Can anyone recommend some good books or wesites for newbies to learn the basics about 4x4's? What I'm looking for is something that describes and has pictures (I can't read) of the different components that make up a good 4x4 truck. I'm tired of going through articles in 4-wheel mags and not understanding 3/4 of what is being talked about. What is the difference between double coilovers, torsion bars, knuckles, CV joints, rods etc... Something with schematics, drawings, and descriptions of what the different components do. I am learning a lot buy lurking on this forum but occassionally I would like to contribute to the discussions but I have this "lost" feeling.

Thank you all for your help.

 

Don't worry about the learning curve, we've all been there. One of the best sorces of information would be the shop manuals like chiltons or haynes under the suspension chapter. If you are looking to get into serious 4 wheeling look into a 4x4 web site like co4x4.org. There are a wide variaty of vehical there. After you go through the shop manual and look at all the pictures of stock setups reading tech articals will make a lot more sence.

 

They have some manuals in the parts shop of this site, Motorhaven.com. You can also go to a book store they have some.

 

Excellent! This will give me a good place to start learning.
Thank you

 

don't waste your money on a haynes manual chiltons is the way to go.

if your ever at the grocery store and have 15 minutes to kill pick up a Peterson's 4wheel Drive and offroad, they're the best mag in my opinion and they always have about three good tech articles a month, other mags have good stuff in them too but i wouldn't spend money to have them only peterson's. after a couple months or so you'll know what makes a good truck and what to get......then you just have to get the money to buy it and the tools and mechanical ability to fabricate it.

just a tip......if your going big (44" tires and big ft/lbs) just buy dana 60's to start with

 

thanks superswamper,
I was thinking about starting out with a 1 ton military portal axel with Portals and tractor tires. .

 

4wheel drive is another good mag. Sister publication of Peterson's 4x4 offroad. I think the best place to start is at your local library. Good magazines plus: In the reference section you should find a nice selection of manuals for a variety of vehicles. Each section explains the vehicle design and then goes into detail with exploded veiw diagrams and great pictures. The MOTOR manuals are big and cover many years. Even different years of say F150 for example uses different design components. So you can learn alot in a hurry at no cost. Lots of 4x4's use many different ways to lock in the front wheels. These manuals shed light on the different mechanisms. I haven't been there in a long time, but 4wheeldrive.com has a lot of good info on the different brand of vehicles and identifying transmissions and axles.

 

Portals huh? Obviously you have some spare money. Some very good advantages to portals. But like everyone else said, research and more research are the way to go. I learned a lot of what I know from reading manuals and picking peoples brains.

95 F-150 302 5 Speed
94 F-250 PSD 5 Speed

 

Check out howstuffworks.com.

 

Hell of a place to start Danl. Have you done any builds,etc? I have a 89' Bronco with portals and that was a hell of a build. For just starting out, definately check out Chiltons or even better Chassis Engineering, by Rick Marrs. Good luck....

 

No need to tell anyone that really. You will find what works best for you, not someone else (no offence superswamper). Ive found that Trucks TV is very informative into the suspention builds and engine builds of different makes and models. It airs on saturdays and sundays on TNN at 1:30 local time, and re runs at 11:00 AM and PM on sundays. Also, you can check thier website at www.truckstv.com

Also, if you have buddies that work on cars or trucks, ask them questions and help them work occasionally. Some guys can be very helpful if you listen.

 

yo Dan;
here is Chilton on-line in 2 formats:

.....
http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBr...pair_guide.jsp

and one of a few Links that I have in my new web site:
http://www.inct.net/~autotips/undrhood.htm

 

Actually, both haynes & chiltons are pretty sorry in my "book". Motors Manuals are the way to go. You can find them in used book stores and on e-bay.