Front Flex? (15 Viewers)
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Looks like he did a ton of work for little to no improvement in flex...am I missing something?
Chris
Chris
I agree with Christo the problem is the radius arms don't want to move in opposite directions. What if you move the two bushing on the axle side of the radius arm closer together and still parallel to the ground. For example: if they are now 12 inches apart move them to about 9 inches apart.
The downfall I can see with this is axle rap and it would not be a bolt on modification.
The downfall I can see with this is axle rap and it would not be a bolt on modification.
didn't have time or a grease free hand to take any photos while rebuilding the front axle, but I've come to a couple conculsions
1. The swaybar definately has to move. Either to on top of the new arm w/ no drops like it currently has, or flip it around like jodo did - but his is so far back on the arms, it's not got the correct mechanical advantage. Gotta hit him up on how he did that part.
https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/294260-jodo-97-lx450-coilover-project-5.html#post4639589
2. The tie rods don't look like they will be a problem on my truck. If they are a problem, jodo's got the cure
https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/294260-jodo-97-lx450-coilover-project.html#post4612026
I really was not looking at doing this until SOMEBODY started up the topic, and SOMEBODY posted the SE arms again. But, now that the arms are laying ont he garage floor, in the general area of some plate steel, I don't know as though I have a choice.....
1. The swaybar definately has to move. Either to on top of the new arm w/ no drops like it currently has, or flip it around like jodo did - but his is so far back on the arms, it's not got the correct mechanical advantage. Gotta hit him up on how he did that part.
https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/294260-jodo-97-lx450-coilover-project-5.html#post4639589
2. The tie rods don't look like they will be a problem on my truck. If they are a problem, jodo's got the cure
https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/294260-jodo-97-lx450-coilover-project.html#post4612026
I really was not looking at doing this until SOMEBODY started up the topic, and SOMEBODY posted the SE arms again. But, now that the arms are laying ont he garage floor, in the general area of some plate steel, I don't know as though I have a choice.....
Went into the garage the other night to start laying out brackets, and I forgot, I used the last of my 1/4" plate and all I have is 3/16" plate. Bummer- I'll get to the scrap pile at the supply store eventually.
Did some searching for a radius arm build Off-Road did not too long ago - though I think it was for the rear of a pre-runner - just for constuction technique (different project) - and found a bunch of radius arm stuff on bronco / ford sites. Kinda interesting, their axle mount is different, but one of the methods they use to gain flex is simply longer arm. Wouldn't be that hard to move arm mounts back 6". You would expose yourself a little more on hanging up, but would certainly gain flex - same angle of bind, but binding on longer arms - so more flex.... Just a thought...
Did some searching for a radius arm build Off-Road did not too long ago - though I think it was for the rear of a pre-runner - just for constuction technique (different project) - and found a bunch of radius arm stuff on bronco / ford sites. Kinda interesting, their axle mount is different, but one of the methods they use to gain flex is simply longer arm. Wouldn't be that hard to move arm mounts back 6". You would expose yourself a little more on hanging up, but would certainly gain flex - same angle of bind, but binding on longer arms - so more flex.... Just a thought...
The solution is a mini-truck for the really hardcore wheeling you want to do, with a Marlin crawler, full cage, 40's, and all the other goods.
No set of arms can solve for 1,500 lbs too much weight.
Yeah but then they'd pay for the build.
I know. Plus sell the big house and minivan and the mods budget would go through the roof. Or to alimony.
That's what a traction bar is for.
I'm not going to do it - been down the road of trying to make a rig something that it isn't and it is rarely ever anything more than throwing good money after bad.
But we are going to see some 80's push the envelop on the way to the parts yard, and may as well get the ideas out there to see who might guinea pig a good one
Nay is right on the money. My trail rig is a 72' Bronco, coil front leaf rear. All is good on these rigs until people 4 link the rear then the flopping party begins, happens all the time. The rear leaves keep the front stable. once the rear is linked and the flexing starts the rear follows the front and it rolls over like a dog...
Nay is right on the money. My trail rig is a 72' Bronco, coil front leaf rear. All is good on these rigs until people 4 link the rear then the flopping party begins, happens all the time. The rear leaves keep the front stable. once the rear is linked and the flexing starts the rear follows the front and it rolls over like a dog...
I wheel sometimes with a guy in my neighborhood who has a full size Bronco, rear leaf and front coil, with Duff radius arms I believe and coils like the FOR Gen II (progressive with the stacked dead winds).
That thing out-flexes my 80 big time and is very stable from what I have seen - he just needs a front locker and some 37's or bigger.
Just like this (not bad for 8" of lift - that's what you get with a good rear leaf system):
to sound like a broken record, it's all about balance and control - you can have very little travel, very little articulation, and still have a sloppy floppy rig. Or alot of travel, alot of articulation, and a solid balanced rig.
Yep, I have the Cage offroad springs also, good stuff.
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ardentyota
Flexy
I was on that run with him. That thing definitely flexes well! As we were sitting at the Coyote Cantina afterwards, he asked if I knew you- I told him I knew "of" you...
Back to flex though, Hefty has a custom long-arm on his '93 BKO that flexes like crazy too. We've been trying to think through a similar suspension setup in the front, but as has already been stated, the rear would have to be firmed up. I'll keep watching this thread!
Has anyone played with the idea of putting a larger sway bar on the rear?
