New Product - Trail-Link Four, Suspension Kit

[Chris Geiger]

Press Release 5/08/08

Trail-Gear Inc now has an easy to install rear 4-link kit for 1979-1995 Toyota Pickups and 4Runners. The kit features a heavy duty frame crossmember that serves as a mounting point for all four links. Weld on axle link brackets are provided for either Toyota or Trail-Gear Rock Assault ™ style axle housings. Links are made from 2” X .250 wall DOM. Weld in threaded bungs, jam nuts and heavy duty, 1.25 link joints complete each of the four links. Wheelbase can be adjusted at the time of assembly by mounting the crossmember forward or backward. This suspension allows for full travel with up to 18” shocks. Can be used with or without stock rear frame section.

http://www.trail-gear.com/images/trail-link-4-600.jpg

Kit Includes:
(4) 2" X .250" wall DOM links
(8) 1.25" Johnny Joints (4 right, 4 left)
(8) Rod end jam nuts
(8) Threaded link end bungs
(1) Frame crossmember
(2) Frame Gussets
(1) Axle housing upper mount
(2) 20 Degree axle housing lower mounts (left and right)
(2) Shock mounts with bolts, and bushings
(8) 9/16" X 4" link end bolts and lock nuts

http://www.trail-gear.com/images/john-flex-600.jpg

Kit cost is $949. Kit does not include shocks, or upper shock mounts.

http://www.trail-gear.com/trail-link-4.html

[MaXXis85]

What kind of antisquat/ roll axis will this thing Give? It seems for this pre made kit youd have to run it a certain lift height to obtain best handling characteristics from links.

[Chris Geiger]

It is designed to work with our front 3"-5" springs. We do not have antisquat/ roll axis numbers.

[jtaco1]

Very nice, definately going to start saving for this for my 4 Runner, just have to move the fuel tank of get a cell. You guys keep coming up with great products:happypill: :thanks:

[Chris Geiger]

Very nice, definately going to start saving for this for my 4 Runner, just have to move the fuel tank of get a cell. You guys keep coming up with great products:happypill: :thanks:

Extensive modifications will be needed to make this fit in the 4Runner. Much of the bed would have to be removed to clear the crossmember, upper links, shocks and shock mounts.

[jtrickett3]

are the links pre-cut to a certain size or is it shipped in equal lengths that can be cut to a desired length?

Looks like a great suspension system! Great job guys!

[snowshoebrue]

could this kit be used with standard coils instead of coilovers?

[Chris Geiger]

could this kit be used with standard coils instead of coilovers?


I guess it could. It would require different mounts.

[93EddieB]

got mine already and started with the installation.... will try to post pics. i got the frame cut and the crossmember installed.

[93EddieB]

frame cut and crossmember in place...

[93EddieB]

frame capped.... need to figure out link lengths and wheelbase before i continue.

[93EddieB]

one more.......

[Chris Dunbar]

Looking good. Thanks for posting some pics. :thumbs:

[jtaco1]

Extensive modifications will be needed to make this fit in the 4Runner. Much of the bed would have to be removed to clear the crossmember, upper links, shocks and shock mounts.
Not a problem, much of the rear will end up destroyed anyways, so this will work great when it gets tubed out:rockon2:

[Chris Geiger]

About 1/2 of the floor behind the front seats will need to be removed.

[jtaco1]

Could also cut out the floor where the crossmember and links need to be and then plate over above them to retain the floor to some degree. The body is straight now, but once it gets destroyed, I will probably link the rear with this and throw a F-toy 4 seater chassis on the frame. Not for competition though, not enough time or money :D

Look forward to seeing what else you guys have up your sleeves.

[jtrickett3]

Are you guys planning on having each component for sale seperatly like the 3 link?

[Chris Geiger]

Are you guys planning on having each component for sale seperatly like the 3 link?

Yes, I am working on added parts right now. Should be up in a few hours.

[Chris Geiger]

are the links pre-cut to a certain size or is it shipped in equal lengths that can be cut to a desired length?

Looks like a great suspension system! Great job guys!

In this kit the links will be precut. The lower links are 36" (center of bolt to center of bolt). The upper links are 44" long.

