Topic: 3 or 4 link??

[slower]

ok so i got back working on the truck and got a wild hair up my ass, and thought about possible doing a link setup on the truck. what i would like to know is the pro and cons of linking a truck would be? and the difference between 3 and 4 link is other than 3 and 4 links? i would say i have i have 3 of 4 out of 10 with fab experience would it be smart to attempt?   

[TacoRunner]

First I'd say look at this

http://board.marlincrawler.com/index.php?topic=71291.0

Then I'd say get a subscription to this

www.4wdtoyotaowner.com

[mtm]

ive done a rear 3link on my 82pu using landcruiser coils and its worth doing. theres loads of info out there and i would say its not realy that difficult of a job to do as there are kits that give you all the brackets although i did fab my own up as its expensive getting the parts in the uk. the upper coil mounts are dislocation cones that alow the spring to seperate from the chassi

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enFjGwb8NpY

heres a few pics

[slower [OP]]

~tacorunner thanks, i have seen your work and it looks top notch!

~mtm sweet rig man and thanks for your input. are you using your shocks as your limiting straps?

 but i would still would like to know how you choose a 3 or a 4 link

[TacoRunner]

Front end 3link if you are running a steering box and you dint like bump steer. Because the steering system is a mechanical devise the swings in a arc your suspension must also swing in that same arc or you will have bump steer.

Rear 3 or 4. Your vehicle will drive down the road much better with less Roll Steer. Your Roll Steer will get worse as you lift your truck. To counter this effect you will need to build triangulation into the lower links. You cant do that with a gas tank in the way. So you move it. Some people dint want to do that. So they use a 3 link and leave the tank. In addition to triangulated lower links being in the way, the upper links will also intersect the tank. So unless you move the tank forget the 4link.

Now we have seen some wish bone 3links built around the tank, but I would not drive one of those down the freeway. You can but I'm not. I have no idea what one of those would do at speed on a crowded freeway.

[mtm]

i went with the 3 link for the ease of fitting as i didnt have to move the gas tank. i changed things a bit now i have gone for softer coils which are larger so i had to move the mounts and the shocks bottomed out. i have made up a removeble coil spring/ upper shock mount which seems to be working out.
i plan on fitting some limit straps just not got round to it yet

heres a pic of the new coil mount

 

 

[87pickup]

I think most people chose a rear 3 link over a 4 link only because they cant fit a 4 link. I think a 4 link rear is more predicatble. i am doing a 3 link front because its all i can really fit in a stock toy frame and a rear triangulated 4 link. Im not really a fan of coils but if money is tight then do wht you gotta do.

[mtm]

the coils is a lot cheaper option as most can be free. over here in the uk in your money we are looking at about $700 to $800 a corner for coilovers

[SAUBEL]

go with air shocks 400 a corner for the baddest air shocks u can buy then u dont have to run springs

[TacoRunner]

go with air shocks 400 a corner for the baddest air shocks u can buy then u dont have to run springs

Air shocks can be difficult to tune, and while they sound great because of their low cost, so many people find that coils are a more relaible way to go.

[locked 4x4]

Why are air shocks so hard to tune?

[TacoRunner]

Well, for one, you dont just slide a spring off. The valving is the same as any other shock, but you play with oil levels and air pressure, that and lots of people dont understand them. That of course is the biggest. What I dislike the most about them is that fact that after running them hard for a while the air starts to heat up and expand, which raises the vehicle. Or if its cold out you would sit lower.

[rcks4me]

not if you use nitrogen like you are suppose  to:thumbs:

[TacoRunner]

not if you use nitrogen like you are suppose  to:thumbs:

The nitrogen only controls ride height, it's not the spring the oil is.

[SAUBEL]

I CAN SEE THE OIL HEATING UP AND CHANGING THE HIGHT IF YOUR PRE RUNNING, BUT NOT CRAWLING. ITS EASY TO LET SOME AIR OUT ON THE TRAIL JUST SEEMS LIKE AND EASIER AND CHEAPER SOLUTION THEN RUNNING COILS.

[SAUBEL]

OH AND THEY LOOK MUCH CLEANER

[twistedtoy92]

Air shocks are nice but if you lose a seal/air then you are fubarred unless you are carrying a spare air shock... I'll be running coil overs for assurance!

[TacoRunner]

I CAN SEE THE OIL HEATING UP AND CHANGING THE HIGHT IF YOUR PRE RUNNING, BUT NOT CRAWLING. ITS EASY TO LET SOME AIR OUT ON THE TRAIL JUST SEEMS LIKE AND EASIER AND CHEAPER SOLUTION THEN RUNNING COILS.

When the oil heats up your ride height doesn't change, its when the air heats up that it changes. And yes you could let air out but you then would also need to have a valve to let you do that. If you just hit the schradder valve then you'll likely let out to much air. Those things are at well over 250psi, one hit from the schradder and you could loose a lot more air than you thought to. And my personal opionion is that coilovers look why better than a simple smooth body shock. It is cheaper but like twistedtoy92 said, if it goes then what.