Why arent people 3 linking the rear of built 80’s? (1 Viewer)

[EWheeler]

One thing I think would help tremendously is going to coil overs in the rear, mounted as far outboard as possible. Mostly to control off camber/body roll, and get the thing to feel a little more planted. I'm at the point I might do the rear before the front.

I also concur that these things have a ton of sheet metal to smash through. I do love being able to drive mine anywhere, wheel and return all self contained, my wife even love driving the thing distances. That is making removing the rear a little more difficult. Would be nice to drop the CG and get some clearance around trees in the roof line.

You mentioned wishing you had longer upper links, what kept you from pushing the axle back? Would also help with trimming the door area for clearance for 40's. I know the frame starts to dive back down, and you'd have to sort out coil bucket placement, but I don't think I've seen anyone really try to push the axle back at all to help with tire to door clearance and also end up with longer links and slightly better geometry.

What is your approximate amount of lift? What coils are you running?

I really like how @Broski ran his rear anti-rock sway bar through the rear of the frame, would that help your situation with body roll? His truck appears wickedly stable off camber.....for an 80 series.

Appreciate the discussion from all.

 

[ThreeEyedBandit]

You mentioned wishing you had longer upper links, what kept you from pushing the axle back?

Time, bodywork and didn't like the way look. With the amount of work, it'll be tube bed time.
Right now the rod ends are almost bottomed out, so I could easily push it back 3". And with a new upper wishbone 5"?

What is your approximate amount of lift? What coils are you running?

Dobinsons 3" coils, softest one they have.

I really like how @Broski ran his rear anti-rock sway bar through the rear of the frame, would that help your situation with body roll? His truck appears wickedly stable off camber.....for an 80 series.

Swaybar is a great way to do it, giving the spring extra leverage will also help greatly. Both combined would be ideal, I need new shocks so the coilovers are how I will go at first(then swaybar).

 

[Pascoscout]

The main reason I wouldn't 3 link my rear is the amount of work to get something that is probably only a little better than the stock geometry. The three link itself would be easy enough but then your limiting factor is going to be coils and shocks. There isn't enough room to put shocks long enough to take advantage of the added flex (at least without lifting it ridiculously high) without cutting through the floor and completely redoing the upper shock mount. Coils just start to suck with a lot of travel so you may as well go with coil-overs at that point too. All that work and I still have a 6k lbs top heavy vehicle with a big ass that drags on everything

I wheel my 80 on some fairly hard stuff. I usually find the limiting factor for me is the front flex and the weight.