I bet under a real situation, you'll have WAY more than "a few more inches" of droop in there. Good work, here. Definitely getting me interested in doing something similar.
CK5
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Howdiy's halfassed 4 link
- Thread starter howdiy
- Start date
I bet under a real situation, you'll have WAY more than "a few more inches" of droop in there. Good work, here. Definitely getting me interested in doing something similar.
Adventurous 4x4
1/2 ton status
You will get quite a bit more droop out of those springs then a couple inches. Get the upper mounts done and flex that thing out. 
sawzall
Registered Member
any progress?
GsxrMike
1/2 ton status
Looks good man!
Adventurous 4x4
1/2 ton status
Need more pics. I am starting to order the parts for my links set up. I am going to mess around with some different products and see how it works out. I am going to start with 2x2x1/4" wall square tube for the lower links. Might use it on the uppers too. I am going to use the same springs you have. Link ends will be Currie Johnny Joints.
roughly, how much do you think you've got invested in this modification? Also, why do folks start with linking the rear, instead of the front?
Adventurous 4x4
1/2 ton status
The fronts seem to flex pretty well with leaf springs. My main reason is I can't stant the overhang off the back and no matter what I have done I am not happy with the rear flex. Plus I guess the rear is easier.
If all goes well I'll have some pics of it flex out on a dirt hill by tonight.
I can't wait to see your truck link buildup
I would probably use johnny joints if I did it again. I'm not really that happy with the quality of the ballistic joints and they kind of ticked me of with their phone orders. The chrome on the balls isn't very good and already was chipped a little bit. Although I did drop it from about 6" high 
. I probably would have used the square tube if I didn't find my link material in the remnant pile.
I think I'm just going to get some procomp es1000 cheapo shocks like I have on the front for now. I really don't need to blowing a bunch of money on shocks at the moment.
I'll have to make a list and copy and paste it, I'll have it by tonight. It's not too hatefull. All of my steel was .75-.85 cents a pound.
I just started with the rear because my leaf setup was pretty crappy. I had 2wd front hangers and a shackle flip in the rear so my springs were really angle down. This gave me a pretty crappy pinion angle.
Adventurous 4x4
1/2 ton status
Mine should proove interesting. None of the messing around on the 4 link calculator for me. I just get a picture in my mind and start tacking stuff into place. In all reality it's not rocket science and that will let me figure out a few things doing it old school.
The 4 link calc didn't really change too much for me.
I did end up triangulating the lowers more though.
It's really a pretty easy program, I thought it was complicated at first glance but it's basically just measurements from the ground and distances apart.
And the cost
springs 60
hardware 30
ballistic fab stuff 200
ruffstuff heims 100
steel ~200
So about 600 bucks
Holy ****
I know what you mean, I think mine was $500 or so but my springs were free and I didn't spend as much on steel.
Still, its not much more than a good set of leaves and I would not trade my 4 link for anything. Certainly one of the most worthwhile mods I've made to my rig
How does the on-street handling differ with a 4-link vs. the stock leaf setup?
That all depends, generally people use much softer springs in a 4 link so if you did that there would be more sway on the street.
Of course you don't have to use super soft springs, if you used a similar spring rate to the leaf springs it would probably be similar. And you could add a sway bar too.
Lots of OEM vehicles use link suspensions, they're certainly not inherently bad on the street
One thing I noticed is that the leaning in turns from the spool isn't as bad.
It's impossible to drive on the street at the moment without any shocks though
I hit a bump in the field today and man did it bounce. Nothing bottomed out though.
If I threw on a rear sway bar it would perfectly fine for the street. I plan on doing so eventually.
Some decent shocks would be nice also. I think I'm going to try and find some bilsteins for all 4 corners.
Right... I'll start a new thread to avoid hijacking...
I love hi-jacking
Drove it today. Realllllllyyy bouncy. Way worse than leafs with no shocks, no friction on coils.
I didn't really get it flex out that well. It was freezing, plus no shocks, plus my engine isn't running too well at the moment. It seemed like the front was doing all the work.
My axle looks further forward in the pics also.
I didn't really get it flex out that well. It was freezing, plus no shocks, plus my engine isn't running too well at the moment. It seemed like the front was doing all the work.
My axle looks further forward in the pics also.
