The official non-extreme flex thread.

[6.72:1]

Hello folks,
Well, I couldn't help it. I had to follow suit and see what the Tonka could do. I know my flex isn't as extensive as other rigs, but I am working on it. I also know that my flex ramp could be better, but atleast it is not a hi-jack. LOL I know I live in Alabama, but that is neither here nor there. What mods could I do to make it a better flexer, but still run the tire size I have? I am contemplating full-size axles. Any suggestions?
Thank you,
Pete Kupfer

P.S. Where can I get cool molded fenders that will allow more fender clearance? i.e.: higher fenders that have some good flare to them.

[6.72:1]

Photograph 2

[6.72:1]

I know, I know, but please do not flog me too bad. I do however, would like ideas and suggestions that you all would think would be awesome mods for the Tonka.

[6.72:1]

Last, but not least....

[Rocksurfer]

  That is the best ramp I've ever seen.














I'm calling Metro on you.








I thought my flex was bad.























....... and your flex, it sucks.

[Shamb]

advice, get some cheap 63" chevys in the rear with longer shackles.

place the 63's in as far as possible with the shocks on the outside of the springs triangled all the way together /\

this will allow you to easly flex up to about 3 1/2 to 4 ft.

basically you'd be as high if not higher then you are in the picture but your tire would still be on the ground.


btw wtf is that piece of square tubing doing connect to the rear axle?!  a 1 link?   

[Rocksurfer]

I think it would be an anti-rap bar of some sort, or an anti-flex bar......

[RHG]

Ingenious flex ramp but why? You could have used a brick and you would be maxed out. Just playin man. But really if you want flex...your going to have to downsize I think. I know the 40's look sick but your going to have to jack that thing up to be able to keep the tires off the sheetmetal while flexing.

[kneedownnate]

Dude, those wheels look like Enkies!?  Wider than mine, but same style I have on my 80.  You'd get better flex if you put your bed back on, more weight would help.  I think from the looks of it you could lose about 2" of lift, and if you mixed and matched your leafs could get more flex.  That thing hasta be so topheavy though.

[6.72:1]

Alright, it's official. The Tonka will not flex. Yes, I do have a 1-link. I find it quite humorous, but it does do a good job of keeping the wrap down. It still rides like a tank though. I don't know. I guess the 1-link was just wishful thinking. Well, downsizing is definitely not an option. I guess the Tonka will have to remain an urban crawler that just doesn't flex.

[6.72:1]

That is the best ramp I've ever seen.














I'm calling Metro on you.








I thought my flex was bad.























....... and your flex, it sucks.

That is not a Metro. It just looks like one. Well, I bet my truck is cleaner! I am itching to go off-road though. I guess I will buy the '80 longbed down the street from me and make that my wheeler.... The Tonka is too stubborn flexing to take offroad I guess.

[79coyotefrg]

the 1 link aint the problem,  the way it mounts on each end most likely is the problem
and not having a bed

are those lift springs or is your hangers dropped

[flourman]

Alright, it's official. The Tonka will not flex. Yes, I do have a 1-link. I find it quite humorous, but it does do a good job of keeping the wrap down. It still rides like a tank though. I don't know. I guess the 1-link was just wishful thinking. Well, downsizing is definitely not an option. I guess the Tonka will have to remain an urban crawler that just doesn't flex.

Dude, don't dig on the actual one-link.  The one-links that are built work quite well will give you tons of flex.  I've saw one pirate that just mounted the one-link frame to the spring perches on the rear axle.  They usually use aerostar coils or some of the "barney" springs.  They use a grader ball or one large heim.  The links look like a solid wishbone.  These also run a panhard to keep the rear steer down.  

[RHG]

Thats a spiffy set up! I like th one with the big heim, what are "barney" springs?

[Skinny_Pedal]

the tonka flexes worse than a stock truck  

your hurtin for some flex thats fo sho

[seanc]

ok you guys must be confused, a one link is a way to locate the axle, but in reality there are two links, the foward link locates the axle front to back, then a panhard is needed to locate the axle side to side. on "tonka" the upper bar is there only to prevent axle wrap (those blocks aren't helping either) i have seen that type of anti-wrap bar work ok on a few toyota's but you really need a bar like that on the side of the 3rd with another link going from it to a lower mount on the axle so the axle has less leverage on the bar, which in turn equals less axle wrap.

[6.72:1]

ok you guys must be confused, a one link is a way to locate the axle, but in reality there are two links, the foward link locates the axle front to back, then a panhard is needed to locate the axle side to side. on "tonka" the upper bar is there only to prevent axle wrap (those blocks aren't helping either) i have seen that type of anti-wrap bar work ok on a few toyota's but you really need a bar like that on the side of the 3rd with another link going from it to a lower mount on the axle so the axle has less leverage on the bar, which in turn equals less axle wrap.

So, I need to get rid of the blocks, but how would I maintain lift to clear to existing tires I am running? Arched-springs? Longer shackles? or both?

[MiniSimp]

 

[MiniSimp]

With no weight on the rear, just pull a couple of leafs. Then it will flex!

[BUBBA]

my flex sucks too.My shocks on the front aren't long enough so that's hurting me, but I'm running stock springs all the way around.

[6.72:1]

my flex sucks too.My shocks on the front aren't long enough so that's hurting me, but I'm running stock springs all the way around.

Atleast there is another person in the non-flex club I'm starting

[WHITE_TRASH]

BIGTONKA I was told you were looking for this -->

If you have any questions feel free to ask.

[6.72:1]

Danke.

[Matty]

this is NOT my truck it is actually my sisters ex boyfriends truck, and its on my home made RTI that i used to flex my stock 4runner on.  It was dumb, but i didnt really have anything to do.  I just thought that i would add to the no flex group....

[6.72:1]

Your flex is almost as bad as mine.

[BigMike]

Hey Peter, it could just be that your springs are just too stiff. They really didnt move up much. I tend to think that you should remove a leaf from the rear spring pack, but then your ride height will decrease and I am not sure if you can fit those meaty tires under there any more..... Perhaps the only solution is to get a different set of rear leafs that are arched more, but have a lower spring rate?

[6.72:1]

Could I possibly find springs like that at a junkyard off another vehicle? Would it hurt me to use a longer spring? I know the Toyota leafs are 49" eye to eye, but it would be better to have just a little bit longer leaf spring and kick my shackle angle back just a bit? I am knew at the spring tuning for flexing, so I know not what to do. I was thinking about the 63" chevies on the 3" inch blocks I am using right now. Do you believe I would lose ride height with the chevies on the existing blocks I have? I hate axle-wrap too, but I can't much avoid it at this point (especially with blocks) and I believe if I took my Toyota springs to get more arch they would be even less flexy. The spring packs I have right now are like a concrete foundation. The front is actually worse that the rear. I would like to just nab some softer springs off another vehicle that yields the same ride height, but I am not sure that is possible.

[wa4x4]

Save up for a while and get marlins suspension front and rear, your problems will be fixed

[6.72:1]

5" Springs?

[wa4x4]

Sure. I'm not sure you can fit your tires, but it could be a good excuse to sell em and get some money?