Topic: Shock in place of torque rod from axle to frame?

[82 HiLux]

i bet alcan has a CNC Bounce Testing machine at their shop

and just because you make your own pack, doesnt mean its going to be stiff. if you make it stiff, itll be stiff. if you dont make it stiff, it wont be stiff.  you have control over the pack you are making, unless you are just being mindless about it

[KDXSR5 [OP]]

I compared my built pack to the stock pack by turning it over onto the eyes and bouncing on it. The built packs perform pretty darn close to the stock ones in this test after I applied the graphite coating. Before applying the graphite coating, there was too much friction in the pack so it acted really stiff. I think it will be fine.

[slacker]

so does anyone have ANY pics of there install ?

[Rocksurfer]

It's pretty cut and dry on the install, just need to make sure you have a double eye shock, and some spacers since the shocks mounts are thinner than the rod, a couple bolts and put it in just like a shock which is what it is. You don't want to have too much shaft showing once installed so when braking it doesn't have very much compression, you basically want to increase the down travel that's why you use the shock for in the 1st place.

[jimbo74]

i would use a steering stabilizer because shocks are valved differently.....

[slacker]

3" lift  situation ..


.

[KDXSR5 [OP]]

now get a shock or steering stabilizer that will work in there and bolt it in. The one I plan on using will need its bushings drilled out larger and some washers to space it out on the bolt.

[Rocksurfer]

3" lift  situation ..


.

It's tough but I've been there I used my Hi-lift to pull it and put the bolt through. A come-along would work too.

[KDXSR5 [OP]]

that would severly limit flex (at least down travel) if he was to attach that, would it not?

[Rocksurfer]

I never noticed any different, I had my torque rod on my 1st truck it had 3" Downey lift and a 1 1/2" shackle back then people were pretty impressed with my flex but that's back when we used tires beat out of stone.

[KDXSR5 [OP]]

Mine is about an inch off now. No way am I getting the stock one in there again, haha.

[slacker]

I ended up cutting and welding .. to fit it propperly ..


welding you myst be very carfull , and very slow .. as not to burn the bushing ..



and in




I would still be interested in maybe putting a shock in there though ?

[KDXSR5 [OP]]

Dang man, nice. Personally I would have gone with highsteer if I did a body off build, but whatever works for you works for you.

[blackdiamond]

On my 85 truck I cut the rod in the middle and actually added a very short chunk of Honda (some rod like part) and it worked just fine.  I know www.AOR4x4.com used to sell a longer adjustable one with a heim joint on one end, but now that they are out of business I don't know if anyone sells them.  Alcan sells their spring design, but I don't know about anything else.

[OOPS]

This rod should be as close to parallel as possible.
If you look at this set-up, the axle can still roll forward because of the angle of the rod.


This mount should be raised the same amount as the lift. Then the rod will not be at such an angle.

Under hard braking the rod will push down on the mount causing the springs to unload and the axle to roll forward. Hence, you will/could get brake steer. Really depends on how flexy your springs are.

[KDXSR5 [OP]]

OOPS makes lots of sense. Thanks OOPS!

[79coyotefrg]

or do like i did years ago  and cut the rod mount off the frame, and move it to the  under the radiator crossmember

this puts the rod in an angle to really  give the best flex and  prevents brake steer