Marlin's Trail Flex 79-85 Suspension

TOYMINATOR · 03-23-2009, 10:07 AM

James and myself will soon be ordering suspensions for our 4Runners and figured if we purchased them at the same time we could (1) save on shipping, and (2) possibly get a discount for purchasing 2 kits at the same time. Speaking with Dave over at Marlin I had pretty much decided to go with their Trail Flex kit...

http://www.marlincrawler.com/suspens...-hilux-1979-85

Pretty straight forward and complete kit.

James was gonna go with their Solid Axle Swap kit, which is a little more expensive. However, Dave mentioned that the Trail Flex kit was the same kit but without the brake rotors, jigs and frame sleeves. He said if James didn't need the rotors (assuming he already had rotors with his donor axle) that he could purchase the Trail Flex kit and purchase the jigs and sleeves seperate for an extra $40 bucks.

So this is our plan at the moment. Any thoughts or comments concerning this kit before we take the plunge?

Thanks

notyourmomslx450 · 03-23-2009, 10:34 AM

I have my frame jigs still. And James, you're gonna need some wheel spacers and I'd suggest ordering the FJ60 rotors and pads.
I did basically the same thing when I did the white truck. Bought the trail flex kit along w/ frame jigs, tubes, rotors, and brake pads. I already had the wheel spacers. I came out about $200 ahead of if I'd ordered the SAS kit and rear lift.

Snorkie · 03-23-2009, 11:28 AM

I got frame jigs too.

Do I hear 3 sas projects at the same time coming

Spacecwboy · 03-23-2009, 12:09 PM

solid axle is over rated!

my2coma · 03-23-2009, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by notyourmomslx450

I have my frame jigs still. And James, you're gonna need some wheel spacers and I'd suggest ordering the FJ60 rotors and pads.

Are those rotors just heavier duty...?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spacecwboy

solid axle is over rated!

I will have my feet in both worlds soon I hope.....

notyourmomslx450 · 03-23-2009, 01:34 PM

I think that using FJ60 rotors is about the only way to make your IFS calipers work w/ a solid axle. Solid axle rotors aren't vented (solid piece of metal), and the IFS ones (better calipers) are made to go w/ vented rotors a la FJ60. Anyway, the rotors and pads from marlin are still pretty cheap, i'm sure it would be less than an add'l $100

my2coma · 03-23-2009, 02:20 PM

Oh, I see... thats a good idea Jason.

Thanks for the heads up.

I just need to get some $$$ to pay for this now. I will be hitting the bank up tommorrow, to see how much I can get my hands on.

onelastcast · 03-23-2009, 04:17 PM

Sounds like you might be getting a good deal.

Quote:

Originally Posted by my2coma

I just need to get some $$$ to pay for this now. I will be hitting the bank up tommorrow, to see how much I can get my hands on.

Is it going to be a:

Go for broke but don't go broke.

my2coma · 03-23-2009, 07:25 PM

No bank robbing for me.

TOYMINATOR · 03-24-2009, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by notyourmomslx450

I have my frame jigs still. And James, you're gonna need some wheel spacers and I'd suggest ordering the FJ60 rotors and pads.
I did basically the same thing when I did the white truck. Bought the trail flex kit along w/ frame jigs, tubes, rotors, and brake pads. I already had the wheel spacers. I came out about $200 ahead of if I'd ordered the SAS kit and rear lift.

Did you get the 4", 5" or 6" kit and what tire size are you currently running?

notyourmomslx450 · 03-24-2009, 07:31 AM

I got the 5" kit and I'm running 37s.

TOYMINATOR · 03-24-2009, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by notyourmomslx450

I got the 5" kit and I'm running 37s.

No problems with tire clearance?

Jomentum · 03-24-2009, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TOYMINATOR

No problems with tire clearance?

Not on the 94 body styles , much more room.... We just gotta

the fenders and firewall.

notyourmomslx450 · 03-24-2009, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TOYMINATOR

No problems with tire clearance?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jomentum

Not on the 94 body styles , much more room.... We just gotta

the fenders and firewall.

