What have you done to your Tacoma today? 1st Gen Edition

Not sure about rules on posting other forum links here, but : My .02 $ : There are reasons both for and against it. I have seen stock BENT spindles on Tacos and other trucks. The only spindle FAILURES I have seen have been ones that had been gusseted. I would tread carefully here.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/another-spindle-failure-backcountry-dv.473931/

This is a personal decision you have to make- if it were me I would run a fabricated spindle and do away with the LBJ at the same time. I'd rather spend some bucks up front than roll or wreck a truck due to an avoidable failure. I have repeatedly jumped my truck on stock spindles and they're fine. I would not do the same on a truck that had spindles gussets welded on.

You're altering the composition of the metal in the spindle by welding/ heating on it and introducing the rod material. Having a welder doesn't make someone a metallurgist.

 

Dude, we've been through this before. Stop spreading this kind of misinformation.

Regardless of whether they are cast or forged, not pre- and post-heating the spindles will introduce massive amounts of residual stress to the base metal (spindle) as it is being deformed by the non-uniform heat input. The more residual stress is locked into the fabrication, the less additional stress it can handle before reaching its yield point, and then fracture.

@Shubin you can do it however you want, the best and strongest (and most reliable) way would be how @Adude described above. Removing the hubs would make it easier to fully pre- and post-heat, but if you could find a way to localize the heat away from the hubs, like a torch, you might be ok.

 

This

 

This is good info to know...im not really into jumping my rig, but crawling over rocks is fun, and Ive got a winch and plated front bumper n skids so mostly concerned with the added weight. Maybe I don't need to gusset the spindles or...

 

Or you could always step up in spindle quality. I have not checked to see if T100 or tundra spindles are any better.

Like mentioned above, its the nature of the beast. You always have to have a weak link. It just depends on how much you can afford that link to cost Along with whats fixable to you.

Beefing up your trans t case and axles make the weak link your drive shaft, beef up j joints now you candy cane your shaft. Whats easier to fix on the trail u joints or a whole drive shaft..

Replacing a Hub vs Cv ect ect.

 

Im just going to leave this here, the subject is a dead horse.

 

2nd gen spindles are made differently from 1st gens though. Haven't seen that same failure for our spindles.


My gussets were welded without preheating, and I've wheeled the shit out of my truck and haven't had any issues.

 

Was hoping you'd chime in as I couldn't recall what you did but I know you've wheeling the piss out of it. Was going to go thru your build again at lunch and find it out

 

So I called total chaos and there professionals say they don't pre heat any of there spindles when they add the reinforcements. And the ones that do break are more then likely because of a hard impact that would more then likley break the stock one before it would the reinforced one.
@Adude, how hard was your hit? And do you think if you didn't have the spindle reinforcement you'd be better off without it?

 

Well noted...what would then be my weak link? Ive got tc uca's will eventually do the LCA...

Same with a friend of mine who suggested I do this with the added weight and the fact I have the oem spindles that were made in 2004...Im wheeling not desert racing

 

Exactly. My guess is that the guys breaking spindles didn't weld them right. Stress concentrations can be created through welding these on if you're unaware of what you're doing. Not calling anyone out though - wouldn't want this to happen to anyone!

 

Not really at all. It feels better than with it.

 

That wasnt my truck its another members. I was using the pic in reference to make the point that modifications are not always benifiting. I have yet to brake the spindle on any of my 23 toyota trucks.

Having delt with welding cast iron steel alumimum, along with forged steel parts, and machined. I leave some stuff alone, i would rather have a bent spindle to limp home then a broken one. Just because it works on paper doesnt mean it works in life.

Just my opinion on the matter, I was not trying to set T.W on fire, or ruin or insult any persons.

 

Depends on your parts and how you drive, pulling up square to a 2 ft waterfall puts stresses in other places then doing 60 across the dunes or having to drive a quad trail running full lock on steering and lots of throttle.

 

Cleaned up the windows on the new topper

 

Finally got the frame done today and sprayed with another coat of Corroseal. Now it's ready for paint and start the reassembly.

Had to rebuild a cab mount.

 

Finally got around to installing my Redline Tuning hood lifts - super easy. The instructions they include are hard to screw up.

Looks so weird not having the stock lift bar in the middle of the way now.

 

Gonna decrease my braking distance today...

Thanks again @eccracer104

 

Anytime Patrick!

Glad they made it to you with time to spare

 

Went up over the rails as my vehicles tend to take beating with hunting and fishing gear. Figured this would add some much needed protection. The raptor really flows nicely so the lip on the edges is minimal even though we have 5 full bottles in a 5 foot bed
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