Cheap Tricks for Toyota's

[rebelhauler]

I know everyone always says you have to pay the money to play the sport. But as of right now the Marine Corps doesn't pay triple digits. So no negative post's please. On to the ?. I have a 91 Toyota Pickup 3.0 4x4. My ? is, is the anything I can do to the stock front suspension to help out with movement. I say movement because I don't care about getting 20" of travel up front. I just want something to help out with the ride while prerunning. At decent speeds. Or just any other easy things that can help me out that is some what inexpensive. thanks in advance. Any help would be great.

[JMiller]

I believe the cheapest thing would be to get a double shock hoop up front and new torsion bars.

[peterhodges]

hey

if we had tacos there would be a sick assortment of bolt on goodies, but alas, we don't have tacos, do we? so here is the dirtbag hippie librarian solution to the same lack of funds:

#1 shocks- you simply will not believe the difference getting quality shocks makes. some foxes or bilstein 7100 will run about $350-400, and a shop can fab up a hoop and tabs for ~$250. best money you will ever spend.

#2 timbren springs, or jounce stops. the way-poor-mans alternative to air/hydro bumps

#3 ball joint spacers

shocks are key and the best money spent. even just upgrading to the bilstein oem replacements is a huge improvement. just don't forget to slow down for the corners, and also driving faster you will start breaking everything else :p

you did not ask, but basic improvement to the rear are - lock the diff, shocks, springs.

[rebelhauler]

Thanks for the info. My plans for the back is deavers with custom shakles and shock mounted under the bed. Does shocks really help out the ride that much for off roading?

[smokey]

The most common advice I hear is, if you want to go fast in the dirt, buy the best shocks you can afford.

I'm not trying to make this a negative "pay to play" post. I'm just saying that shocks are what I always hear as the #1 place to improve your performance. I would imagine that shocks only help make what travel you have nicer and more effective, so anything you could do to increase travel at the same time would of course be of benefit.

You didn't post any actual numbers, but a TC kit is cheap compared to a full custom setup. What kind of $$ limits are you looking at?

[usmcgunrock]

Hey Devil keep an eye on the classifieds. You see some Total Chaos kits come up for sale for a good price.

[peterhodges]

here ya go

http://www.desertrides.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=8701

[rebelhauler]

My price range isn't more than maybe 500ish for right now. Which I know I can get some used shocks and rebuild them for that. Would removing the front swaybar help out any? Also what about removing the the bump stop location and replacing it with a dif. set up? Thanks for all the info everyone.

[baja619]

Second the Jounce option:
http://www.lightracing.com/lightracingJounceIntro.html

These bumpstops will give you unbelievable performance in a stock application.
Military, Border patrol, offroad law enforcement vehicles and more use these on their rides.

[peterhodges]

well 500 would about get you into some shocks and them mounted up. barely. i would say spend your money there for sure. you can probably dig up some used fox 6 or 8 inchers in the various classifieds, that would keep you under 5 for sure. not sure about the cost on a rebuild/revalve however.

you can definately ditch the sway bar.

the jounce shocks are great but they don't make them for our rigs...timbrens run around $150 a set and they bolt right up.

rather than messing with the bumpstops you could look into ball joint spacers, same effect plus you get a little lift and they only run around a c-note. poor man's long travel :)

[la2baja]

My price range isn't more than maybe 500ish for right now. Which I know I can get some used shocks and rebuild them for that. Would removing the front swaybar help out any? Also what about removing the the bump stop location and replacing it with a dif. set up? Thanks for all the info everyone.

Use your $500 on the best shocks you can buy. This is key, as stated above.

OK this suggestion is to get you more of what you want and make it happen for $500. This is not, NOT anything more than a way for you to get a little more out of your truck in time for the weekend in the dirt.

I work on several race cars/trucks and want you to know... This is not how we do it.

That said. You can ditch your front swaybar. This will provide more independent travel up front. It will not handle as well on the road and making this modification is done at your own risk.

Your stock bump stop is likely rubber and probably anywhere from 1.5 inches tall to 2.5 inches tall. Go to your local off road shop, buggie joint, whatever you have out there and buy the smallest/shortest urethane bushing you can find that fits the bolt hole size on your truck. Likely as short as 1/4 inch. You have now increased travel by whatever the diffenrence is.
If you want the truck to sit higher and more stiff put a few turns into the torsion bars (keep count, unless you know how to measure the change) and do not over do it. This will considerably stiffen the ride. At the same time the torsions will take more of the compression load and help keep the suspension from hitting the bump (which is now almost non existant) You will know when you have hit the bump once you change it. "trust me you'll feel it!"
You will notice an improvement but you have just made some very minor and cheap adjustments to your truck so drive it accordingly. If you want to drive like Ivan you will need his budget to keep the truck together.

Good luck

[Ol' Curmudgeon]

Make sure stock components are OK. Steering was recalled last year. 31-10.50x15 tires, air down to 18/16 ps1 f/r, remove swaybar, decent shocks, rollcage.

Have fun!

[escodan760]

! have a 1986 toyota with IFS and want to convert it to Ibeams. Has any one done this??

[baja B-rad]

Check out Giants website they have a new kit that takes IFS toyota and converts it to I beams. I am not sure if it will work for the 86 though

[yotasavg]

i'd definitely say dual shocks and ball joint spaces will give you an extra 1.5" of travel. personally i'm done messing around and my front end (same as yours) is getting treated to Total Chaos.


Check out Giants website they have a new kit that takes IFS toyota and converts it to I beams. I am not sure if it will work for the 86 though

the giant kit will work i think. but in all honesty, i'd run a-arms over beams.