Link questions???

[Cascadia]

So I'm thinking of stretching and linking my yj in the rear and I'm trying to get a list off parts together so I can price it out. If I'm triangulating the rear uppers but leaving the lowers straight do I still use a straight bracket or a 10 degree offset bracket? If I do use a 10 degree offset on the frame then can I use straight ones on the axle end for the lowers? Also, about what angle are the uppers usually at? More or less than 25 degrees?

 

[Chevycrew]

I would find a 4 link calculator and start playing with numbers, there is no cut and dried answer.

 

[LT.]

Chevycrew is spot on. I have seen triangulation that was almost nil work. There was an article written in Petersens 4 Wheel and Off Road that is a little dated but, it is a good place to start. Every vehicle is going to have different problems crop up that you will need to work with. In general, I would suggest a double triangulated four link on the rear and a single triangulated four link on the front. A double on the front is tough to do with tranny pans, oil pans, steering, and the off set drive line.

LT.

 

[Cascadia]

I have no problem with a double triangulated rear. I just like how my last jeep worked and it was just single with no track bar and it worked great. My main thing right now is I'm just trying to get a parts list together to price it out before I start. I have been messing with a 4 link calculator. I know there is no exact answer for the angles but I am just wondering what seems to be common on jeeps, for pricing reasons.

 

[LT.]

The reason I like to have a double triangulated rear four link is to keep rear steer to a minimum. What can happen is as the suspension drops away from the rig the rear axle will shorten the wheel base on that side. This will cause the rear tires to point in another direction than straight ahead. Causing the "rear steer". On the front it is not such a big deal since the front axle has steering provisions built in. I am not very good with words so maybe someone else can explain it better.

LT.

 

[Cascadia]

That was an understandable statement. I guess I just never really noticed the rear steer in my LJ. So if I was going with double triangulated in the rear, would the lower link brackets be angled or can you still use straight ones? Wouldn't a straight one reduce the amount it could move? Say the link is angled at 25* but the bracket is at 0, wouldn't that reduce the range of motion?

 

[LT.]

Good question and one that I really don't have an answer for. Sorry. I'll bet that some of the other folks who have more experience than I do may be able to give you a good answer.

LT.

 

[DaveB]

That was an understandable statement. I guess I just never really noticed the rear steer in my LJ. So if I was going with double triangulated in the rear, would the lower link brackets be angled or can you still use straight ones? Wouldn't a straight one reduce the amount it could move? Say the link is angled at 25* but the bracket is at 0, wouldn't that reduce the range of motion?

On the 4 linked rear on my commando project I had to make longer outer axle tabs so that the flex joint would be centered in the normal ride position. You can use the same tabs but your joint will start out partially flexed which will limit its range of motion.