Genni - Gabriele's 1st Gen 4Runner

[VoodooBlue_Vixen]

Well with the latest decisions to do some major upgrades, I figured I'd start this thread for Genni.
I've been wanting a 1st Gen rock crawling rig for a lifetime it seems, and she's my heart throb!
1985 SR5 4runner
Already on 38-12.5-15LT - TSL Super Swampers
I'm pulling the trigger on upgrading the high steer since what came on her is straight-up homemade backwoods Arkansas Janky AF!
And upgrading the knuckles to the Trail Gear 6 shooter at the same time.
It will also need a new crossover steering stabilizer for those heavy-ass 38's.
I'm also pulling the trigger on upgrading the axles to the RCV chromoly's.
Since I don't know when the last time the wheel bearings had any maintenance, I'll be replacing them.
I'm thinking while we are at it to replace the trunion bearings with an eliminator kit. I'm not 100% sure about that quite yet.
I'm also on the fence with a front locker, yes I'd like one. But do I go Detroit locker style or an air locker? If air locker, then which air compressor do I go with?
I have a kick-ass system that I just haven't gotten installed on Vixen yet. It's a Viair 485c Gen2 dual compressor setup & a 6-gallon tank. That model has a Duty Cycle of 100% @ 200 PSI for one hour straight. Which would be MORE than sufficient for airing up 38's. So do I repurpose that for Genni, or look at more money out right now for a different air compressor setup? Everyone is bent on these ARB dual compressors, and I'm just not sold on them for the cost comparison to other options.
So I guess I have a few decisions left to make if anyone has input on my quandaries.

 

[Notyourmomslx450]

Have you ever looked into Front range Keyed arms??
I'm a fan of full time lockers in rock crawlers... that said hydro assist is one of the best mods ever for a full time locker or rock crawling in general.

Also, just my opinion but stick with trunnion bearings.

 

[VoodooBlue_Vixen]

Have you ever looked into Front range Keyed arms??

I have not, but I'm going with the Trail Gear knuckles, so the 6 shooter kit makes sense, it includes their steering arms.

Also, just my opinion but stick with trunnion bearings.

Please elaborate on your opinion, as I'm going back and forth on the decision and I'm weighing pros & cons.

 

[ScaldedDog]

+1 on Brian's keyed arms. I have them, also configured for a 5th stud, and they've been great.

Also +1 on a full time selectable locker in front. I love a Detroit in the back, but the turning radius of Toyota axles is already bad enough without a locker engaging every time you're on the throttle. I've run mine on CO2 at 80psi for over 20 years, and it's been fine.

I also have the trunnion eliminator setup, and am interested in the reasons for not liking them.

 

[VoodooBlue_Vixen]

I also have the trunnion eliminator setup, and am interested in the reasons for not liking them.

What has your maintenance looked like? My understanding is there's replacement of seals and gaskets plus greasing the axle. But how often do you have to do this type of maintenance on your eliminator setup?

 

[J Kimmel]

Sounds cool!

 

[Notyourmomslx450]

I have not, but I'm going with the Trail Gear knuckles, so the 6 shooter kit makes sense, it includes their steering arms.

Please elaborate on your opinion, as I'm going back and forth on the decision and I'm weighing pros & cons.

Keyed arms are the steering arms. He will need the knuckles though since they will be machined to each other.

On the eliminator… I’m going off old info and word of mouth. I felt like they used to have issues back in the day.
I’ve never ran them, but I’ve also never had any issues with the bearings in any trucks I’ve owned with Toyota axles.

 

[VoodooBlue_Vixen]

Forgot to add that I'm also adding the upper axle gusset.

 

[Squishy!]

I cannot STAND Trail Gear. Their business was built entirely on other company's ingenuity.

Besides that bias, FROR keyed arms will function with Hydro steering with only one stud because the arm is physically braced to the knuckle. The studs don't need to provide any shear strength, only compression force. TG arms just provide a 50% increase in shear strength, but the inherent flaw is still present.

 

[VoodooBlue_Vixen]

I cannot STAND Trail Gear. Their business was built entirely on other company's ingenuity.

Besides that bias, FROR keyed arms will function with Hydro steering with only one stud because the arm is physically braced to the knuckle. The studs don't need to provide any shear strength, only compression force. TG arms just provide a 50% increase in shear strength, but the inherent flaw is still present.

Hmmm... Interesting. I guess I should do more comparison of these products. Are there any design drawings comparing the two?

