1/4 elliptical opinions needed... (1 Viewer)

[95ToyCruiser]

Well I'm pretty happy with my current setup now, but could always be better...

Looking to do a highsteer/hydro with a 3 link up front, and a triangulated 4 with quarter elliptical in the rear...

Don't really have the cash for coil overs (and if I did I'd do tc gears) but I'm going to stretch the rear axle back around 3 –5'' or so which will put my coil buckets right in the middle of my crossmember...

I don't wanna loose articulation and don't wanna be any taller...

Do you see a problem with running a QE on the road?

As it sits now...

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Mace has a wishbone 3 link 1/4 elliptical setup in the rear of Bob, his 60. He says it's great on road. Look it up.

 

[Mace]

All the springs do is keep your truck off the axle. Road manners are based on suspension design, not your choice of springs.

Build the 4 link right, and you won't have any issues.

 

[95ToyCruiser]

All the springs do is keep your truck off the axle. Road manners are based on suspension design, not your choice of springs.

Build the 4 link right, and you won't have any issues.

Thanks for the reply, I understand that the springs are not used to locate the axle at all, as with coils, coil overs, air shocks....

My question is more about how they flex and react to body roll, I'd love to use the QE setup because I wouldn't have to capture my coils, an also wouldn't have to move my coil buckets...

Just wondering if they behave at all like leaf springs... Meaning flex well, but are not as sort and squishy as coils (if that makes sense)...

 

[ToyRoverlander]

This guy has just finished a 1/4 elliptical on a series land rover.

http://forums.lr4x4.com/index.php?showtopic=84941&page=3#entry730879

Articulation looks fantastic. He hasn't commented yet on how it handles on the street, however I doubt that truck will see many street miles.

 

[95ToyCruiser]

This guy has just finished a 1/4 elliptical on a series land rover.

http://forums.lr4x4.com/index.php?showtopic=84941&page=3#entry730879

Articulation looks fantastic. He hasn't commented yet on how it handles on the street, however I doubt that truck will see many street miles.

Thanks! That build is lookin great! Similar to what I want to do... Although with a more conventional link setup...

Mine won't see much street use either (just to and from the trails and when the roads are too snowy for my 2wd) but I'm just stubborn and don't want it it turn into a trailer queen... Not to say it never will I just enjoy driving it too much...

 

[Mace]

Thanks for the reply, I understand that the springs are not used to locate the axle at all, as with coils, coil overs, air shocks....

My question is more about how they flex and react to body roll, I'd love to use the QE setup because I wouldn't have to capture my coils, an also wouldn't have to move my coil buckets...

Just wondering if they behave at all like leaf springs... Meaning flex well, but are not as sort and squishy as coils (if that makes sense)...

They flex more than you need.
Body roll is a suspension design issue. Not what you spring the truck with.

Qe is a great setup, just not glamorous any more.

 

[95ToyCruiser]

I think they're pretty glamorous as you really don't see many around anymore... That's most likely the direction I will take, hope it'll turn out half as good as yours...

 

[ToyRoverlander]

What's it like on the leafsprings? Do they get stressed way more than in a conventional leaf spring setup or not really?

 

[Mace]

less stress if you allow the spring to flex the way it wants to.

 

[ToyRoverlander]

I think I know what you mean. Like in how the spring is orientated and how it is loaded. And I guess it would be bad to, like a regular leaf spring, let it go past flat and bend backwards so to say.

How would you determine ride height with such a setup?

 

[Mace]

Easiest way is with an adjustable shackle.

 

[cruisertom]

I saw lots of these when I lived in Colorado. I have seen them on the street, and were stupid scary. But I think an on road sway bar would help that and be a good idea. I also saw Tim from Poisen Spyder Customs (when Cliff still owned it, not the California based company it is now) do it on an FJ60 years ago and said he thought the vehicle was too heavy for the springs, as it kept flattening them out the more he used it. I think he tried several springs and finally went with something else. I think they are specially made springs, not just and leaf pack cut in half and flipped.

The ride height is determined by the bumpstop it believe. I think that they ride on the bump stop and location on the spring determines your uptravel. So you could make an adjustable bumpstop to adjust ride height. The closer to the spring "pocket" or mount the more up travel you would get, but is flexing the spring to the flat position.

 

[Mace]

My 60 has F350 front springs in a 1/4 elip style in the rear. It is not dangerous or sketchy.

Bumpstops are for stopping the axle/tires from hitting anything. Not for ride height adjustments.

 

[ToyRoverlander]

Resurecting an old thread as a question popped into my head reading up on this suspension. On all the pictures I see they use a shackle that also hinges side to side to take the twist out of the leaf spring. Is this a necessary thing to do or could one use a more conventional forwards/backwards swinging shackle? This would create a bit of roll resistance and more stability, at least in my head it does .


I'm getting interested in using a 1/4 elip setup at the front combined with a 3link. On my current SOA setup the leaf bushes have a very short life and get very loose. It makes the front end feel loose. A 3link will sort that out, much better way of locating an axle. I just don't have any room to fit coils and don't want to spend the coin on coilovers. 1/4 elip looks intersting, and is something you don't see everyday.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

.......................... 1/4 elip looks intersting, and is something you don't see everyday.

1/4 elip is old school off road racing..... First introduced IIRC in 1987 by builder Jon Nelson on Robby Gordons 1966 Ford F100 commonly refereed back then as the 'Hay Hauler'. One of the most memorable winning desert race trucks of its time.

 

[Mace]

Resurecting an old thread as a question popped into my head reading up on this suspension. On all the pictures I see they use a shackle that also hinges side to side to take the twist out of the leaf spring. Is this a necessary thing to do or could one use a more conventional forwards/backwards swinging shackle? This would create a bit of roll resistance and more stability, at least in my head it does .


I'm getting interested in using a 1/4 elip setup at the front combined with a 3link. On my current SOA setup the leaf bushes have a very short life and get very loose. It makes the front end feel loose. A 3link will sort that out, much better way of locating an axle. I just don't have any room to fit coils and don't want to spend the coin on coilovers. 1/4 elip looks intersting, and is something you don't see everyday.

Again, design the links correctly and the mounting design of the leaf springs will be unimportant.

Front 1/4 elip is tough to fit well.

 

[ToyRoverlander]

1/4 elip is old school off road racing..... First introduced IIRC in 1987 by builder Jon Nelson on Robby Gordons 1966 Ford F100 commonly refereed back then as the 'Hay Hauler'. One of the most memorable winning desert race trucks of its time.

In the US, yes. But not where I live . I've never seen one in the flesh over here.

Again, design the links correctly and the mounting design of the leaf springs will be unimportant.

Front 1/4 elip is tough to fit well.

I understand. Mounting the panhard up high would create a high roll centre which gives sideways stability for instance. It would indeed be hard to fit as there's not a ton of room. Luckily I've got wide axles on a narrow chassis truck. I'm not even sure yet whether or not I'm actually going to do it.