rear 2nd gen links

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sparticus

sparticus

10 Year 15 Year
Joined
Dec 22, 2009
Threads
6
Messages
62
Location
Ogden,UT
I have swithched the rear coils on my 1991 4runner to the FJ 80 stock coils, it gave me about 4 inches of lift over stock and i plan to lengthen the stock links and make it a 3 link. My ? is: is it worth it to just lengthen the stock link or would that be a waste of time? Should i just buy and make a whole new link, if so what are the best kind of link ends for the money?:wrench:
 
The problem with the factory links is that the rubber ends are pretty unforgiving to hard flex, so they put a lot of strain on the link mounts. This limits flex and can supposedly tear the mounts off the axle.

Allpro Offroad makes a set of upper and lower links that are a "johnny joint" type lower and heim joint upper ends. The lowers are 1.5" longer to re-center the axle after lift. I just removed them from my '95 4runner and went to marlin leaf springs and have been much happier. Highly recommend ditching the rear setup if you are doing any hard wheeling.

The heim joint uppers wore out completely after 5 years of use, but the lowers are still solid enough that I can't move them by hand. Never thought heim joints were a good choice for suspension links if you play in sand or mud.

I can't seem to get the Allpro site to load to post a link.

I still have my lowers and would consider selling them if you are interested. will sell the Uppers but it might be cheaper to buy new because you would have to replace all of the heim joints.

P.S. When I lifted my '95 I had to take a 4 pound hammer to the gas tank to make clearance for the passenger side upper link to travel. I don't know what Toyota was thinking when they put that damn rock snagging, anchor of a gas tank where they did.
 
Cool advice

Thanks for the tips, i still want to keep the coils i have plans to make it a four link front with coils in a couple of years, as for now i'm swaping ina axle up front with rear toyota leafs for suspension, and yes i would want the lower links or at least the link ends, i love the flex i get out of the coils and yeah i don't know what toyota was thinking when they planted the gas tank there, hense why i'm going to a three link in the rear
 
dont be fooled by the hype around heims, and RE joints. For most people Bushings will do just fine! If the suspension is set up right they will flex plenty! you will likely need limit straps. Plus you can bushing the entire truck for the price one or two joints. If you plan to drive on the street, then I definatly say bushing (atleast at the axle end), once the joints get some sand or mud in them they get sloppy.

Also dont chase flex, chase stability. Other wise you will be the parking lot ramp queen, but will just flop on the trail.
 
black95 said:
The problem with the factory links is that the rubber ends are pretty unforgiving to hard flex, so they put a lot of strain on the link mounts. This limits flex and can supposedly tear the mounts off the axle.
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Yup.

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Did this on the Rim Trail in Moab. Stock bushings. It was interesting getting that truck limped off the trail till I could get it into town and visit a welder.

I wouldn't swap the bushings for poly either. I helped a friend do this several years ago on his '90 4Runner. As he was backing out of his driveway for the test drive, one wheel dropped into the drainage trough at the end of his driveway, and snapped one of the upper links in half. He didn't even move the truck 20' and it was already crippled. We put the squishy stock bushings back on.
 
Sparticus, The lower links are fixed end, not sure that's what you are looking for. You would have to cut them and find the right size pipe to sleeve and make longer. The only real plus I can see is these are exactly the right width to fit in the factory axle pocket rather than you trying to make shims for a different type of rod end. The uppers are adjustable with spacers already made and 5/8 fine thread bolts included. This is how they came from AllPro Offroad. Only two of the upper rod ends are usable. The other two are worn out, not sure if they are a standard size or have to be ordered from AllPro. The lowers are in great shape and are rebuildable.
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Thanks for the tips i have heard of the stock links being stiff and ripping of mounts, thats why i wanted to swithtch, so i think i can use the lowers but not the uppers black 95. What is the best joint then, Johnny joints?
 
They both go together. The really bad thing about short links is that they will rear steer the axle if the angle is too steep. Picture your axle flexed out, then imagine the wheel that is tucked will have the link flattened out making it longer, while the other side the link will get more angle and make itself shorter. This causes the axle to turn sideways, and really causes some weird steering quirks on the road. Then you have to worry about jacking, anti-squat, and link binding.......but I don't even want to get started on that.

It is very hard to get good link angles with a full body wagon, and they tend to lean harder because coils just don't seem to have as good of a progressive rate as leaf springs. Word of caution: keep your rear sway bar!

I personally know a guy in our local club that has lengthened his rear links and done a three link on a second gen. Yeah, it flexes like mad, but flex is not everything. In my opinion, just doesn't work like the rear marlin or Allpro leaf springs. :meh: I say coilover the front, leaf spring the rear. 4x4 magazines have drilled into our heads hat we need 18" coilovers and Dana 60's, and its just not true for trail rigs.
 
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I have a 1991 4Runner and have been looking for the all Pro links.

I think All Pro discontinued their links.

I would like a set of those links if the OP passes. I am running an OME 2.5" suspension and don't plan on going any taller with my truck. I just want some beefier links!

If Ican't find them, there is a company that is selling dom tubing thats cut in half that can be used to reinforce the stock links.

I suppose reinforcing the stock link mounting location might not be a bad idea either!
 
Yeah i see the angle problem, but as far as the sway bar, the FJ80 coils are stiffer than the stock ones so actually it drives really well on the road and off, and flex is not every thing i know but the real reason i want the longer ones is to increase my ground clearance because the stock mount point is really low
 
hell i went leafsprings front and rear on my 2nd gen. way easier to set up and ALOT cheaper. i would like to link my front end at some point, but its not very high on my list of things to do. I.E. its something i'd do whenever i ran out of mods to do.
 
I have the marlin leaves on front and rear, and it rocks! If I could change anything, it would be for them to make a "heavy" version of the leaves. I think the front and rear could go up a 100 pounds and they would be perfect for my heavy second gen.
 
So the plan for now is to sleeve the lower links and make them longer and mount right on frame, this will help my angle and clearance of the links, and as for the one top link i will also lengthen it but i will cut out the wimpy link and weld the stock link ends too new tube possibly make it adjustable. Then when i get the money later i will make three new links that are all adjustable with Johnny Joint ends, how does that sound? Any other ideas to help me out in the link department we be great
 
Just be careful not to burn the rubber inside the joints. Have to go slow with the welding process.

If it were me, I would go junk yard hunting and get another bottom link to use on top. The bottom links are bigger and have more flex.
 
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