Link setup

Trailabite · Sep 15, 2013

There's plenty of information out there for sitting up links as for placement on the axle and separation between the links, but what I don't see is anyone talking about the lengths of the links. If everything looks good on a 4 link calculator does that mean it is good or is there such a thing as having links that are too long?

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KPatterson · Sep 15, 2013

General rule of thumb, you want your uppers to be at least 80% of the length of your lowers. At least 8" of separation at the axle.

pachary · Sep 15, 2013

Longer links bend easier....

woodard17 · Sep 15, 2013

I do 10 to 11 at axle uppers at zero degrees lower 5 to 10 degrees generally you want around 7" between center upper to center lower I've had great luck with bars around 33" with ur uppers at least 70 to 80 % of lowers

Trailabite · Sep 16, 2013

does the 80% rule pertain to a 3 link setup as well? This is what I have now and I think my upper link is longer or at least the same length as my lowers.

Also, my front links are 34.25" from center to center of joint and I think the bars themselves are right at 29.75" long, so it looks like if I push my front axle out another 2" to 3" I should be good.

paparker21 · Sep 16, 2013

Re: Re: Link setup

You want your upper as close to lower length as possible I think. Primary reason for this is because that will ensure the front axle output rotates to stay aimed at the transfer case. Too short an upper or too long will cause the axle output to rotate wildly. The same four link principles apply for the most part.

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pachary · Sep 17, 2013

All 8 links on my buggy are interchangeable. The uppers use a smaller bolt, but I got sleeves if I need to use a lower as an upper.

rock mafia · Sep 17, 2013

Re: Re: Link setup

paparker21 said:
You want your upper as close to lower length as possible I think. Primary reason for this is because that will ensure the front axle output rotates to stay aimed at the transfer case. Too short an upper or too long will cause the axle output to rotate wildly. The same four link principles apply for the most part.

This.

SomewhiteGuy · Sep 19, 2013

Running your upper 2" longer will help point the pinion up toward the t case on droop to help drive shaft angle.
Flatter links will have better handling traits through out travel.

Trailabite · Sep 20, 2013

SomewhiteGuy said:
Running your upper 2" longer will help point the pinion up toward the t case on droop to help drive shaft angle.
Flatter links will have better handling traits through out travel.

Well, now, this brings up another question. A little history first - my suspension was set up with the 4.0 and then I installed a Ramjet and it sits a little lower than the 4.0. So now I'm looking to push my front axle out 2 to 3 inches to keep the full up travel on my struts. But, about a month ago I went over a little jump and landed on the front wheels and my tie rod hit the oil pan and pushed it up enough to hit the crank, it didn't put a hole in the pan and I was able to take it off and hammer it back out. For clarity, my tie rod is on the backside of my axle. When I got home I let the nitro out of my struts so that they would collapse. When fully collapsed the crank pulley was sitting on top of the truss and the tie rod was at least .5" away from the oil pan. So how, when I landed, did the axle rotate enough that the truss missed the crank pulley and the tie rod hit my oil pan?

And by the way, my upper link is flat and close to 2" longer than the lower and my lowers are angled about 6 deg's.

Trailabite · Sep 24, 2013

Was this ^ a dumb question? or just just not worth talking about lol.

bjeep · Sep 24, 2013

Do you have heim joints or bushings?

RustyC · Sep 24, 2013

What kind of joints are you running. .5" clearance is close. If you are using bushings they could flex of bumpstops could compress ???

Trailabite · Sep 24, 2013

They are the large flex joints from Terflex on the bottom links and the top has whatever comes with the Rock Krawler 3 link kit.

SomewhiteGuy · Sep 24, 2013

You can blame that on flex in the bushing in my opinion. The trade off on the longer upper link is as the suspension links pass horizontal it will roll the pinion up as well. The problem with giving advice on link stuff beyond general guide lines is there are so many variables at work.

Trailabite · Sep 25, 2013

Re:

SomewhiteGuy said:
You can blame that on flex in the bushing in my opinion. The trade off on the longer upper link is as the suspension links pass horizontal it will roll the pinion up as well. The problem with giving advice on link stuff beyond general guide lines is there are so many variables at work.

I totally understand that and I got what I was looking for, thanks.

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