89 4runner 3Linked Front

[Noahrob]

OK, so the shock shafts are replaced, but to tell you the truth, I am a little disaapointed in FOA.

1) they did not send new oil, which is not a big deal, but they said they would.
2) the seals on the new and the old cap are not the same size
3) the new cap was corroded out of the box.
4) the new shaft had a lip at the the end near the threads which prevents the valve stack from going on...had to sand it down...super lame!
5) there were aluminum shavings in the oil!

With all that said though, I am ready to burn everything in...but off course, I got a chunk stuck to the diffuser of my gun and that was the last one I had, so off to the welding store I go.

[pumkin toy]

i like the new wheels, looks like the suspension setup is going pretty good so far

[peacesells]

I have heard nothing but bad about FOA... Both their products and customer service. I know a guy that was a dealer for them, for about 3 weeks.

You rig is lookin great though! 

[87pickup]

I have heard mixed reviews about foa, alot of complaints come from the fact they dont spend much time polishings parts after machining and that they are a little rougher then some of the bigger name shock companys but from what i have read thats how they can offer them at such a low price.

[Noahrob]

That seems like a very fair assesement. I am reserving judgement until I use them...for our sport/hobby, form shoulf always follow function, so if they work well, that is all that matters. Now my buddy is a desert racer and for him, he really needs his stuff to perform at a much higher level than I do for rack crawling...more to come.

How is your three link? Pics?

[87pickup]

Its on hold right now, i am waiting on some part to finish it up. in the mean time i have been building my front bumper and other odds and ends.

[Noahrob]

Cool, still want to see pics. I need to replace the high misalignements and Johnny Joints, weld everything, re-run brake lines and then should be good to go...Still need to finish the interior casge and build a new rear bumper...nothing but time and money (unfortunately, I have neither..)

Later

[TacoRunner]

Noah,

any chance of being done,ready and available to go to KOH?

[Noahrob]

Unfortunately, not a chance...which bums me out, cuz I wanted to go.

[TacoRunner]

Because of the truck or because of work, if its because of the truck, you can always come with me.

[Noahrob]

Hope everybody had fun at KOH...I would have liked to go, but alas, work adn family took priority. However, I did make a little progress on my truck this weekend. Rebuild my Johnny Joints with the correct size through bolt, moved from 9/16 to 5/8. Also painted the links and got the axle out and ready for final welding...Should have my new difuser and nozzel here tomorrow and then going to start gluing things up...

Check out my high tech Johnny Joint Assembly Tool.

Also, this means the old 9/16 Johnny Joint centers as well as teh 9/16 high misalignement spacers are for sale...

[Noahrob]

So, the only real problem I have is that there is no way to weld the top of the frame braces...which is not ideal, but going to be what it is. Even with a stick welder where I hook the rod, there is not way to see what is going on. Also, on the passenger side, there is really no way to get behind the upper link bracket with the welding gun. With all of that said though, I finished the last few things, Engine cross memeber, caps etc...and painted everything up, should start putting things together tomorrow night.

[TacoRunner]

I can't wait to see this thing on the road. Flipp'in awesome.

[twistedtoy92]

I can't wait to see this thing on the road. Flipp'in awesome.

X2 this thing is very nice!! cant wait to see some trail pics!

[TacoRunner]

Noah, got any updates for us? 

[Noahrob]

My plan tomorrow is to get everything back together enough to drive to the smog station. Once(if) I get that done, I will feel better and can take my time to tune...

[lownlinked85]

looks bad ass sweet rig good work on it this just fires me up to 3 Link mine cant wait to see it work

[Noahrob]

OK, the good news is that it is out of the garage, been on the road (up to 65 mph) and passed smog! Teh bad news is that the Springs aren't just rubbing the shock body, they are getting hung up. In fact, even after the truck comes to a stop, the springs are still loaded, I can push the truck and unload them. I mean these things are clanking up a storm, not just rubbing, but smashing into the shock body. Also, the springs are not even close to centered around the shock, they are bowed out...big time. I have contacted FOA and he told me to rotate them or call the spring company and warranty them...I am tryign to be a good sport, but seriously...?

Anyway, here are a couple ghetto pics...

5" shaft showing at ride height.

[Noahrob]

Here you can see that the two springs are rotated correctly and still very bowed...thoughts and feedback welcome.

[TacoRunner]

Here is a copy and paste from the Poly Performance web site regarding Eibach springs. Look at the red text

Description:

•Ultra-Lightweight for Reduced Unsprung Mass
•Maximum Deflection in Combination with Smallest Block Heights
•Exceptional Block Resistance and Durability
•Precision Tolerances - The Tightest in the Industry
•Precision Planparallel and Square End Configurations Under Unloaded and Loaded Conditions to ± Degree
•Lowest Side Loads with Load Center Ideally Located Relative to Spring Axis
•Highest Linearity and Guaranteed Rate Consistency Within 2% Of Advertised Rate
•Each Spring Individually Tested and Rated
•Eibach Springs Lifetime Warranty

[87pickup]

Whats the length of your bottom spring?

[Noahrob]

12's on the top and 16's on the bottom...from the FOA website:

We typically recommend using a lower (Main) spring that is 2" longer than the shocks travel length, and an upper (Tender) spring that is 2" shorter than the shocks travel length. (ie. A 12" travel shock will use a 14" Main spring and a 10" Tender spring) If the spring rates you need are not available using the longer lower/shorter upper method, you can use 2 equal length springs as needed. (ie. A 12" travel shock can use 2 12" springs)

[TacoRunner]

  Startin' to wounder if the spring lengths that FOA uses aren't something to do with the spring manufacturer.

[87pickup]

16" spring seems long for a 14" travel shock. Im running a 14"lower and 12" upper with a 4" tender coil. But will be stepping the upper down to a 10" to gain some room for ride height adjustment.

[zidaro]

you get FOA to replace your springs yet?  weed that one out.

[Noahrob]

I have 14" top and bottom on the way, 150 over 275...I am optimistic, but cautiouly so...

[zidaro]

cross the fingers and hope it was a bogus set of springs

[Noahrob]

Alright, baby is taking a nap so I swapped out the springs real quick...not sure if we are any better off than we were. Had 150/250 12" over 16" and are now 150/275 14" top and bottom...Thoughts, tood much deflection or is this just what it is with coillovers?

[zippo]

I say run em what's the worst that could happen

[Noahrob]

Yup...the only other thing I was thinking was calling up FOA and asking for a refund to buy some Eibach's...IN other words, if after two sets we aren't making any progress...