Opinions please and pros and cons of each if you would please.......

7 LINK <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">


http://www.sierrarockcrawlers.com/community/rocktoy/7link.jpg

[ 10-02-2001: Message edited by: Rock Toy ]

Originally posted by Rock Toy:
<STRONG>7 LINK <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">


http://www.sierrarockcrawlers.com/community/rocktoy/7link.jpg

[ 10-02-2001: Message edited by: Rock Toy ]</STRONG>

What the hell is that on? I've been to your site but I don't remember seeing that there!

That's Chris Gage's Senior Project <IMG SRC="smilies/wink.gif" border="0"> 60's front & rear, custom engineered 7-link computer-controlled airbag suspension and some other stuff....HEAVY AS HELL!!!!!

http://www.sierrarockcrawlers.com/community/rocktoy/chris2.jpg
http://www.sierrarockcrawlers.com/community/rocktoy/chris3.jpg
http://www.sierrarockcrawlers.com/community/rocktoy/Chris1.jpg
http://www.sierrarockcrawlers.com/community/rocktoy/chris4.jpg

[ 10-02-2001: Message edited by: Rock Toy ]

damm thats more like a work of art than a suspension setup!

So the point of all those links (the 3 in the front view) is to keep the upper and lower air bag mounts parallel to each other? Why? I have seen airbags work just fine when the mounts are not parallel.

Also that is what happens if you watch too many pontiac comercials (wider is better)

Hit the switches homieeeee... <IMG SRC="smilies/glasses.gif" border="0"> I am essay <IMG SRC="smilies/massey.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/jeep1.gif" border="0">


Originally posted by Rock Toy:
<STRONG>
http://www.sierrarockcrawlers.com/community/rocktoy/Chris1.jpg
</STRONG>

<IMG SRC="smilies/eek.gif" border="0"> HOLY METAL BARS BATMAN, GAWD DAMED DUDE! THATS AWSOME WORK!

SWEET <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/grinpimp.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/beer.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/skull.gif" border="0">

wtf is that thing supposed to do???

I mean does it climb hills without "Jacking" does it climb hills without rolling?

Great work, but The CG looks WAY TO HIGH to me

Wow! Any more pictures? Part numbers, etc? Also how about a picture of the front end.

Yeah is that in a kit I can buy from 4WD Hardware or something. <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">
J/K, looks like a sweet setup

Cool Setup but the way it looks to me the obstacle must be on the left side of the vehicle for the front sudpension to work and rigth side for the rear
It looks awsome but i dont see how this would work
If the right tire went up it would pull the left side down and if both right front and right rear tires went up it would be in one helluva bind!!!

Correct me if im dillusionary!!

Originally posted by Ok 4 Link:
<STRONG>
Correct me if im dillusionary!!</STRONG>
I've seen it articulate.... and you are dillusionary!!

Yes I am dillusionary
I finally seen how this works
Thats pretty bad im building a 4 link right now and im gonna use that theory!!!!

Cool!!!

Can you say unnecessary!
<IMG width=640 height=480 SRC="http://www.pirate4x4.com/ubb/uploads/Chris1.jpg">
From one engineer to (senior Eng?) another, all these links are totally overboard. The same amount of flex and even more for that matter can be accomplished with a simple 3 links design. The CG is way to high, the bulk of it alone looks like it will tip over very quickly. Not to mention being computer controlled. Should one part of the system fail what is used for manual control? Or this thing have an air pump on board. The design is interesting and I am sure you had great intentions. But as you should know and obviously should have seen here on this board, simplicity will do every time.

We shall see how it performs, The main thing is that the COG can be "moved" to where you want it.

No, there are no airbags that work well at angles, and if you point at the scorp, or some other apps, they all either work poorly or have a similary complicated system to compensate for angle.

This is not about "amount of flex" its about controlling your flex, and using the COG to help you, instead of hinder you.

There is also adjustable spring rate in this thing, 4 rates per spring actually, from stiff to sloppy, the frame doubles as 9 air reservoirs 8 spring rate lowering reservoirs, and one pressure tank.

The computer controls are optional, there are 3 modes of operation,
1 full manual control
2 computer controlled "settings" left side hill, up hill, downhill, deep water, ect ect you get the idea, there are 12 of those modes to choose from
3 Full autority closed loop computer control, it uses feedback to decide how to compensate.

There is no mechanical Binding or Linkage associating the front and rear axles. no scorp like tricks going on. just air springs.

I think this has deviated from
racinhound-Dale's origional question.
my wack ass creation is totally experimental.
Dale,
you are probably best off with a conventional 4 link design, with the lowers parallel and the uppers converging, and having them not too steep from the ground. Plus a little bit of IC thrown in there to boot. There is a reason why this has become the "conventional" suspension design.

