4 link or 63 inch chevy springs?

[Fuller]

I am trying to decide on what to do; I was thinking about a 4 link but after looking at how much work it going to take, I was thinking about maybe trying to swap in some 63'' Chevy springs. I know that this conversion will also take some work but this may be more realistic and less of a head ache. Along with being cheaper.


So my question is: what are your opinions, do you have any other suggestions. and do you know of any other leaf springs to look out for that will flex pretty good?

 

[Shawn]

I ran the Waggy 57's in the rear of my Cruiser for about 2 years. Then I went and did a 4 link with coils.

IMO, the 4 link is by far the better of the two. Install time, I would say they are close to the same. Cost wise, I would say the link is more $$. The main reason I went to the link is that I kept bending springs. I did run traction bars in noth the front and read, the leafs just like to bend.


If I were you, I'd link.

 

[Fuller]

How was the flex with the waggy springs?


What I have now is some 2'' skyjacker spring pack with a 3'' aal, along with a 2'' block and an inch and a half shackle. I am netting about 8 '' with that setup. The only problem I have with this is it will not flex up at all ever since I added the aal, it is starting to get better as it gets broken in but it still is not enough.

 

[Shawn]

Originally posted by limegrnxj
How was the flex with the waggy springs?

Sweet!!

I also ran some homemade shackles that are about... 6" eye to eye.

No dought the long leafs work well. I just got sick of the bending. The coils are so much better.

Setting up the four link to work wasn't that hard. It was more of the "I've never done this before" thought.... Braking in new grounds...

Do some research and talk to guy's that have done it, your be glad you did.

 

[Fuller]

another thing that comes to mind is side hilling capabilitys, if i have a realy flexy front suspension and realy flexy rear, with stock width axles am i going to flop if i get off camber?

 

[Milner]

You can build the 4 link to counteract the bodyroll on the side hill.... Do some research before you attempt a 4 link on your own. Tons of variables, and nothing is IDEAL!!!!!!!!

 

[Greg]

I have Chevy's on my Truck.....I'll have a 4 Link & Coils eventually.

Link it up. It will take alot of time, money, research & tuning but the benefits out weigh all the trouble. Just imagine...... your rig hooking up, when you think it can't.

Leaves Vs. Links? There is no argument!

 

[Fuller]

Does anybody have any good resources for building a four link? I know there is allot of variables for this set up, and I don’t want to do a crappy one. I haven’t done too much looking into this but from what I have seen it looks pretty difficult.




When I did my front suspension it wasn’t to difficult but it did take a lot of time, but that doesn’t matter because it isn’t my daily driver.


What about hiems verses bushings? I used bushings on the front suspension which uses the radius arm set up would a four link suspension be different? Would it be better to use heims? They are more expensive and noisy (from what I herd).


Not to be a whiner or anything I need this to be on a budget and i can get the bushings for a lot cheaper than the hiems.

 

[Fuller]

Originally posted by Greg

Leaves Vs. Links? There is no argument!

no doubt.

 

[Shawn]

There are many way's to learn how to do the 4 link. My way was to sit down with someone and study their design and ask alot of questions. Then I went to the pirate page and did a surch, lots of info there.

If you are not a fabricator this job may not be a job for you. There are plenty of brackets to make, angles to follow, and just plain common sence.


I run one heim and one bushing per link. I'm into my links about $400.00.

 

[Fuller]

so shawn,

when can i come over and check out your design? lol


its going to be a lil while till i get this going. and i am hoping to have it mostly planned out before i start cutting and fabricating.

 

[Milner]

on a DD and especially a uni-frame/body, I would use big rubber bushings. Less noise and better ride. I used heims, but probably would only use the on the axle end in the future.

If I link my wifes XJ, I will use frt/lowwer stock style bushings.

The POR threads have a lot of good info mixxed with a ton of BS. Like Shawn said, look, ask, listen, read. Spend some time in the book store or library, but be aware, most published info is based on racecars with limited travel and different goals. Figure out some of your options and want you want and watch vehicles with a similar set up.

Marc

 

[Shawn]

Originally posted by limegrnxj
so shawn,

when can i come over and check out your design? lol


its going to be a lil while till i get this going. and i am hoping to have it mostly planned out before i start cutting and fabricating.

You can look at mine, but grocery getter has a unibody and might be more apples to apples.

 

[Fuller]

cool


i may have to get off my ass and come wheeling with you guys some day.

 

[Shawn]

Originally posted by limegrnxj
cool


i may have to get off my ass and come wheeling with you guys some day.

That would be cool,

 

[Greg]

Originally posted by limegrnxj
Does anybody have any good resources for building a four link?

Petersons 4Wheel & Offroad, June & July of 2003. They did a whole 4 link buildup from scratch & cover every revelant subject in a common-sense writeup. It's my favorite topic they've covered & I read it often!

 

[Shawn]

Originally posted by Greg


Petersons 4Wheel & Offroad, June & July of 2003. They did a whole 4 link buildup from scratch & cover every revelant subject in a common-sense writeup. It's my favorite topic they've covered & I read it often!

This write up helped me also.

 

[Fuller]

i read that and it was loaded with info, but i also wanted to get some other recomendations/ advise.

 

[Greg]

Go talk to Von & Carl at RockLogic, they have a rig in the Shop that they are currently setting up with a 4 Link & Coilovers.

Also, Brandon Gillen (sukaB) would have plenty to say about a 4 Link. Stop by & chat with him.

Any of these guys would be willing to chat with you for a bit & help you get thing's figured out.

 

[Shawn]

Yes they would.