I have been accumulating the required TR6 front end components to give my
(post 60,xxx) Street/AutoX TR3A some caster and camber for a few years. The
recent article by Tim in Classic Motorsports has renewed my interest in
completing this upgrade. Until now, I had been planning on replacing only
the upper A-Arms and ball joint, giving me adjustable camber. Reading the
article, I have elected to add some caster too. Caster would be a very good
thing. I have been getting conflicting information on some of the
components and I know there are FOT who can help clarify these issues.
According to the Moss catalog, the following parts are common between the
two cars:
Upper A-arm bushes
Fulcrum pin (A-arm to chassis bracket)
Hub
Stub Axle
Wheel Bearing kit
Spring pan (across lower A-arms)
It starts to get confusing with the Vertical Links (uprights) because the
TR6 vertical link has two part numbers, for both left and right, whereas the
TR3 upright has only a single part number. This leads me to believe the TR3
upright cannot be used with either the TR6 ball joint or with the trunnion.
I strongly suspect it's the trunnion, not the ball joint. Can anyone
confirm this? Do I need to acquire TR6 Vertical Links to make this
conversion?
The Tie Rod Levers are different, not only between the TR3 and TR6, but also
with the TR4(A?), so that will be an interesting challenge if I am going to
use them to help dial in bump steer.
The Brake caliper mounting plates are different, so I will be accumulating a
set of TR6 plates for a future Toyota brake caliper conversion.
My biggest question is as follows:
When installing a TR6 trunnion on a TR3 what else must be changed out? I'm
pretty sure that TR3 Vertical Link must be replaced, along with all of the
hardware required to interface between the trunnion and the TR3 lower
A-Arms. I believe the TR3 lower A-Arms, while a different part number than
the TR6 lower A-Arms, are compatible and can remain. If I need the entire
TR6's lower A-arm assembly, please let me know, as I don't think so.
Also, if anyone has purchased Moss' Major Suspension kit for this
conversion, will that supply all of the remaining parts? If not, can you
provide any details?
Can those who have already completed this conversion help me out here? I am
sure, with enough time and parts on hand, I can get it all worked out, but
buying fewer unusable or duplicate parts and minimizing costs would be nice.
FYI - I am using an early BGT front spring, with no TR3 spring spacer in
place now. This has the car a tad too low. Remember, this is not a vintage
race car, it's a Street/AutoX car. I have original spring spacers and a
half thickness spring spacer too, so I'll be able to dial in a somewhat sane
ride height, once the new parts are in place. Current bushings are Ken
Gillander's Urethane uppers and the nylon/stainless lowers, which will
remain on the car.
Also, if any of you are Moss distributors, especially the PNW guys, please
send me an email with your pricing policy for FOT, because I'd like the
business to go through you.
Thanks in advance,
Jack Brooks
Covington, WA
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