landtank's Upper Rear Links (1 Viewer)

[Delancy]

After months of incessant nagging, have made headway on getting Rick interested in producing uppers, in the same manner and construction as the lowers I already have.

All I wanted was OE length ( since the lowers corrected pinion angle) with OE bushings, coated same as lowers, but hoping to illicit interest and input, before having a one off set produced.

Pretty much, seeing whose interested and in what, to hopefully defray some expense, even though
I'm on board, regardless. ( subtle hint, Rick ).

 

[Delancy]

PM responsible for thread initiation:

The drawing went out today to the manufacturer. I spec'd them with 2.5" x .375 DOM ends and 1.25x .25 DOM tubing. They don't take any real impact so these should be plenty strong enough.

If you might no others that would be interested let them know as the more the merrier and cheaper they will be. And I'm not sure if this is something I would stock so it might be a one time thing.

Rick

 

[Douglas S]

Is there an issue with the stock upper links? Are people breaking/bending them?

 

[Tools R Us]

Is there an issue with the stock upper links? Are people breaking/bending them?

Nope.

 

[js93cruiser]

Depending on price I may be interested, adjustable?

 

[86tuning]

Nope.

The problem is that the lower ones can be bent if you sit the weight of the truck on them. I haven't seen damaged uppers yet. Would be nice to look at I spoze.

 

[Tools R Us]

The problem is that the lower ones can be bent if you sit the weight of the truck on them. I haven't seen damaged uppers yet. Would be nice to look at I spoze.

I was referring to uppers. I have mangled, repaired, reinforced tons of lowers, haven't seen an upper mangled,,, yet.

 

[TheBigBoy]

I have seen 1 twist like a pretzel. But not all that common.

 

[landtank]

Here deep in the rust belt I wasn't comfortable with a couple that I've seen.

Chris has asked that I help him out with getting a set for his truck and that is what I'm doing.

 

[Delancy]

Personally, have destroyed two uppers on the FJC (Yes, I realize it's not the same vehicle), one reinforced OE and one of the advertised "unbendable" brand, at the frame side rod end.

Would attribute both to long(er) rear travel capabilities, which will be exceeded on this rear, based on preliminary measurements.

I won't be one to rationalize the expenditure based on a definitive "need" though, and wasn't questioning that aspect. Proactive measure on my part, and I like continuity, where possible.

Have the LandTank lowers, need upper bushings so swapping the uppers to match the lowers construction.

Edited, based on Rick's post above:

For the record, Rick never insinuated that there's need to replace. This is my doing, 100%.

 

[Delancy]

Anyone else interested or care to offer up design input?

 

[js93cruiser]

I think stock bushing design with some 2" .250 wall Dom and an adjuster in the middle like slee's adjusters would be great, I'm looking to get rid of my crap man a fre's

 

[Delancy]

In conjunction with Rick's lowers, adjustability isn't really necessary for 4" coils, but can see the benefit for the other heights and set ups.

Personally, I'm opting for non-adjustable since I have the lowers, but maybe a good idea, from a marketplace standpoint, for adjustability.

I realize the benefit of a beefier product in the upper link location may be minimal, but built like the lowers Rick builds, they'd be beefy. The lowers take a beating and don't complain.

 

[NLXTACY]

Are the bushings pressed in? If so, getting an upgraded arm with pressed OEM bushings would be enough for me to go with an upgrade. Pure and simple.

 

[Delancy]

That's how I requested Rick price to me. Same finish and bushing completion as the lowers.

 

[NLXTACY]

That's how I requested Rick price to me. Same finish and bushing completion as the lowers.

There ya go. I was already planning on going with some form of adjustables but prefer OEM bushings.

 

[Delancy]

With your 4" planned lift, the only lengthening needed is lowers ( if agreed with Rick's rationale) and his lowers are intended to maintain the OE length uppers.

I appreciate lengthening the lowers since it returns the wheel near center of well, plus , it maintains a parallel configuration between the output flanges, negating the need ( not common to need on any 4" lift, but think uppers have to be adjusted to get pinion angle correct . Rick's method is idiot proof, which I appreciate ) for any funky drive shafts.

 

[NLXTACY]

Idiot proof is critical

 

[landtank]

I'm not a big believer in adjustability unless absolutely necessary.

Sure the panhards need it as every truck rides at a unique height and that influences the length of the rod.

The LCAs fix the rear pinion for a 4" lift and would likely work for a 6" lift also.

However, if there was a need to further move the pinion then calculating a slightly shorter upper arm really isn't that big a deal. The two would work in concert to fix the pinion angle at 6" of lift and likely be cheaper than just the set of upper adjustable arms. And definitely cheaper than going with adj arms and a rear DC shaft.

The run could include both stock and shorter arms but there would be a need for someone to work with me on the UCA design as I don't have a 6" lifted truck available and would need some readings taken.

The plan is to deliver these with new OEM bushing pressed in.

 

[aktundra]

Don't want to hi-jack the thread, but I am considering relocating my rear axle backwards a few inches. Is there a way to design adjustable uppers and lowers so that 50% is a kit, and maybe one end is to spec for whatever the customer has in mind?

Wondering if there is a design that might make the effort a little more economical for a shop, by casting a bigger net to include potential customers that want something other than a bolt-on replacement.