the smith driving system so I don't get in many emergency situations. But when I have used the brake hard it stops fine, some nose dive definitely but I haven't had that Oh Shi* feeling. Someone already got it, sorry
It might be a little desensitized from driving under maintenanced armored trucks.
 
It's funny. I could have sworn I started a build thread of my daily driven 80 with a 3 link front, yet it seems I have stumbled onto a how You fu**cked up your suspension thread. I don't mind criticism, I don't claim to be a master fabricator, an automotive engineer or anything else. I have done tons of neat shi* with cars and I have done a number of lifts for people who bought a lift package. This is my first built not bought lift, and I'm a lot happier with what I have now, than what I had before. I think if you asked Shawn Jackson about his, he would say the same thing. I'm sure there are hundreds on here who would have done it differently or who could have done it better, I won't argue with them because it's done. It's problem free for the most part, I only say for the most part because the only thing I would have done differently is the upper link mount, but I have made another and am going to replace it. I'm not on here for a di** measuring contest, I'm here to contribute where I can learn what I can from those that have been there, and return the favor where I can.
 
I hope I'm not coming off as angry or anything, I hate text for the fact that nobody truly knows the feeling behind it. I'm not insulted or angry, I love giving people a hard time and I like all the questions and feedback.
 
It's funny. I could have sworn I started a build thread of my daily driven 80 with a 3 link front, yet it seems I have stumbled onto a how You fu**cked up your suspension thread. I don't mind criticism, I don't claim to be a master fabricator, an automotive engineer or anything else. I have done tons of neat shi* with cars and I have done a number of lifts for people who bought a lift package. This is my first built not bought lift, and I'm a lot happier with what I have now, than what I had before. I think if you asked Shawn Jackson about his, he would say the same thing. I'm sure there are hundreds on here who would have done it differently or who could have done it better, I won't argue with them because it's done. It's problem free for the most part, I only say for the most part because the only thing I would have done differently is the upper link mount, but I have made another and am going to replace it. I'm not on here for a di** measuring contest, I'm here to contribute where I can learn what I can from those that have been there, and return the favor where I can.


I've built my own suspension in the past also. people are most amazed that it doesn't cost thousands of dollars like the kits. they have to justify the kits they purchuse...

I think it is coming together nicely. hope to do a three link at some point on mine. had long arm on my crawler jeep that i use to have was planning on three link with it but projects changed

keep it up
 
Cj I agree somewhat, People are often cynical when I break down the cost of doing it myself. It actually came in cheaper than the 7" lift kits I was finding online. It was a lot of labor on my part though. I think its just in peoples nature to give opinion, hell I do it all the time. Thanks for the comment :cheers:
 
I hope you didn't think anything I said was cynical. You made something that meets for needs. You put a lot of effort into it, you saved money, and gained knowledge.
I ask questions to gain some insight so that I can possibly make an attempt at success rather than failure someday.

I appreciate those on this forum that have a willingness to share what they learn, and know to benefit all who desire to glean and build upon their teachers knowledge. To you I say thank you!
 
Now you hurt my feelings about the San Jose people. I'm from SJ. LoL.

It's actually not a bad setup. I was thinking it was gonna be a hack job at first when I saw you were reusing the brackets. You did a good job taking off the factory brackets. Like a fawkin surgeon.

The cut and turn was nice and the welds looked good. Flux core wire? (noticed a lot of wire wheeling) I actually miss using flux core.
 
My links are longer than yours.

Lol. Looks great. What really matters is that you enjoy driving it!

Good job and welcome to the linked crowd.

:steer:
 
I hope you didn't think anything I said was cynical. You made something that meets for needs. You put a lot of effort into it, you saved money, and gained knowledge.
I ask questions to gain some insight so that I can possibly make an attempt at success rather than failure someday.

I appreciate those on this forum that have a willingness to share what they learn, and know to benefit all who desire to glean and build upon their teachers knowledge. To you I say thank you!

Not at all Stan, and it's people seeking knowledge like you and I that is the reason I posted. I did a lot of forum surfing and research and question asking etc.. Before I did my build.
 
Now you hurt my feelings about the San Jose people. I'm from SJ. LoL.

It's actually not a bad setup. I was thinking it was gonna be a hack job at first when I saw you were reusing the brackets. You did a good job taking off the factory brackets. Like a fawkin surgeon.

The cut and turn was nice and the welds looked good. Flux core wire? (noticed a lot of wire wheeling) I actually miss using flux core.

I think a lot of responses so far have been under the impression it's an in progress build. I did use flux core when I did the welds, i didn't have a wire wheel though lol. I actually just waited a bit after welds and used a plat head screw driver to pop the slag. Thanks though, I'm happy with how it turned out. The best part is, it's the only vehicle I've ever owned where people regularly stop me and play 20 questions or offer to buy it lol.
 

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