 

[ScaldedDog]

What has your maintenance looked like? My understanding is there's replacement of seals and gaskets plus greasing the axle. But how often do you have to do this type of maintenance on your eliminator setup?

So far all I've had to do is grease the perks.

Mark

 

[Notyourmomslx450]

I cannot STAND Trail Gear. Their business was built entirely on other company's ingenuity.

Besides that bias, FROR keyed arms will function with Hydro steering with only one stud because the arm is physically braced to the knuckle. The studs don't need to provide any shear strength, only compression force. TG arms just provide a 50% increase in shear strength, but the inherent flaw is still present.

Trail Gear also owns All Pro now. Has for a while.

 

[Squishy!]

Trail Gear also owns All Pro now. Has for a while.

Yup I found out shortly after the purchase when I bought new AllPro leafs specifically because I DIDN'T want to support TG. I ranted about it on IG and TG refunded me $500. I gladly took it and left my post up.

 

[Squishy!]

Hmmm... Interesting. I guess I should do more comparison of these products. Are there any design drawings comparing the two?

When we get that Colorado 1st Gen 4Runners run you can check out my keyed arms.

 

[VoodooBlue_Vixen]

I'm coming into what's turned into a steaming hot Debate without any previous knowledge of issues from years past or dislike for these company's.
I've already paid out of pocket for parts, & the thread on my build has since been hijacked into political discussion. So no reason to continue discussing the build I suppose...
From everything I'm reading, that merger took place in 2018. Six years ago!! And it basically saved All Pro who couldn't deliver the products that they sold & had already taken money for.
Since this was such a hot topic, I've reached out talking to people who've done business with TG in recent years, including Toyota groups & folks who've worked with them at the Toyota Jambo & Overland Expo. From what I can see, they are running a decent business these days. What can be said about large conglomerate companies in the aftermarket automotive world? DPI's done the same thing with the companies they've bought out. Kept them afloat to see another day. We're people burned in the process, yeah, most likely. Did I know them? Nope! Do I know people that were burned by DPI acquisitions?! Yep! So I get that y'all are panty twistin over ethical business practices. But none of those complaints or discussions get me any closer to a drivable rig.

 

[VoodooBlue_Vixen]

Might as well move this whole shebang to the Politics thread @Hulk

 

[KC Masterpiece]

Might as well move this whole shebang to the Politics thread @Hulk

Can we see a photo of this monster 1st gen first? I came here for truck porn.

 

[VoodooBlue_Vixen]

 

[Squishy!]

I'm coming into what's turned into a steaming hot Debate without any previous knowledge of issues from years past or dislike for these company's.
I've already paid out of pocket for parts, & the thread on my build has since been hijacked into political discussion. So no reason to continue discussing the build I suppose...
From everything I'm reading, that merger took place in 2018. Six years ago!! And it basically saved All Pro who couldn't deliver the products that they sold & had already taken money for.
Since this was such a hot topic, I've reached out talking to people who've done business with TG in recent years, including Toyota groups & folks who've worked with them at the Toyota Jambo & Overland Expo. From what I can see, they are running a decent business these days. What can be said about large conglomerate companies in the aftermarket automotive world? DPI's done the same thing with the companies they've bought out. Kept them afloat to see another day. We're people burned in the process, yeah, most likely. Did I know them? Nope! Do I know people that were burned by DPI acquisitions?! Yep! So I get that y'all are panty twistin over ethical business practices. But none of those complaints or discussions get me any closer to a drivable rig.

Sorry didn't mean to hijack your thread with it or discourage you from the products you bought. I thought I had switched gears to a technical perspective but I can see how that would get lost in translation.

As for the front locker, my production manager runs a lunchbox and loves it. It's simple and just works. I like the ARB and being able to select it, so really it comes down to preference. Lunchbox lockers are cheap and if you can set up your own gears, even more so.

As far as the compressor, my truck had a cheapo Harbor Freight one for just lockers for years. Now I have my AC compressor converted to run air. A base model Viair will work awesome.

I'm not sold on the dual ARB compressors either. If you wanted that capacity, your big Viair would be perfect.

 

[VoodooBlue_Vixen]

As for the front locker, my production manager runs a lunchbox and loves it. It's simple and just works. I like the ARB and being able to select it, so really it comes down to preference. Lunchbox lockers are cheap and if you can set up your own gears, even more so.

I've heard them drop into gear randomly. They are Scary sounding!!