2023 - Rear Lower Link choices

Good morning y'all,

Just putting together a list of rear lower link options, to keep all this info in one place. We'll be buying some soon and I don't know which ones we want yet- feel free to comment on your experiences with your choice or to let me know if I missed any other other options. I'll add more choices, if I find any more, too.

For those that might not have wheeled their rigs on tougher trails yet - our Lower rear links are rock MAGNETS and bend very easily. Many examples of this on 3rd/4th/5th gens that are wheeled on tougher trails. Personally, I'd much rather spend $400.00 up front, than deal with this on the trail (and as extra insurance you can keep one of your stock links as an on-board spare for you or other 5th gens/GX's/FJ's on the trial) . Most of these products should work for 07-14 FJ Cruisers and 03-up GX's, too.

43017 - Rokmen Trail Series Lower Links - $360.00

• • .250 wall DOM Tubing
  • Fully TIG Welded
  • Rokmen EnduroMax™ Bushings
  • Maintenance Free, bolt them on and forget about them.
  • Bushings are replaceable should the need ever arise – but probably will not...
  • Sand Blasted and Powder Coated for a tough and long lasting finish.

Dobinson's WA59-520k Rear Lower Control arms - $360.00
https://exitoffroad.com/product/dob...a-4runner-2003-to-2018-fj-cruiser-gx470-gx460

• • Suits 4th and 5th Gen 4Runner, FJ Cruiser (all years), GX470, GX460
  • Comes with highly flexible rubber bushings installed, and also high quality polyurethane bushings and sleeves included in case you prefer to run poly instead of rubber
  • Made from HSLA (High Strength Low Alloy) Steel, 5mm (0.2″) wall thickness, and powder coated black
  • Oversized adjusters and rod thickness for maximum strength and durability with double-nut locking feature
  • Zinc plated, then powder coated black, for the ultimate finish and protection

Front Range Offroad fab - 4runner lower control arm links (5th gen, rear) -$390.00
https://frontrangeoffroadfab.com/4runner-lower-control-arm-links-5th-gen-rear/

• • 4Runner lower links for 2010+. We built these for massive abuse!
  • Starting with 1.75" DOM tubing, we thread one end of the heavy wall tubing to accept huge 1.25" chrome-moly rod ends (heim joints).
  • On the other end we utilize an offset bushing to allow for more suspension droop.
  • We precision machine the tubes for wrench flats as well for easy adjustment, and tightening of the jam nuts. Since all the tubing is machined there's no error of alignment or welds to distort threats with weld bungs. Jam nuts and special stainless steel misalignments finish them off!
  • These slip into the stock brackets, and are designed to use the stock hardware for a perfect oem type fit! With the freedom of movement of these rod ends, these links allow for smoother travel, and increased drop of the suspension (provided the shocks allow it).

2003-2023 toyota 4runner HD Rear Lower links/trailing arms - $399.00
https://www.sonoransteel.com/produc...nks-trailing-arms-2007-2014-toyota-fj-cruiser

• • Center tube is made from 1.5" DOM tube that has 1/4" wall thickness.
  • Strong Flex Polyurethane bushings RED color - hardness of about 80 ShA* - suspension components have a hardness similar to the original metal-rubber bushes. However, strength of the polyurethane is many times greater, and the unique properties ensure long lasting comfort. *ShA - means the scale of hardness.
  • The center hole has a grease trapping grid, these bushings do not squeak or make noise.
  • End tubes are 1 3/8" DOM tube with a .219" wall which is then machined locally in Arizona to 1.96” ID which matches the factory Toyota links exactly, but with a thicker wall. This small attention to detail lets us run any bushing made for the factory links.
  • The side cable brackets are formed at an angel, made out of 1/4" thick steel and rotated upward 45 degrees to slide over rocks with ease and not be damaged.
  • The front end of the center tube is off set notched upward for more clearance and the rear end of the center tube is off set notch downward to provide maximum axle drop. STEEL-IT® Paint used for maximum corrosion resistance and so you can touch them up after you get trail rash from the rocks.
  • This product also fits the 2007-2013 FJ Cruiser.
  • MADE IN THE USA! With American DOM Tube, from American Steel Mills.
  • Why don't you make custom upper links? The best replacement for the upper links is re-bushing your current stock links with the replacement Strong Flex bushings we sell or new stock upper links from the dealer. The reason why is that you can not make either the lower or the upper links longer than that are, because the upper link brackets on the axle tube already clear the Panhard/trac/lateral bar cross-member by millimeters. Longer links will collide on compression causing catastrophic damage. The upper links will never get hit by rocks and the stock units side twist quite well. The small diameter solid stock will also twist like a torsion bar.
  • FYI: The first few years that we made lower links we used Rubicon Express, Currie Johnny and Summit Machine socket joints. While these joints did have good side twist movement, the problem was that they wore VERY quickly. Rebuilding the cartridge every year is not something we are interested in.

Metal Tech FJCruiser/4runner offset Rear lower links -$499.00
FJ Cruiser/4Runner Suspension Links | Offset Rear Lower Links (metaltech4x4.com)

• • When Metal Tech 4x4 designed their rear long travel suspension system for the FJ Cruiser/4Runner, we quickly realized a flaw in the Toyota suspension links' design.
  • With the increased suspension travel the links contact the axle housing not allowing for full freedom of movement for the axle. By doing an offset notch we simply moved the bushing to sit higher on the link tube which in turn provides greater clearance between the axle housing and the link. Our offset lower links will not bind a full articulation and vertical travel when used with our rear long travel system and other 2" lifts. Also, another benefit to the offset links is a smooth sliding transition when rubbing up against an obstacle. Links with a standard notch have an uneven sliding surface which can cause damage to the axle mount, while the offset notch allows the link to sit lower allowing full protection against rock, trees, and other objects.
  • Metal Tech 4x4 offset lower links are made out of 1.75 x .290 DOM tubing, cnc machined to accept Currie 2 1/2" Johnny Joints, poly urethane bushings, 1" DOM sleeve with .25" wall support and a grease zerk for maintenance.
  • All of our links come with the hardware necessary to mount the e-brake cable to the link.
  • These suspension links have a limited lifetime warranty on the structure of the link (the tubing and the bushing shell) this does not cover the wear items such as the polyurethane bushings, johnny joint and grease zerks.
  • (sold as a pair)

 

All good options.

 

all of them seem to use heavy-thickness tubing - which is an upgrade over stock. Aluminum is not a consideration for me personally, though I know some companies make them. I've seen a few instances of the links holding up but the threads literally ripping out of an adjustable end - requiring a ratchet-strap band-aid to get off the trail.

The big decision then becomes one of link-end material and design. I'm seeing several configurations: OEM style rubber bushings, poly-bushings, and high-misalignment/Johnny joint type bushings - often a mixture of both to allow for both articulation and to absorb vibrations.