To gusset or not to gusset...

So I was tossing around the idea today to buy some spindle gussets from All-Pro. My main concern was whether or not to leave the factory spindles alone, so as to serve as a weak point on the suspension, allowing it to fail if I ever hit something way too hard, therefore taking the impact instead of diverting it to a more expensive part of the suspension/frame. I figured a spindle is relatively inexpensive and easy to install, so bending/breaking it wouldn't be a total catastrophe.

I'm purchasing a set of stock length LSK's LCA's, Icon extended travel resis, and I have a set of All Pro uniball UCA's. All pretty tough aftermarket parts. Would leaving the spindle without a gusset be a bad idea?

Pic of the LSK LCA's



Your thoughts...

 

If your into high speed wheelin Id do it you can get get away without for rock crawling but if your going fast "And most of us do" just gusset them and be done .

 

Think about driving home with a shit alignment because of a bent spindle. That'll do a number to your tires.

I'd gusset it.

 

I'd gusset it......and then get some Icon Omeag bypass' in there!

 

Gusset!!!

 

Seems like we have a consensus haha. Just gotta find a good welder now!

And yeah Icon bypasses are in the future, but damn do I wish I had the $$ for those right now. This is the 2nd reason why I'm going with these LCA's...secondary shock mounts

 

Even after being gusseted the spindle will still probably be the weak spot, I would just gusset them

 

gusset them is my vote. you will need a few special tools to remove your spindle since you're 4x4.

to remove your 4x4 hubs you will need a huge 35mm socket, which was expensive from Osh like $17 but obviously just return it when you're done.

also get a "pitman puller" which u can get at autozone for like 10-12$, it helps remove the tie-rod ball joint and works very well. better than a hammer for sure. worth it.


I would decide now if you want to run hydraulic bumps and/or limit straps...or just stay with stock. you'll need to weld on an extra tab for the limit strap and who wants to paint the LCA twice. plus it's a lot of work adding hydraulic bumps so better to get all the work done the first time vs. multiple trips to a shop (unless you do it all yourself)

let me know if you have any questions about the LCA's I will try to help

 

Thanks for the heads up, Brennan! I actually have the 35mm socket, so the puller is all I need, and I'm pretty sure they rent them at autozone.

I'd like to have bumps and straps as a safety, but to be perfectly honest, I don't wheel my truck that hard. I stick mostly to slow inclines/declines, and trails. Possibly something I'd like to do down the line though.

Awesome pics, btw. Are those the same LCA's?

 

are you even gaining that much travel with this setup that it would even require limit straps ?

 

Limit straps are not just because of longer travel. If you plan on the wheel leaving the ground a lot and the weight of the suspension is slamming down on the shock it would be a good idea to put the load on something that is designed for it. You can damage $1k shocks or buy some $30 limit straps

 

Yes these are the prototype LSK LCA, I was the guinea pig. I finally just got them painted.

well gaining travel...I'm honestly not sure b/c I didn't measure before/after travel at the wheels when the coil was off.

IMO it's never a bad idea to have the weight resting on straps vs. on your shock. When I tore apart these OEM kings they did have a small internal rubber "bump" to prevent metal-on-metal smashing at full extension but if yours do not have an internal bump...well you know the rest

 

Yea those are the same ones. He was the test platform for them.

 

From 5100's to Icon 2.5 extended travel remote resis? I think it's a good amount.

How do you like the LCA's? I have yet to hear a testimonial on them.

And like I said, jumping my truck really isn't something I'll be doing.

 

the arms are rock solid. we left them bare for weeks to check for stress fractures or any other damage. None has been found besides scratches on the surface from rocks. Last week I went to the Powder Puff race up in Barstow and mobbed my new set up pretty hard.

After hitting that race course I'm confident they will hold up to most anything.

 

If you are coming up to Burbank to pick up the LCAs, bring the spindles and spindle gussets with and we'll take care of you. Its a simple 10 minute job from what I remember and totally worth it.

 

that is the customer service I have found from these guys everytime I have talked to them!

 

Thanks, Van! Will do!

 

What's the black thing in the center of your wheel spacer? Almost looks like a manual hub?

 

gusset! or else...