Why so few upgrades for the 1st gen IFS?

If you are doing a solid axle swap. Why limit yourself to Toyota axles?

 

Dime and dozen and cheap as shit compared to custom housing. But I rather go with an 80 vs a mini.

 

Well this was as dumb as I though it'd be. If I didn't know for sure that OP owned a 1st gen I'd say he's as informed as a blind outsider looking in...

 

Some of it may be beating a dead horse, but I think it’s a legit question why there’s not an aftermarket beefed-up rack for these trucks..

 

There's not really for any of the others either. they just use racks from heavier duty models. It's not exactly a generic part where you can just shove any other that looks similar in. It would take lots of money in R&D. Newer models share platform similarity, the 1st gen is pretty much its own thing.

 

Not to mention much support has died off as people force themselves into newer gens.

Those with 1st Gens keep them stock, or take the time to actually work on their own rigs (and upgrading them as well).

 

The "why" is absolutely irrelevant, why fix it if it ain't broke?

The "why not" is as mentioned, research and development costs money.

There are other items that are susceptible to breakage that can be capitalized on because in the end, it's all about money.

 

Regarding the rack. You can delete it and install a double ended ram and go full hydraulic steering....

 

Or you can just keep the factory rack, wheel the shit out of it on things like Swamp, Coyote Lake, Rubi, Dusy, Isham Canyon and a host of other hard trails. Then when it fails 5 years later replace it with another from a junkyard. The rack is plenty strong enough to turn 35's on hard trails. The factory d-ring mount and bushing are another story though. Plenty of guys have fabbed up solutions for that POS. lol

 

The bushing and ring are one part but they attach to a piece of paper thin steel so if you beef the clamp you're just asking for it to rip the mount point off the truck next haha. But yeah the racks are pretty decent really. I've killed plenty of rack seals but the rack itself holds up well

 

I think I'm rocking a Napa rack from 7 years ago. It has outlived all the TREs attached to it

 

Even with all the testimonials, the OP will still question why there isn't a stronger rack

 

I bet a GM HD 1 ton IFS steering rack would be a bit stronger

 

This is going to be very interesting.

In the end it always will come down to money.

Research ,design build prototype, field test , manufacture and market and hope the demand is enough to break even in a few years.

 

You don't need much for these trucks. I've done every hard trail in Big Bear and even some Sand Hollow trails. The only axles I've ever broken, were the aftermarket "offroad" ones that Oreilly sells (Import Direct brand). OEM axles are pretty tough. I've never had an issue with the steering rack or tie rods, they're pretty tough out of the factory. I'm using load E 33's and steel wheels, so they're pretty heavy. Also using front and rear Eaton E lockers.

All my experience comes from rock crawling. I don't jump my truck in the dunes or anything like that so I can't speak on the quality of OEM parts in that regard.

 

I’ve found it all to be pretty tough as well. I’ve never felt like I’ve even approached the limits, and I don’t even have a rear locker. I have had to reset my lines several times on some obstacles, but it always makes it up without much fuss. A rear locker would make it almost effortless. I’m not sure I’d want to even attempt trails that would actually require a front locker in these trucks without a roll cage.

You just always find that one guy saying he got tired of breaking axles and diffs every trip on the IFS. Maybe they just don’t know how to drive, or maybe they have 35s+, which add a lot of stress to the driveline. It’s also easier to break stuff on the sandstone in Moab since it basically has more traction than dry pavement, as opposed to the muddy slick terrain we have out here.

 

But you haven't hit obstacles that even required a rear locker; far from pushing your truck.

 

You nailed it lack of experience !!

Some people are only happy when they can complain.

I know people that can destroy anything mechanical the best of heavy duty clutches in a few days.

Driving to the far reaches of the Mall Parking lot!

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/04-tacoma-turned-buggy.165208/page-10#post-20653472

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/rack-saver.770633/