Marlin Crawler RCLT HD – Proven Heavy Duty IFS & Steering Performance

What's up everyone, BigMike from Marlin Crawler here! It's been a while since I last posted on this and with many updates to RCLT HD I thought it was time for a fresh thread dedicated to info, tech, and FAQs. Our original thread from 2019 captured the early days, but we've come a long way since then. Today, RCLT HD has matured into a proven, heavy-duty system built for drivers who want reliability no matter how far from civilization they travel.

What is RCLT HD?

RCLT HD is the first replacement IFS suspension + steering system built strong enough for rock crawling, which is the harshest proving ground for any suspension and steering setup. It's been tested for years on trails and in Ultra4 competitions like King of the Hammers, with eight consecutive competitions without a single IFS or steering failure.

And because it's proven in rock crawling, it's equally at home on every other use case — from overlanding trips and backcountry exploration to weekend trail rides and even daily driving. If it can thrive under the punishment of rock crawling, it can deliver confidence and reliability for any driver, anywhere.

RCLT HD is designed to solve problems every IFS driver knows too well: weak steering racks, fragile knuckles, poor ground clearance, and limited tire fitment options. With RCLT HD, those compromises are gone.





Features at a glance

• Heavy-duty, more powerful MarRack steering – replacement steering rack engineered to handle harshest of trails yet comfortable for daily driving. Billet steering arms and 5/8" double-shear tie rod ends have racked up over 100K+ miles on 40" tires with zero failures.
• All-new lift-specific geometry – restores alignment and handling for smoother on-road manners and predictable off-road control not found in other lifted setups reusing stock knuckles
• Patented forward-offset geometry – fit larger tires with less effort than any other setup (up to 38s with no body mount chop or relocation)
• Massive double-shear billet steel knuckles – CNC-machined and built to survive the hardest off-roading, ensuring strength and reliability in every scenario.
• Unmatched Articulation – Up to 14" at the hub from only a +2.75" mid-travel design.
• Strength Everywhere – Double-shear ball joints, reinforced frame mounts, 1/4" internal gusseting
• Industry-leading ground clearance – equally valuable on the rocks or on fire roads loaded with gear.
• Industry-leading approach angle – protect bumpers, winches, and accessories whether climbing ledges or weaving forest tracks.
• Integration – Retains ABS, cruise, traction control. Mostly bolt-on with detailed instructions. Transferable between compatible 2003–2024 Toyota/Lexus platforms.

Proven in the Real World

On my own Tacoma running 40s, I've clipped rocks hard enough to whip the wheel out of my hand and stall the engine. Each time, I expected carnage, even my air bags to go off. But my steering wheel never went out of alignment and my truck tracked true back on the highway. After years of testing, I don't even carry spare steering parts anymore. That's the kind of confidence I built RCLT HD to deliver.





Value Comparison

Most long-travel kits still rely on stock racks, gusseted knuckles, and tie rod upgrades, which are all weak links that add up fast. By the time you patch those gaps, you've spent $8K–$9K and are still left with many compromises.

With RCLT HD you get the only fully-integrated heavy-duty IFS + steering solution:

• Heavy Duty MarRack steering
• Billet knuckles & heavy duty control arms built for abuse
• All-new geometry engineered for lifted applications
• Proven performance in Ultra4, KOH, and countless on-road and trail miles

This isn't about throwing more money at bandaids, it's about investing once in a system designed to eliminate failure points for good.

Special Offers (Valid through August 31, 2025)

• 10% off long travel chromoly axles, coilovers, and frame mount kits (savings up to $600).
• FREE Genuine Toyota 200-series Land Cruiser steering rack with RCLT HD purchase ($895 value).
• Total savings: up to $1,500 (effectively RCLT HD + MarRack for only $4,500).

In Closing

RCLT HD was born from rock crawling, the most punishing environment an IFS system will ever face, and we've spent years pushing IFS further than anyone thought possible. That means whether you're picking through granite ledges, running loaded overland trips deep into the backcountry, or just wanting your daily driver to be free from weak links, this system is built to last the life of your vehicle.

With RCLT HD, you invest once in a suspension and steering system that eliminates the compromises of stock IFS. No more bent knuckles, broken steering, or patchwork fixes — just reliable strength, predictable handling, and confidence every time you turn the wheel.

Click here to learn more: marlincrawler.com/products/suspension/rclt

I plan to share more in-depth info below so for all my fellow tech junkies stay tuned

Post up your questions below, and for current RCLT HD owners, share your rigs and trail shots!

Regards,
BigMike

 

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