suspension question: 4 link w/ coils

[ch0psv1lle]

Has anyone done a 4 link rear suspension set up with coil springs over leaf springs. i think it would be pretty wild to have that type of a set up on a first gen k5.

[72Blazing]

The guy that owns offroad unlimited has a first gen. with 4 link front and rear. There are pics on there website.
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[ch0psv1lle]

Originally Posted by 72Blazing

The guy that owns offroad unlimited has a first gen. with 4 link front and rear. There are pics on there website.
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with coil springs?...... i was thinking of doing a 3 link in the front.

[mcmlxix]

http://www.offroadunlimited.com/orus...ails.asp?id=34

[-Greg72]

The ORU truck has leafsprings out back...

To the OP: Do you want a true 4-link out back, or are you talking about adding a coil spring to the existing rear leafsprings?

I'm doing a pretty simple rear 4-link on my '72.... Converging lower links and parallel uppers





-G



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[in deep 72]

Coils and leafs????
Give me 6 months and I'll know a lot more. Planning on a body off this winter to do a full chassis make over. 4 link and coilover shocks front and rear (no leaf springs though). Dana 60 with crossover will go in at the same time. Working on a frame boxing kit for DIY4X also. Blast and powdercoat once all that is done.

Still researching the 4 links....what's the reasoning for going coilover and leaf? Maybe I need to revise my plans.

[jaros44sr]

-G, yours was the one that came to mind, when the question was asked! Dont know how to do a link, so, im glad you posted up your build

Still in the process of reading your build thread, since it is rather lenghty, but informative. Nice work on it so far, youve planted the seed. Now, i have to figure out how to build a 4 link

[ch0psv1lle]

good info guys..... i want to get away from the leaf springs and go coils in the rear and coil overs up front..... ive been thinking about running coil springs up front but coul overs are all around better. http://www.fabtechmotorsports.com/suspension-101.php
found this the other night....... i want the 4 link set up thats toword the bottom of the page. i like how the shocks are cocked to the rear of the axle.

[-Greg72]

Originally Posted by ch0psv1lle

good info guys..... i want to get away from the leaf springs and go coils in the rear and coil overs up front..... ive been thinking about running coil springs up front but coul overs are all around better. http://www.fabtechmotorsports.com/suspension-101.php
found this the other night....... i want the 4 link set up thats toword the bottom of the page. i like how the shocks are cocked to the rear of the axle.

Keep studying and reading....

That 4-link (actually a 5-link) will be OK, but you can probably do better with a more traditional converged 4-link and it will take fewer links to do it.

Play with the 4-link calculator if you haven't already. If you aren't really paying attention to the details as you go, it's quite easy to build an expensive linked-suspension that actually performs worse than the leafsprings you removed.


-G

[ch0psv1lle]

Originally Posted by -Greg72

Keep studying and reading....

That 4-link (actually a 5-link) will be OK, but you can probably do better with a more traditional converged 4-link and it will take fewer links to do it.

Play with the 4-link calculator if you haven't already. If you aren't really paying attention to the details as you go, it's quite easy to build an expensive linked-suspension that actually performs worse than the leafsprings you removed.


-G

Dumb question....... where can I find a 4link calculator?
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[-Greg72]

Originally Posted by ch0psv1lle

Dumb question....... where can I find a 4link calculator?
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Google "Triaged 4-link calculator". That should get you to Dan Barcroft's Verizon site. He and I built that calculator over 10 years ago (time flies!) and it's become a great teaching tool and a great way to design good (and bad) suspensions without wasting a single heim joint or a single foot of thick-walled DOM.


-G
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[72Blazing]

Greg, I have been watching your build for over a year now. I think I am addicted to it Lol. I find myself checking for progress almost everyday. You have amazing fabrication skills!
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[ch0psv1lle]

got it...... now i need to know how to use it.

[-Greg72]

Originally Posted by ch0psv1lle

got it...... now i need to know how to use it.

Next step...

Head over to Pirate4x4 and look for a thread called "God of Suspension". It's some unholy amount of pages long , but it covers lots of information and theory about what makes a "good" vs. "bad" suspension.

Lots of reading to do. Link suspension is a huge commitment if you want to do it well.

-G
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[ch0psv1lle]

Originally Posted by -Greg72

Next step...

Head over to Pirate4x4 and look for a thread called "God of Suspension". It's some unholy amount of pages long , but it covers lots of information and theory about what makes a "good" vs. "bad" suspension.

Lots of reading to do. Link suspension is a huge commitment if you want to do it well.

-G
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will do