building 4-link suspension - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

rocktj98 · 06-17-2003, 06:20 PM

How do you find the lengths of you control arms when building a 4 link? I have a 94inch wheel base with 35inch tires.

BMcKinley · 06-17-2003, 06:58 PM

First you should know I have never built one. However if you are just thowing on a 4 link without worrying about equations and geometry I have seen/heard of it done this way: decide where the control arms will mount on the frame and the axle. Then line your axle up underneath the Jeep so thats its where you want it being sure its centered etc and the Jeep is at the height you want it end up at. Then measure and build. A little simplistic and basic.

larryboy · 06-17-2003, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BMcKinley
First you should know I have never built one. However if you are just thowing on a 4 link without worrying about equations and geometry I have seen/heard of it done this way: decide where the control arms will mount on the frame and the axle. Then line your axle up underneath the Jeep so thats its where you want it being sure its centered etc and the Jeep is at the height you want it end up at. Then measure and build. A little simplistic and basic.

you forgot one thing...http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/search.php

P&T Jeeps · 06-17-2003, 07:05 PM

sorry but FAWKIN' SEARCH!!!!!

come-on....

dlc · 06-17-2003, 07:16 PM

one of this months 4x4 magizanes has a great artical in it on 4 link

nasvik · 06-17-2003, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dlc
one of this months 4x4 magizanes has a great artical in it on 4 link

Excellent news, Newbie! How does it compare to some of the dribble I've seen on the internet?

Paul

dlc · 06-17-2003, 07:28 PM

It is just your basics but it is somewhere to start

NE-RokToy · 06-17-2003, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dlc
one of this months 4x4 magizanes has a great artical in it on 4 link

Actually how to determine length of control arms is one of the things I think is worst in that article (not that it was a bad article) They say that the upper link should be 70% the length of the lower, no explanation why just thats the way it is. Not only do they fail to mention why to do this but also the effect this would have on pinion angle as the suspension cycles, basicly with shorter upper as the axle droop the pinion will point further and further down. Can you say blown D-shaft or snapped pinion? Hmm that sounds like a well thought out and well designed setup to me.......

Ok back on topic, when building a 4 link you got alot more to worry about then just length.

Starslope · 06-18-2003, 01:45 AM

greater length overall is positive but dont get get carried away. The length of the links are not the thing in your design that will require the most brains.

notJoeKing · 06-18-2003, 04:20 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by NE-RokToy

Actually how to determine length of control arms is one of the things I think is worst in that article (not that it was a bad article) They say that the upper link should be 70% the length of the lower, no explanation why just thats the way it is.

The length is not overall, just on the horizontal plane. But I agree with you about that being the wrong way to do it...

06-17-2003, 06:20 PM	#1 (permalink)
rocktj98 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Member # 20487 Location: Folsom Posts: 9	building 4-link suspension How do you find the lengths of you control arms when building a 4 link? I have a 94inch wheel base with 35inch tires. __________________ LOUD PIPES SAVE LIVES!!!!

06-17-2003, 07:05 PM	#4 (permalink)
P&T Jeeps Granite Guru Join Date: Mar 2001 Member # 3916 Location: south Posts: 2,826	sorry but FAWKIN' SEARCH!!!!! come-on.... __________________ TJ; ARB'd & ChroMo'd 1-tons; 42" IROK's; Atlas 4.3; 4-linked, 106" WB... The Build

06-18-2003, 01:45 AM	#9 (permalink)
Starslope Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Member # 18910 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,110	greater length overall is positive but dont get get carried away. The length of the links are not the thing in your design that will require the most brains. __________________ [list][][b][URL=http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=135378]Comp. rig:[/URL][/b] Suzuki 410 -85 Olds496cui/TH400/NP205/1350s/D60 front/D60-70 hybrid rear/44x18,5x16,5 [][b][URL=http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=144719]Trail rig:[/URL][/b] Buggy RR215cui/BW55/410/1310s/410 4WS/33x18x15[*][b][u]Daily Driver:[/u][/b] Suzuki 410 -85[/list][URL=http://www.offroad-racing.net][size=4][b]www.offroad-racing.net[/size][/b][/URL]

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06-17-2003, 06:58 PM	#2 (permalink)
BMcKinley Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Member # 19136 Posts: 122	First you should know I have never built one. However if you are just thowing on a 4 link without worrying about equations and geometry I have seen/heard of it done this way: decide where the control arms will mount on the frame and the axle. Then line your axle up underneath the Jeep so thats its where you want it being sure its centered etc and the Jeep is at the height you want it end up at. Then measure and build. A little simplistic and basic.

06-17-2003, 07:16 PM	#5 (permalink)
dlc Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Member # 20498 Location: Blue Ridge GA Posts: 498	one of this months 4x4 magizanes has a great artical in it on 4 link

06-17-2003, 07:28 PM	#7 (permalink)
dlc Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Member # 20498 Location: Blue Ridge GA Posts: 498	It is just your basics but it is somewhere to start