[Madventure]

:shout: When will you have something like this for the Samurais :shout: :sad2: :sad2:

[TwistedMetal]

WOW! Sickest **** ive ever seen!!! way to go on that!! :flame:

[jtrickett3]

In this kit the links will be precut. The lower links are 36" (center of bolt to center of bolt). The upper links are 44" long.

Shouldn't the lower links be longer than the upper links?

[Chris Geiger]

Shouldn't the lower links be longer than the upper links?

There are two reasons the upper links are longer. The first is that the upper links mount further forward on the crossmember. This allowed for a stronger attachment to the crossmember. The second reason is to position the third member. The pinion should point directly toward the tcase. This put the upper mount a little bit behind the axle housing and requires a few extra inches of material.

If you look at the photo of the kit off of the truck the lower links look to long. That works out when the mounts are welded to the housing the diff rotates up. I'll have a lot more photos of this soon.

[Chris Dunbar]

What kind of antisquat/ roll axis will this thing Give? It seems for this pre made kit youd have to run it a certain lift height to obtain best handling characteristics from links.

Sorry I have taken so long to get the numbers. I am not 100% sure on the CG number but it is close. The dims were taken from John Robertson's truck. He does not have a roof and very little body.

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s182/ChrisDunbar/Parts/Trail-LinkFourCalcs.jpg

[jtrickett3]

Here are the numbers I came up with for my truck based off the information Chris Geiger posted and Chris Dunbar posted.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b150/jordantrickett/4link2.jpg

[Chris Dunbar]

Here are the numbers I came up with for my truck based off the information Chris Geiger posted and Chris Dunbar posted.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b150/jordantrickett/4link2.jpg




Nice folder you have open there. (3rd tab over)

[jtrickett3]

haha oops, "I will effing destroy cubase"-crappy music production software..long story.

If it needs to be deleted go for it.

[optimus]

Nice folder you have open there. (3rd tab over)



BWAHAHAHAHAHA:haha:

[tbchvac]

any info on mounting the link mounts to the axle housing?

[Chris Geiger]

any info on mounting the link mounts to the axle housing?

Install teh top links first. Then install the bottom ones. Hold the link mounts on the axle so that the bottom of the mount is level with the ground. Weld it in place.

[tbchvac]

thanks for the quick response, much appreciated.

[tbchvac]

I was wondering roughly how high the shock mount should be off the frame with 16" air shocks. What are TG guys with rear factory frame sections doing for height?

[Lead_Not_Follow]

Any chance I could get the measurement from frame mount to frame mount? It would be much appreciative!

Thanks in advance.

[Chris Dunbar]

Any chance I could get the measurement from frame mount to frame mount? It would be much appreciative!

Thanks in advance.

The part is 36.75" wide (between the frame rails)

[MaXXis85]

Thanks for the numbers. How well does this thing handle on the street? Say from trail to trail? Im just being technical with you guys. I know some people are concerned with these things so ill ask for them.
I doubt this kit can still retain a truck bed once used.

[Chris Dunbar]

Thanks for the numbers. How well does this thing handle on the street? Say from trail to trail? Im just being technical with you guys. I know some people are concerned with these things so ill ask for them.
I doubt this kit can still retain a truck bed once used.

Yes, the bed must be eliminated to use the kit unless you have an elevated flatbed.
The stock gas tank must be relocated or a fuel cell must be used.
John Robertson has not had any issues with high speed maneuvers, he drives it like it is stolen. (60+ mph through the whoops and turns)

[bigBs84]

No! John wouldn't drive like that :haha:

[tbchvac]

I was wondering roughly how high the shock mount should be off the frame with 16" air shocks. What are TG guys with rear factory frame sections doing for height?

did my homework, figured it out. also have to highly modify or eliminate my rear frame section. tires hit early in suspension cycle with 2" bs wheels and 86' rear end.

[jstoy]

Hey

Awesome link setup.
Want to know if the crossmember has only one particular spot on the chassis it can be mounted?
Ive moved the rear housing forward about 6 inches and i wanted to keep it in that spot so if i mounted this setup would it take the housing back>
Anyone got pics of it behind the cabin, ive seen the pics on the Ftoy.