I mean no offense to you dude, but why the harsh words? You didnt waste your time on it, he spent his time making something "HE" thought was worth while building. Who are you to judge? I know i am not one to... But i do admire those with creativity and mechanical ability he has honestly proved. And yes we'll all just have to wait and see how his rig does on the hills. For what ever perpose he built his rig is for him, and him alone, i doubt he was trying to impress you. And again, this is <IMG SRC="smilies/usa.gif" border="0"> and we are ALL entitled to our opinions, i just wish others wouldnt be so harsh to judge.

Thats all...
-SMART ASS

Originally posted by bertha:
<STRONG>Can you say unnecessary!
<IMG width=640 height=480 SRC="http://www.pirate4x4.com/ubb/uploads/Chris1.jpg">
... simplicity will do every time.</STRONG>

Originally posted by SMART ASS:
<STRONG>I mean no offense to you dude, but why the harsh words? You didnt waste your time on it, he spent his time making something "HE" thought was worth while building. Who are you to judge? I know i am not one to... But i do admire those with creativity and mechanical ability he has honestly proved. And yes we'll all just have to wait and see how his rig does on the hills. For what ever perpose he built his rig is for him, and him alone, i doubt he was trying to impress you. And again, this is <IMG SRC="smilies/usa.gif" border="0"> and we are ALL entitled to our opinions, i just wish others wouldnt be so harsh to judge.

Thats all...
-SMART ASS

Originally posted by bertha:
Can you say unnecessary!
<IMG width=640 height=480 SRC="http://www.pirate4x4.com/ubb/uploads/Chris1.jpg">
... simplicity will do every time.</STRONG>

Was not trying to be harsh. Just offering an opinion of another engineer. Often times I too am given opinions about what I design and take it with stride. I may not agree either but that is the world of design and someone may know more than you. Yes, the rig is very creative, well built (from pics), and abviously well thought out. But as I started out in this business(eng) I too was dreaming big and creative. I have learned that this does not always work for the best and we eventually end up going back to the basics. That is what I am trying to say. And as stated, this has gone from what the real question really was, sorry.

Hey Bertha, no harsh words dude, only constructive criticizm. Thats what I say at least.
You know how it goes in the engineering world, some times you get slammed in a design review and somtimes you do the slamming.....and all it really is, is slamming each others designs all day long, that is how you come up with cool solutions... In fact, I think the only thing i did all day long today was talk with the other geeks, and say "what about ______?" and "Fuk that sit!" Its always fun to break the laws of physics. I work for Novellus as an ME in Robotics/wafer handling/automation. coolest part of the job is breaking the rulz.
What do you do dude???????????????

Actually this thing has already been on some side hills that I nver thought were possible before. And height wise, the tires stuff the fenders on max articulation, so if you are building a YJ on 44's that is as low as you can make it, it is as low as my rig, (deflated), unless you cut the tub in the rear and the hood in the front.

Still waiting on the puker factor involved with the steep ascents and descents, but the WB is a buck ten. <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

Originally posted by Diesel Junkie:
<STRONG>Hey Bertha, no harsh words dude, only constructive criticizm. Thats what I say at least.
You know how it goes in the engineering world, some times you get slammed in a design review and somtimes you do the slamming.....and all it really is, is slamming each others designs all day long, that is how you come up with cool solutions... In fact, I think the only thing i did all day long today was talk with the other geeks, and say "what about ______?" and "Fuk that sit!" Its always fun to break the laws of physics. I work for Novellus as an ME in Robotics/wafer handling/automation. coolest part of the job is breaking the rulz.
What do you do dude???????????????</STRONG>

Before my current job here for the good ‘ol GOV’T, I worked as a design engineer for NovaBus Inc. I was design eng. for chassis, drivetrain and engines. I do understand the criticism and sometimes it bothers you till no end. But that’s the game we play. Now, I get the chance to deal with the Colonel and he has the last word no questions asked. Hope to see ya on the trail.

I'm going to ask a real simple question here. What the hell is the deal with air bags? Is it to eliminate body roll or is it cool factor? I personally would rather spend my money on something else. However, i often critisize what i don't understand.

I think he got the bags for free.

Air bags are springs, just like any other, They can offer the best ride quality, but that is not the deal,

Basically it is just cool to be able to fill and deflate them to raise or lower the truck, or lean it into something, or give you more traction in lots of articulated sittuations.

The way i see it, is all normal suspensions are a compromise, you cant have a static suspension that is good for everything, you always want higher or lower, or stiffer or softer, and all static suspensions lean the wrong way when on a sidehill, I geuss what i am saying is "Adjustable suspension for varying sittuations"

Yea what ant said!,
When you are dong a school project, everyone loves to give you free stuff. The bags would have cost about a grand for all4, Firestone donated them,
Plus the real kicker is the ulta high flowrate valves, they woulda cost about $2-3K, but I got Parker to donate those too.
HEHE!
pretty much those companies love haing other engineers see their names on parts involved in projects, it is better than any type of advertising you can buy.