Gussets for LT on an overlanding build?

Starting to piece together the funds to buy a LT kit for my 17 TRD OR. Just when I think I can swing affording the TC +2 kit, all my research points to needing to gusset my spindles, coil buckets, engine mounts, LCA tabs.. for a build that sees actual offroading maybe 2 times a year on dedicated trips to east coast offroad parks, crawling at most, is it necessary to gusset everything? I dont plan on doing ANY high speed wheeling or pre running in my truck. Just mostly beach wheeling, and moderate trails at Rauch Creek and AOAA. I know it would be BEST to gusset it. But would it be acceptable to run the LT kit on the stock frame at least for a year until I recoup some of the funds? Anyone have experience on this before I pull any triggers?

 

If those are your plans for wheeling, why in the heck do you want LT? That's EXPENSIVE and really not necessary to run rausch creek or AOAA. I usually hit those places once a month and I'm on used old man emu suspension, and wheel my truck pretty hard. Plus AOAA is pretty narrow and LT may hurt you more than help you.

 

Mostly because I'm sick of replacing my ball joints and want the softer ride of a LT setup. Beefing up the entire front end is never a bad thing. I already handle the trails well, but Toyota wants 800 for lower control arms after I blew out my ball joints, at that point, I'm considering just going big.

 

How'd you blow out your lower ball joints if you just do the occasional moderate wheeling? Legitimate question.

 

I followed my buddy through a mud hole and hit a rock. Blew out a ball joint and rack bushings arent too happy either. Admittedly it's only one ball joint that's really damaged. Passenger wheel camber does whatever it wants. I have to figure this out relatively soon.

 

I’m with @EatSleepTacos on this one. Not that LT won’t help with in the technical sections, but for the price of doing the conversion and making the truck wider, you could buy the TC stock length LCAs and a good set of properly valved 2.5” COs and probably be just as happy without the expense.

It doesn’t sound like you’ll use the full potential of LT.

 

Ouch, that sucks. Just another reason I hate mud. I'm not sure if LT is really the answer though. Though admittedly I would do it if I could afford it.

I would just recommend hanging out in the LT section and talk to people who DD a LT rig. It doesn't seem like a super great experience between fitting in parking spots and whatnot. That way you make damn sure you want it before shelling out the cash.

As far as your original question, yes. Gusset everything.

It looks like he's already got 2.5" kings so he's already halfway there

 

I hear you. I always told myself if I was spending 2k on LCAs it was gonna be for LT. Shut is real expensive for stock length equipment.

 

Thank you buddy. I appreciate your input.

 

You’re not wrong but an LT kit will run you another $1500 from that 2k and that’s before having to replace shocks and gussets.

Especially if you already have 2.5 Kings.

 

havent had my +2 LT on long but i dont notice much of a difference in daily driving tbh. not quite as sharp turns but its fine in parking lots still. i didnt gusset anything for now.

i swapped because i had frozen cams in my stock lowers. would do it again too (probably 3.5 if i had to buy new though)

 

I'm not sure if you're set on TC, but check out Dirt King as well. They make stock length lowers that are around $1,300 I believe. Still a lot, but less than LT.

 

you forget recouping some of that cost from selling the original kings and ucas (if applicable)

 

Yup, I know. I did the math, its roughly 5500 before gussets, and selling my current equipment. It's a solid investment, but a large one at that. The gussets are cheap, a welder is not. I could install the LT kit myself but I wouldn't trust myself welding the gussets in.

 

Not really, you’re likely going to loose a little from the sale if you bought new and you’d still have to find replacement shocks in addition to the extra $1500 the kit would cost.

I get what you’re saying, but unless you can really use the LT I couldn’t justify it.

 

Interesting. So the LT didnt change the DD ride quality much? I'm on ext. kings right now, and it rides nice, a little less so when I leveled, which is where I was expecting to recuperate some of that king softness at level height.

 

Couldn't you just get longer coils and take out all preload to get your lift while maintaining ride quality?

 

For what it's worth, once I got gussets installed, you best believe I'll find a use for it just not prerunning. Just some trickier trails

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/considering-long-travel-read-here-first.180457/

If you don't want to do a balljoint...

Are you prepared to lube the open uniballs every month?
Are you prepared for the poor handling on the highway with glass fenders catching the wind?
Are you ready for squaks and rattles that come from heimed suspension/steering?
Have you ridden in a LT truck that is actually valves and sprung stiffer to handle the abuse?

If you can't afford gussets...

Are you including all the other small add-ons and expenses that come with LT?
Are you ready for the extra maintenance/repairs/damage that comes from the ability to run faster?

 

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I Wouldn't go that route, at the risk of bottoming out the shocks. I'd want to do this right if at all.