My first post to this forum.

Just bought a sweet unbutchered '85 4runner w/ very minimal rust and strong rebuilt engine which has a mild lift (no pics yet, but coming soon). Not sure how high - maybe 3-4 inch lift. Missing swaybar and trackbar/tracking rod.

I'm using it as a DD so bought the stock swaybar and trackbar from Calmini in S.Cal. Special ordered swaybar bushings/bracket and will get quick diconnects, but can't instal stock tracking bar due to holes not lined up (trackbar 1/8" to 1/4" too short).

My questions are:

Do I need trackbar? Mostly DD, but wheeling maybe once every month or so. Axle swings right when hard braking.

Should I loosen the ubolts and move the axle to line up holes, or somehow force the whole thing to line up using caveman methods (using hi-lift jack?)? It's only 1/8" to 1/4" off. It almost looks as if the bolts will go through but no cigar.

Will moving axle wreak havoc on alignment? Will caveman force compromise welds, etc.?

Thought I could do this myself, but running out of ideas and now asking for veteran advice. Any ideas? Thanks.

Yes. The tracbar helps keep your axle in place while hard braking. Without it, like you noticed, it will pull to the right when braking.

I would loosen the ubolts a bit and try to line things up.

The only way to safely eliminate the tracbar would be to convert to the IFS box type steering (hysteer, crossover)


What part of KY are you in? I live in Cincinnati, and work at CVG (airport) in Hebron

You can get an adjustable torque rod, or you can make your adjustable:
- http://www.mindspring.com/~jayk3/toyota/torque.htm
Or get a come-a-long and pull the torque rod bracket on the axle forward, or you can get a torque rod bracket extension that bolts onto the axle bracket:

1/8th to 1/4 is not bad, you should be able to caveman it in there.
use a come along.

Thanks for the tips. Will try getting a hold of come along and try that and ditch the hi-lift jack idea. Will keep the adjustable and/or quick disconnect tracbar idea for later after installing better lift.

I live in Berea, (35 mi S of Lexington). Use to have an '84 runner, sold it and bought and lifted a '02 TJ Wrangler, then missed the hell out of my '84 4runner so I waited on internet for a clean '85 to come along till I found this one in Seattle, WA. Took the train there (3day&3nights in a sleeper car with my gal - sweet!) bought it and drove it down to Los Angeles for the holidays with family, then drove it back to KY in 4 days without a hitch except for alternator started to go bad (replaced).

Really happy with the '85. There's just enough little things needed to make it a good restoration & mod project.
Eventually want to do the Allpro xtreme lift and hysteer in future. For now, saving up to cleanup a couple of dime sized rust spots and 1 dent. Have pics but need to learn how to post it still. Oh, and 4crawler, '85 looks just like your rig (white with same graphics still on it). Not a hardcore wheeler, but have taken the Jeep TJ in Livingston here near Berea which has some good rock walls and trails.

Thanks again.

sirus027, 4x4wire provides a great community for Early Toyota Truck owners. I'm a first gen 4runner fan too so I hope to see you post lots of your wrenching adventures "up in here". <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shiner.gif" alt="" /> -- Matt