Mounting an IFS box for hi-steer.....

zukkev · Mar 16, 2008

Hey all, please don't shoot me, as this question has probably been asked a hundred times; I've done a bunch of research on this and can't seem to find a detailed install using TG's plate kit!!!:eeek:
Here's the scoop-got a call yesterday to take a look at why they (truck owner) were having a hard time getting the arms into the trunion brngs. I get over there, and found the truck still sitting on the wheels while they were attempting the install!!!In their attempt, they destroyed the passenger upper trunion brng!!! Also, they were not aware of the work involved in getting the IFS box mounted properly(thought it was a 'bolt-in' kit);I happened to have a decent used trunion brng; Needless to say, I went home, unloaded the Sami from the trailer, and now I have this Yota in my shop--got the front axle out from under it, replaced the brng and got the arms on (on the proper side!!!); Plasma'd off the torque rod bracket, cleaned up the frame; took a couple leaves out of the 7 LEAF

uke: leafpack due to the buckboard ride it had (according to the owner); which will also get the rig leveled out(sat about an inch high in front);
SSOOOOOO.....anybody able to help a bro out with some pics??? Would be much appreciated!!! :beer:

Poohbair · Mar 16, 2008

no detailed writeup, and not a TG kit, but here is some pics of my old Runner!

zukkev · Mar 17, 2008

Thanks Poohbair, Appreciate it:awesomework: ---Kinda what I was thinking; Hopefully someone out there has a little more detail, or a link to a detailed install.....I've looked on PBB, and a couple other sites, but no luck so far...I'm gonna finish it tomorrow, come hell or hi water:eeek: ....who knows, maybe this won't be so bad once I get to mockin it all up....

84Toyota4x4 · Mar 17, 2008

Ok, here ya go. I actually ended up mounting it further forward about another inch when I did the final mounting, but it also ended up more level than I wanted. When I went back and sleeved the frame (I had it temporarily installed to run around the driveway and such and keep it mobile), I enlarged the holes for the tube and welds, but they didnt end up perfectly center because I didnt have the step bit I needed at the time. Use the right tool for the job, haha. I couldnt rotate it anymore because of the core support, which I had to beat into submission to make it fit back in there anyway after the holes got a little messed up, plus the holes were drilled already.

It ended up so the bottom edge of the brace plate was hanging down about 1/8" below the frame rail unfortunately. Originally it was level with the bottom of the frame, and even that seemed too low. I wanted it more at the angle Poohbair has his at. I will end up running a flat pitman arm when I get new springs to get more room between the tie rod and drag link for uptravel. Works for now with the shitty springs I have though since they dont flex at all, haha. As you can see, having the lame ass body lift actually helped in my situation since I didnt have to cut as much out of the core support.

Hope that helps a little.

~T.J.

Overall

Core Support

More Core Support

Tie Rod/Drag Link Clearance (for when the axle moves forward, has a little more now too)

Overall Front

zukkev · Mar 18, 2008

Thanks for the vote of confidence paulie:fawkdancesmiley: I'm sure you've NEVER asked for advice on anything

Actually IT'S DONE!!! ( Like I said earlier, come hell or high water!!!!

)
The truck I did this on also had a body lift, which does help with clearance at the core support....once I got the outer plate mocked up, it pretty much fell into place.Turned out pretty nice!Thanks again TJ for your offer of pics & such, really appreciate it!!:awesomework: here's a couple pics---Please tell me I'm not the only one that thinks the Nerd bars are:rb:

uke:

rooinater · Mar 18, 2008

not only are those nerd bars gay... he'll hang on everything... nice pics! i knew there was a reason i bought the flat pitman arm for my kit... i'll be installing my hi-steer this week.

zukkev · Mar 18, 2008

They're monkey bars!!!:haha:
Thanks Rooinator! As for the Flat pitman, I'd agree, or at least the 3/4" drop arm---I tipped the box as far as I could to give as much room as possible for the spring clearance thing while still clearing frame when turning; he had already bought the beefed up stock drop one---added bonus was the column shaft was almost perfectly straight!!there seems to be plenty of clearance between the spring and pitman arm; all in all it turned out pretty good!

84Toyota4x4 · Mar 18, 2008

Nice job. Not too bad, eh? Like I said, I wish mine had been tilted forward more, but I think that where its at, once I get a flat or 3/4 less drop pitman arm, I'll be golden. The actual end of the pitman arm will be further forward without the slant, so my tie rod should always stay in front of the drag link without problems. My steering shaft is pretty straight as it sits too, easy angle at the bottom and thats it. Heck, I think yours turned out more the way I was hoping to get mine, haha.

~T.J.

rooinater · Mar 18, 2008

zukkev said:
They're monkey bars!!!:haha:
Thanks Rooinator!

No problem :awesomework: i never have really seen anything that ridiculous... i thought the regular nerf bars were lame... but those are fantastic... :haha: now to start working on the truck tomorrow! :cheer:

MIG'DHORSE · Mar 18, 2008

i'm going to run my box flat with a flat pitman arm, and as far forward as possible, as I'm going to french the front hanger into the frame, and need the clearance against the spring. hope it goes as smoothly as this did. that's not gonna happen for a little bit, though. I'll post up a detailed section when i do it.:beer:

zukkev · Mar 18, 2008

I think the only other option for this guy would be a 3/4" dropped arm due to the way I mounted the box, but I don't think he'll ever modify this truck for serious wheeling, (ie. moving the axle forward more than 1", which he could do in it's current position); I appreciate the compliment TJ.

; No it wasn't all that bad, just time.....tryin to get it all dialed in ya know:;
Gotta head down to shop and fix the brakes now! When I went to get this on my trailer, not only did the owner have the steering all tore apart, there aren't any brakes to speak of( to the floor and it won't pump up; needs a rear brake OH and a master cyl)---boy was that fun tryin to back onto my trailer!!!