I already read the FAQ in the Toyota section, but it didn't answer many of my questions. Although it's got a ton of good info.

What I'm looking for is a FAQ on what this stuff is and how it works. Not just how to install it. With so many options Dana 44, Birfields, Birfield eliminators... I mean the list goes on and on. I get kinda lost in it all. I'm starting to learn what everything is, but alot of it is still a mystery to me.

I browsed around the site and I found alot of good info, but nothing for what I'm looking for.

Just so you know, I'm not new to working on cars, just new to lifting trucks heh. So I get the engine, transmisson stuff, and how to put alot of it in. I just don't know what this stuff is heh.

Thanks for the help!!:homer:

It would probably help us help you if you told us WTF you are talkng about.

It would probably help us help you if you told us WTF you are talkng about.


Everything. I thought I made it pretty clear.

Hysteer
Ram assist steering
all these different steering knuckles
etc.
etc.

There's so much stuff, and so many different ways of doing things I'm wondering about all of them. Benifets vs. problems with each.

I'm talking mainly about Toyota stuff here... But it never hurts to learn more about other things.

To someone that hasn't been in the 4x4 community for very long, it's kind daunting to hear about all this stuff and I understand it's basic purpose. But not actually what it is.

Take the Hysteer for example, I know it lifts your steering components out of the way, but how? All these kinds of questions.

I understand how to make more power with my truck, but when it comes to stability and useability after lifting it is what I wana know about.

I thought it was pretty clear.

So in short, I'm asking about everything. All these "standard" things you guys talk about doing to your rigs.

So basically you want a crash course in all things off road?

Your best bet is to just keep reading and looking at pictures. It's not going to happen overnight. If you had a pointed question I think anyone would be willing to answer.

For example...

How does hysteer get the steering above the springs?

In the case of a Toyota the stock draglink connected to a push-pull type J-arm on the driverside knuckle. The tie rod then went from this arm to the arm on the other knuckle under the springs.

High steer/crossover steering conversions for this truck require the use of a new drag link, tie rod (technically you don't need a new one I guess...but why wouldn't you upgrade?), and a new steering box.

The new steering box is a standard IFS type that moves the pitman arm side to side instead of forward and back. A new draglink goes from that pitman arm to the new arm mounted on the passengerside knuckle. The tie rod then connects the knuckles together.

So how do you get the new height? Well it's pretty simple. It's just in the shape of the casting/forging of the arms. Look at pictures of Toyota high steer arms and you will see that most (all that I have seen, actually) incorporate a rise between the knuckle mounting bolts and the tie rod end taper holes. In this way the tie rod can be mounted up and over the leaf spring packs getting it out of harms way. The draglink is also now mounted in such a fashion that it is able to allow for FAR greater wheel travel without breaking or stressing parts. If the draglink is nearly perfectly flat, as is often the case with high steer arms and reasonable lift springs, you also will be without much of any noticeable bumpsteer.

Setups for other rigs are going to be very similar. Toyota owners luck out in that their knuckles are all flat tops whereas other vehicle owners will often have to get their knuckles machined or swap to a different knuckle. A flat top knuckle is exactly what its name would imply...the top of it is flat. Other knuckles aren't flat on top. The steering arms need a flat surface to mount to. It really is just that simple.

Any more actual questions? People will be perfectly willing to help, but begging for someone to teach you "everything" isn't going to get you far. Sit back and relax. Just take your time to try and take it all in.

So basically you want a crash course in all things off road?


Any more actual questions? People will be perfectly willing to help, but begging for someone to teach you "everything" isn't going to get you far. Sit back and relax. Just take your time to try and take it all in.

Heh.

I'm not begging. I've been browsing 4x4 forums for a few months now. But nobody ever explains how this stuff works. They simply refer to it, as (insert something here). And that's that.

Or it's questions on how to install said parts.

I know that there's more than one way to do something. I like to understand how something works before I just go and decide to throw it on just because everyone else is doing it.

I was asking for a FAQ because it would be easier than having me list out the 30+ questions I have about parts, how it works, etc. I saw the Toyota FAQ like I said expecting to find those kinds of questions answered. But it's other stuff, nevertheless full of good info.

I guess I'll just have to keep asking away heh.:laughing:

Just keep browsing...look at every thread you can find, and if there's alot of tech in a thread but not what you need to know, just toss out a quick question "How does that work, BTW?"

That's who I learned. Not on this board though...mostly through friends and club members. I learned more about 4x4's and stuff in general through joining a club than I ever would have online. It's just so much better when you can see it in person. If my best friend wasn't a toyota-obsessed freak, I'd still be in the dark about how a birfield joint works. (to know how a birf joint works, just go to www.howstuffworks.com and search for CV joint...it's the same thing, just with two pieces splined together rather than sealed as a unit.

I devoure information. Literally, I read and read until it hurts. I have been learning for the better part of 15 years, I am 28 now. If I read or see something I don't understand, I either ask a question of others present about THAT specific item or I go and research it.

That will stimulate more research as I read and don't understand terms they are using to describe the original question.

The main point to remember is, time is on your side. Even those guys with $100K rigs WANT something to wrench on. It isn't actually about the destination but the fun of learning the various mechanicals and physics that our old teachers tried to teach us but we were to naive to pay attention.

The fun is in the exploration, comraderie and SOMETIMES just flogging the holy hell outta something because it feels oh so right.

It is addicitve as hell. Go slow and stay safe.

I would look at some of the other sites out there as well. There are a lot of build threads here and a lot of very pointed technical discussions, but other boards and sites have far more product reviews, tech articles, etc that will explain a lot of the stuff. That's not to say this site doesn't have that information, but it is sometimes packaged better elsewhere.

i find the tech page is very good for info
http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/ and all the bill vista write up's rock, jason.

we were all in the same situation at one time or another. This is how I go about things:
1. SEARCH. This site especially is not happy to answer the same question repeatedly like a parent to a toddler.
I like google search better than the search on the site. To use it type "[search criteria] site:www.pirate4x4.com" The search on the site works great for others.

2. Just do a general google search. If it's something basic like a u-joint you will find plenty of information to explain how it works.

3. If/ when you find a topic that has not been covered, go ahead and ask. you will probably find that the question has been asked. If so, the responses will not be kind. There are many sites that are "nicer" if that is what you are looking for.

4. Find somebody to go wheel with. I learn something new every time I go out. Experience is a great teacher.

To answer your question...I don't know of a FAQ thread like you want.