O have read a ton of stuff on this, 100 people for and 100 people against it, mostly people I don't know, what do you guys think?
thinking about 4 link for the rear
- Thread starter Krazyfj
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Seems like a lot of expense and fab work when leafsprings do a great job. I'm not saying that I wouldn't want a linked truck I have thought about it many times. The cost doesn't justy the benefit on a truck that is already leaf sprung.
Look at the most hard core truck in the club and most are leaf spring.
If you are going to link it just build a buggy and keep it the 40 for moderate wheeling and driving.
Look at the most hard core truck in the club and most are leaf spring.
If you are going to link it just build a buggy and keep it the 40 for moderate wheeling and driving.
Yeah I would leave the 40 leaf sprung and enjoy running moderate trails with it. I dont think linked suspension really shines until you are in buggy territory and have no fear of bashing it/rolling it...which i personally would feel bad about doing with a nice looking 40.
Link it, ride along with Gary Rappanotti some time. He goes places with less trouble than a leaf sprung rig can.
If you got the cash and time to do it great. There are some vendors out there that have kits, all you have to do is supply the tube and figure out the geometry.
If you got the cash and time to do it great. There are some vendors out there that have kits, all you have to do is supply the tube and figure out the geometry.
I totally agree that there are some situations where things are easier on a linked truck but look at Kina's Franky, Russ' Jeep, and the Suzuki that were at the Fall Gathering. They went everywhere at Gretchens and were still leaf sprung. For me the cost doesn't equal the benefit unless you are planning a purpose built buggy.
Yes I am bummed that I didn't get to ride along in Gary's red truck at the Fall Gathering. Maybe next year.
Yes I am bummed that I didn't get to ride along in Gary's red truck at the Fall Gathering. Maybe next year.
linked 40 would be cool. what wheelbase are u planning to run?
- Thread starter
- #9
I want to be somewhere at 101" to 104",
4 link is not hard to do, but it will take some time to figure out all the angles. will it be coil springs or 1/4 elliptical, maybe air shocks?
- Thread starter
- #11
Air shocks
So the debate between links and leafs is long and everybody goes through the urge to have a crazy 4 link setup. But in my experience the only people who actually benefit from it are those who want to attack Hard Hard obstacles. The only benefit in the end to having a linked suspension as opposed to leaf sprung suspension is you can set your ride height lower, and in doing so have a better center of gravity. So unless you yern to attack those obstacles tom, ide leave it leaf sprung. If your just looking to get more flex outa your rig, I could help you set up your spring system to flex better. Jackie "hypoid" built a 63 inch chevy suspension on the rear of his truck that will flex better than most tube buggies.
Grace is aproaching the point at which I will have to put dual 4 links under her, but Ive got more tricks to do before I go that route. First will be to widen the wheel track. So I picked up a t 100 rear end that has a good 8 inches of width on the minitruck axle, and Ill rob the axle shafts outa it and cut the flanges off the t 100 housing and graft them onto a minitruck housing. Then i'll make a custom length front axle housing hopefully late in the summer. possibly I will widen an fj 80 housing if some parts guys on pirate 4x4 come through with there products. That and some rear suspension redesign may keep grace off of her lid for one full fall gathering... maybe.
Grace is aproaching the point at which I will have to put dual 4 links under her, but Ive got more tricks to do before I go that route. First will be to widen the wheel track. So I picked up a t 100 rear end that has a good 8 inches of width on the minitruck axle, and Ill rob the axle shafts outa it and cut the flanges off the t 100 housing and graft them onto a minitruck housing. Then i'll make a custom length front axle housing hopefully late in the summer. possibly I will widen an fj 80 housing if some parts guys on pirate 4x4 come through with there products. That and some rear suspension redesign may keep grace off of her lid for one full fall gathering... maybe.
rain76king
Wicked Pissah Cruisah Haulah a NLC.
- Thread starter
- #14
N8,
I am of course looking to get as much flex as I can and I am looking to step up my game towards bigger obstacles, Unfortunately in Connecticut I run with a lot of jeeps that are linked, plus my fjcruiser is linked in the rear they seem to be a lot smoother through the rough stuff and more predictable on bigger stuff.
That being said N8 I don't think I am at your skill level where I could almost roll on flat ground and drive out of it like I meant to do that!!!!!!!
Due to money and time restraints I have decided to leaf it and see how it goes this year, N8 if you have any suggestions please feel free to throw them at me
Thanks,
Tom
I am of course looking to get as much flex as I can and I am looking to step up my game towards bigger obstacles, Unfortunately in Connecticut I run with a lot of jeeps that are linked, plus my fjcruiser is linked in the rear they seem to be a lot smoother through the rough stuff and more predictable on bigger stuff.
That being said N8 I don't think I am at your skill level where I could almost roll on flat ground and drive out of it like I meant to do that!!!!!!!
Due to money and time restraints I have decided to leaf it and see how it goes this year, N8 if you have any suggestions please feel free to throw them at me
Thanks,
Tom
Hey n8 Ken and I are parting out a 94' 80 right now we still have the axles.
the 4 link in the rear gives you super flex and makes the sprung over front work harder. It does let you lower the center of gravity. The cruiser just flexes easy and lets the tires put the traction on all fours. It cost me about $3000 in parts. I am real happy with it and definetly would do it again.
- Thread starter
- #17
got any pic's of that 4-link?
I agree with this^, if your 40 is nice.
