Curious- you guys with space and ability, why not 4link more often?

[badmix]

I see threads and posts of ppl doing frame offs and stripping bodies from frames and mix matching parts, but it seems more often than not everyone goes back to leafs. This is old technology and there are better ways. If you have the skills to do frame offs, why not just go a lil extra and four link the back and front? Jus wondering.

 

[howdiy]

I'll happily put a 4 link in my truck if you pay for it

 

[rufusbooth]

Leaves = cheap
4 link = $X$
:-)

 

[badmix]

I find that most of the 4link involves labor and Ive seen some awesome work and welding skills on this forum, that is why I ask.

 

[scottishdave]

If you have the skills to do frame offs, why not just go a lil extra and four link the back and front? Jus wondering.

Apparently i have the skill for a frame off...well we will see when its all back together. But attempting to do a link set-up with my level of skill and knowledge would set my build back..oh....about 10 years.

 

[hmatiak]

I find that most of the 4link involves labor and Ive seen some awesome work and welding skills on this forum, that is why I ask.

To do a 4 link once and do it right the first time there is some decent cost involved.

You have to think about all the parts to included the small stuff. Heres a quick list:

-DOM for links, at least 10ft
-all the link ends and threaded tube adapters
-coils w/ buckets or air shocks or coilovers
-then add the cost for material for your rear axle truss and the brackets off the frame
-also the cost to run your machines to weld, cut and fab all these parts and pieces.

I am in the beginning stages of doing a bob and 4 link rear on an extra one ton frame i have. Ill keep a running tab on cost. Plan is to run air shocks as well so that 500 right off the bat. Ive also spent about 200 on plate to box the frame and other stuff for the welder like gas and wire.

IT ADDS UP!

 

[MNorby]

Current re-built of my 71 K5:

$660- Shocks
$280- truss
$450- joints and some brackets
$ 90- more brackets from poly
$ 40- used btf brackets
$200- DOM for links
$100- inserts and jam nuts
$200- used c/o springs
---------------------
$ 2020 than add misc little things would probably add up to $2100

Some things could have gotten cheaper or built more brackets instead of just buying but its cleaner this way. My DOM was also high $$ too because my links had to be so long and I also used 1/2" wall on my lowers because of the length and leverage on them

 

[4X4HIGH]

There's alot more to it than just "slapping on 4 link bars". Also if it is a dual purpose rig (i think many are) links don't live very long on street duty (the ends will wear out quickly). Then there is the extreme amount of cost involved.

 

[pauly383]

They do this in AZ , its not just for driveshafts . The most expensive part is the hardware and link ends .

 

[doonjumper]

Current re-built of my 71 K5:

$660- Shocks
$280- truss
$450- joints and some brackets
$ 90- more brackets from poly
$ 40- used btf brackets
$200- DOM for links
$100- inserts and jam nuts
$200- used c/o springs
---------------------
$ 2020 than add misc little things would probably add up to $2100

Some things could have gotten cheaper or built more brackets instead of just buying but its cleaner this way. My DOM was also high $$ too because my links had to be so long and I also used 1/2" wall on my lowers because of the length and leverage on them

Sooooooo what part is the 71'?

 

[73redblaze]

awesome lookin rig MNorby

 

[lectric80]

I think for a lot of us it comes down to use. If I was building a Blazer chassis for strictly crawling/off road use, I would probably invest the time and money in building a nice link setup. If I am building for lighter crawling and street use, the stock setup allows much longer life and more flexible use.

Some day I will have my Krusty as the mall crawler and build me another off road only Blazer with a link setup. It should be right after I win the powerball lottery.

 

[sope]

Leaves are simple and cheap like has been stated. I honestly don't need much more flex than I already have on my trail rig and I run 4" stock length lift springs all around. We don't really have big rock trails here though.

 

[MNorby]

Sooooooo what part is the 71'?

About 1/2 of the frame and 1 crossmember.
It isn't about getting more flex or whatever, you can have a super flexy leaf sprung rig. Its about getting the traction to the ground and being able to tune it out

 

[6.2Blazer]

You simply can't compare a body-off restoration to fabricating a 4 link suspension. Sure, a body-off or simply extensive rebuild requires a lot of time and little bit of know how but in the end it is just unbolting one thing and bolting back on another the same way it came off.

A properly designed 4 link starts out with a proper design. There are a lot of variables to take into consideration regards to the overall design and proper link placement and angles. This all effects items such as anti-squat, roll center, etc... which basically determine how the suspension works. You just dont' randomly slap on some links and coilovers and call it good. Once the design is done you then need to do the custom fabrication of the parts and make them fit.

 

[73redblaze]

i would love to and my truck never sees pavement but here are my reasons
1. i dont have the skill
2. i dont have the know how
3. i dont have the money

 

[toomany]

For me a 4 link wouldn't really fit the type of wheeling I do. I do run sand/mud drags, so it could help there, but I'm not trying put 700hp to the ground. I mainly run trails and mud bogs so leafs work just fine. I have the skills to build one (did one on a drag car), but the cost is another thing holding me back. And for some reason I'm running out of space. If I ripped the K5 completly appart I wouldn't have much room to work on it.