Bolt-On 4 Links And Cantilevers - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

hotrodhomi · 12-08-2004, 04:43 PM

What is the difference in a Bolt-On 4 Links And Cantilever? What is better for air? I'm trying to put together a shopping list and Im not sure what is needed for the rear. I have a '81 swb. Will I have to relocate my gas tanks? I have the stock dual tank setup.
Linky

MP4/8 · 12-08-2004, 05:53 PM

The four link is just that, the four link. The cantilever is an add on for mounting the bags on, and both giving more lift, and softening the harshness that double convoluted bags mounted on the axle usually have. With the KP kits you linked to, the four link can be used with out the cantilever. But you will need to get bag mounts for it. And the canti is made to attach to the bolt in four link, and has bag mounts and shock mounts ( and shocks ) with it. or they do offer some brackets to use it with a weld in four link kit.
Hope that answers your questions

hotrodhomi · 12-08-2004, 06:00 PM

what causes the cantilever to be less harsh? is it the location of the bags?

NotLowerThanMe · 12-09-2004, 02:02 AM

A cantilever or a leveraged 4-link change the stroke that the air bag gets by putting it on more of a 2 to 1 ratio. Essentially by moving the placement from over the axle to in front of the axle you can get more lift at a lower psi. It gives the truck a softer ride.

Say you need 80psi to get the truck to ride height in a over the axle setup. At 80psi it might ride really stiff. Move the bag forward of the axle on the link bar and now you may only need 50psi to get to your ride height.

One downfall of a leveraged or cantilevered setup is that moving the bag to far forward will create to much lift and not enough pressure and the truck will squat and feel loose while your driving it because its just to soft.

On trucks I build I try and stay around 12 inches of lift max. Anymore than that seems pointless.

I hope that helps explain it.

Nic
www.crazytalkcustoms.com

hotrodhomi · 12-09-2004, 11:40 AM

that info was great. Do you have to use a 4 link with a cantilever?

MP4/8 · 12-09-2004, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hotrodhomi

that info was great. Do you have to use a 4 link with a cantilever?

No. In fact most don't.

BK · 12-10-2004, 02:35 AM

i believe placing bags up on the trailing arms on the 60-72 frames would be a type of canteliver, gives us lots of lift, and a great ride, its what im doing.

12-08-2004, 04:43 PM	#1
hotrodhomi Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Sacramento Posts: 3,737	Bolt-On 4 Links And Cantilevers What is the difference in a Bolt-On 4 Links And Cantilever? What is better for air? I'm trying to put together a shopping list and Im not sure what is needed for the rear. I have a '81 swb. Will I have to relocate my gas tanks? I have the stock dual tank setup. Linky

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12-08-2004, 05:53 PM	#2
MP4/8 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 6	The four link is just that, the four link. The cantilever is an add on for mounting the bags on, and both giving more lift, and softening the harshness that double convoluted bags mounted on the axle usually have. With the KP kits you linked to, the four link can be used with out the cantilever. But you will need to get bag mounts for it. And the canti is made to attach to the bolt in four link, and has bag mounts and shock mounts ( and shocks ) with it. or they do offer some brackets to use it with a weld in four link kit. Hope that answers your questions

12-08-2004, 06:00 PM	#3
hotrodhomi Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Sacramento Posts: 3,737	what causes the cantilever to be less harsh? is it the location of the bags?

12-09-2004, 02:02 AM	#4
NotLowerThanMe Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: East Bethel, MN Posts: 27	A cantilever or a leveraged 4-link change the stroke that the air bag gets by putting it on more of a 2 to 1 ratio. Essentially by moving the placement from over the axle to in front of the axle you can get more lift at a lower psi. It gives the truck a softer ride. Say you need 80psi to get the truck to ride height in a over the axle setup. At 80psi it might ride really stiff. Move the bag forward of the axle on the link bar and now you may only need 50psi to get to your ride height. One downfall of a leveraged or cantilevered setup is that moving the bag to far forward will create to much lift and not enough pressure and the truck will squat and feel loose while your driving it because its just to soft. On trucks I build I try and stay around 12 inches of lift max. Anymore than that seems pointless. I hope that helps explain it. Nic www.crazytalkcustoms.com

12-09-2004, 11:40 AM	#5
hotrodhomi Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Sacramento Posts: 3,737	that info was great. Do you have to use a 4 link with a cantilever?

12-10-2004, 02:35 AM	#7
BK BK Built Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Oroville, WA Posts: 478	i believe placing bags up on the trailing arms on the 60-72 frames would be a type of canteliver, gives us lots of lift, and a great ride, its what im doing.



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