SAS Advice 3-link vs. Leaf Srpings

[jynx]

Alright Guys I need a little advice from the brain-trust.

I am in process of sourcing parts to mke an SAS of my DD happen. I already have a 1983 axle for rebuilding, and a hi-pinion third from the LC, so the basics are covered. I really want to 3-link it so that I can dial in my ride height and I am ready for a nice ride. This truck will see mostly road miles with an occasional trail, but mostly streets and job-sites.

The ulterior motive is also to address some suspension problems that make a good alignment impossible to achieve due to some of the IFS brackets being bent from PO. I have had the truck for going on 12 years and have always intended to fix it by doing an SAS on it, so as wild as it sounds that is my primary motivation, ride quality is a close second and off-roadability is a distant third.

All that said I am looking very hard at the 4WheelUnderground 3-link front system. The basic kit, probably with one link end welded. The quality of Brian's products is amazing from what I have seen and the adjustability of the CO's to dial things in just right is what I am after.

I want to keep it super low, like 3" of lift to clear 33's and it look like it belongs (not have a lot of unused wheel well above) 35's max and still nice and low.

So here is my quandary and the reason for my question. As I have been going thru and adding up things I know that I am going to be looking at a minimum of $4k invested for the 3-link (links, brackets, CO's, hy-steer, knuckle rebuild, rear springs, shocks,etc) and that is not including regearing and new tires and wheels if necessary. That said I can probably do a leaf setup for under $2k plus gears and tires.

So is the CO 3-link worth the extra $$?

My other issue, and this is probably my biggest concern, is that this will be my first major undertaking and I am not sure that I trust my un-refined abilities for this to be my first major project, especially since this is my DD. I know that the link system that Brian makes seems to be very user friendly, but I am still concerned.

Rebuilding axles, motors, etc. I am pretty confident in but when it comes to building and setting up this type of system, it just seems overwhelming to me.

What say you all? Would you take this on as your first major fabrication project? Or would you do the leafs for now and do the links later? I am a huge proponent of do it right the first time, but in this case I am on the fence.

I also know that with the leafs I would loose the fine tunability as well as have less chance to keep it as low as I am looking for.

Any thoughts or opinions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Tucker

 

[me_tu05]

Fix and upgrade the IFS, that sounds like all you really need.

 

[fjfodee]

I understand where your coming from. I want to SAS my 94 for some reason. Brian's kit looks great and I would love to go that route, but I don't think it would be logical seeing how my truck is NEVER offroad. It would be cool as hell though. I don't mind the ride of a leaf sprung truck, and since it is only my part time DD, it's not that big of a deal. If you ever plan on wheeling it, I say go 3-link and be done. If not, I would probably just go leaf. Alcan spring can build you whatever height leaf you want, or if you don't mind doing a little fender trimming, you can get a flatter leaf for the lower stance. HTH

 

[Radd Cruisers]

I too have being looking at both options, I really would like the 3link but overall cost is double.

For me it may a budget issue and might have to go with the old leaf sprung system.

 

[jynx]

The budget is gonna be a factor, but I can probably "collect" parts to spread out the cost.

The main thing is can I do it to my satisfaction in a reasonable timeframe and safely?

Since this is my primary DD and I drive it a minimum of 60 miles daily and can put as much as 250-300 on it in a day, if I plan to keep running it like this (and I do), then I feel like I am due a nice ride. The other thing I am really trying to achieve is a low slung SAS. In my mind I want a solid axle up front that I can run 33's on and have them look like they belong.

To stay low like I'm trying to, I guess with either I will have to trim the frame to get the HY-steer to clear, but with the 3link I can run the tie rod under the arms to help minimize the trimming.

From your experience what job would you rate each? My guess is a leaf setup would be a & 1/2 job and the link would be a +

I think I am trying to justify it to myself and to convince myself that I can do it myself in my garage with my moderat skills and moderate tool collection.

As to the springs, how well would a set of Alcans ride? vs. A CO? I know the CO's will be better, but how much better? And if you throw in the price of a custom set of Alcans, where do you land on it? What about a spring under conversion? I know that seems backwards but it would take care of the HY-steer interference with the springs, and I thought I remember reading that the ride is better too.

I'm just throwing some ideas out there.

Thanks for the comments, keep them coming

Tucker

 

[x factor]

Radius arms would be a better fit if you're not going to wheel it hard core. They would take up less space than a 3 link and can have adjustable caster if built right. Just a thought.