The more flex you get out of the front end such as by extending the length of the 80 arms or going 3 link, the more likely you will need the hellfire knuckles I would think to keep the drag link from binding.
Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
I would go RuffStuff before TrailGear everyday of the week... quality and business ethics always win out over cost for me.
My fab guy uses the cam location as the center of mass height in absence of an actual measurement.
I've got two sheets for the front link of my plow FJ55 from my fab guy; 67" wide axle and 60". His geometry numbers are MUCH different. Both of his Anti-Squat are at 47.14. The Roll Center height is 22.9x" for both. The Roll Axis Angle is -1.29 and -0.68.
These are results for ~3" of lift over stock... or 2-3" shorter than the green 55.
The more flex you get out of the front end such as by extending the length of the 80 arms or going 3 link, the more likely you will need the hellfire knuckles I would think to keep the drag link from binding.
My 55 is in project form right now The plow will be mostly seasonal... although I'm sure some would get a good laugh at a plow going through the rubicon in summer
The links are the links... plow or not makes no difference. The ride height will be in the springs. Right now, I'm on the path of 1/4 elliptical(1/2 of a full leaf spring ) If needed, I will add a supplement to handle the plow.
Current FJ80 steering is VERY low on the axle. The hellfire knuckles put the steering at the very top and thus give you less angle from the box to the knuckle.
I am unsure how my fab guy came up with his numbers. But he is a premier fab guy in northern California so I trust his choices explicitly. I expect it to handle well.
For the links, here is a picture of his numbers setup on a 60" wide axle:
View attachment 2148245
The upper link slopes downward(1" front to rear on a 39" link) but keep in mind that this is because I'm going super ultra low for 35" tires; my frame height is going to be 18-19" from the ground
I talked with my fab guy on Monday about his numbers. I will paraphrase his answer so I may have something slightly off.
His claim is 100% AS is a road car number. Offroad will not ride nice especially on washboards. If I recall the story right, 100% AS during cornering can lift a tire.
He said 40 to 50% in the front will cause the front to dive down in braking conditions and also suck down during hard 4wd acceleration. It will ride "softer"... his description sounded like the debate between vertical shackle versus 45 degree angle kind of difference.
He also mentioned that above 100% and that end of the vehicle will raise up under force. So if you had 200% in a rear four link, the axle will walk under the rig when you mashed the gas.