I did have to trim the rear wheel openings on the bed a good bit, it's just done clean so you don't notice it

On the front, I'm still going to have to trim it up at the rear of the wheelwell, and may have to clearance the firewall a little. I get some pretty heavy binding at full stuff w/ my tire turned left or right.

TOYMINATOR · 03-24-2009, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by notyourmomslx450

I did have to trim the rear wheel openings on the bed a good bit, it's just done clean so you don't notice it

On the front, I'm still going to have to trim it up at the rear of the wheelwell, and may have to clearance the firewall a little. I get some pretty heavy binding at full stuff w/ my tire turned left or right.

Cool, thanks for the info.

I'm ready to buy...I'm just waiting on James to give me the go ahead and we'll get them on the way to us.

Snorkie · 03-24-2009, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onelastcast

Sounds like you might be getting a good deal.

Is it going to be a:

Go for broke but don't go broke.

you know they would find him right away, they would just follow the trail

my2coma · 03-24-2009, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TOYMINATOR

I'm ready to buy...I'm just waiting on James to give me the go ahead and we'll get them on the way to us.

give me a couple of days.... I need to be sure that I wont be on the other end of the burglars gun (IRS)

Should be OK.....

TOYMINATOR · 03-24-2009, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by my2coma

give me a couple of days.... I need to be sure that I wont be on the other end of the burglars gun (IRS)

Should be OK.....

No rush dude...just let me know when you're ready.

Snorkie · 03-24-2009, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by my2coma

give me a couple of days.... I need to be sure that I wont be on the other end of the burglars gun (IRS)

Should be OK.....

file a extension and worry about it later

Broken wrench · 03-24-2009, 07:52 PM

you guys may want to order new rear shackle mounts with your kits to center rear wheel in wheel well.

notyourmomslx450 · 03-24-2009, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Broken wrench

you guys may want to order new rear shckle mounts with your kits to center rear wheel in wheel well.

yeah, forgot about that. I didn't need it since the 94 has longer stock rear springs.

troublesome222 · 03-24-2009, 08:56 PM

Shannon, give me a shout befor you order. I may get you to add my dual case parts to your order.

Snorkie · 03-24-2009, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troublesome222

Shannon, give me a shout befor you order. I may get you to add my dual case parts to your order.

did this just turn into a group buy?

I might be in for some 4.7's

and a dual case adapter

notyourmomslx450 · 03-24-2009, 09:33 PM

If we're getting a bunch of orders together give me a shout, too. I need a dual case adapter, a rear axle rebuild kit, and a solid spacer and shims.

bayouhazard · 03-25-2009, 07:12 AM

I'd like the chromo rear output shaft for mine....

ROCKWIESER · 03-25-2009, 08:10 AM

Does marlin and All pro use the leaf springs ?

On marlins is says who makes his but allpro it does not say.

notyourmomslx450 · 03-25-2009, 08:26 AM

I'm pretty sure they're the same. The rear 5" Allpro springs that were on the goat are exactly the same as the rear 5" springs that came from Marlin. Same military wrap leaves, same part number painted on them, same number of leaves, same length, etc.

ROCKWIESER · 03-25-2009, 10:15 AM

thats what I thought. Cause I was leaning toward the all pro springs but the marlin flex kit is better I think.

TOYMINATOR · 03-26-2009, 07:24 AM

Well, we're getting a discount based on purchasing 2 kits. We might get a better discount for purchasing more than 2 so if anybody wants in on that just let me know. As far as placing orders on other random parts I don't know if they'd give us any price break. I know I can save us on the shipping...Marlin's price is a flat rate of $195.00 on shipping one kit. I can probably cut that price almost in half for the kits getting them all shipped on one pallet and then we would just split the freight cost.

1989toy4wd · 03-29-2009, 11:12 PM

I love my marlin springs, they are super flexy on the trail and okay to drive on the road...I also have 37s on the 5in springs, but mine rub on the firewall at full lock and stuff. But my tires are 13 inches wide, and for some reason I dont think a 12.50 would rub, but im not positive on that...

Oh and mine didnt settle very much at all!!