rear sus help

[stan3018]

ok guys which one its better .rear 4link or the leaf..

[Houston54]

Need more information. What truck are you working on? What is your current drive train set up? How are you planning to use the truck? How much money do you have? Are you installing or someone else?

[stan3018]

I have a mild 350 ,700r4tranny and 8.8ford 3.73 posi..the truck is going to be a cruiser ..my old leaf are in 65% ,all of the pin sets are broken,bolts each leaf its like 200pounds,so you tell me whats my better choice.

[Houston54]

Not sure what you mean by 65% or 200lbs but I would venture a suggestion the leaf spring set up would fit your needs best for the following reasons.

1. It is a bolt in application with the exception of the spring perches that will need to welded to the axle tube.

2. It is the least expensive option by at least $340 excluding shipping. You can order either TCI set up though from JPL Trucks and get free shipping.

I am in the process of reworking the rear suspension on my 54 and have considered both options. That is where my suggestions are based on. However I also found that Posies sells replacement springs that fit the stock mounts, handle up to 400hp, and lower the truck 3 inches excluding an axle flip.

They have spring sets for the task forces trucks like yours also. This would be the cheapest solution and would let you use the spring perches you now have. I would replace any shackles and spring bolts with new ones though. Posies also carries those.

[Kid]

some things to consider
1. coil overs allow easy & cheaper R&R of springs to fine tune your ride comfort level (coil springs come in diff. spring rates)
2. panhard rod does a better job of holding the rear end centered. Only side to side movement will be what the arc is. (longer panhard rod = less arc travel)
3. no more "spring wrap" on acceleration.
Bottom line is the 4 link does have advantages, but involves more work to install, & cost..

[mylow53]

also are you going low with this or more of a stock look. if your going stock absolutely go leaf. quick and easy. you can still go leaf on the lower version it's just a bit more hassle. if 4 link is where you headed look at the triangulated version that removes the panard bar. My panard bar is the lowest thing on my rear and can be damaged. the triangulation uses geometry to solve the side to side movement of the rear
GT

[stan3018]

so 4link its the way to go tanks

[stan3018]

Originally Posted by Houston54

Not sure what you mean by 65% or 200lbs but I would venture a suggestion the leaf spring set up would fit your needs best for the following reasons.

1. It is a bolt in application with the exception of the spring perches that will need to welded to the axle tube.

2. It is the least expensive option by at least $340 excluding shipping. You can order either TCI set up though from JPL Trucks and get free shipping.

I am in the process of reworking the rear suspension on my 54 and have considered both options. That is where my suggestions are based on. However I also found that Posies sells replacement springs that fit the stock mounts, handle up to 400hp, and lower the truck 3 inches excluding an axle flip.
They have spring sets for the task forces trucks like yours also. This would be the cheapest solution and would let you use the spring perches you now have. I would replace any shackles and spring bolts with new ones though. Posies also carries those.

ok give me the web site

[solidaxel]

Originally Posted by stan3018

so 4link its the way to go tanks

There is nothing wrong with your stock springs, you can remove three leafs and put a set of Bilstine shocks and iti will ride great

[Houston54]

They do not have a website. They typically have a full page ad in the trucks mags or used to. You can probably get their number by doing a search for JPL Trucks. If not I can send it to you on Friday.

How low do you want your truck? If you go with the 4 link you will need to know what spring rate you want for the coilovers.

The leafs will get you a 5-6 inch drop with an axle flip. If you are wanting lower then the 4 link is your answer. In my opinion going lower though would require air ride or you stand a good chance of leaving parts on the street after speed bumps.

[tiggerstoy]

i'v read the thread, and all i have to say is, if you want to save sme cone, than use the stock leafs you have with 2 over loaders, but trust me, a good 4-link will put you in front everytime....looks better, easer to set wide rims, makes better for comfort.....so on, so forth.....as mentioned, there are lots of sights that give all measurements that you might need......but for me, 4-link is the way to go, with saying that, im running leafs in my 55 daily driver, it was a cheap way to go that holds up to what my truck will go through.

[stan3018]

ok so i will rebuild my leaf ,i will do that ...i will get new shocks,and new bolts for the leaf...thanks for the info

[solidaxel]

Originally Posted by stan3018

ok so i will rebuild my leaf ,i will do that ...i will get new shocks,and new bolts for the leaf...thanks for the info

............and, and new shackles, and new bushings, and new u-bolts, and new brakes.

Do you have the 8.8 installed and on the ground or is this the drive train you want to use

[stan3018]

Originally Posted by solidaxel

............and, and new shackles, and new bushings, and new u-bolts, and new brakes.

Do you have the 8.8 installed and on the ground or is this the drive train you want to use

i have the truck naked in like 2weeks i going to order my mustang 2 susp but i want to get every thing in one shot ,,,,,and yes8.8rear not install yet.

[stan3018]

Originally Posted by Houston54

They do not have a website. They typically have a full page ad in the trucks mags or used to. You can probably get their number by doing a search for JPL Trucks. If not I can send it to you on Friday.

How low do you want your truck? If you go with the 4 link you will need to know what spring rate you want for the coilovers.

The leafs will get you a 5-6 inch drop with an axle flip. If you are wanting lower then the 4 link is your answer. In my opinion going lower though would require air ride or you stand a good chance of leaving parts on the street after speed bumps.

yeah i have see them in the mags but they dont come on the mags no more,maybe they are out of buisness....

[solidaxel]

Here is a Cheep Cherokee rear leaf springs and parts from the Jeep store shackles and the front hangers for a Jeep, they are the same width as the spring welded to a boxing plate on the frame. These parts do not have to come from one source and you can spend your money on some good shocks, I like Bilstine

[BIG CHEVY 3600]

Originally Posted by Kid

some things to consider
1. coil overs allow easy & cheaper R&R of springs to fine tune your ride comfort level (coil springs come in diff. spring rates)
2. panhard rod does a better job of holding the rear end centered. Only side to side movement will be what the arc is. (longer panhard rod = less arc travel)
3. no more "spring wrap" on acceleration.
Bottom line is the 4 link does have advantages, but involves more work to install, & cost..

I am using a TCI leaf kit. If spring wrap is a problem (won't be racing) I'll add a traction bar or two.