Finished up the 4 link today. well not done but it is a rolling setup now. Specs, 3/4" FK rod ends, V8 Jeep ZJ coils, 1"x.156" links(temporary), all brackets 1/4" plate, truss - 3/8" plate and 1/4".

Need to gusset and finish welds to make her look pretty and strengthen it up. Make some new links out of better material, gusset the spring mounts. Mount up my shocks. I was pretty happy though.

Sorry for the darkness of the pictures, lighting in our shop isn't good for pictures. I'll get pictures of the suspension itself when we move it outside.

http://www.mandic4x4.com/images/s10/school/linked/flexed01.jpg

A tour walked through the shop when we started doing this.
http://www.mandic4x4.com/images/s10/school/linked/flexed02.jpg

http://www.mandic4x4.com/images/s10/school/linked/flexed03.jpg

http://www.mandic4x4.com/images/s10/school/linked/flexed04.jpg

http://www.mandic4x4.com/images/s10/school/linked/flexed05.jpg

And this is ride height. You can see in this and the next one the fender trimming we had to do just to fully stuff...
http://www.mandic4x4.com/images/s10/school/linked/flexed06.jpg

And my scrawny pale ass standing next to it, I stand 6' tall by the way.
http://www.mandic4x4.com/images/s10/school/linked/6foot.jpg

I over flexed a little. One rod end bound and turned. So suspension will be limited to less flex then this. Was able to achieve 37" under the lowest portion of the raised tire.

She is sitting at 114" wheelbase, when I install the zero rates up front it will be 115.5". I must say, the overload on the 52s really acted very well as a bump stop. The pack flattened out to it and just stopped compressing.

Weighed it on the 4 corner scales, came out at 3450lbs. That is, bare block, heads and intake, transmission, and a bunch of scrap/spare steel in the back. Hoping for 4500lbs, but not really keeping my fingers crossed.

Again, sorry for the dark pictures, better ones soon.

sweet!

Not criticizing, but it looks a little tall for what you had in mind...then again the pics aren't the greatest for judging height...what's it measure from the ground to the roof?

do your fron springs have a bolt clamp thingy (sorry brain not working right). on the rear of the pack like they do on the front? or did you leave it out on purpose?

just wondering, the back of your front springs looked fanned out, and i dont have any bolts in my clamps, but havent tested it yet.


ryan

nice work!

what coils are you using? Iam thinking of 3 or four link next time and am curious

ZJ v8 coils. They are really soft. May prove to be too soft. We will see when it is done.

No no clamps on the back of the springs and no plan to install them. I will wait until I have an issue with the springs fanning(none as of yet but all she has done is go on and off the trailer).

Mikey, its really not tall. I can see clear over the hood and I stand 5' tall. I expect it will be about as tall as my K5 with 4" of lift and 39.5s was when I get the 39.5s on. And being a smaller body overall height will be shorter.

Good deal, just looked tall for some reason. Probably all the space between the fenders and the tires since they're just shop rollers. Decided what to do about the front fenders yet?

on the front fenders, how about a cj look with flat or tube fenders?

looks good! makes me want to work on my s bomb!

thoes front springs are they from a 3/4 ton or half ton? and the are stock highth right?

ZJ v8 coils. They are really soft. May prove to be too soft. We will see when it is done.

No no clamps on the back of the springs and no plan to install them. I will wait until I have an issue with the springs fanning(none as of yet but all she has done is go on and off the trailer).

Mikey, its really not tall. I can see clear over the hood and I stand 5' tall. I expect it will be about as tall as my K5 with 4" of lift and 39.5s was when I get the 39.5s on. And being a smaller body overall height will be shorter.


Clamp em... when you get in a situation say... pointed up hill tryin to climb something.. and you maybe back up a bit with the front over a lege, rock or possibly nothing. They will Fan as the front unloads and this will make your pinion roll downward ALOT... front driveshaft possibly coming apart... ujoint binding up whatever... trust me it will happen. Ask me how I know :laughing:

looks good! makes me want to work on my s bomb!

thoes front springs are they from a 3/4 ton or half ton? and the are stock highth right?

stock rears off a K5(1/2 ton 52").

Maybe I'll clamp them, we'll see.

Nope not decided on front end yet. It looked really good when I put the front clip all the way to the front of the frame extension. But that is such a perfect spot for a Winch mount, don't think I can get rid of it.

Any updates on this?

Looks Like You Got A Great Start!
Link Suspentions Are A Great Way To Go
Jonny Joint And Rubicon Express Mounts Seem To Last Longer Than The Rubber Bushing Shackle Mount
I Hope To See More Pics As You Get Farther Along
Ever Thought About Link In The Front?
What Kind Of Wheeling Are You Building It For?