[RedShift42]

The stock links are too short. The longer Highlander Moog links add 2" to compensate for the 2" higher sway bar after the Traxda install.

Would love it if somebody could clarify this for me...
Are the longer links needed just with FWD models?
I’ve read all the lift threads and still don’t get the rhyme & reason why sometimes things like alignment bolts and sometimes longer links are necessary, yet other times not.

 

[Stzzo]

Fascinating. I wonder how that would be possible given the Sienna suspension geometry.

Based on the diagram, which matches what I saw when I crawled under my van:

My guess is that the spacer on the strut raises the body (A) and therefore raises the sway bar end (B) by the same amount (the sway bar is attached to the body). This reduces the distance between (B) and strut attachment point (C). So, a shorter link is needed to span that distance.

 

[Stzzo]

I’ve read all the lift threads and still don’t get the rhyme & reason why sometimes things like alignment bolts and sometimes longer links are necessary, yet other times not.

Regarding alignment bolts:

Again, I'm no expert...

By my interpretation, these alignment bolts are just cams that let you tweak the top attachment point in / out to tweak the camber.

To me, it looks like it's not a big deal and the shop can decide if it's necessary when performing the alignment. But check with your alignment people.

 

[Lopez]

Fascinating. I wonder how that would be possible given the Sienna suspension geometry.

View attachment 52251

This is the photo I got from my mechanic. Drove 2500 km on the new suspension. Fully loaded, bed and gear in back of van. And towing a small trailer and kayak along as well. The van handled the road really well. It did feel a bit floaty on the highway at 120. With all the load it does look like it squats down pretty good. Without the lift I would be way too low.
Has anyone else had similar experience. Anything I can do to better the drive and stance?

Thanks,
Edgar

 

[Oldwolf]

Delete

 

[Oldwolf]

The stock links are too short. The longer Highlander Moog links add 2" to compensate for the 2" higher sway bar after the Traxda install.

Hello,

i ran into the exact opposite on my 2011 Sienna. The OEM links were too long and I had to get 2” shorter ones.
Edgar

Fascinating. I wonder how that would be possible given the Sienna suspension geometry.

View attachment 52251

Would love it if somebody could clarify this for me...
Are the longer links needed just with FWD models?
I’ve read all the lift threads and still don’t get the rhyme & reason why sometimes things like alignment bolts and sometimes longer links are necessary, yet other times not.

Hello again. I was reviewing this thread and found myself questioning my remarks. You know, the one were I was so confident that my Moog replacement sway bar links were longer than OEM. I was reviewing the diagrams in this thread yesterday and could not figure out a way that installing longer links could be correct. So I looked at my Moog links and held the OEM link to it so that the lower bolts were horizontal to each other. Sure enough, the OEM is longer than the MOOG. I am embarrassed that I made this error and hope I did not lead anyone astray.

 

[raimie]

Is the traxda kit something that can be installed at home? I'm fairly handy. Any out of the ordinary stuff?

 

[yolomtb]

Is the traxda kit something that can be installed at home? I'm fairly handy. Any out of the ordinary stuff?

I am considering the same. I have access to a lift. Sounds like you might not have to borrow spring compressors unless you are doing additional work. You WILL need to get the vehicle aligned after. There are a couple videos this guy did on changing out the front struts/rear shocks, which is basically what you do to install the Traxda kit and that made me feel more comfortable commiting to the project. While its all opened up, prob going to throw on a new strut assembly and new rear struts since its going to be accessible. Also, while the vehicle is on the lift, going to pop in the AirLift 1000 to compensate for when we have a heavy load in teh back of the van.

 

[utahlizard]

I just had the Traxda kit installed on my 2015 Sienna XLE AWD. I considered doing it myself but have a broken bone in my wrist that is still healing. The mechanic had some struggles with the rear springs, and he had a spring compressor to help him. He said I probably would not have gotten the rear spring lifts in at home without pry bars and some help. I had new KYB Excel-G shocks and struts installed at the same time since I have 96k on my van. Drives great and I'm really happy with the choice so far. It's a tiny bit more firm of a ride in the back, but the new shocks refreshed the ride overall.

