Martec Engineering Rear 3 Link Kit

Just recieved my Martec Engineering rear 3 link kit, and figured I'd document it all on here since there isn't much "kits" out there for linking your Tacoma.

Fits all 2005+ Tacomas, and remains under the bed which is a huge plus.

Retains factory gas tank, and requires minimal cutting of the frame, besides the shackle hangers, leaf hangers, and shock mounts.

The super rad thing about the kit, is how everything integrates into the frame plates, and/or tabs into place. This makes it super easy for the average joe to do in his/her garage, without much/any experience with Linking a vehicle.

The kit comes with everything needed besides coilovers, bumpstops, limit straps, sway bar (if you want) and driveline spacer or extended driveline (axle gets pushed about 2" back). Will also probably need 1.5-2" of wheel spacer on each side, depending on wheel specs. This is to clear the coilover (my 37s/wheel setup rubs my shocks right now, with 1.5" spacers, for reference)

Going to be using 12"x2.5" King Coilovers, and 2"x2" Trail gear bumpstops. Kit will get 14-15" wheel travel since the coilover is partially trailing armed, about a 1.25 motion ratio.
For starting spring rates, I got 250/200. May need to go up a hair, but wont know until I get it sitting on its own weight. Will probably have the truck shock tuned in January.

Should be chopping all the rear end stuff off my truck next month, with hopes to have the whole truck perfected yet again so I can go to the Best of the West get together in Sand Hollow, November 9th-12th to test it for the first time.

Will post all photos of the process on here, so you guys can follow along. Super pumped for it once again, and can't wait to get rid of leaf springs.

Heres a link to Martec's website, so you can see the kits listing and all the other things they have to offer.

https://martecnv.com/products/p/2005-tacoma-trailing-arm-3-link-rear-kit

And all the photos of the kit unboxed



My truck as it sits:
Allpro +2 Long travel up front, King coilovers, Trail Gear hydro bumps, tubbed for 37s
In the rear I currently run Chevy 63" leaf springs, with 16" travel Carbon shocks. Its been a great budget setup, as I have maybe only $1600 into everything outback.

 

Looking forward to seeing this! Thanks for sharing.

 

Yup me too, I like it. Are you keeping the stock rear end?

 

Very cool, love to see hardcore Tacoma builds. Are you doing the 2" wheelbase stretch?

 

Nada, the kit is designed to push the axle back that much. If you run tons, that kit option pushes the axle back around 5"

 

Spent the weekend and got it all done. Just have to clean everything, paint, and reassemble next weekend. Will update this post this week on everything I did and how it went. Super stoked!

 

Hell fucken yes my dude.

 

Wow, it's going to be so sick. Can't wait to see this thing rolling around.

 

Havent had time to finish the write up, but heres some photos in the meantime. Got it 99% done the other day, just need limit straps and play with the ride height/dual rate stuff a bit. So far its been flawless and rides amazing on street. Should be able to take it out next weekend.

 

it's glorious. Most impressed with the frame plates, shits a must do.

 

love it, just got mine on last weekend

 

Still have to weld up bumps and build exhaust. Can’t wait to get into the dirt

 

@Buttskevin21 any updates on this? Performance vs your previous setup? Anything you would do again differently ?

 

exactly! How does it compare to the Chevy 63s? I am debating SUA from JD Fab or even 3 link.

 

It was heeps better than the leafs/cheapo Carbon Shocks. More uptravel, little bit more vertical travel, easily adjustable ride height, handled whoops very well for off the shelf coilovers and drove like a race car on/off road still.
I recently sold the truck, and the rear end is still going strong. All the joints were still perfect too after lots of miles on and off road. The rear end was basically touch free besides bending an axle shaft, meanwhile I rebuilt the entire front end 2-3 times.
The only thing was weight capacity range was very limited, due to very very soft spring rate. No spare in bed, truck sat a good 2” higher in the rear. So, dialed the ride height in with the spare and delt with a high rear emd totally unloaded for daily driving, and a sagged out rear end when loaded for camping, or dirtbiking.

 

I considered Sua at one point, but was never a fan of having a thick ass leaf pack hanging below the axle, and big shackles out back to drag on both in the rocks, and in the snow. Much preferred/liked the links to be able to slide on

 

I guess it’s a bit too early for my favorite fishing spot…