How to strengthen cam tabs without removing control arms

Hey what's up everyone?! This is BigMike from Marlin Crawler checking-in!

We recently came across a customer install of our LCA Frame Brace Kit that didn't require removing any suspension parts and wanted to post up a sort of Tech Tip thread on how to do this.

Our cam tab and frame brace kit is much different from other solutions in that it can be installed without removing a single part from your vehicle other than skid plate, if applicable. This avoids having to remove your lower control arms, drilling out 24 spot welds (8 upright plates with 3 spot holes each), cutting them off and grinding the frame flat.

Instead, our kit wraps around and reinforces the entire factory setup, delivering up to 2,000% strength increase without disassembly. And because the lower control arms are not removed, this reduces labor costs as well as not needing to get the vehicle re-aligned saving even more.

Here is how this is performed:

Step 1. Prep the frame — wire brush off grease, grime, and factory paint where you'll be welding.



Step 2: Use anti-spatter spray and a weld blanket to protect sensitive components (CV boots, brake lines, ABS wiring, etc).

Step 3: Wrap water-soaked rags around the LCA bushings to keep them cool.



Step 4: Tack weld parts into position and then weld one edge at a time, rotating around to other uprights to manage heat. Keep rags saturated before resuming each weld.

Step 5: Once the welds cool (~20 min), spray paint to seal against corrosion — and that's it!



Now the stock, paper-thin 0.10" (2.6mm) cam tabs have been reinforced with uprights nearly 2.0" thick on the inside, and over 1/2" thick on the outside, with no re-alignment needed, no parts removed, and no extra labor costs.

Also, our kit provides additional benefits other than just cam tab strength:

• Converts single-shear control arm mount to double-shear, strengthening the IFS sub frame and protecting from trail damage
• Adds angled deflection bracing to protect alignment hardware from rock strikes
• Preserves alignment and prevents damage from underbody impacts
• Prevents sloppy alignment shops from incorrectly rotating your eccentrics upside-down and vulnerable to objects passing under your rig

Below is another customer example of installing the kit without removing their suspension, also showing ample clearance around their aftermarket skid plate:



Alternatively, you could go the full install route, which involves removing both lower control arms, giving you better access for full coverage spray painting and maximum corrosion protection, but while retaining all factory frame parts and hardware. This is clearly the way to go if you're already working on your suspension, but it's nice to have the option to choose the quick method above and then revisit paintwork later during future suspension upgrades.

Either way, your vehicle's alignment integrity and cam tab strength is something you'll never need to worry about ever again!











For 1996 to 2002 4Runners, it is a bit different due to the frame and skid plate design which prevented us from adding the lower double-shear plating, but the kit is even easier to install as it only involves just the uprights like this:





If you have any questions, pls post up! And if you installed our kit without removing your control arms, then please share some pics!! Hope this helps someone who's been thinking about reinforcing their cam tabs without doing a full teardown

Regards,
BigMike

 

Love your frame brace, all the BEEF!

 

For my usage I’ve never needed to consider tab reinforcements but when the day comes I’ll know which kit I’m going with. A very nice-clean design!

 

Thanks!! I see in your sig you've got a 3rd gen Tundra & we're close to releasing a kit for that!

Here is the kit for 1st gen Tundra/Sequoia which was a lot of fun designing because the way Toyota made the frame, we were able to include forming of the lower double-shear plates so that rocks or other objects have a smoother ramp to deflect off of for both leading or trailing edges of the LCA mounts





Regards,
BigMike

 

Sounds rad! Can't wait to give the new Tundra mounts a hot supper once they are available.

 

Thank you for the kind words @Photon_Chaser!