okay...
so triangulate the rear & remove the track bar. GOOD IDEA!:idea:

but.

How much triangulation do you need to have enough lateral support for the axle?

Is there an optimal angle for the links to laterally stabilize the axle and ALSO allow the most VERTICAL travel?

Or does it not matter that much?

Id' go for the same old Isosceles triangle that worked for the Egyptians sver so long ago. :flipoff2:

the on'y way that I see to completely eliminate the need for a trac bar on a coils sprung vehicle is to build a rigid trianglular upper frame with two conenctions to the frame and one spherical connection to the top center of the axle. you'd still need LCA's in the accepted configurations.

Originally posted by Sundowner

a rigid trianglular upper frame with two conenctions to the frame and one spherical connection to the top center of the axle. you'd still need LCA's in the accepted configurations.

I'm not sure how this would be different from triangulated rear links...

Sounds like 2 sets of the same thing to me. :confused:

Originally posted by Sundowner
Id' go for the same old Isosceles triangle that worked for the Egyptians sver so long ago.

Isosceles, schmosceles. EQUILATERAL is where it's at, baby :flipoff2:

I agree there the same thing, but it answers your question, put your upper frame mounts together or as close together as you can. Also make the axle mounts for the uppers as far apart as you can .

I'm not sure how this would be different from triangulated rear links...

a rigid frame with one pivot over the center of the axle limits the forces at the spherical joint.
unless you have a severe triangulation, preferrably a 1-on-1 slope, of the top bars, you will get obscene loads on the joints and upper arms.

I'm leaning toward using the stock upper mounts & relocating the lowers to the axle center.

I was just curious regarding what degrees would work best... if it's possible to have either TOO MUCH or NOT ENOUGH triangulation.

you mean the upper link(upper) frame monts and the upper link axle(lower) mounts, right?
if you triangulate the lowers, you create a lovely v-shaped funnel that guides your axle pig into every rock you slide over

the optimal degree is ZERO, which by definition, is a trac bar.
the next best thing is to have them meet at the center of the axle

if you triangulate the lowers, you create a lovely v-shaped funnel that guides your axle pig into every rock you slide over

I hear ya.

I'd triangulate the lowers w/ the POINT at the T-case or use the stock frame mounts but just move the axle mounts up a little for clearance.

I've already bashed in my stock lower mounts pretty good. :rolleyes:

Here's one way to do it. I've got the heim on top of the diff trianglated to about the the transfer case.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid34/pefa0ea4ec440292d05c307b030f1a0bf/fd376411.jpg
I tried to keep my LCA about center on the diff tubes for clearance. I need a longer restraining strap, about two inches to max my shocks.

Paul

yeah...
that looks like what I'm thinking...
thx.

Well, there are kind of two answers to this question. There is the ideal, and what works. The ideal is to have the angles add up to 90*. So if the upper arms are moving in at an 80* angle, the lowers would be moving out at a 10*... But, now comes the practice.... It would be stupid to have that much angle on the arms... you could always go 45/45... but when it comes into practice, that really is not necessary at all. Especially if you are using Heim Joints. If you are using bushings, you might want a little more triangulation just because they will crush a little... but with heim joints.. you really need very little, especially on the rear suspension. So, if using heim joints, worry about other angles (anti-squat, caster gain/loss etc...) and worry about mounting more so than how much angle.

To answer your question I will restate what XJGPN2 said, you don't need much triangulation. Just think about how little triangulation (relativly speaking) it takes to control the rotation of your axle.

Another idea that has been used quite succesfully is triangulating both the top and bottom links (opisite directions) this effectivly eliminates rear steer that everyone hates so much.