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Ballistic Fab's Prototype Long Travel Kit

Discussion in 'Long Travel Suspension' started by BallisticFab, Jul 19, 2013.

  1. Jul 19, 2013 at 9:38 AM
    #1
    BallisticFab

    BallisticFab [OP] Active Member

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    A couple of the guys at Ballistic have 1st gen Tacomas and we decided to use their trucks as test mules for a +3.5 long travel setup. The guys here wanted to build an extremely tough kit that would stand up to continual abuse. After lots of hours of design we came up with an extremely strong lower arm design.
    The arm is boxed and internally braced (the other side of the arm will have a cross brace as well). The shock tabs weld to the bottom and top of the arm to distribute the load over the top and bottom of the arm instead of just the top. We'll be using a 1" uniball on the top arm and a Ballistic custom uniball to replace the stock lower ball joint. The arm mounts to the frame with poly bushings. The entire arm is laser cut and hand finished. We still have some testing to do and we need to build the upper arm but we thought we would see what you guys thought of the lower arm and the overall design.
    Here are some pictures:
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    The test mule is a first gen extended cab with a dcab bed (the frame has been shortened 13") and a turbocharged 3rz. We'll get some pictures of the test mule up as well.

    We're looking forward to hearing some of your feedback and we'll keep this thread updated with progress of the build.
     
    Last edited: Jul 19, 2013
  2. Jul 19, 2013 at 9:40 AM
    #2
    tostidos

    tostidos Well-Known Member

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  3. Jul 19, 2013 at 9:41 AM
    #3
    tostidos

    tostidos Well-Known Member

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    Are you going to offer a LCA with a secondary shock tab?
     
  4. Jul 19, 2013 at 9:47 AM
    #4
    Trusso24

    Trusso24 Well-Known Member

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  5. Jul 19, 2013 at 9:49 AM
    #5
    BallisticFab

    BallisticFab [OP] Active Member

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    An arm with secondary shock tabs would certainly be available when the product hits the shelf. We'll keep you guys posted!
     
  6. Jul 21, 2013 at 11:22 AM
    #6
    biggie

    biggie Well-Known Member

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    very nice subd
     
  7. Jul 24, 2013 at 3:47 PM
    #7
    BallisticFab

    BallisticFab [OP] Active Member

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    The first side of the truck has the upper and lower control arms on it.
    [​IMG]

    With 4wd the kit will have about 13" of travel and without 4wd should yield about 15-16" of wheel travel. The production kit will come standard with tabs for a second shock and a bump pad. We're still establishing pricing but based on what we've got so far we think a basic kit with coilovers will be in the $3-$3500 range. The lower arms will come standard with secondary shock mounts and a bump pad.

    We'll keep the thread updated as we make more progress.

    No word on a 2nd gen kit just yet.
     
  8. Jul 24, 2013 at 5:24 PM
    #8
    Anthony250

    Anthony250 Ex Fabricator

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    Pics on how the lower is connected to the spindle.
     
  9. Jul 24, 2013 at 5:27 PM
    #9
    Anthony250

    Anthony250 Ex Fabricator

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    I also see you cut out center sleeve inside the coil bucket for the upper arm bolt to run two bolts. Nice touch!
     
  10. Jul 24, 2013 at 5:59 PM
    #10
    BallisticFab

    BallisticFab [OP] Active Member

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    We're going to keep that piece of information under wraps for a little bit. It's definitely what's going to separate our kit from the rest of the bolt on kits out there. I've personally had that lower ball joint fail and it took out a CV, fender, and part of door so getting rid of that was important to us. We'll release the full pictures in a few weeks when testing is done. -Allen
     
  11. Jul 24, 2013 at 6:00 PM
    #11
    BallisticFab

    BallisticFab [OP] Active Member

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    and we plan on putting both bolts in double shear with the addition of a few pieces of tube and plate. That's the project for tomorrow and Friday assuming we get a few moments to work on this.
     
  12. Aug 4, 2013 at 10:48 AM
    #12
    biggie

    biggie Well-Known Member

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    any updates?
     
  13. Aug 4, 2013 at 12:11 PM
    #13
    CliffordBRD

    CliffordBRD Well-Known Member

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  14. Aug 5, 2013 at 12:53 PM
    #14
    BallisticFab

    BallisticFab [OP] Active Member

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    Yes, we completed the shock tower design and mock up last week. As soon as we get them welded on the frame we'll post some new pictures.
     
  15. Aug 5, 2013 at 7:19 PM
    #15
    paranoid56

    paranoid56 Well-Known Member

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    looking good.
    but turn your uniball cups 180 degs. then your laser cut head is up and down. bad pic but one i did a wile ago using your cups.
    photo_f63927948884e358e40ae5fc9a89f716edac7390.jpg
     
  16. Aug 6, 2013 at 8:01 AM
    #16
    Humphreys

    Humphreys Well-Known Member

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    KINDA CURIOUS TO SEE HOW IT COMES OUT ACTUALLY.... A BIT OVER PRICED AT 3500 BUT HEY THTS JUST ME LOL. KIT LOOKS GOOD SO FAR THO.
     
  17. Aug 7, 2013 at 3:13 PM
    #17
    BallisticFab

    BallisticFab [OP] Active Member

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    I'm not sure what you mean. There is not a laser cut piece on the upper control arm spherical bearing.

    From the research we've done $3500 is cheaper than most of the major competitors with a similarly built kit.

    A few updated pictures.

    IMG_20130806_084925_671_537b9c467c3211667b238f13e882e2b41d780555.jpg

    IMG_20130806_084944_223_157ac0eed9e993f50f1a00f78824695c78883824.jpg
     
  18. Aug 7, 2013 at 3:18 PM
    #18
    DTFtacoma

    DTFtacoma Dezert Toy Fabrication Vendor

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    Looking good buddy

    Do you guys offer a TW discount? I'm in need of threaded bungs, heims, and what not
     
  19. Aug 7, 2013 at 3:22 PM
    #19
    BallisticFab

    BallisticFab [OP] Active Member

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    Yes, give us a call at (520) 888-4441. I'll let the sales guys know to give anyone from TW 10% off their order.
     
  20. Aug 7, 2013 at 4:41 PM
    #20
    jberry813

    jberry813 Professional Fluffer Moderator

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    ...too much shit to list.
    Is that a 10" shock?
    Guessing that's why you cut out the factory coil bucket and UCA bolt sleeve?
     

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