Why does it hang so low

Well things are only getting lower on gen 6.

 

and a longer wheel base and way smaller back seat (sat in one at overland expo)

 

Good job.
" Only larger tires would really get it higher,.. not a lift. Lift is for more drop or travel. Tires gain height." Then, many do a lift, and then drop the diff. Which, just kills what they did.
EDIT- Appreciate you even reading. Good job.

 

So I guess this is as good a place as any to ask.
I just put some armor on the frame attachment point for the rear lower links. This doesn't seem to be a big topic here or least I didn't get much with a quickie search.
Is there no interest in this? For me it is a bigger priority than the stock skid plates or the low position of the gas tank. If they get damaged, it's a project to repair, or potentially so depending on the amount of damage. Skids can just be replaced.
Just wondering. Any thoughts?

 

For the most part, people hit things at less than 5mph, usually slower. You're not "damaging" things by scratching them. Armor hangs down, it decreases ground clearance. Do you need it, maybe. Do you do trails with rocks and can't take a good line, then ok. Most of the time you drop onto your frame, or something, and it makes a big noise with no (appreciable) damage.

I'm going to say, 90% of what we buy is an answer in search of a question. The last few times you went out with your 4Runner, what part did you hit? The answer is put armor on that part(s), if it was damaged. Otherwise, you're adding weight and reducing clearance; two stupid answers to a question you never asked.

Generally, if you become a better driver, you hit fewer obstacles.

 

The control arm pivot is a jacking point. It can survive hitting rocks without damage to the point of affecting function. The fuel tank skid on the other hand can't support the weight of the vehicle.

 

FIFY

 

The 2nd/3rd gen Tacoma was designed with rear seats as an afterthought (in 2003 double cabs weren't as popular), so the floor is high to accommodate the fuel tank. 4Runners have a lower floor and 3 gallons more fuel. Jeeps are the same way. Your Tacoma has the same breakover angle as a 2-door Jeep Rubicon.

4th gen Tacoma is designed more like a 4Runner and has a low hanging fuel tank as a result, as well as a low hanging spare tire.

 

I'm not talking about scratching.
Yes I do rocks. Yes I know how to pick a line.
Where you go awry is with "most of the time". The problem is your "line" doesn't always stay your line. Sometimes you slip sideways from your chosen line and end up somewhere you never intended to be. Additionally, the speed doesn't really matter if you come down on something with full (or significant amount) of the weight of the truck and you really can't always foresee that. By then the damage may be done. What part did you hit? Sure if its a skid or tie rod or knuckle, those are replaceable parts. Replacing a link mount is a much more technical job. The skids are maybe 5 pounds and 3/16 inch clearance reduction.

I guess the good question in there is "Do you need it, maybe". And I suppose that is for each owner to decide for themselves

 

I've seen some pretty mangled. Beyond the point of functioning? Hard to say. Jacking in a controlled fashion and getting caught up on rocks are different things.

 

Obviously, but you asked for opinions. If you wanted people to say, ok, great job! Then, ok, great job! Maybe next time you could just say something like, hey, I did this and I'd like people to tell me what a great job I did. I probably wouldn't have wasted your time.

 

Have you seen any torn off the frame? No? Carry on.

 

Got it. No interest. Enjoy your fire roads.

Got it. No interest.

 

Lol all roads lead back to Portals!

 

On the Jeep forums all roads lead back to "tons and 44s"...

 

I din know what tons meant so I searched on Lougle, Dana 60 popped up. Badass

 

Almost every jeep I see has ducks on the dash, laaaame

 

Hey I've got C4 fuel tank skid. I was disappointed in how the skid connects to the 4runner in that I don't think it could support weight. It's brackets look like they would bend and the weight would be on rhe fuel tank....but in almost no situation would the entire weight of the vehicle be on the gas tank skid.

Curious if you've seen good gas tank skid brackets that you think could take the weight.

