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new 1/4 elliptical idea on a fullsize

k5 krawler 50

k5 krawler 50

1/2 ton status
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Jan 26, 2004
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Gardnerville, NV
A while ago, i asked about running a 1/4 elliptical on the rear of a k5. There was one guy on here who did it, and some members said it would be cool, but the weight of the vehicle would probably not work with that type of suspension. So i went looking around on the net and found this cool way to make a bumpstop/ride adjustment with an airbag. Here is a pic. Now would this help with the support of the weight or is this just a not so good idea either. i would also not mount the bag to the leaf pack. I dont know. It's just something that caught my eye and was wondering what you guys thought.
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=43119&stc=1
 
If you are going to take the time and effort to go 1/4 elliptic just link it up and run some coilovers. 1/4 elliptic can flex really well but it has alot of side effects. You are going to have a hard time finding a spring rate that is a happy medium especially with a fullsize rig. 1/4 elliptic is also very prone to rear steer which can make life four wheeling very interesting to say the least.

Harley
 
oh I remember that setup, I have a video of it airing up somewhere. I must agree coilovers are more the way to go. That setup is just so complex it seems stupid to me. On a fullsize you'll max out the leaf springs and just rely on the airbags while you kill the springs.
 
1/4 elliptical done the right way is just as expensive as 4 link and coilover. For the ultimate in cheap I'd probably run a bushed crossed 4 link with Ford superflex 8" lift coils.
 
Sure, just run coilovers and look like everyone else. The first time I saw a 1/4 elliptical I was just amazed by the cool factor. It was different and had some wicked flex.
 
definetally cool, I still think it is anyway, but like noted if you want some cheaper option, its not.
 
Where's Josh when you need him????...... JOSH???



I'd like to hear how he's doing with his, now that he's been living with it for at least a couple of years. I saw some pics and I have video clips of him going over some pretty gnarly rockpiles....the truck didn't look like it was working all that hard to do it either. :thinking:
 
Keep in mind that 1/4 elliptic springs are SPRINGS, they have nothing to do with the locating linkage (which causes roll steer, antisquat problems, etc) and will hold up ANY truck if they're built to do it. Coils are definitely cheaper and easier and coilovers start making sense pretty quick if you want a premium shock with it. As far as being different? I'd find some other way to make the rig unique rather than make it hard to build, hard to tune, heavier than it could be.

Leaves do have some advantage space wise since they typically package flat and horizontal, that could help them fit under a bed floor if that's a big deal for you.
 
There is a reasteer issue related to 1/4 eliptic. Yes the link design causes it but the springs force you into a link length. If you were to do a normal link system (links anywhere from 28-33") you would need a spring that was symmetrical, and at about 60" long. So you use 52" springs, cut them in half and now your links need to 26" (short slightly short on a rear suspension). If you run with 30" links and use roll steer than you can keep the 26" long half leave. This is where coils start to sound awsome.
 
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