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ELITE Long Travel!! Thoughts Please

Discussion in 'Elite Off-Road' started by Timicha, Nov 22, 2010.

  1. Nov 22, 2010 at 7:36 PM
    #1
    Timicha

    Timicha [OP] Timicha

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    TIM
    Tillamook / Portland , Oregon
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    Fabtech 4 inch lift, tinted windows, diff drop, 33 inch MTZ tires on Raceline Raptor wheels, ELITE OFF-ROAD bumpers and sliders
    Hey everyone,

    I will be designing a LT kit for the 1st and 2nd gen Tacoma's in January (1st gen will be made first and then 2nd gen will be made). I've got a mechanical engineer working with me and were going to try to design a kick ass kit that we can manufacture and sell! We'll be throwing it through all the strength tests we can think of once we get it done and then will be installing it on my truck for real world testing. Luckily, the college I go to is a Tech school and they have tons of different strength testing labs and endless computer software that we can virtually simulate smashing into a rock or anything we want.

    The first 10 kits I sell are going to be ridiculously cheap primarily to get the product out there for people to test out and report back to me what they think. They wont be sold until I have personally used the first kit to its fullest and know that it is top quality. The kits will be Tig welded not Mig, after they've been tested the future kits will most likely be Mig welded.

    My first question I'd like to ask everyone is:

    1. How much over-stock would you like to see {I'm looking for whats most popular). I'm thinking of making it about 3.5 over per side, but let me know your thoughts because the size that most people want is what will be made.
    2. Would you guys prefer to have tube or boxed upper control arms? Boxed should be stronger but will be more work and material, so the cost of the kit will increase a bit.
    Thanks for any comments that you guys leave, my goal is to build as many top quality products that i can and sell them at a very competitive price. Being a college student i know how much it sucks to want something like a LT kit and not being able to afford it! I will do my best to work with you all and design an awesome Long Travel KIT! I look forward to earning the business of everyone that i can!
     
  2. Nov 22, 2010 at 7:38 PM
    #2
    YellowDog01

    YellowDog01 Well-Known Member

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    That's awesome. Can't wait to see some design ideas.
     
  3. Nov 22, 2010 at 7:47 PM
    #3
    Timicha

    Timicha [OP] Timicha

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    Fabtech 4 inch lift, tinted windows, diff drop, 33 inch MTZ tires on Raceline Raptor wheels, ELITE OFF-ROAD bumpers and sliders
    ya it's going to begin as soon as I'm back from Christmas break
     
  4. Nov 22, 2010 at 7:53 PM
    #4
    Leadgolem

    Leadgolem Well-Known Member

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    Herculiner bed liner, White LED instrument lights, Custom painted hood, Homemade leather steering wheel wrap, Avic u310bt gps stereo, 1.5" bushwacker fender flares, 1.25" bilstein lift front, 1" shackle lift rear, rear bilstein 5100 shocks, ridiculous helper spring lift rear, wet okole seat covers, mutilated exhaust, boom mat under hood
    Hmm, I've been kicking around with the idea of an LT kit for a while. I will be following this thread closely. :)

    Since most people turn down an LT kit because of the price, I'd do a tube style to keep costs down. As long as there isn't a huge difference in strength it should be ok.
     
  5. Nov 22, 2010 at 7:54 PM
    #5
    kcbmx

    kcbmx doing my thing.

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    spit cup, weathertech floor mats, riffle rack, and bilsteins.
    As far as size goes, I think 3.5 is best in order to fit the tundra axles for the 4wd guys. Boxed arms would deffinately make this kit stand out from the rest.
     
  6. Nov 22, 2010 at 7:57 PM
    #6
    ktmrider

    ktmrider Senior Member

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    boxed uppers or tube, 3.5 over each side, 4x4 capability. Doesn't break the bank cause even after the kit we still gotta get coilovers limit straps fiberglass, bumper and whatever from the rear.
     
  7. Nov 22, 2010 at 7:59 PM
    #7
    especk

    especk Nothin' Special

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    I agree with kcbmx. Good luck!
     
  8. Nov 22, 2010 at 8:04 PM
    #8
    jdkeller

    jdkeller How many words can be fit in this s

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    Jonathan
    Inland Empire, Ca
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    Tube or boxed I don't care. 3.5" max. What would be cool is a kit like all pro. More stealth.
     
  9. Nov 22, 2010 at 8:12 PM
    #9
    blackhawke88

    blackhawke88 wo ai ni bao bei ^_^

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    :popcorn: props for doing this. I'd really read up on the builds over on DR, RD and TTora, there are a lot of information on there. Just remember dont make mistakes other people have already made because its preventable by reading and doing research.

    Is it gonna be uniball? Heim joints?
     
  10. Nov 22, 2010 at 8:14 PM
    #10
    nelson18matt

    nelson18matt Well-Known Member

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    horizontal uni ball upper, uni ball lower, boxed upper and lowers, strike pad for air bump, 3-4" per side, heim steering, heim uppers.

    something like the front end that the shop i take my truck to built (not my in the pics) look at pic 4 and 5 on the bottom of the page

    http://www.frontlinefab.com/page822.html

    GOOD LUCK!!!
     
  11. Nov 22, 2010 at 8:20 PM
    #11
    schiz94

    schiz94 Thread Jacker

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    make something for the 05+ 5 luggers and i will be a test dummie :)
     
  12. Nov 22, 2010 at 8:31 PM
    #12
    amaes

    amaes Cuz Stock Sucks

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    Me and you have the same idea
     
  13. Nov 22, 2010 at 8:31 PM
    #13
    blackhawke88

    blackhawke88 wo ai ni bao bei ^_^

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    whoever one-stared this thread is a douche canoe
     
  14. Nov 22, 2010 at 8:34 PM
    #14
    username

    username Fluffer

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    Throw caution to the wind and build something like this.
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    except maybe heim lowers. From a business perspective, the market is saturated. 99% of the drivers want the look and dgaf about performance. The ones who do care about performance won't risk purchasing a product from a college student working out of his garage. Build it. Brand it. Race it. What wins on Sunday sells on Monday.
     
  15. Nov 22, 2010 at 8:42 PM
    #15
    ktmrider

    ktmrider Senior Member

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    Quoted for truth, look at motorcross same exact shit
     
  16. Nov 22, 2010 at 8:47 PM
    #16
    ToucanV13

    ToucanV13 You think I was rollin out here naked?

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    I'll do a 2nd gen 4x4 for you when you get going!
     
  17. Nov 22, 2010 at 8:50 PM
    #17
    memario1214

    memario1214 Hotshot Offroad Moderator Vendor

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    I have been looking into LT for a while here... My suspension is completely shot so something legit that wouldn't break the bank would be very nice!
     
  18. Nov 22, 2010 at 9:02 PM
    #18
    brettb

    brettb Well-Known Member

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    Except he would test it, he has software programs he would test it on he would through it on his truck. I would trust it. Anyday
     
  19. Nov 22, 2010 at 9:07 PM
    #19
    1337Taco

    1337Taco Well-Known Member

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    Mazzulla has some nice products. So much $$$$$$$$$$$ though.
     
  20. Nov 22, 2010 at 9:08 PM
    #20
    ktmrider

    ktmrider Senior Member

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