Tube/Hybrid Stretched 40 Frame and Suspension Design - Advice/Comments? (8 Viewers)

[DirtSniffer]

I'll be interested to see how the geometry works out. I'm still planning on turning my winch into a suckdown, which basically negates all of the front geometry anyways. I know the good moon buggies and KOH trucks usually have the geometry to work extreme well, but a lot of them still run one anyways for the control. The only guys that I have never really seen not running a suckdown are the bouncers, and they seem to prefer horsepower and wheel spin to send it.

I did cross post my thinking on the irate numbers thread and Treefrog has come back with some of his thoughts and added to the bible, but I guess I've made him think a bit and he may have more to add when he gets time.

I am also looking into a suckdown now myself, but will definitely want to have a decent range of adjustability in my brackets to play with antis.

 

[Ditcherman]

I did cross post my thinking on the irate numbers thread and Treefrog has come back with some of his thoughts and added to the bible, but I guess I've made him think a bit and he may have more to add when he gets time.

I am also looking into a suckdown now myself, but will definitely want to have a decent range of adjustability in my brackets to play with antis.

Was just revisiting the irate thread and saw your posts; were you or FJdiesel at SAS? Did we meet?
I’m really happy with my suspension, short of no sway bars - actually I’m happy with it but people smarter than me are telling me I need them - but anyway saw where you asked about others sharing their numbers and I’d be happy to if you want. Not sure where you or @fjdiesel are at on your builds.
I know I don’t regret one minute I spent studying those link calculators.

 

[Mike Shull]

Was just revisiting the irate thread and saw your posts; were you or FJdiesel at SAS? Did we meet?
I’m really happy with my suspension, short of no sway bars - actually I’m happy with it but people smarter than me are telling me I need them - but anyway saw where you asked about others sharing their numbers and I’d be happy to if you want. Not sure where you or @fjdiesel are at on your builds.
I know I don’t regret one minute I spent studying those link calculators.

I could be wrong but I think that @fjdiesel had the green stretched 40 with the Mercedes diesel under the hood and was camped in the RV near the office. Matt #3 also?

 

[Ditcherman]

I could be wrong but I think that @fjdiesel had the green stretched 40 with the Mercedes diesel under the hood and was camped in the RV near the office. Matt #3?

Man I missed it and would have loved to have seen that!
Also I propose Matt, Matt Too and Matt Also.

 

[Mike Shull]

Man I missed it and would have loved to have seen that!
Also I propose Matt, Matt Too and Matt Also.

Good point. Numbering seems inhumane.

 

[fjdiesel]

I could be wrong but I think that @fjdiesel had the green stretched 40 with the Mercedes diesel under the hood and was camped in the RV near the office. Matt #3 also?

You are correct Mike.

 

[fjdiesel]

Man I missed it and would have loved to have seen that!
Also I propose Matt, Matt Too and Matt Also.

I was bummed we didn't to get to chat and look over each others project as well!!

 

[Ditcherman]

I was bummed we didn't to get to chat and look over each others project as well!!

Did you get your link suspension finished?

 

[Ditcherman]

Good point. Numbering seems inhumane.

EVERYONE’S EQUAL!!
(Some of us are just more equal than others.)

 

[fjdiesel]

Was just revisiting the irate thread and saw your posts; were you or FJdiesel at SAS? Did we meet?
I’m really happy with my suspension, short of no sway bars - actually I’m happy with it but people smarter than me are telling me I need them - but anyway saw where you asked about others sharing their numbers and I’d be happy to if you want. Not sure where you or @fjdiesel are at on your builds.
I know I don’t regret one minute I spent studying those link calculators.

I am hoping I can get Dan (@DirtSniffer) to help me with my numbers here this fall. After SAS, I would like to move my rear axle back a couple inches, so redoing the rear 4 link. And I would like to get rid of the leafs in the front. But, I believe that I would be just fine doing a custom set of radius arms with 10 in front coilovers. I am not very savvy at the calculator......

 

[Ditcherman]

I am hoping I can get Dan (@DirtSniffer) to help me with my numbers here this fall. After SAS, I would like to move my rear axle back a couple inches, so redoing the rear 4 link. And I would like to get rid of the leafs in the front. But, I believe that I would be just fine doing a custom set of radius arms with 10 in front coilovers. I am not very savvy at the calculator......

