Front 3 link; 2nd opinion

rondo

rondo
Location
Boise Idaho
The project is my 2000 Nissan Frontier. I would appreciate a second opinion on the front suspension build. This will be a daily driver and i'd like to get it right. Not too proud to ask someone with experience to check it for me.

In 01 I had this thing SAS'd with dana 44s at a (crappy) shop. Anyway i've put over 55K miles on it with SAS, driving it from Fort Lewis WA to Fort Bliss TX and back 2x and all over in between. It's also registered in Oregon so never was worried about inspections. Anyway i'm comfortable with what this rig is morphing into and know it doesn't handle like a car.

My thing is after bending a rear axle shaft and busting more hubs and dana 44shafts than i care to admit, it's time for dana60s. the rear is about done. The front however is what i'm unsure about. I've got all the parts from BHR and various off-road websites, so everything is on hand. All of the links, rod ends, tube, brackets, bolts, blah blah is either on the rig or right next to it. The axle is under the rig, squared up and has lower links mounted.

Really what i'd like is for someone to eyeball this for me; i'd like to ensure the upper link geometry is right, drag link and track bar look good, and that's about it. I'm no master fabricator, but i've enjoyed doing all of this in my garage with a bender, welder, blah blah blah. The "So called" Professional shops that i've had it to never fixed the bump steer, + with more time on my hands and some bad experiences at 4x4 shops here and there have made me start doing my own thing last few years. The names of the shops are the same ones that pop up on RME over and over :ugh:

I did the same transformation on YJ by the way, and while it holds the road great at highway speed i never could really get it to turn as well to the left as to the right. It's a trail junker so i haven't taken the time to dig into it again but i really don't want the same thing to happen to my fronty.

There could be some cash/beer for the right knowledgeable person! :D
Thanks out.
 

I Lean

Mbryson's hairdresser
Vendor
Location
Utah
Tooele, huh? That's the only sticky part.

Hey Braden, want to take a short road trip with me?
 

rondo

rondo
Location
Boise Idaho
I Lean, Rockmonkey, sent you PMs. Very gracious of you. Hey Tacoma, got your bearing kit, i'm sure you'd like it back. Whenever it's convenient.
 

kake

Registered User
Location
Kaysville
3 link front

Whats your guys opinion on a 3-link front for streetability though? It works great for an off road vehicle but there is always some extra movement on the side of the axle with out the upper link. I would stay with leafs, go 4 link, or radius arm set up.
This is not only my opinion but the recommendation of a fab shop owner that has built many streetable and competition rock crawlers. I went from building a 3 link to a radius arm based on my concern for streetability. However, I have definately sacrificed flex in the front but my rear flexibility is like Hans and Frans.
 

cumminram

Seconds 2 Disaster
Location
Clinton
I have a 3 link on the front of my Disco, as far as streetability its not bad as long as your have your shocks valved and set up correctly. There definitly is some more added body roll, but if you can find a way to run a single sway bar with a disconnect then you wont have any issues. Ive never had a sway,and i always though it was fine hauling ass to moab through the pass at 70, but my passengers seemed to be scared..
 

Milner

formerly "rckcrlr"
Just a little pet peeve, not trying to be a Richard here, but it is important to be clear about what 3-link we are talking about.
Pretty sure in this thread you are asking about a set up with an upper and lower arm on one side and jut an upper OR lower on the other side. But this would really be a 4 link as it requires a track bar or similar to locate the axle side to side.
A true 3 link is a set up with one triangulated link and two other links. Common in the rear of race trucks.
TJ/XJ/ZJ/JK etc are often referred to as 4 links, but they are really 5 links (track bar)
True 4-link would be 4-links with at least 2 links being triangulated to locate the axle side to side.
A radius arm set up can also be considered a 3 link. 2 Links/arms and a track bar.
Yep, it is all complicated, but after the french fry thread, my fingers were fired up and just kept typing.:D
 

allterrain

AllTerrain
Location
Cedar Hills
rondo,

Just listen to Carl and Braden when they come out. Milner will make your head hurt...

Please re-read his last post in the voice of Cliff Claven from Cheers.:rofl:
 

cumminram

Seconds 2 Disaster
Location
Clinton
MY front is set up with a upper radius arm on each side and a third link centered in the bottom that goes to a cross member on my frame. THen a panhard to locate side to side..
 

Vonski

nothing to see here...
Location
Payson, Utah
Yeah Ron, these guys will do a good job of recommending ways to properly complete your project. Its great they are willing to make the trip out there! :cool:
 
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