The 4WheelUnderground 3 link thread (1 Viewer)

[NLXTACY]

No 3 link, no doubler, no rear leafs w traction bar, no ....

Since I bought my LX new in 97 I have poured well over $130k into my truck. This includes every gas station fill, oil change, upgrade, maintenance, insurance payment. Everything for this one vehicle. I've gone above and beyond on my truck. But the three things you mention above have zero interest to me nor to the type of exploring I like to do.

This website lacks so many creative minds, thinkers and talent....

Huh? Only 3-linkers show a creative mind, thinkers and talent? There is a tremendous amount of talent here but this is NOT Pirate. I came to MUD because that place is messed up. Maybe that site is better suited to your creative mind, talent and critical thinking. I dunno.

Not trying to be disrespectful, just seeing the reality of statements made above slowly emerge(agreeing). Thankfully, there's plenty more in the community,not specific to this website that, that aren't solely concerned with cupholders and plastic dippin trim pieces.

This site isn't for you and the 3 people willing to do this type of modification to their trucks. Its for everyone that is new to 80s or even Land Cruisers to that matter. Why disparage those people because they are just cutting their teeth in this world only to be belittled by statements like these? Hell I would be happy that there is even a forum where you can go that even highlights this type of build. I'm happy as hell that Jose is doing it. I'm happy as hell that the system is proving itself...at Jose's pace But there is a place here for everything.

It isn't only about sales for 4wu, it's a passion to make very functional (improvement in factory limits) parts for many different trucks. The 80 crowd isn't his bread and butter, it was just something he wanted to explore. Not unlike Nissan Xterrain and other up and coming projects I believe he is pursuing.

Totally agree.

I'm sure he's a bit disappointed currently, but comments from a parts slinger and a turbo fanatic on suspensions mods shouldn't necessarily discourage him either...

HUH? The parts slinger has a ton more off roading time than I do and a ton more knowledge. More power to him. His opinion matters and likely more than mine. That turbo fanatic is an incredibly smart futher mucker and I've definitely been thrilled he is part of this site because I know I am better off with him being here. What 4WU is doing is absolutely incredible and if I were to ever decide to go 3-link, on a different truck, they are the direction I would go.

Again, no disrespect, but this place is incredibly obtuse.

What are we slow to realize? That 3-link is the bee's knees and everyone should do it? Yeah no. Or is it because we don't all have the same build philosophy, driving style and expedition goals that you do? Who hurt you Booger? Show us on the doll where the bad man touched you

 

[Booger weldz]

Lol @NLXTACY

Don't read into that so much.... It's says. 'No disrespect' more than once. And 'lacks so many' not lacks entirely'. I hear you man, in all seriousness, NO DISREspect.

Comments toward those two were regarding lack of sales, not lack of
Knowledge or skill...

I am looking for a doll to photograph though, but all mine are female and deflated

 

[maxamillion2345]

I realize what you were getting at but uhh I just have to throw this out there... I'm running junk yard chevy 63s with an anti wrap bar now. Why would you want to digress to leaf springs, they said.

 

[scottryana]

Well all we have to do is get some of those mini truck guys over driving 80's and I think we will see a change! you get your hardcore builds, 4WU sells some kits since they already know the quality, we get an injection of people willing to spend money on crawler gears because they are so used to mini trucks having to have them.

Really you need to be on mini truck websites recruiting! Ha

I forgot about your spectacular 55...

4wu owns the minitruck segment and is held in huge regards there. Pretty much the pinnacle of suspension systems on pirate, etc.

Maybe someday 80s too, but probably not unless he starts making it 'bolt on'<---- no joke

I haven't been around here enough or of the frequency to see the scenario you describe, but it's definitely becoming apparent

 

[NLXTACY]

Lol @NLXTACY

Don't read into that so much.... It's says. 'No disrespect' more than once. And 'lacks so many' not lacks entirely'. I hear you man, in all seriousness, NO DISREspect.

Comments toward those two were regarding lack of sales, not lack of
Knowledge or skill...

I am looking for a doll to photograph though, but all mine are female and deflated

Yeah yeah, you wrote it but it's definitely not how it comes across

 

[NLXTACY]

Maybe someday 80s too, but probably not unless he starts making it 'bolt on'<---- no joke

Barely any of us have the welding skills to take on a project like this.
Well that and our truck is our daily driver

 

[Booger weldz]

Barely any of us have the welding skills to take on a project like this.

75% of the minitruck crowd is 20sumthins making all these mods (and more) with a borrowed welder and recycled junkyard parts. They chop/cut/rebuild like nobodies business with no excuses about 'skills'. They just get out there and do it


Mines suddenly a daily driver and I understand the apprehension of putting it on jackstands Saturday morning knowing it's gotta goto work on Monday.

 

[Booger weldz]

I realize what you were getting at but uhh I just have to throw this out there... I'm running junk yard chevy 63s with an anti wrap bar now. Why would you want to digress to leaf springs, they said.

You and that thread some guy from Sacramento(Jose knew him) w a huge lx who wanted to do leaves but got completely slammed by the regular 'Mud crowd'.

I was amazed by the ignorant comments made in that thread by all the 'experts' who's level of intellect regarding their trucks suspension is merely measure able by the slee coil spring bill on their credit card statement.

I'd run leaves out back any day.

 

[NLXTACY]

75% of the minitruck crowd is 20sumthins making all these mods (and more) with a borrowed welder and recycled junkyard parts. They chop/cut/rebuild like nobodies business with no excuses about 'skills'. They just get out there and do it.

Yup, I could also learn how to bake a cake but that would be something else I really don't want to do.