 

[yolomtb]

I just had the Traxda kit installed on my 2015 Sienna XLE AWD. I considered doing it myself but have a broken bone in my wrist that is still healing. The mechanic had some struggles with the rear springs, and he had a spring compressor to help him. He said I probably would not have gotten the rear spring lifts in at home without pry bars and some help. I had new KYB Excel-G shocks and struts installed at the same time since I have 96k on my van. Drives great and I'm really happy with the choice so far. It's a tiny bit more firm of a ride in the back, but the new shocks refreshed the ride overall.
View attachment 59479

That looks awesome, exactly what I'm looking for. Did you replace the rear coil springs as well or just the front spring strut combo and rear strut or whatever it's called?

 

[utahlizard]

That looks awesome, exactly what I'm looking for. Did you replace the rear coil springs as well or just the front spring strut combo and rear strut or whatever it's called?

Sorry for the delay...I left the stock coil springs and replaced the shock absorbers. If there is a sag issue, I may look into an airbag kit. The only questionable thing I'm experiencing that my mechanic mentioned about the Traxda is with the shock extenders. For some reason they change the direction of the lower mount by 90 degrees. This makes the movement of the suspension system flex the inside of the lower shock mount bushing (eye). You can see what I mean below. I'm trying to reach out to Traxda to ask about this but haven't heard back yet.

 

[yolomtb]

Sorry for the delay...I left the stock coil springs and replaced the shock absorbers. If there is a sag issue, I may look into an airbag kit. The only questionable thing I'm experiencing that my mechanic mentioned about the Traxda is with the shock extenders. For some reason they change the direction of the lower mount by 90 degrees. This makes the movement of the suspension system flex the inside of the lower shock mount (eye). You can see what I mean below. I'm trying to reach out to Traxda to ask about this but haven't heard back yet.
View attachment 59547

Interesting. Would for sure like to know the result, as my kit shipped and we are going to install soon. I'm going to do the Airlift 1000 in the rear as well, but was wondering how much over the last 10 years the Springs may have lost some oomph and caused some sagging as well. Not trying to buy parts just to buy parts either though if not needed.

 

[utahlizard]

Interesting. Would for sure like to know the result, as my kit shipped and we are going to install soon. I'm going to do the Airlift 1000 in the rear as well, but was wondering how much over the last 10 years the Springs may have lost some oomph and caused some sagging as well. Not trying to buy parts just to buy parts either though if not needed.

Got a response from Traxda today. As follows:

If we did not turn them 90 degrees, then they would pivot on the bolt also, making a double jointed connection.
We began doing the brackets like this for the GM 1500 platform in 2004, and 18 years later it is still a good solution.
If its not a problem on 1 ton Ram and Ford, I don't think it will be a problem on a minivan.
Bushings are designed to flex, its what they do.
Cheers
Greg

 

[Oldwolf]

Can you show us a picture of the Traxda shock extender installed on your Sienna? For some reason I am having a hard time picturing it.

 

[Oldwolf]

My Traxda kit is still performing well. Tomorrow I am having a set of Defender 235/60R18 tires installed.
Last month took it to South Dakota.
Points for anyone who can tell where this pic was taken.

 

[utahlizard]

Can you show us a picture of the Traxda shock extender installed on your Sienna? For some reason I am having a hard time picturing it.

Sure...Here is the passenger side rear shock extender. Let me know if you need additional pic(s).

 

[utahlizard]

My Traxda kit is still performing well. Tomorrow I am having a set of Defender 235/60R18 tires installed.
Last month took it to South Dakota.
Points for anyone who can tell where this pic was taken.

View attachment 59568

Nice! I like the awning! Next week or so I'm trading out my Yoko G015 tires (that wore out pretty fast) with Falken Wildpeak A/T Trail tires (235/60R18) I want to put a Thule 859XT roof basket on, along with a few other aesthetic mods.

 

[Oldwolf]

Now I get it. Thanks for posting the picture.

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[Oldwolf]

Last time I checked traxda wanted to charge me $98 for the shock extenders. They do seem to be a good solution, though

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[utahlizard]

Last time I checked traxda wanted to charge me $98 for the shock extenders. They do seem to be a good solution, though

Sent from my SM-F711U using Tapatalk

I bought the whole kit with them.
Kit #906030 – 2004-2020 Toyota Sienna – 2″ Front/1.8 ” Rear +Sway Bar Links & Shock Brackets
$391.91