My 3 linked daily driver build thread

[LandCruisinMy93]

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.

Thanks ardent, I just have to say though ...mine may not be long, but they're skinny... Wait... What?! What just happened?

 

[nicholsfab]

So you have 10" of separation at the axle side, whats is the separation on the frame end? Just curious. I have been considering linking the front of my 80 series for a bit better ride and little bit more articulation. Haven't even started a design yet considering i am still working on armor and drawer system. Thanks for the write-up and pictures.

 

[crackhouse]

The build looks great and is something I'd like to tackle in the near future. Do you mind sharing where you found the control arms or did you have them custom made?

 

[nukegoat]

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.

I like how I'm being called a hater when your response is that 'drives the same' is not equivalent to 'handles the same.'

 

[LandCruisinMy93]

made them from 2" .250 wall DOM with tubing adapters from Poly Performance. They had a good package deal for the Johnny Joints ,jam nuts and tubing adapters.

 

[Mandito22]

what size are ur jj's ???

 

[BILT4ME]

I love to read about the mods some folks do to these. There was a time in my life that I would have tried to tackle this type of mod to learn what you have done. The thing that I would be SO unwilling to tackle is the cut-n-turn on the ends of the axles. I would be so scared of screwing that up! I admire you for doing that.

Regardless of what the others say, I am VERY appreciative of you posting the work you've done here. It helps the rest of us looking at mods to analyze what has been done, what works and what doesn't. You've obviously thrown some money and HUGE amounts of time at your truck. I built my first 4x4 (started with a bare frame, and added a body, electrical, brake lines, cooling system and a lift, built engine) when I was in high school and drove the heck out of a very capable truck. I made MANY modifications over the years. Learning from the modifications and what I did right and wrong has allowed me to be better in my job as an adult.

The key is to set goals for what YOU want for the truck. Sometimes goals conflict and a truck will NOT be all things to all people. My truck (not an LC) ended up being a serious powerhouse with LOTS of pulling power, but was NOT even close to a family vehicle and it did not work well in city traffic.

My hat is off to you and your drive and ability! I wish I had the time and facility to do this kind of work now!

 

[LandCruisinMy93]

what size are ur jj's ???

1.25-12 threaded end they're like 2-5/8 across with a 9/16 bolt hole.

 

[LandCruisinMy93]

I love to read about the mods some folks do to these. There was a time in my life that I would have tried to tackle this type of mod to learn what you have done. The thing that I would be SO unwilling to tackle is the cut-n-turn on the ends of the axles. I would be so scared of screwing that up! I admire you for doing that.

Regardless of what the others say, I am VERY appreciative of you posting the work you've done here. It helps the rest of us looking at mods to analyze what has been done, what works and what doesn't. You've obviously thrown some money and HUGE amounts of time at your truck. I built my first 4x4 (started with a bare frame, and added a body, electrical, brake lines, cooling system and a lift, built engine) when I was in high school and drove the heck out of a very capable truck. I made MANY modifications over the years. Learning from the modifications and what I did right and wrong has allowed me to be better in my job as an adult.

The key is to set goals for what YOU want for the truck. Sometimes goals conflict and a truck will NOT be all things to all people. My truck (not an LC) ended up being a serious powerhouse with LOTS of pulling power, but was NOT even close to a family vehicle and it did not work well in city traffic.

My hat is off to you and your drive and ability! I wish I had the time and facility to do this kind of work now!

I greatly appreciate your compliments. I have put more time into the whole project than overall money. I keep a folder of all the receipts from all the parts and materials I put into it. I was intrigued by the EBAY post for a land cruiser for $30k and added up everything to date and truck included im just over $10k which in my mind isn't terrible for what I got out of it. Don't get me wrong $10k is a lot...a lot ..of money for me. I wrote the thread for exactly the reasons you stated. I wanted to give my fellow mudders a preview of what is entailed in such a project. Its no small undertaking and there is a lot of tinkering to get everything right where you feel it needs to be. HecK, I still tinker with it to learn more from it. As far as facilities to work on it, If I remove the valves from the valve stems on the tires and use ratchet straps to pull the frame closer to the axles, and remove my roof rack. I can pull it into my single car garage lol.

Its not Ideal, but this is Oregon and it rains 10 months out of the year, so its better than the alternative.

 

[sn22]

Very inspiring work! Way to make the most out of what you have to work with, that makes it even more impressive.

 

[LandCruisinMy93]

SOOOOO....I got around to removing the ugly A** upper link mount from the frame. I put the new angled mount in place and tack the 4 corners and realize, OH h Sh** I really overthought the construction of my bracket and somewhere in the midst of fabricating it I F-ed up and doubled the outward angle. So now I have to build another one, Im getting to be a pro at making useless bracketry lol! I will post up pic's sometime soon showing where the upper link bracket on the frame is located.