 

^Yes typically this is how the stock fuel tank skid fails - it caves in. The fuel tank then caves in as well. Typically the fuel tank isn't punctured, but capacity is reduced and the level sensor becomes inaccurate.

 

At the higher levels of Jeep rock crawling, the fuel tank is relocated behind the axle, to accommodate triangulated 4-link rear axle geometry for better articulation (no panhard bar).

Genright even makes an upgraded frame for this purpose. Yes some JL owners do frame swaps as an upgrade, not because of rust: https://genright.com/shop-by-vehicle/jeep-jl-jlu-18-current/jl-exs-suspension-system-complete-frame/

 

BAM!!! Nailed it.

One of these days, Im going to convince myself that a 20,000 portal setup is cheaper than getting trying for the same capability using tons of armor, regears, long travel setups, etc.

 

But then you have a dedicated trail rig not fit for daily.

 

This is exactly how it works, we build to the level of undrivability, then sell and repeat.

 

I’ve dragged that particular drag link mount with a little side pressure on one occasion. It removed some material, but no bending that I can tell. I just cleaned it up and painted it.

Picking good lines and not worrying about it is a legitimate
approach, but things don’t always go to plan. If it happens a lot, I’d be concerned about loss of material after a while, but it’s probably me worrying over nothing.

The thing with armor, is considering unintended side effects. Does it create a moisture trap? Will it reduce clearance in annoying ways? Does the armor mounting method cause the possibility of other damage? Considering if any drawbacks outweigh additional protection is a pretty individual decision.

Case in point: I slipped off of rocks and onto my LCA frame mounting tabs on a couple occasions. It got me paranoid about bending them, so it became a priority for me to find armor that protected them. The other concern was the exhaust crossover. The only skids that covered both those areas well was the 4xinnovations skidset. Freaking stout and well designed, but they are more of a belly pan system that have caused me to high center in situations where I wouldn’t have before. Removing them for maintainance is also another thing that adds time. But the protection they give definitely outweighs the drawbacks. At least for now. If somebody else was doing my maintainance, it wouldn be a different story.

The rear diff housing is another spot. I’ve been told you’ll never wear through a toyota housing, but I’d like to armor it anyway. I just haven’t found a an option that has benefits that outweigh the drawbacks yet.

 

Good points again. For me, I’m amazed at how well I’ve tolerated all the changes in road dynamics and noise as I’ve changed things up. I haven’t done an insane amount of mods, but there’s something likeable about this platform that lets you grow to like those new charactersitics, or at least forgive them. I think I’d be the type that would daily a portaled 4runner, and do huge trips in it, just because. If only I could find a sponsor to fund this.

 

Anecdotally one guy in my off-road club with an LX470 did puncture his tank on a rock. Had to be towed off the trail by a Tacoma in the group, not easy because it's heavier than the Tacoma.

6th gen tank protrudes lower in the rear 2/3 portion:

 

Yes and no. Depends on your skid plate.

My RCI skid plate accommodates a diff drop. Meaning the skid plates don't get lower after a diff drop.
However, in most cases you are right, since most skid plates do not accommodate a diff drop and you have to lower your skids with shims/ spacers to account for that.

The lack of droop can be made up for with "long travel" front shocks. But again you are mostly right here since most shocks are not built to have a higher extended length.

So yes because generally speaking your statement is correct; But no because there are other factors at hand if you choose your parts wisely.

However, most people don't choose their parts wisely.

 

Portals are fine to daily I have seen a few G500 4x4^2 models stuck in traffic in my daily commute. May not make sense economically, but driveability is fine.

On the Toyota platform, because of the reduction at the hubs, portals is the only solution that reduces stress on the front diff intermediate shaft. That is, if you keep the vehicle IFS.

 

Should've gone to the stronger Tundra rack, but whatever...

 

Bah! That’s not what I want to hear.

I’m sure the required upsizing on the tires is also a huge contributor to blowing racks. I thought I remembered both kits out there require 35” tires?