Wow - It's nice to hear someone with the same (or similar at least) opinion as mine on flex. I have been saying for years now that you can have too much flex, or articulation. Years ago I set out to build a full-size that could keep up with the Jeeps on the rock trails out here. I did it, to a point. I have a 1994 K1500 with a big block on links and coilovers with about 3 feet of wheel travel at each corner. It's really soft and flexes unbelievably. BUT, the only way I can even come close to maxing the suspension articulation is on a fabricated ramp or with a forklift, lol. I've had the thing flexed out crazy on the trails, and then when you go and inspect it, there is always still more travel left. It's just too much. It always gets to the point of rolling over before the suspension is maxed out. ....And the worst part is when it's in a really awkward position, and its so damn soft that if you give it any throttle it just twists the suspension more and wants to roll. I've added soft anti-sway bars to it to help keep it under control, which is basically taming down everything I built into the truck. It's completely pointless.
That being said, there is something else that I've been saying lately, and that is that there is differing "quality" of articulation too. Two vehicles that have the same flex on a ramp, same amount of wheel travel, etc... and one "walks" over rocks and they other twists and jumps over rocks. So far, the best system I've come up with is a reverse-triangulated 4-link in combination with either decently soft coil springs or coilovers. That setup seems to make the tires travel in the best arc, fit up into the wheelwells ideally, and overall just ride the best in terms of passenger comfort. It's a pain in the butt to build as opposed to some other designs, but it definitely works awesome on the trail.
SO.... I'm thinking that a reverse triangulated 4-link with soft leaf springs with shackles or sliders at either end and flex joints might be a sweet setup in terms of performance, and also a compact setup to fit under the full body of an SUV like a K5 or a Suburban. I'm sure I'll experiment with something like that in the future
Oh, and I completely agree with lockers NOT being overrated! They kick ass, and are absolutely required for most of the harder trails out here.
One of the guys from my old wheeling group had a little Toyota pickup, all beat up but with lockers front and rear. Near zero flex at all. We named the truck "Tripod" because he was always on three wheels with one in the air somewhere. It made for some decent pics at first, but nowadays I'd rather snap a shot of someone all flexed out with all tires on the ground than someone just hanging a tire. But you are right, most of the camera-holders like the photos of the stiff rigs more.
-Darren
Yah everything times 2
Same rear suspension as what I like although I have done several different types and I don't think I am sold on one particular setup.
Quality of articulation and equality is something I have been preaching for years. Get just a bit more flex out of the rear than the front. Keep it controlled 18" coilovers are for showoffs and rookies LOL
I have always wanted to do a leaf sprung link suspension. I may just in Horton but who knows. Its gonna stay its basic leaf sprung self for a while now.
Yah my buddies ram charger had oh I don't know about an inch or so of flex. I kid you not, but man was it stable, and lockers front and rear. He had 40s on 4" of lift and wheels with 2" of backspacing long, low and wide, it was a good thing he didn't mind body damage or lifting a tire. We had to beat stuff around pretty good after a trail ride so he could open the doors sometimes.
Good stuff man good stuff
(allergy to hops, I get sick off half a beer!!)
I think most folks would be happy even if I hung the same depth as an OE crossmember, just a smoother belly with t-case mount(s). At the moment, there are no production crossmembers for people with doublers.
Plus, being in the same state as you could make it nice for me to not have to pay shipping on something (just gas I guess)
