suspension can be really difficult if it's a clean sheet design. When I started, I looked at JK suspensions and got a grasp of why Jeep did what they did. Coils move the axles further out and allow you to easily adjust how the suspension reacts to individual challenges. You mentioned you...
I preach "build what works for you" and "don't hate on something that isn't the way you'd do it" It's comical to review some of the stuff that was told to me on my build.... one of my favorites was someone who claimed when I hit the throttle, it'd wheelie over backwards.... and that's the deal...
I can't believe I'm saying this because this is my MO. You're making this wayyyyyy too hard. I'm far more concerned with keeping my steering geometry the same throughout travel then I am about using links to control dive. Shocks and spring rates do these two functions (on the front). As far...
Cost:
I bought a complete 'kit' with Johnny joints on all links... iirc (been 4 years) it was like $1,200 for the kit.
2" 1/4" wall DOM wasn't cheap, think I spent around $300 for what I used... I still have 2 lengths 'left over'
Driveability
a 3 link, when you accelerate will turn your...
Mine is 3 linked front, double triangulated 4 link rear. I built it, it works awesome and it's really not that difficult. My build is attached, there's some noise at the start but eventually the build gets moving - I didn't really decide what I wanted to do until a few things kind of fell in...
growing up, I had horses, eventually I got wise and saved money by getting motorcycles and cars.... my wife, occasionally, suggests a horse but my "you're nuts" look has continued to hold that at bay for ... 13 years now... and it's showing no signs of weakening.
Congratulations, I'm sure that your newest will fully support his dad when the time comes to bring more projects into the fold. Sooooo, have you started scoping for a first car for him? (yes, I'm presuming the gender).
this is why my current FJ40 is the eighth one I've owned, and my Optima Challenge Corvette is the 4th. Heck, even my Suburban - it's number heaven alone knows.... 5th? maybe? no, 8th? hmmmm.... I needed this distraction from the work that I should be getting done.
Corvette and Suburban
I'd be doing the happy dance if I got 9.9 mpg.
Before you get too despondent, where are you buying fuel? oxygenated fuels reduce your fuel economy by 10-15%
I've, in essence, given up on grinders. I have an 8 inch Black and Decker that has a bent shaft, and I buy Porter Cable 6 inch side grinders 3 at a time. Funny thing, those $20 PC grinders last at least a year before they let the smoke out.... some even longer, I wish I could say the same about...
whatever I do, it's going to be mobile - because the shop adds to my property value, but more shops don't. That said, if money were no objection; I'd buy out my neighbor, raze his house and put a shop that covers his 3 acres....
I know this story. The storage theory is that you fill the space you have - no matter how large. The two of us (wife and I) have a 4500 square foot house and I have a 30x36 shop (not including the garage where we park our dailys). Many projects were to simply reclaim space for projects I'm...
neat - sounds like you're doing about the same kind of stuff I've been doing. Big projects got pushed back to do the death-by-a-thousand-papercut stuff.
it's amazing how tight that area gets in the front over the axle. Idle curiosity, have you crossed it up with one tire are bump and the other at full drop to be certain the tire/spring isn't an interference fit? My thought is you could move the top in a scotch (just a bit more then a hair but...