Ok. I used to wheel an XJ and my buddies all ran big Chevy stuff. I wrecked the XJ and built a big Chevy. Currently it's got a D60/14Bff, 39.5 Boggers, 350/SM465/205 combo and hydro steering. Truck's too big for our trails, and with the 8" lift and 3" body, it frankly isn't the best suited vehicle for tight technical driving. I found a clean '87 YJ rolling frame and body. My plan is to gut the GMC and swap everything useable over to the YJ. I got the frame completely stripped down and am ready to start building. A buddy came over last night and we argued over several beers about keeping leafs or going triangulated 4 link. I got drunk, and he won. I've always wanted to go tri-4, but frankly the math and shit scares me. I can weld and build, but I've been hesitant. I'm not rich, but I do have time, so I've decided to go for it. I figured to start out with I'd go "cheap" and see about using coils and shocks, then upgrading to coilovers or whatever later on. I'd also like to stretch the WB a few inches front and rear and keep it relatively low, but still clear tires with flat fenders front and a comp cut rear. It will be a non-street legal trailer queen.

That said, I was wondering if I might be able to see some pics of front and rear set ups that I could basically copy. With a jungle gym cage and a V8, whay type of coils should I look at? F150 coils? I already know what heim joints to use along with tube. Basically what I'm looking for help for is ideas where to mount the upper and lower link mounts on the frame and axles; along with which coils I should use to get an appropiate amount of lift? Thanks for any information and/or pictures!

There's only one thing to say to answer your question.



search




you'll find what you need

we are offering a complete bracket kit to do this. If you are going with stand alone coils we added a new bracket set for those to the site also. Head on over the the site and check them out.

-Dan

u could use aerosdtar coils if ur light enough, but u shouod search 1st

I was afraid I'd get that answer. Looks like I'll have to pony up and buy a star...Should have a long time ago I guess.

I was afraid I'd get that answer. Looks like I'll have to pony up and buy a star...Should have a long time ago I guess.


There's just so many opinions on how to do it and what to use. You'll have to decide for yourself what the 'way to go' is. There's just to many ways to make it work to answer your question(s).

Something like the BTF kit might be a great way to go as it's already 'engineered' and trail tested.

I suppose what it all boils down to is I don't care necessarily "what is right" or "what is best". I would just like a few detailed pics of "what works" or "what gets the job done", or "I like this set up". I can figure out the rest off of that. I'm not gonna be comp'ing this thing, nor do I need maximum adjustment possibilities. Good enough is fine with me; and good enough should probably still perform better than factory leaf springs.

I suppose what it all boils down to is I don't care necessarily "what is right" or "what is best". I would just like a few detailed pics of "what works" or "what gets the job done", or "I like this set up". I can figure out the rest off of that. I'm not gonna be comp'ing this thing, nor do I need maximum adjustment possibilities. Good enough is fine with me; and good enough should probably still perform better than factory leaf springs.



.......or you could just stay simple and get some decent flex and ride out of your leaf springs. Basicly it's a cost-benefit analysis that YOU have to make. A properly designed link suspension with a matched quality set of coilovers will flex and ride well, but at a premium hit to the budget (unless you've got some hookups at a shop or susp. mfg. or are willing to experiment with stock type stuff to make it work). However a balanced set of leaf springs and quality components will get you where you need to go with junkyard type pricing (and that's my budget). Take your pick somewhere in between.

There's TONS of information and opinions on this site if you're willing to search through all the posts that recommend that you 'search'.

Budget: longer leaf springs, extended wheelbase and traction bars can make for a very capable rig

mid range: A 'simple' stock Jeep style four link with a trackbar and 'long arms' OR a Bronco style radius arm setup utilizing off the shelf springs and shocks can be made to work, but at a little higher cost than the leaf springs (or not--again, there's a lot of variables about what you have access to and your knowledge bank (friends, etc.))

Whatever you want to spend: Custom Multi link systems can be designed to do about whatever you want them to do. You can use air shocks, coil overs or even a specific coil if you want.

You're kind of asking the age old question of 'how fast can I make my small block Chev go?" Answer = "how much money do you have?" (and if you're wanting to go fast, I'd tell you to to move up to the 454 or 502 and lose your small block ideas)



MY decision was to stick with leaf springs (Waggy fronts, flipped XJ rears with a TBI 350/700/D300 60/14 bolt) for now and if I didn't like them, I'd move into 4 link territory one end at a time depending on what competition rigs I could scavenge used parts from and make them work how I wanted to (coilovers, air shocks, etc.).