 

[NCFJ]

I can relate to the subject of a great many people expressing interest and commenting on what changes to make to the product only to find that all it was, was talk. I wish I had the proverbial nickle for every time I heard "if you did this or that I am in" it just does not happen. I have heard it from bumpers to sliders, suspension components to Vortec swaps.

If, as a vendor, you base projected sales based on enthusiasm about the product during development you are kidding yourself. Our market is just like any other non survival based product out there. There are warehouses across the country full of "GREAT" products that someone took a risk on producing and it fell flat. As a fabricator, manufacturer we all take a risk on one product or another, some are a big hit, some a limited hit and others just fall flat.

 

[bigfj62]

75% of the minitruck crowd is 20sumthins making all these mods (and more) with a borrowed welder and recycled junkyard parts. They chop/cut/rebuild like nobodies business with no excuses about 'skills'. They just get out there and do it


Mines suddenly a daily driver and I understand the apprehension of putting it on jackstands Saturday morning knowing it's gotta goto work on Monday.

The 80 is a totally different beast then a mini truck or 1st gen 4 runner. Most mini trucks out there are in a condition where cutting and chopping is not a life changer. Parts suppliers have the mini truck owner in mind for the toyota world in my opinion. I don't know if you have noticed but if it has Land Cruiser on it 25 % mark up. Now when the 80 series is about 30 to 35 years old I think you will see more cutting and chopping and welding. I can pickup driveable mini trucks all day long for about $1000 not so much the 80.

 

[nukegoat]

What is happening in this thread? Are people just jealous or something? I would have bought Brian's kit if he was earlier to market and I bet others would have too. With 80s becoming less sacrosanct, more will follow.

 

[4WheelUnderground]

Hole Cow! What the heck happened here! So much negativity.
Time will tell what happens. One thing I've noticed about the internet is, if everyone keeps posting "no one will buy it" then you guys as a group will get that stuck in everyone else heads and then it will become the truth. So for the sake of the 80s evolution and my own well being take your hands off the freakin' keyboard please. Lets leave this discussion behind us and move on to how Jose likes his purchase based on its performance.

 

[4WheelUnderground]

With that said the price argument sounds bogus to me. I've got plenty of customers with 02' Tacomas and 4Runners that cost more than 92-97 cruiser.
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...0&sortBy=derivedpriceASC&startYear=1992&Log=0

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...0&sortBy=derivedpriceASC&startYear=1992&Log=0

 

[RockJock82]

I will eventually get one of your kits for my LX450. It looks as straight forward as it can get for a 3link kit, priced appropriately as well. I just need to get my Cummins swap done first. Haters are going to hate and that's the bottom line..

 

[jcardona1]

I really hate to say it because this kit is really badass and at a great price point. It's awesome to see someone step up and make it happen but I doubt you see another person buy, no matter how many said they would. :-/

I don't see these kits flying off the shelves, but I won't certainly be the only one. It'll just take some time. There's guys that are genuinely interested and want the kit, they just need that little nudge and or the wife's approval The other side of the coin is guys like nlxtacy who can appreciate what a great product this is but just don't have the need or want for it because it doesn't suit their wheeling style. And that's fine. We all have different needs. BUT, while this may seem like a product tailored to the hardcore wheeler, I really don't see it just that way. It's so much more basing it on the feedback from Booger and others of how much better the truck drives on the freeway.

To really make the 80 into a great handling truck with a lift and big tires involves cutting off the factory stuff and doing it over again. Tough pill for most to swallow, but it's the truth.

 

[jcardona1]

Jose, what does the caster do at full compression and full droop?

Here you go. Estimated ride height:

Full compression

Full droop

 

[NLXTACY]

@jcardona1 What is really selling this Kit is everything you have been doing to document your install. That's a huge hurdle for the vast majority to get around. Unless people followed your build from the beginning they wouldn't know that you learned to weld on this build. So it's attainable. Seeing that everything 4WU delivered was spot on without needing modifications, also greatly helps. The fact that you are posting every step of the way and talking us all thru it while getting feedback is how people who are on the fence, finally make the decision. I'm dying to see how this ultimately does for you and how it's road manners are.

 

[jcardona1]

Ok I'm back with another update. So I last left off with the tire rubbing the springs at full stuff/full turn. No matter how much I tried angling back the towers it would always rub. Not satisfied I cut the towers off yet again and pushed them forward, in a more upright vertical position.

Angling the coilovers back too far with the Barnes tower simply will not work. So here they are after re-shaping them and lowering them about 1". You'll notice I had to slightly straddle the air bump. This is why I didn't put them here in the first place.

The other reason I didn't want them too vertical is because of the air cleaner on the passenger side. I may have to notch the whole air box like Booger did. I'll deal with that hurdle when I put it all back together.

Finally! No rubbing at full stuff/full turn. Driver's side

Passenger side all clear

Still plenty of up travel even though I lowered the towers 1"

At ride height. Coilovers sure are sexy

And you can rest assured the towers are FINAL because this mofo is fully welded with a 1/4" thick gusset on the side and notched for the steering shaft.

Made the notch a bit wider this time as I had the u-joints to clear

 

[SNLC]

To really make the 80 into a great handling truck with a lift and big tires involves cutting off the factory stuff and doing it over again. Tough pill for most to swallow, but it's the truth.

Tough for some, sure, tough for most, maybe. I got absolutely no prob cutting off factory stuff. I don't even want to drive an 80 with the stock motor and won't. I think I have said plain as day what my issues are with it (3-link) so no need to say more.

I think you might still touch on the c/o's. That axle is going to swing a bit side to side in the rough, unlike you can simulate in the garage with a jack.

and here is a pic for Booger since he seems to think we are all (except for 3 people) soccer moms.

Cheers