Cheers Justin

[Chris Dunbar]

You are only limited by the cab. If you don't mind cutting into the cab you can move it forward. The link lengths cannot be changed due to the brackets being welded into place at 20*. The crossmember can be moved along the frame to get the wheelbase you desire.

[jstoy]

You are only limited by the cab. If you don't mind cutting into the cab you can move it forward. The link lengths cannot be changed due to the brackets being welded into place at 20*. The crossmember can be moved along the frame to get the wheelbase you desire.

Thanks Chris
So if its mounted into the position to keep the standard WB how much of a gap is between the cab and the crossmember? Also how high is it from the top of the chassis to the top of the Xmember?
Someone got a pic of it mounted on a bodied rig so i can see it also?

Thanks
Justin

[884Runner]

Is there any link setup you could run on a full bodied 4runner

[Chris Dunbar]

Thanks Chris
So if its mounted into the position to keep the standard WB how much of a gap is between the cab and the crossmember? Also how high is it from the top of the chassis to the top of the Xmember?
Someone got a pic of it mounted on a bodied rig so i can see it also?

Thanks
Justin

The top of the crossmember is 5-7/8" from the top of the frame rail.
The highest point is at the sides for the upper link mounts.

One of the guys here installed the 4-link on his xtra-cab and left the wheelbase the same so it is possible. I do not think he modified the links either. His crossmember was right at the back of the cab.


Is there any link setup you could run on a full bodied 4runner

The 3-link kit will be the closest thing for a full bodied 4Runner.
You will still have to make shock hoops that will go inside the bed.

[jstoy]

Thanks again for the reply.

I was reading about the creeper joints and i noticed it said "up to 40 degrees of movement when used with spacers"
Does the chassis crossmember allow you to use the spacers to get the full 40 degrees of movement? or are the mounts only as wide as the joint?

[TOYJOETA]

The top of the crossmember is 5-7/8" from the top of the frame rail.
The highest point is at the sides for the upper link mounts.

One of the guys here installed the 4-link on his xtra-cab and left the wheelbase the same so it is possible. I do not think he modified the links either. His crossmember was right at the back of the cab.


Have any pics of this? What is the distance from the Axle Centerline to the most forward facing part of the Cross member, Also how are people routing their exhaust?

Thanks
Joe

[rednk1980]

I have a question how hard would it be to get the kit to work on a 14bolt rear end. I know the top axle truss won't work im ok with that but will everything else weld on. Granted in know its a wider axle but thats ok to ill just weld it where the brackets would mount on a toy axle. Just curious.

[scottapher]

HI, name is scott and this is my first post on THIS forum. I had been looking around trying to figure out how to redo the rear suspension on my 4 runner, 1989, sas etc etc...

My initial choice was to get some longer rear springs with some johnny joint shackle mounts.

Then i realized that what i really wanted to do was 4link the rear, because you dont see many 1st gen runners with coils in the rear, but you do so alot of 2nd and 3rd converting over to leafs.

So i decided to go with the TG-4link using some RE zj front coils, as i did not want to hack into my cargo area to make room for the air shock/coilover mounts.

Turned out quite nice with the gas tank moved into the cargo area, passenger side.

Some of the rear floor pan was removed to drop in the crossmember from the top, not alot, and some sheet metal "tunnels" are being assembled to cover the links so the rear seat can be used.

E-brake is operational, fuel lines were re-routed, same with the brake lines.

Only lacking rear shocks and limiting straps.

Here are some pictures for you all that are wondering how it turned out.

http://i406.photobucket.com/albums/pp148/scottapher/DSCN0345.jpg

http://i406.photobucket.com/albums/pp148/scottapher/DSCN0346.jpg

http://i406.photobucket.com/albums/pp148/scottapher/DSCN0353.jpg

This picture is taken as i am just beginning to back up the ramp, the full articulation is not pictured here. When it was maxed out the bald 18 wide boggers rub the frame as the spring compresses and limits up travel for now, narrower tires are on order.
http://i406.photobucket.com/albums/pp148/scottapher/DSCN0344.jpg

p.s.....sorry about the crappy night pics, ill get some in the daytime soon.

-scott-

[big ron]

looks good:thumbs:

[scottapher]

thx man...ill get something better to look at up here soon