Help please. 2004 Tacoma sasd fj 80 axle having troubles with steering

I got a 2004 Tacoma with a 3.4 5 speed 4x4 lifted on 35s sasd with a fj 80 land cruiser axle and I’m currently having troubles with the hi steer since I’m running leaf springs and I’m running stock knuckles. Homemade piece keeps breaking off the knuckle and hellfire knuckles are out of stock but still not sure if that would even fix the problem and I’m trying to fix the problem. Help is appreciated thanks here’s a picture of the problem

 

Maybe ask here too
https://www.tacomaworld.com/forums/solid-axle-suspension.123/

 

Welcome to the forum!!

To make this work your going to need to redesign your hi steer system .

Start looking around the different forums for ideas.

What process are you using ? What prep work ?

Your trying to weld this on the truck that will never work!! It will keep breaking you would never be able to get enough preheat . You would cook out all the grease in the cardon joint and the tie rod ends.

Welding to cast steel can be somewhat tricky in most cases a preheat and post heat can be critical .

As well as filler selection. Low Hydrogen 7018 out of the oven is about the best choice .

If you were closer I would be glad to help you get this done.

 

First off, please don’t drive that thing on the road until it’s fixed, you will lose all steering if that fails.

If you want to stay on SOA leaves you’ll have to keep the drag link above the leaf. It looks like ruffstuff might have hellfire knuckles in stock but maybe you already contacted them.

https://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/R2149.html

another option is the Slee high steer arm, you can buy just the PS and do crossover steering or get both and run high steer. You’ll also need a driver side RHD steering arm to run it in double sheer like they recommend.

https://sleeoffroad.com/products/sof1100r/

what does the rest of your steering setup look like?

another option is changing to SUA leaves or links so you don’t have to run high steer.

 

Thanks for posting Sir .

I wonder if Op did any research ?

I seem to end up fixing so many of these failed projects after the fact.

 

Maybe you will check in early Monday Morning !

This is so interesting!

 

It’s been parked and don’t plan on driving it until it’s fixed. Hellfire is out of stock rn because they are looking for a machinest or something and slee arms look weak to me. I’ve done some research and hardly anyone is using leafs with a fj 80 axle. I wanna stick with leafs and I already have hi steer but I wanna fix this problem that I keep having where my knuckle keeps breaking cause of the shitty mount as pirctured

 

It actually broke on the trail and I trail fixed it with a crappy welder on the trail to get me home an it worked.

 

This is one of those "hack it off and start fresh" sort of things as it looks like a total train wreck

I'd pull the axle off, remove all innards, and chop up and clean off any and all mounts

Go custom link up front

 

Someone welded a home-made steer arm to the factory knuckle. As mentioned above, that will not work. What make you think RS HF not fix the issue? Site show then in stock.

 

Yea correct someone made a home made steering arm an attached it to the knuckle and it keeps breaking off the knuckle. And I’ve never had a fj 80 axle before and this is all knew to me but I’m running leaf springs and hi steer and trying to fix it the right way and not have future problems. Money isn’t a issue. Someone help. Thanks

 

If money isn't an issue, even more of a reason to redo the entire setup and get rid of your leaf pack.

 

Maybe if someone on here knew what they were doing an could help me like ive been asking besdies people pointing out the obvious when I could of asked my gma for a better awsner

 

Ok.

Since you don't want to change anything I'd suggest you learn to weld so it stops breaking? I don't know

 

Comments like this is why folks give the feedback you dislike. @Kwikvette have a valid point. Looking back at your picture, the rear shackle is... ummm.. questionable.... Who weld the front spring shackle mount to the bottom of the frame like that.... how's the leaf pack condition? Leaf pack look like it's in a negative arch. Are the perch centered? Are the homemade arm level?

Running leaf spring with an 80 axle have nothing to do with the issue you're having. Many people have done it but they did it right and not half ass. Your issue is with the homemade, beer paid mechanic that fab that setup. If you built it, you did a shitty job. If you bought it, you must be desperate for a solid axle tacoma because that entire front end must be shitty if that's how they set up the steering.

 

I'll be that guy and say it.... Yes, hellfire knuckles will be your solution if money isn't an issue. They're strong as shit and in stock.

 

You were given solid advice from reputable members. If money isn't an issue just pay a shop to have it done. Responses like this will not get you very far with the knowledgeable folk in this community. HF knuckles are listed in stock on a couple websites

 

Yea, IDK what OP want us to say. OP agreed that the homemade arm broke and want a solution. Four solution was provided (slee, hf, learn to weld/do it correctly, or pay a shop) and I preferred the HF option. They're so badass

Another option OP have is to switch to a mini axle, do the IFS hub conversion, and hi-steer for less than the price of the HF knuckles. OP can recoup some money from the 80 axle as well


Just saying

 

Read my first post Welding Cast steel to mild steel is tricky!

Preheat and Post heat are critical as well as using A low Hydrogen Electrode fresh out of the oven!

Anything else has a very good chance of failure !

OP wants to keep his leaf springs yet money is no object.

I could redesign and make this work but it needs done out of the truck! It would be impossible to control the pre and post heat with the truck acting like a huge heat sink.

OP if your close I would be glad to help.$$$$$

 

Best of Luck! Op Never mind none of us know what we are doing Carry on!!

Remember the OP says we all know nothing!