Towing with links - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

ZJARCHER · 04-13-2009, 08:46 PM

Sooo... Im throwing around the idea of linking my truck. Does anyone have any suggestions for me being able to retain the towing ability of the truck and being able to use the truck for what I'm building it for (the desert- it's a chase truck/weekend play truck as well)

It's a Cummins Ram if that matters...

I know there's the option of long travel air bags, but the longest I can get are 10" travel bags, which defeat the purpose of me linking it, because I can get more travel than that out of a deaver pack.

Ideas please... and pictures if available.

ZJARCHER · 04-13-2009, 08:57 PM

I'm thinking about just running a set of airshocks with quick disconnects from the rear axle to the tube work in or under the bed...

Don't know how the ride would be, but it would limit travel and stiffen the back end...

mj · 04-13-2009, 09:30 PM

what is the load capacity of those 10" travel bags?
I am pretty sure you can exceed the useful travel of a leaf pack with bags if you mount them up the links as they are available with enough capacity for 4 of them to carry 40000# with a long service life and do not need to be at a 1:1 ratio with the dif

links are not an issue with towing, spring rates, roll resistance, and dampening will be

turbosniper1 · 04-13-2009, 09:46 PM

I am looking at the same idea for my tow rig. My truck is an '01 Ram 2500 Cummins HO. I have been eying some variant of a semi airbag similiar to the set up that Phil Bargman ran on his Land Cruiser in TTC '05

He was able to get a good amount of flex out of his set up and I am sure he had good adjustability in "spring rate". As far as the link arms go.... the heavier the better with some 1.25" rod ends for sure!
Hope that helps you out a little ZJ... This is my plan!
Matt

ZJARCHER · 04-13-2009, 10:14 PM

Thanks guys

I should probably clarify what exactly I'll be doing... I'll likely be running a coilover and bypass in the rear. A desert set-up, so the CO/bypass will be off the link, not the axle.

It's either this route or an under-bed canti-lever system to get more travel out of the leaves while retaining them. But I'd really like to link it

ZJARCHER · 04-13-2009, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by turbosniper1

I am looking at the same idea for my tow rig. My truck is an '01 Ram 2500 Cummins HO. I have been eying some variant of a semi airbag similiar to the set up that Phil Bargman ran on his Land Cruiser in TTC '05

He was able to get a good amount of flex out of his set up and I am sure he had good adjustability in "spring rate". As far as the link arms go.... the heavier the better with some 1.25" rod ends for sure!
Hope that helps you out a little ZJ... This is my plan!
Matt

And yes, the rod ends will be BEEF!

ZJARCHER · 04-15-2009, 08:21 PM

Welp, the project will be starting soon. Ill keep ya'll posted. The next question is to keep the stock D70 or build the crap out of a 9"... It's a prerunner/chase truck with towing duties 3-4 days a week.

Elwenil · 04-16-2009, 06:58 AM

A 9" behind a Cummins? I know the 9" gets a lot of respect and can be built to take a lot but I don't think it's up to dealing with the torque of a Cummins. Hell, I broke 3 stock ford 9" behind a stock 4 cyl turbo in a thunderbird Turbo Coupe.

diesel72 · 04-16-2009, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZJARCHER

Welp, the project will be starting soon. Ill keep ya'll posted. The next question is to keep the stock D70 or build the crap out of a 9"... It's a prerunner/chase truck with towing duties 3-4 days a week.

Lets see...

D70 or 9" ?

Ahhhh fuck it, why would anyone need any more than a 9 ?

Ditch that boat anchor, you'll save weight too

ZJARCHER · 04-16-2009, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elwenil

A 9" behind a Cummins? I know the 9" gets a lot of respect and can be built to take a lot but I don't think it's up to dealing with the torque of a Cummins. Hell, I broke 3 stock ford 9" behind a stock 4 cyl turbo in a thunderbird Turbo Coupe.

Haha, that's stock shafts though, right? My buddy running a chromo'd 35spl 9" behind his 760whp drag car and hasn't had a problem yet...

Quote:

Originally Posted by diesel72

Lets see...

D70 or 9" ?

Ahhhh fuck it, why would anyone need any more than a 9 ?

Ditch that boat anchor, you'll save weight too

There are Chrisman 9's running under 900hp/900lb/ft trophy trucks under INTENSE beating. Pretty sure it could stand to my 450/900 in non-race conditions.

I'm staying with the stock axles for now, gonna truss 'em, lock the rear for now, and go!

98ZJ · 04-16-2009, 04:53 PM

yeah I wouldnt bother swapping out your rear axle unless you end up needing to, and I dont think I'd do with a 9 inch. They're good yes, but you'd want to build the hell out of it which is $$$$

Cougar67 · 04-16-2009, 07:37 PM

Have you seen the new bling 14 bolt from Portal Tek?

