4x4 / Off-Road TechThis section contains all discussion related to taking the FJ Cruiser in Off-Road situations, 4x4 applications and any armor modifications.
I have wanted to reinforce my spindles with strong weld-on supports for some time now, but needed a vendor to supply those gussets who I could trust to support the product. There were less-than-reliable people out there selling similar products and I didn't want to use them for obvious reasons.
FINALLY it's happened!
DeMello Offroad is selling the new Total Chaos Spindle Gussets! Jason didn't tell me about it. I had to find out about it by looking on his website. Talk about inexpensive protection for a rig that you want to wheel.
At this moment, I'm sitting in a hotel in Moab, UT having run the Kokopelli Trail (Grand Junction, CO to Moab) with SHADOW-WARRIOR, TCAO, JESHUA, DRAGON, FJ-OLLIE and FROGEYE.
Photo from today - JESHUA at the "Top of the World"
Photo from today - DRAGON coming down the Rose Garden.
And this is the point. If you take a hard impact on a rock, the stock spindles tend to bend. Nobody intends to take an impact like that but it happens. The Total Chaos gussets that DeMello is now selling will deal with that problem and the cost is very reasonable.
This isn't an add for DeMello. It's a guy sitting in a hotel in Moab who found a solution - from a vendor with a proven track record of supporting their customers.
I'll buy these as soon as I get back from Moab.
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There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unaltered, to find the ways that you have changed.
These gussets can be installed with aftermarket UCA’s or long travel suspension systems and are not compatible with stock upper control arms. You will loose the use of your sway bar with these gussets.
These gussets can be installed with aftermarket UCA’s or long travel suspension systems and are not compatible with stock upper control arms. You will loose the use of your sway bar with these gussets.
That's absolutely right, Kurt.
But I've been looking for a smart way to eliminate the front sway bar for greater articulation, while keeping the strength I need.
Here are a couple more candid photos from today:
JESHUA high centered on a rock.
Winch recovery by FJ-OLLIE.
In this case, JESHUA was moving low and slow and there wasn't any spindle damage, but I've seen similar situations where it happened. The ROSE GARDEN Trail is a classic example: You SLIDE down the Rose Garden because it's steep and the rocks are loose. You don't have much control over how fast you hit some of the rock and ledge obstacles.
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There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unaltered, to find the ways that you have changed.
Larry....Don't for a second think I'm telling you to buy from someone you're not comfortable with.....
But your first post forced me straight to Demellos site ('cause I want some too) But we played the "remove sway bar" game and tested it quite hard....major mods need to happen before you go removing your sway bar and I also didn't think you swapped your UCA's yet....
So it was strictly an observation I wanted to point out....
And....If the whole front has to come off anyways( see Doc's thread on the others)....You might as well have something custom made for your aplication
These gussets can be installed with aftermarket UCA’s or long travel suspension systems and are [B]not compatible with stock upper control arms. You will loose the use of your sway bar with these gussets.[/b]
Beg to differ but you definitely can install them with the stock UCA's. I have them, no problem. I took them to Costa Mesa Muffler and the owner did a beautiful job for $40.00 in about 20 minutes. I attached each gusset to the spindle with a nut and bolt so they were exactly how I wanted them welded in place and I gave him a picture of the gusset welded on for the welder to see.
It is quite a bit of work tearing everything apart and you need new seals for the job. Mir has some good pics posted here about the TC gussets.
FYI You could easily grind some material away and still install the sway bar. I just don't want that damn thing anymore.
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TLCA#16768
33' BFG MUD's, Icon Front Coil Overs, OME Rear Shocks and Coils. ARB Bumper, Warn 9500XD winch, MAF Sliders & Skid Plates, Gobi Ranger Rack w/ PIAA Lights ft, rr, sd, w/Gobi Hi Lift, axe and shovel Mounts, dust lights. Dirty Parts Dual Battery System, Cobra 75 WX ST CB, Extreme Hi Lift Jack, Power Tank 10 lbs. CO2 System, All Pro HD LCA's, Custom Rear Drawers. Custom electrical.
But I've been looking for a smart way to eliminate the front sway bar for greater articulation, while keeping the strength I need.
Just so everyone not technically oriented understands, the sway bar has nothing to do with the strength of the front (or rear) suspension - it's only purpose is to keep your wheels planted on the ground when cornering. So when off-roading, this becomes an issue - you may want to have the additional articulation a sway bar can prevent. On the road, however, a sway bar can make a tremendous difference in handling at speed, or during an emergency maneuver, especially in a lifted or heavy vehicle whose center of gravity or weight distribution has been compromised.
Spindle strength is a separate issue - nothing to do with handling, or the sway bar directly, and not a concern on the highway. The factory spindle can be a weak point if the front suspension slams into something with any kind of force- such as that you would encounter off-road, and can bend, rendering steering difficult, if not impossible.
Because spindle strength is an off-road issue, and removing a sway bar is beneficial off-road, the TC spindle reinforcements are not designed with concern for the front sway bar. This is the only thing that has prevented me from installing them so far, as the majority of my driving is on road, and the sway bar helps a great deal when you are forced to swerve to avoid an idiot at speed...
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" I'm not aware of too many things, but I know what I know, if you know what I mean..."
"Your enthusiasm for the subject borders on the interesting..."
The part is important (I rarely use the Scorpion for daily use anymore) and the proper application of the part is very important. Finding a reputable vendor, such as Dirty Parts to do business with is also a key part of the equation because there are vendors out there who are "part pushers" & do not have the customer's best interests at heart.
Knowing who you can and can't trust to support your purchases and to provide you sound advice (like CRUISERLARRY) is key. CRUISERLARRY has earned a solid reputation for quality at every level of his enterprise.
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There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unaltered, to find the ways that you have changed.
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