4WU rear 3 link kit (2003 Tacoma)

[Ritchie]

After some time gathering parts, I am about to begin my rear 4WU rear 3 link install.
Any tips on installs from experience... hit me up.
Here is what I currently have, which will be gone with the exception of the Diamond axle.

[lone walker]

How's the progress coming along?

[Ritchie]

No progress yet... I am hoping to begin on July 22nd.

[lone walker]

What are you still waiting on? Parts wise.

[05sport4x4]

Did you decide on a shop to do the work or are you doing it yourself?

[Ritchie]

I'll do the install myself. My uncle has a nice shop with all of the required tools to handle this type of project.

[Ritchie]

What are you still waiting on? Parts wise.

Nothing at the moment. I'm sure there may be some hardware bits I'll need, but all of the hard parts I have.
I ordered many items in September of 2021... finally had everything collected by late February this year.

[OVRAROK]

 

[lone walker]

Assuming you'll be running 10 or 12 inch CO?

[Ritchie]

FOX 12" 2.0 CO's, which is what I'm currently running on the front.

[lone walker]

Hopefully you know which dual spring rating you need. Especially if you're running the under bed CO mount.

[2manytoys]

I'm two years into my build with 4WU 3link front and 4link rear. Best advice I can offer is don't weld anything solid until you've cycled everything and you're positive it's right. Any doubts, call or text Brian. He's good about answering your questions. I guess you would know this if you installed your front suspension yourself though.

Brian told me to make the rear match the front as far as ride height and shock travel. I had room to set up the rear with more up travel but was told not to. My front and rear links are same length as instructed as well. I was also told to get my shocks as far outboard as possible to minimize body roll.

The thing I had most trouble with is the shock location. At full droop it has to clear the frame, full stuff it has to clear the tire and still hopefully be at a decent shock angle. Brian told me being as far out on the axle is more important than the shock angle in his eyes. Of course it's more complicated than this. When in doubt, consult Brian.

Good luck with your build!

[Ritchie]

Update:
I completed the build last Friday night. All went well until I went to fit the LT side lower shock mount, it didn't fit. Seems a bit more engineering is needed as the pan hard mount attaches to the lower LT link, before the shock mount is welded in... I modified it to fit.
I'll post pics as soon as I can find a damn USB cable.

[Ritchie]

Here are some photos:

[Ritchie]

... and more...

[Ritchie]

And lastly:

[Ritchie]

The exhaust was worked by Charleys Muffler Service in Yucca Valley. Very clean work and no rubbing.
Set to have a 4 wheel alignment this week.

56760 29 Palms Hwy, Yucca Valley, CA 92284, United States

Phone
+1 760 365 3567|

[camhays556]

You might wanna gusset that track bar bracket coming off the frame and plate the frame/box the inside of it. The stock frames are super weak, mine still flexes even after plating the outside

[Ritchie]

It is plated with 3/16" stuff.
Thanks for checking in...

[lone walker]

Those are the new Fox you're talking about? Aren't those just the 2.0?

[Ritchie]

Yes, 12" 2.0's with 7/8" chromo shafts.

[2manytoys]

Woohoo, you got'r done! Please report back with how it all works out on the trail. How much tuning was needed on the front once installed?

[lone walker]

Don't want to sound negative but I don't see that upper CO  bolt lasting long, especially if it's not double shear. Also, the axle side upper link bracket is not brace as 4WU designed? 

[2manytoys]

Good catch on the upper CO bolt. Wouldn't be too hard to make it double shear.

[Ritchie]

Don't want to sound negative but I don't see that upper CO  bolt lasting long, especially if it's not double shear. Also, the axle side upper link bracket is not brace as 4WU designed?

Good catch... This was done to get me home. I will address it this weekend, if I have time.

The upper link gussets did not fit. I will fab my own. If you'll notice, I had to eliminate 1.5" off of the top of it also and re-locate the 1/2" bolt hole.

Thanks for checking in.

[Ritchie]

One thing to point out is, this is the 1st 4WU rear 3 link kit for a 1st gen Tacoma. Brian came to my place and spent a fair amount of time taking measurements towards making the templates.

Is it 100%, no, but it's very close. I'm sure he and I will talk and go over the differences between the Toyota truck vs Tacoma.

One thing for sure, it cycles smoothly and the ride difference is far superior compared to leafs.

If anyone needs specifics or measurements, let me know, glad to help.

[lone walker]

One thing to point out is, this is the 1st 4WU rear 3 link kit for a 1st gen Tacoma. Brian came to my place and spent a fair amount of time taking measurements towards making the templates.

Is it 100%, no, but it's very close. I'm sure he and I will talk and go over the differences between the Toyota truck vs Tacoma.

One thing for sure, it cycles smoothly and the ride difference is far superior compared to leafs.

If anyone needs specifics or measurements, let me know, glad to help.

Nice. I'm running the same 4wu rear 3 link kit for my Tacoma but opt to go with through bed towers vs under bed mount. Bought it in late 2020 and been good.

[Ritchie]

Nice. I'm running the same 4wu rear 3 link kit for my Tacoma but opt to go with through bed towers vs under bed mount. Bought it in late 2020 and been good.

Nice... guess I should've stated 'Under bed CO mount.'
How do you like it?

[lone walker]

Setup been good. I'm 4wu 3 link front and rear. With 40" tires & 2.5x14 CO F&R, my front frame height is 26.75" and rear is 26.50 with a matching full size spare tire w/ beadlock in the bed.

One issue I have is the rear frame side lower link bracket. They hang so effin low that they became anchors. If you rock crawl, you'll understand. I drag mine all the time and it's getting annoying.

[2manytoys]

@lone walker, did you run a bar or tube between the front and rear lower link brackets to act as skids and supposedly avoid the "anchor" situation? I'm still working on my build and debating whether to do that or not.