Installing the Apache Offroad Heavy Duty rear control arms and panhard bar on my GX470. This works for the Lexus GX platform, Toyota 4Runner platform, and Toyota FJ Cruiser. Link: apacheoffroad....
Notice how the rear lower arm didn't drop much after front bolt removed? It was being held up by the rear bushing still being in torsion, That's how these OE bushings work the movement comes from twisting the rubber bushings. Same in LCA and UCA. IMO replacement bushings that allow free movement of the bushing sleeve within the bushing is more desirable. It appears that the track bar bushing is free rotating since the sleeve was removed, greased and reinstalled into another steel sleeve.
I don’t think so since they’re not that different in length from the stock arms. Mainly helps re-center the axles after lifting it and fresh bushings with larger diameter tubes that are stronger.
It depends on your suspension set up. If you run a long travel rear set up you will gain about 1-2" of down travel as the factory lower links bind with the axle and the driver upper with the gas tank before full droop. But regardless of your set up, you will experience better and smoother articulation. You will also gain quite a bit of strength. The lowers are 3/8" DOM tube and the uppers are quarter wall.
They’ve been great, I’ve got about 6k miles on them now. The old bushings were shot so these made a difference right away and the rear doesn’t clunk as much when I hit bumps.
Parts description, relevant tools, torque specs. Solid video 👍🏻
Notice how the rear lower arm didn't drop much after front bolt removed? It was being held up by the rear bushing still being in torsion, That's how these OE bushings work the movement comes from twisting the rubber bushings. Same in LCA and UCA. IMO replacement bushings that allow free movement of the bushing sleeve within the bushing is more desirable. It appears that the track bar bushing is free rotating since the sleeve was removed, greased and reinstalled into another steel sleeve.
Let's see it flex, time for an off road video.
You mentioned that the links are shorter than oem, they are extended / longer than oem.
How many miles did those control arms have on them before you replaced? Thanks!
Just over 200k miles on my stock ones before I replaced them.
Can I take off the rear upper control arm without taking the tire off or jacking?
Yes I think you should be able to. Just do it 1 at a time.
@@eriksadventurelab I appreciate the quick feedback 🤙
Did this gain you any more suspension travel
I don’t think so since they’re not that different in length from the stock arms. Mainly helps re-center the axles after lifting it and fresh bushings with larger diameter tubes that are stronger.
It depends on your suspension set up. If you run a long travel rear set up you will gain about 1-2" of down travel as the factory lower links bind with the axle and the driver upper with the gas tank before full droop. But regardless of your set up, you will experience better and smoother articulation. You will also gain quite a bit of strength. The lowers are 3/8" DOM tube and the uppers are quarter wall.
How are they holding up?
They’ve been great, I’ve got about 6k miles on them now. The old bushings were shot so these made a difference right away and the rear doesn’t clunk as much when I hit bumps.
What size of lift you have?
3 inch Dobinsons IMS lift.
Hey thanks!
No problem! Great product been super happy with them over the past few thousand miles.
No grease?
Nope these are not greaseable joints.