Limiting straps on basic lift set-up: Let's Discuss

http://www.drivingline.com/articles/how-to-protect-your-ifs-with-limit-straps/

Came across this article and it peaked my interest. While not totally necessary, I don't think it's a horrible idea. What are your thoughts on it? Was that article just a giant advertisement?

 

Also curious about this. I have OME886s on my truck and I occasionally hear them topping out(i'm currently without a front bumper), and I'd like to not let that happen.

 

I'm interested in this as well but cautious as to how I would mount them, know what length strap to purchase, etc.

 

I bet if you jacked up your truck so your front tires were at full droop and took a measurement, the guys from the company would be able to help you out.

 

Highly recommend limiting straps of you're running or plan on running extended travel coilovers with aftermarket upper control arms. These are how mine are mounted. If the coil doesn't sit just right, there's a good chance the UCA will contact the coil.

 

What I'm curious of is everyone's opinions on using it with a basic bitch set-up, like OME or Bilstein standard travel suspension.

 

IMHO, it would only be worthy insurance if you're running aftermarket UCAs. However, someone is going to come here and call me an idiot, they're probably right.

 

same here. subbed for info in case somebody's running them on a similar set up to mine, 887's LR UCA's

 

Makes sense, since I believe you get more droop from UCAs.

 

Limiting straps are much more common on a live solid axle setups, with coil sprung vehicles, like Wranglers. On solid axle vehicles they can prevent you from over-droop your axle and have a spring literally fall out of the spring seat. Not a problem on the Tacoma IFS. Of course IFS has different challenges, like more fragile CVs that do not like operating at extreme angles.

Toyota engineers have said the limiting factor in the droop of the Pro suspension is the ball joint of the stock UCAs. I would imagine that even if you went to Light Racing UCAs that maintain the factory style ball joint they would be limiting. I think you could maybe make a case for if you go to a uniball UCA like Total Chaos that allows for an extra inch of droop in the suspension, which would allow things to be flexed further than the factory design. However, the straps say that you loose about an inch of droop by using them. So then what is the point of paying more to run a UCA that allows 1" extra droop, to pay more to run limiting straps to eliminate the gain? Of course this assumes the shocks have the extra inch of droop to spare.

 

What about for people(like me) that top out their shocks as their droop limit? That's not a good limiter.. correct me if im wrong.

 

I would think that in your instance they'd be good! In the article it mentions the 5100s on the T4R are topping out, hence the need for straps.

 

It's really simple. SALES GIMMICK. Get your shock specs. and jack the truck up and measure at full droop. If the shock is maxed out, might think about getting limit straps before you blow the seals. If you lifted it, go ahead and get superbumps so you don't bottom out regardless, they are fairly cheap and take about 5 minutes to install, plus might save your flairs from popping off. even with extended travel and uniball uppers, the LCA will most likely limit travel and you'll be fine, unless you have standard shocks, which would be dumb to get more travel if you can't use it. The rear will be limited by the leafs unless you did a shackle flip or have some major lift blocks, which would be totally stupid anyway.
So, no, you shouldn't need limit straps unless you went out and got uniball uppers, went like 2-3" lift on standard shocks, which in that case, you deserve to blow out the shocks for doing something so stupid anyway. Limit straps are more common with long travel guys. I run 3" lift, extended travel shocks, uniball uppers, and still have 1/2-3/4" shock travel left and the LCA is maxed out and won't go any farther. If your control arms hit coilovers, I'd be concerned something isn't installed correctly? My rear has leaf pack, 1" block, extended shock, and the leafs limit shock travel before full extension. I run super bumps because when i stuff the wheel, I kept popping off flairs, even after a lot of trimming. IFS angle is just fine, but wouldn't want anymore. Really, how often will it be at full droop when moving anyway? If I had more usable travel, like a total chaos long travel kit with long travel shocks, I'd get upgraded axles to handle the extra binding at full droop. If someone sells you a long travel without them, shop somewhere else!

 

IMO not necessary, unless extended travel suspension with poly bushings.

 

Where did you get the limit straps from

 

KarTek has everything you need.
https://www.kartek.com/parts-categories/limiting-straps.html

 

Check out my avatar. I installed them on my truck. After my (spacer) lift, my UCA was hitting the coil on one side when I would catch a little air. I just drilled a hole in my strut tower on the frame and used some grade 8, 1/2" bolts to attach the top. The bottom is attached to the lower strut bolt. I've checked and mine limit my downward droop about a half an inch.
I measured several times before drilling and ended up having to drill two different holes to get them where I wanted them.

It solved my problem of the UCA's hitting the coils.

 

That's why you get the adjustable clevis. They also do stretch a little over time.

 

Looks like you used the same bolt from the LCA that holds the strut correct?

 

Yes, that is correct.