Good news, maybe bad news Flippac

[homemade]

The good news:

My loving wife has purchased me a new Tacoma for my birthday so the old pre runner is history (had a new buyer in 2 days). Time to get the Flippac off the old Taco and do some in depth inspection and cleaning.

Now comes the maybe bad news, I found this when I went to reseal the area where the lid meets the metal arms for the torsion bar. It looks like cracks in the metal. As you can see the other arm is nice and clean and a different color. So are the other 3. This one is dull and looks different from the rest. I have enjoyed this unit for just a year. I live on the east coast so taking it in for a quick replacement is not an option.

Can't tell if it is just on the surface or extends into the metal but seeing it on 2 surfaces disturbs me. I would hate to be out in the mountains and have this fail.
Any ideas other than change out the whole bar? Has anyone else had a issue like this.
Marty

That looks plain dangerous. The cracks appear to extend through almost half of the structure of the hinge. If that is the hinge that handles all of the stress of the torsion bar (it looks like it must be) then when it finally gives way it might be quite an event. Have you ever been around when a garage torsion spring breaks? A lot of energy is released, I wouldn’t want to be in the area of that hinge when it breaks and the torsion bar energy is released. From what it sounds like, there is no warranty on flippacs? If there was, at least a replacement part should be provided, with instructions for replacement

 

[elcoyote]

Marty,

These cracks are worrisome and I advise against deployment until we can get replacement parts to you. AT fully stands behind all of our products and will take care of this for you.

The hinge parts are heat treated & plated after the spline is made into the part. Although I cannot be certain without further investigation, this may be related to the heat treatment process.

I will keep you updated

PM has been sent

 

[WASURF63]

Marty,

These cracks are worrisome and I advise against deployment until we can get replacement parts to you. AT fully stands behind all of our products and will take care of this for you.

The hinge parts are heat treated & plated after the spline is made into the part. Although I cannot be certain without further investigation, this may be related to the heat treatment process.

I will keep you updated

PM has been sent

:clapsmile

Another fine example of xlnt customer service, and just one of many reasons I chose an AT Flippac.

 

[Harp]

From day one the guys at AT have been nothing short of excellent to work with. From the shipping of the unit and installation tips everything has always been covered. I can't tell you what it means to get great customer service even from across the country.

Thanks again AT

Marty

 

[Harp]

I am anticipating changing out this arm. I reviewed the post by Bella on changing a broken bar, the difference is my arm or bar never broke. I still have all the torque on the system. My understanding is I need to have the top straight up to remove the bar and then find a way to remove the arm. Any ideas on the best way to do this.

Marty

 

[Harp]

New wheels

Here is the new birthday gift from my wife! It's the only white 2011 Toyota Tacoma T/X TRD in the country. I wanted white for the flippac so they built this one and had it shipped. Now if I can get the Flippac fixed I should have a nice rig.

 

[ETAV8R]

Looking good Harp. Hate to tell you but it isn't the only white one though. http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/new-members/111049-tx-pro.html Does your sticker state it is with the TX package? The dealer may have put the wheels/tube steps on and the TRD sticker. I remember seeing a white one near me at a dealer but I didn't stop to check it out. Regardless it is a nice ride and will take you far.
Love the wheels and may pick up a set when money allows.

 

[Harp]

There are 2 packages T/X and T/X pro. Only difference is the exhaust setup on the pro. The T/X normally does not come in white, thats why the T/X decal is in white and you can barley see it. The dealer said they would change it to just a TRD off road decal if I wanted but they can't put a Pro sticker on a truck without the Pro package.

 

[WASURF63]

You know you're just going to peel off that sticker and eventually change everything out to your own specs anyway. :coffeedrink:
Happy Birthday BTW. Pretty cool Mrs. you got there!
Post up some pics of the new setup when you get that arm changed out.

 

[Wyowanderer]

Marty,

These cracks are worrisome and I advise against deployment until we can get replacement parts to you. AT fully stands behind all of our products and will take care of this for you.

The hinge parts are heat treated & plated after the spline is made into the part. Although I cannot be certain without further investigation, this may be related to the heat treatment process.

I will keep you updated

PM has been sent

Bravo. There's a top notch company to deal with. I'm not in the market fo a FP, but I'll be able to recommend them.

 

[Overland Hadley]

Bravo. There's a top notch company to deal with. I'm not in the market fo a FP, but I'll be able to recommend them.

x2

 

[elcoyote]

Marty,

Part is being shipped via 2nd day. We believe heat treatment may have been at fault. Once you return old part, we will analyze and report back. Installation instructions have been e-mailed.

 

[Harp]

That my friends is top notch service!!!!!!!

 

[washington taco]

This just makes me consider the A/T flip pac more and more!

 

[Harp]

Mario just e-mailed and sent the arm out early so I could get it changed out before an upcoming trip, Those guys at AT are great!!!