Marlin Crawler's New Rock Crawling Long Travel IFS Suspension System (#RCLT)

Thanks man, I hope yours ships soon. Mike stopped by my house a few weeks ago (while passing through LA) to check out how the install was going. We talked for a while and his life right now is RCLT. He's been very responsive whenever I text him with questions on install stuff. One thing I picked up from talking with him is that Fresno is not the Inland Empire or greater LA area. There aren't many powder-coater and electroplater options there. If one has an issue, or delay, they can't just pick up their stuff and bring it to another shop nearby. There's also a labor shortage up there, probably because people are getting paid to stay home. It seemed like that has been the cause of the recent delays, but don't quote me on that. I didn't exactly hammer him with questions while he was checking out my build. Feel free to reach out if (when) you have questions during installation.

 

Sweet, I really appreciate that! I don't have a welder setup here, so I need to go to my friends shop, which is hard to coordinate when I dont have my stuff to install. Awesome to hear that Mike has taken a personal interest in your install and being available to help out. I am sure they are doing their best. The wait is just brutal.

 

Well, maybe Marlin Crawler will be extra productive today since their website is down.

 

Well I know I'm more productive when my phone is dead haha. I feel ya on the wait. I was ordering (and stockpiling) parts for almost a year before I started working on the 4Runner. Really tested my patience. It was so hard for me to be on vacation last week being so close to done. Very anxious to get back to it after work today.

 

Totally get that. I had to take a few deep breaths after one of the last updates I asked for when the response said that I could get a refund if I wanted. Hmm, thanks, been waiting 6 months, have all the parts specific to this install that I can't return...

Anyway, can't wait to see your action shots!

 

Looks good. I think I'd hate hydro bumps in the front even if I shortened them so they don't engage too often, but hydros up front seem like the only way to know exactly when the suspension is going to stop and be able to get every inch of wheel travel possible. I've been loosely considering picking up a set of the threaded body kings to try and squeeze on my truck.

Did you check what was the next limiting factor was after the shock? Do the uniballs allow even more travel if someone installed a custom shock mount that allowed for more uptravel and/or down travel?

 

The inner tulip of the RCV would be your limiting factor. You'd need to upgrade to a 934 CV like JD makes.

 

That's nice that he's being responsive and answering questions etc now that you have the kit. It would have been nice if they were doing that for all those still waiting.....

 

Looks like the sherpa race guys got their kit

 

Why no hydros up front? I agree about knowing (and controlling) exactly where the suspension is going to stop. This isn't my daily so I think I'll get used to them. There is a bit more uptravel in the system if the shocks allowed it, but not much. The uniballs themselves have plenty of range of motion left. The next limiting factors are the outer TRE heim and the UCA hitting the upper wheel well. The TREs have maybe another inch (max) of uptravel before they would bind at full stuff and full lock. At full bump where I'm at now the UCA (actually it's the spindle where it connects to the UCA) just barely contacts the upper wheel well. Wheel wells can always be modified but I'm not sure what can be done about the TRE heim.

 

The RCV isn't the limiting factor for uptravel. Downtravel yes.

 

Agreed. I didn't hear much from them (aside from the mass email updates) before I got the kit, but I'm glad Mike has been responsive during the install process.

 

LADWP huh?
It’s a great outfit to work for!

 

Yes sir. I've been there for 3 years. It's a great job for a geologist because of our infrastructure in Owen's Valley. And after 10 years of not getting paid overtime in the private sector I was ready for something else.

 

Oof. No OT? I was definitely underpaid and overworked for much of my nine years as geologist in private consulting, but at least I got OT and comp. Moved on to a CA state agency late last year. I will say, though: Getting used to the slower pace of government work has been rough.

 

Are you in Keeler or Bishop?

This is an interesting thread:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-395-and-owens-valley-eastern-sierra-region.700273/unread

 

I'm based out of LA, but spend quite a bit of time working from Bishop. I spent 2 months working at Long Valley Dam (Crowley Lake) last year, but most of it was during the fires and everything was closed. I usually bring the 4Runner when they send me up, and cover a lot of ground when I clock out for the day. Keeler project is pretty dialed in and I've only been there once to drill a few wells. That's a hell of a thread, it'll take me a while to get through it but thanks for sharing. There's always something new to discover up there.

 

Yep, well lots of OT just no extra pay for it. Every now and then I'd get a comp day but it was never enough. LADWP is a slower pace for sure but we're busy AF. And with an aging infrastructure that crosses some major faults there's always something.

 

They told me my kit was ready to ship, all the parts were done, and would go out as soon as it was boxed, early this week. I asked if it shipped, nope not yet, still waiting on parts.

 

I hate yall are going through this shit it's BS to me. Compounded one lie after another.