Portal Tek Super 14 Axle Photos

/forum/general-4x4-discussion/777979-portal-tek-super-14-axle-photos.html

04-13-2009, 08:46 PM	#1 (permalink)
ZJARCHER Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Member # 26105 Location: Glendale AZ Posts: 1,035	Towing with links Sooo... Im throwing around the idea of linking my truck. Does anyone have any suggestions for me being able to retain the towing ability of the truck and being able to use the truck for what I'm building it for (the desert- it's a chase truck/weekend play truck as well) It's a Cummins Ram if that matters... I know there's the option of long travel air bags, but the longest I can get are 10" travel bags, which defeat the purpose of me linking it, because I can get more travel than that out of a deaver pack. Ideas please... and pictures if available. __________________ <><

04-13-2009, 08:57 PM	#2 (permalink)
ZJARCHER Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Member # 26105 Location: Glendale AZ Posts: 1,035	I'm thinking about just running a set of airshocks with quick disconnects from the rear axle to the tube work in or under the bed... Don't know how the ride would be, but it would limit travel and stiffen the back end... __________________ <><

04-13-2009, 09:46 PM	#4 (permalink)
turbosniper1 SlickRock GOD! Join Date: Jan 2006 Member # 66537 Location: Western Colorado Posts: 986	I am looking at the same idea for my tow rig. My truck is an '01 Ram 2500 Cummins HO. I have been eying some variant of a semi airbag similiar to the set up that Phil Bargman ran on his Land Cruiser in TTC '05 He was able to get a good amount of flex out of his set up and I am sure he had good adjustability in "spring rate". As far as the link arms go.... the heavier the better with some 1.25" rod ends for sure! Hope that helps you out a little ZJ... This is my plan! Matt __________________ "Team MEGA-REX 6x6x6" Owner/Designer/Fabricator TWF Double Beadlock wheels, Pitbull Tires Vendor, Raceline Wheels, Marsh Racing Wheels, Custom Splice Winch Rope 37" Tires for $85ea http://pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=779576

04-13-2009, 10:14 PM	#5 (permalink)
ZJARCHER Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Member # 26105 Location: Glendale AZ Posts: 1,035	Thanks guys I should probably clarify what exactly I'll be doing... I'll likely be running a coilover and bypass in the rear. A desert set-up, so the CO/bypass will be off the link, not the axle. It's either this route or an under-bed canti-lever system to get more travel out of the leaves while retaining them. But I'd really like to link it __________________ <><

04-15-2009, 08:21 PM	#7 (permalink)
ZJARCHER Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Member # 26105 Location: Glendale AZ Posts: 1,035	Welp, the project will be starting soon. Ill keep ya'll posted. The next question is to keep the stock D70 or build the crap out of a 9"... It's a prerunner/chase truck with towing duties 3-4 days a week. __________________ <><

04-13-2009, 09:30 PM	#3 (permalink)
mj Registered User Join Date: Oct 2000 Member # 1919 Location: BC Canada Posts: 7,547	what is the load capacity of those 10" travel bags? I am pretty sure you can exceed the useful travel of a leaf pack with bags if you mount them up the links as they are available with enough capacity for 4 of them to carry 40000# with a long service life and do not need to be at a 1:1 ratio with the dif links are not an issue with towing, spring rates, roll resistance, and dampening will be

04-16-2009, 06:58 AM	#8 (permalink)
Elwenil Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Member # 41063 Location: Covington, VA Posts: 5,793	A 9" behind a Cummins? I know the 9" gets a lot of respect and can be built to take a lot but I don't think it's up to dealing with the torque of a Cummins. Hell, I broke 3 stock ford 9" behind a stock 4 cyl turbo in a thunderbird Turbo Coupe. __________________ 1988 Dodge AW450 Ramcharger - 318TBI - NP435 - NP205 - D60s Last edited by Elwenil; 04-16-2009 at 06:58 AM.

04-16-2009, 04:53 PM	#11 (permalink)
98ZJ Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Member # 125848 Location: Olean, NY Posts: 453	yeah I wouldnt bother swapping out your rear axle unless you end up needing to, and I dont think I'd do with a 9 inch. They're good yes, but you'd want to build the hell out of it which is $$$$

04-16-2009, 07:37 PM	#12 (permalink)
Cougar67 Granite Guru Join Date: Dec 2003 Member # 25625 Location: Roseville, Kalifornia Posts: 860	Have you seen the new bling 14 bolt from Portal Tek? Portal Tek Super 14 Axle Photos /forum/general-4x4-discussion/777979-portal-tek-super-14-axle-photos.html

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