Which front end LT kit and why?

Hey Guys,

Seriously looking into LT-ing my Taco...But just one thing....whose kit do I go with?

As far as +3.5" kits go, Dirt King, Camburg, TC, Baja Kits, they all seem to give you the same stuff, at very similar price points. What's the difference between these kits really? Is there one that's the 'best'?

I've noticed that some arms are built with different angles, thus giving you different ground clearance numbers, but other than that I can't really tell the difference. Someone help me out.

 

TC Race Kit /thread

 

Don't forget looking into both www.jdfabrication.com and https://solomotorsports.com/ One thing that makes me lean towards JD Fabrication is how they deal with the fundal mental negatives of the Tacoma's foundation. There LCA mount system allows you to correct that. As well as there set up claims 13" with only 2.5" over as others claim that with there 3.5"-4.5" arms. Being able to keep the overall width in check (unless having that width is what you are after) gives you better clearance for trails and the ability to use stock fenders (some mods required).

 

Right, I've been heavily considering JD cause they're local, but the 3.5 kit still isn't listed on the website....But the question still remains....

 

Perhaps your rig can be of help to them getting it into production.

 

Hit him up I think he has close to a 3” but seen a few options on builds

 

Don't tempt me with a good time

 

A Good Time is what we are all after.

 

One question to consider is what is your intended use? Actual prerunning race courses, go fast desert running in big whoops, overland bomber, 4x4 crawler and LT rig?

The TC race kit (and people like the JD kit lately) is good to get you a front end for almost anything, is in stock, and addresses slight shortcomings in most other 3.5 bolt on kits.

If you want to race this truck eventually go for something with a fabbed spindle, but LSK and Dirt Designs are the only bolt on kit with one unless you pay for Camburg spindles on top of a 3.5 kit.

I have an XLT Solo kit and it's not an easy bolt on so modding costs rise.

 

JD Fab for my use, high clearance lowers and 13" of travel with a smaller +2.25" track width change, big axles, and everything is sealed and made easy to maintain. so good for anything in my opinion unless you wanna go big and wide or racing.

 

nice! realy debating on this if/when I swap toa LT front

 

Do it man, you won't regret it. also he's making a rear long travel, smog legal fuel cell and already has a steering solution. Only downside is the lack of instructions because its a small shop and they don't mass produce stuff, but he's working on that here soon.

 

yah for sure. My truck is HAF so not sure I would be able to benefit from too much LT in the rear. Already have an MT rear setup so for now, that's fine but that would be a pretty rad setup. The front setup looks sooooo beefy too. I was going to rally a TC but the JDA setup.

 

My brother has a total chaos mid travel with lowers too and they are a good company, iv had arms from them as well. But they are high maintenance and kind of a pain to maintain. When greasing the control arm bushings or keeping the uniballs lubed. everything squeaks. JD has seals on his inner uniballs and the outers are EMF greaseable sealed uniballs and no poly urethane to squeak or open uniballs for stuff to get inside and start squeeking . For me thats one of the biggest selling points.

 

yah that's a nice benefit. I am running a full Mid Travel front upper/lower/bypasses so. Pretty much the same maintenance so very familiar with the constant squeaking. My lower zerks seem to just reject any lubing it's annoying. TC has been great but build and design of the JDA is pretty damn nice. The fabbed spindles and movement of the LCA mounting are big pluses. I was considering the upgraded axle and possible steering but part of me says to hold of unless I go LT or I blow our the steering rack.

 

hey don’t leave out dirt designs with the fabbed spindles! Plus I like the DD spindles over the lsk spindles because if you’re gonna go vertical uniball you might as well do both so you don’t limit yourself on travel.

 

Looking killer man. What size tires are you running and did you have to trim Even with them pushed 0.875 forward.

 

I'm a bit biased but if you are going to go big, do as I have done...JD Fabrication.

2.25" LT Kit (934 cv), Steering Rack (heimed ends, double shear mount), Howe Steering Pump with 1.5x Quickener, gusseted spindles, LCA Mount, SUA Kit with deaver leafs. King bling all around, upfront has single bypass free bleed. 36gal fuel tank (carb complaint). 35x12.5 on 17" wheels. Alignment at 5degree caster, -0.5 camber. 3' of flex, 19" travel in the rear and 14" upfront.

Pics are here: Fitting 35’s with minimal trimming NOW ADDING LONG TRAVEL AND 934 CV’s

 

One other point are the spindle/hubs. With a solo kit you have D44 snouts. If you go over 35's and beat hard that is probably going to hold up a lot better vs the stock unit bearing which every other kits utilizes (JD/camburg/TC/dirt...)

 

With the 36gal tank did you keep the stock tank as well? Have you had a chance to drive it yet? If so how is it with the Quickener? And I will say I hope your grandad is doing well. The reason I am now in SoCal from the Seattle area is to assist my Parents 87/84.