 

[LandCruisinMy93]

So you have 10" of separation at the axle side, whats is the separation on the frame end? Just curious. I have been considering linking the front of my 80 series for a bit better ride and little bit more articulation. Haven't even started a design yet considering i am still working on armor and drawer system. Thanks for the write-up and pictures.

Sorry I didn't see this question before, honestly I didn't look before I cut the bracket off today, but the hole where my bolt came through the frame is still there, I will hopefully get a measure on it tomorrow before I have to go to school. Oh yeah, and in case anyone was wondering, College at 30... blows.

 

[cody c]

interesting build thread, you built a really clean looking axle.

Im not sure why the concern on reusing the spring mounts on the axles, they are under compression against the axle, and not getting a twisting force like your link brackets, actually it looks like there's more weld holding them on to the axle they're probably, much stronger anyway.

As to the bracket at the top of the diff, do you have any concerns with it hitting your oil pan, or did you drop your bump stops etc? My rigs got a 6BT and had to have the oil pan notched for the diff, I can't imagine a bracket like that on top of it, it would cause huge problems for me, but maybe you got all kinds of clearance with your gasser. I dont know, just curious.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Thanks for posting the info on your build and for jumping out of the standard cruiser comfort zone. I would like to see and hear more on the gains in flex and any improvement in offroad capabilities.

 

[LandCruisinMy93]

interesting build thread, you built a really clean looking axle.

Im not sure why the concern on reusing the spring mounts on the axles, they are under compression against the axle, and not getting a twisting force like your link brackets, actually it looks like there's more weld holding them on to the axle they're probably, much stronger anyway.

As to the bracket at the top of the diff, do you have any concerns with it hitting your oil pan, or did you drop your bump stops etc? My rigs got a 6BT and had to have the oil pan notched for the diff, I can't imagine a bracket like that on top of it, it would cause huge problems for me, but maybe you got all kinds of clearance with your gasser. I dont know, just curious.

No concerns, it actually sits to the side of the engine with plenty of clearance. I do want to lower my bump stops though, just finding time to get around to it seems to be more of an issue.

 

[LandCruisinMy93]

Thanks for posting the info on your build and for jumping out of the standard cruiser comfort zone. I would like to see and hear more on the gains in flex and any improvement in offroad capabilities.

The gains in flex are great. The limiting factor at the moment are the shocks. I plan on upgrading them to either 34" or 36" extended length .vs. the 31-32 I have now. I don't get a lot of shots of my own rig doing stuff, so I will have to pester my wheeling buddies to send me what they have.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

The gains in flex are great. The limiting factor at the moment are the shocks. I plan on upgrading them to either 34" or 36" extended length .vs. the 31-32 I have now. I don't get a lot of shots of my own rig doing stuff, so I will have to pester my wheeling buddies to send me what they have.

Do you have any plans on addressing body roll at hwy speeds?

 

[hotwod]

Wicked write up man! I'm copying the SH!T out of this build (Including the "College at 30" part) My Pathfinder was WAAAY more of a pain in the arse doing the 3 link. Uni-body, rack and pinion, and NOOOO afermarket!
Anyway, thanks for posting up the info! Great motivation builder

 

[nukegoat]

The gains in flex are great. The limiting factor at the moment are the shocks. I plan on upgrading them to either 34" or 36" extended length .vs. the 31-32 I have now. I don't get a lot of shots of my own rig doing stuff, so I will have to pester my wheeling buddies to send me what they have.

I'm in the same boat. Good reason to consider coilovers in the front (like js93cruiser) - the mounting locations for the shocks and springs are fairly outboarded in the front so you don't get the same sort of mechanical advantage like you do in the rear. I'm too cheap, I think, to go down that path on an all-purpose rig. If I had a better budget I'd consider it more seriously, though.

And I'd be willing to bet now you're in the same boat as me - the front flexes more than the rear, sort of giving an inverted driving experience than previously - I can't just drive with the braille method now - I actually have to watch my front axle since it doesn't provide feedback about the trail like it used to.

 

[nukegoat]

interesting build thread, you built a really clean looking axle.

Im not sure why the concern on reusing the spring mounts on the axles, they are under compression against the axle, and not getting a twisting force like your link brackets, actually it looks like there's more weld holding them on to the axle they're probably, much stronger anyway.

As to the bracket at the top of the diff, do you have any concerns with it hitting your oil pan, or did you drop your bump stops etc? My rigs got a 6BT and had to have the oil pan notched for the diff, I can't imagine a bracket like that on top of it, it would cause huge problems for me, but maybe you got all kinds of clearance with your gasser. I dont know, just curious.

You can shift the upper link mount (or mounts, in my case) to other locations to avoid interference. The top of the pumpkin is a good location for several reasons in the 3-link scenario, but if you're constrained there are other options.