Builds Trail Tailor- Custom Armor Build plus a few things (1 Viewer)

[TRAIL TAILOR]

Cutting more 200 rear bumpers.

J

 

[TRAIL TAILOR]

Well time to make our own adjustable panhard bars. Tired of quality issues, outrageous shipping from Japan and Australia, and extended "mfg lead times" due to Covid....

So, I'm spinning parts to make up my own. Machined, fabricated, coated and assembled in the USA.

For the following series/models:

100, 200, 80/105, GX460, GX470, 4Runner and FJ Cruiser

OEM Toyota rubber bushes, turnbuckle adjustment for on vehicle adjustment, CNC milled and lathed components. Made from 1.25" solid bar, Zinc plated turnbuckle coupler, Grade 8 nuts and washers. Powercoat finish.

I'll also be releasing our panhard relo kit at that time too for the models listed above as well.

Should see production releases by the end of January.

Jason

 

[jbyrd78]

Hey Jason,
Are you not going to be stocking Tough Dog suspension anymore or is that just on a hiatus? Since there are COVID related issues going on at this time.

 

[TRAIL TAILOR]

Hey Jason,
Are you not going to be stocking Tough Dog suspension anymore or is that just on a hiatus? Since there are COVID related issues going on at this time.

Until things are normalized again... I am pulling back on stock orders. 4-8 week handling times and 5-10 week sea freight (pending a good day for customs release)...

Air freight for a pallet used to be 1800.00 and received in a week. Now its over 10K and still takes a month to receive on top of the handling leads...

 

[TRAIL TAILOR]

Going to be selling these? If yes, will it be compatible with the LX's?

It's possible...

 

[Tex68w]

Nice Merlin!

 

[jrmudder92]

So what year was your prototype land cruiser for the lower skids?

 

[TRAIL TAILOR]

So what year was your prototype land cruiser for the lower skids?

2016 and it had my original skids on it as well.

 

[jrmudder92]

EDIT: Appears as something must be Bent or out of alignment on the driver side. Because I just did the passenger side and it fit way better. My apologies. Still 10/10 would recommend.

Mines a 2011 had a little issue on the driver side. Appears to have an extra “kick” in the frame so I May two relief cuts to help slide it in. But made it work. And I love them.

 

[TLC2013]

EDIT: Appears as something must be Bent or out of alignment on the driver side. Because I just did the passenger side and it fit way better. My apologies. Still 10/10 would recommend.

Mines a 2011 had a little issue on the driver side. Appears to have an extra “kick” in the frame so I May two relief cuts to help slide it in. But made it work. And I love them.

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Right on nice work getting them on. I finished painting mine and will install once there's a break in the weather. I see you used ratchet straps, were they necessary to keep the lower arm in line while you replaced the bolt and added the skid? Any tips or lessons learned ?

 

[jrmudder92]

Right on nice work getting them on. I finished painting mine and will install once there's a break in the weather. I see you used ratchet straps, were they necessary to keep the lower arm in line while you replaced the bolt and added the skid? Any tips or lessons learned ?

Yes but I ended up just using the winch and ran it under the truck to the rear lower control arm where it mounts to the axel. So much easier than using the ratchet straps. Also, bring a punch guide to help get the holes aligned and to hit the bolts out. Other than that it was easy. but the winch saved the day.

 

[jrmudder92]

Also @TRAIL TAILOR first set save me quite a few times. Glad I got new ones.

 

[TLC2013]

Yes but I ended up just using the winch and ran it under the truck to the rear lower control arm where it mounts to the axel. So much easier than using the ratchet straps. Also, bring a punch guide to help get the holes aligned and to hit the bolts out. Other than that it was easy. but the winch saved the day.

Cool, nicely done. Good call on the winch. Hadn't thought of using mine, thanks! Love your build, how are those geolander MTs for daily use and on the highway? Ive been eyeing this tire but not sure i am ready to take the plunge into a full MT tire just yet.

 

[grinchy]

To align the holes you can jack the rear diff pumpkin.

 

[TLC2013]

To align the holes you can jack the rear diff pumpkin.

Thanks, that was my initial thought process, before winching it, nice to hear this will also work. Would I use the pumpkin itself or off to the side on the rear axle?

 

[grinchy]

Thanks, that was my initial thought process, before winching it, nice to hear this will also work. Would I use the pumpkin itself or off to the side on the rear axle?

Low point/center of pumpkin. Easy to align, though I used a floor jack to make it even easier, as I could jack and push the bolt at the same time.

I did one side at a time.

 

[teejnut]

Low point/center of pumpkin. Easy to align, though I used a floor jack to make it even easier, as I could jack and push the bolt at the same time.

I did one side at a time.

So leave the car on 4 wheels and just jack up the rear pumpkin?

 

[TRAIL TAILOR]

So leave the car on 4 wheels and just jack up the rear pumpkin?

You can jack the pinion up or down and it will roll the axle forwards and backwards. Just make sure to only do one arm at a time.

Jason

 

[grinchy]

Just make sure to only do one arm at a time.

Yep! This is key.

 

[TRAIL TAILOR]

Added the remaining RLCA Skids to the website.

J