Well I didn’t know anything about links or the calculator, but I made a lot of trips back and forth between packaging and calculating…. no laptop with excel. It can be overwhelming. One step at a time, divide and conquer.

People get really wrapped up with just right AS numbers, and I’ve watched Treefrog recommend worrying less and less about that as time has gone on. I’m at 63 AS rear and 77 front, and I think it handles beautifully.
My recommendation is don’t let someone talk you out of something that packages and hits all the other marks just because they think the AS should be close to 100.
That’s all I really had to contribute to Dirtsniffers conversation over on the numbers thread. That, and don’t be scared!

 

[Mike Shull]

Well I didn’t know anything about links or the calculator, but I made a lot of trips back and forth between packaging and calculating…. no laptop with excel. It can be overwhelming. One step at a time, divide and conquer.

People get really wrapped up with just right AS numbers, and I’ve watched Treefrog recommend worrying less and less about that as time has gone on. I’m at 63 AS rear and 77 front, and I think it handles beautifully.
My recommendation is don’t let someone talk you out of something that packages and hits all the other marks just because they think the AS should be close to 100.
That’s all I really had to contribute to Dirtsniffers conversation over on the numbers thread. That, and don’t be scared!

X2 on this advice. I’m at 80-85% AS/AD and I am super impressed with the performance. It all came down to packaging for me, otherwise I would have been around 90-100. I don’t need it to be any different for my driving style and comfort, plus I can stand it up on a steep Colorado obstacle with confidence without any axle hop or awkward movement of the suspension. I’m excited to test this setup in Moab as that will determine whether I need to make any further adjustments.

 

[DirtSniffer]

Not me, currently not in possession of a running solid axle Toyota. Lol. But I'll make it to SAS eventually. Long story short, ADHD took hold again and I changed to doing a 45 haha. Been working on the cab this summer, just got these corners I had BudBuilt bend up for me and will be tearing into that once I get back from my trip.

I am leaning away from the whole tube hybrid frame idea, as I am finding I will have adequate frame clearance just stacking rectangular tubing. Which will make building the frame MUCH easier and faster. Just need to make a notch for pumpkin and panhard. This will also do away with my little stinger front idea, but that's ok as it was way more clearance than needed and this way will allow me to run an 8274. It was also a bit questionable of it would have even been legal as I believe I need 10" extending past frame rails each side.

Trying to get ahold of awl_teq on here to see about getting a 45 tailgate from him, otherwise may go the chinesium route. But I've got a loose plan for a beefy 45-ish styleside bed using tubing and sheet that I really like. Needs work still.

Hoping to get cab shell together by fall, probably starting on frame first thing spring. Anyways, back to the mountains where there is no service!

 

[Mike Shull]

Not me, currently not in possession of a running solid axle Toyota. Lol. But I'll make it to SAS eventually. Long story short, ADHD took hold again and I changed to doing a 45 haha. Been working on the cab this summer, just got these corners I had BudBuilt bend up for me and will be tearing into that once I get back from my trip.

View attachment 3979292

I am leaning away from the whole tube hybrid frame idea, as I am finding I will have adequate frame clearance just stacking rectangular tubing. Which will make building the frame MUCH easier and faster. Just need to make a notch for pumpkin and panhard. This will also do away with my little stinger front idea, but that's ok as it was way more clearance than needed and this way will allow me to run an 8274. It was also a bit questionable of it would have even been legal as I believe I need 10" extending past frame rails each side.

View attachment 3979293

View attachment 3979294

View attachment 3979295

Trying to get ahold of awl_teq on here to see about getting a 45 tailgate from him, otherwise may go the chinesium route. But I've got a loose plan for a beefy 45-ish styleside bed using tubing and sheet that I really like. Needs work still.

View attachment 3979298

View attachment 3979299

View attachment 3979297


Hoping to get cab shell together by fall, probably starting on frame first thing spring. Anyways, back to the mountains where there is no service!

I think that you’ve made a wise choice and I can’t wait to see this thing come together!

 

[GW Nugget]

Those 3D renderings are insanely awesome.

 

[DirtSniffer]

Those 3D renderings are insanely awesome.

Thanks, I'm sure they look horrible to someone actually experienced with CAD, but it has been awesome for visualizing and laying stuff out.