Land Cruiser Front suspension

[Backwoods Rambler]

Anyone have any pics of the frame side mount of the front control arms? Also, I'm interested in what they're made of, and any possible fatory replacement items for it.

Thanks in advance.

 

[MoGas]

I'm assuming you mean an 80 series.
The frame mount can bee seen in these pics.

Here are the control arms:

What are you looking for specifically?

Dave

 

[Backwoods Rambler]

I'd like to get rig of the flex joint on the frame side of my custom control arms and replace them with something more civilized on the road. Yes even if I have to sacrifice a bit of flex.....

Anwya, I thought the 80 series Cruiser style offered a possible solution, but I've never seen them up close and don't really know what they're made of. I would assume the ride nice, I mean c'mon, it's a cruiser right.....

I've also considered an F-150 radius arm style mount point, but I'm just trying to consider all possibilites.

In the end, the ability to get fatory replacement parts vs. aftermarket parts would be good for traveling I think.

 

[ginericLC]

So you are just looking for something with a rubber bushing on the end?

 

[MoGas]

Nice work.

As far as I can remember, they are just formed steel plates welded to the frame. I think there are some sorts of gussets on the top, too.

I can take some more detailed pics tomorrow if you'd like.

 

[ntsqd]

Just out of curiosity can you remake the frame pivot anchors to mount to the frame via a pair (each) of rubber bushings? That would allow you to continue to use the arms as built, but de-couple the metal to metal harshness that you've got now.

 

[Backwoods Rambler]

Nice work.

As far as I can remember, they are just formed steel plates welded to the frame. I think there are some sorts of gussets on the top, too.

I can take some more detailed pics tomorrow if you'd like.

Sorry, not the mount ON the frame, just the frame mounting end of the arm.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

I've got piles and piles of 80 Series lower control arm mount bushings (always replaced with suspension installs). They are yours for the ride if you want to start playing around with them. Uppers are a bit harder to come by as the only ones I've replaced are usually in need of replacement, so OEM might be the best option.

 

[Backwoods Rambler]

Just out of curiosity can you remake the frame pivot anchors to mount to the frame via a pair (each) of rubber bushings? That would allow you to continue to use the arms as built, but de-couple the metal to metal harshness that you've got now.

Not sure I understand what you're suggesting Are you just saying to remove the internals of the current housing and replacing them with rubber internals?

Someone suggested not to do that though because the torsional stiffness could increase to the point of breaking welds at the mounts when flexed a lot due to the extreme lack of flexability in the ends and the arms, as compared to stock style arms where the arm offers flexability.....thoughts??

 

[Backwoods Rambler]

I've got piles and piles of 80 Series lower control arm mount bushings (always replaced with suspension installs). They are yours for the ride if you want to start playing around with them. Uppers are a bit harder to come by as the only ones I've replaced are usually in need of replacement, so OEM might be the best option.

I would think that I would actually need a set of arms so I could inspect the frame ends of the arms and determine if I would want to cut them off and use them (or some aftermarket duplicate of them). It just seems that the design of these flexes pretty well, while still offering rubber isolation from tire/road noise, that's why I would want to try them.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

I would think that I would actually need a set of arms so I could inspect the frame ends of the arms and determine if I would want to cut them off and use them (or some aftermarket duplicate of them). It just seems that the design of these flexes pretty well, while still offering rubber isolation from tire/road noise, that's why I would want to try them.

You would be ahead to either find used set of the upper bushings or pick up a new pair and then just get some pieces of tube turned for the correct ID rather than dealing with the forged 80 arms imo.

 

[MoGas]

Try contacting Ben or Christo at Slee Off Road. They fab arms for the 80 and may be able to get you some info. I know Christo is on here once in a while.

 

[ntsqd]

Not sure I understand what you're suggesting Are you just saying to remove the internals of the current housing and replacing them with rubber internals?

Someone suggested not to do that though because the torsional stiffness could increase to the point of breaking welds at the mounts when flexed a lot due to the extreme lack of flexability in the ends and the arms, as compared to stock style arms where the arm offers flexability.....thoughts??

Sleave the frame rails and insert rubber bushings. Make two mount plates that thru-bolt thru those bushings and have a third hole for the existing arm's rear pivot joint.

 

[Backwoods Rambler]

ntsqd - Good idea, but the idea of making that mod causes me brain damage. It's definitely something to consider though, thanks!

 

[ntsqd]

Looks more complicated than it is. 4 identical flat plates cut out & drilled and 4 tubes welded into the unit/frame rail underbody structure. Add bolts, probably some spacers on the bolt thru the arm-end pivot, and some urethane or rubber spring eye bushings. Given the size of whats under an XJ I'd use the smaller bushings from the shackle end of the spring.