Notices
Offroad & 4x4
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

4 link

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 24, 2004 | 10:27 AM
  #1  
82f1504x4's Avatar
82f1504x4
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
From: tacoma-wa
4 link

i have two good friends that are really in to four wheelin just like me they build all kinds of stuff and have built a 4 link supensiion for a samauri with 40's on it now and a toyota with 38's both of these trucks get 68 inchs of travel with sway bars on its only a few inches more with them off but anyways he is tryin to get me to put the suspension on my 82 i think it would be awesome i don't have the money right now to do it but possibly someday just wondering if you guys have any thoughts on this

justin
 
Reply
Old Nov 24, 2004 | 11:02 AM
  #2  
KJKozak2's Avatar
KJKozak2
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,404
Likes: 3
From: Cleveland, WI USA
Justin,

Your post would be easier to read if you use punctuation

4-link suspension looks pretty easy, but setting it up right takes a lot of calculations (and some trial and error). Lots of guys out there have their own ideas on how to set it up, and most of them think everyone else is wrong. Go read some of the stuff on pirate and you'll see what I mean.

I would love to have it on my 78 trail rig, but I don't have the time to work it out. I don't have the money to have it built, either.

Kevin K.
 
Reply
Old Nov 24, 2004 | 11:06 AM
  #3  
psychlopath's Avatar
psychlopath
Elder User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 836
Likes: 2
From: Shreveport, LA
I, as well cant do it, but mostly because I have no idea what the heck is going on with them. I have 50% of an article that Petersons' wrote a while back about putting a 4 link on, and it was as stated previously: Trial and error, and LOTS of calculations.

It seemed, from the article, that that should be one of the last things you plan in your build up, as all of the measurements change with your tire size.

SO, I guess if you build it with 33" tires, you're SOL if you want to upgrade to 35"'s.

Can anyone confirm/deny this?
 
Reply
Old Nov 24, 2004 | 11:47 AM
  #4  
82f1504x4's Avatar
82f1504x4
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
From: tacoma-wa
sorry i will use some punctuations form now on. well the guy who builds the suspension had the samuri on 36's when he built it he then put 39.5 irok's on it, he did lose some articulation, but those tires gave him plenty of clearance to do pretty anything, i see what your saying tho, that should probably be the last thing to go on or the first, so you could setup everything else to go along with the suspension, just an idea i thought would be cool to do in the future
 
Reply
Old Nov 24, 2004 | 11:57 AM
  #5  
KJKozak2's Avatar
KJKozak2
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,404
Likes: 3
From: Cleveland, WI USA
I think it would be the ultimate suspension setup.

If memory serves, there was a post here a while back where someone named a book or two on the dynamics of 4 link suspension. I'll see if I can find it.

K.
 
Reply
Old Nov 24, 2004 | 12:18 PM
  #6  
proeliator's Avatar
proeliator
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 8,238
Likes: 3
From: Oregon
I know I posted the title/author of a good one, I'd dig it up but its buried in my clutter somewhere.

'82, the guys hit the nail on the head that 4-links aren't that tough to build, but getting the math right and dialing them in is. If you are talking about doing this on an off-road rig I say go for it, it would be a good learning experience. If you are talking about doing on your dd I'd recomend against it.
 
Reply
Old Nov 24, 2004 | 12:23 PM
  #7  
82f1504x4's Avatar
82f1504x4
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
From: tacoma-wa
yea this is my trail rig right now, i would never even think of putting it on a daily driver, both the rigs i metioned can lift the two inside tires off the ground if they turn sharp enough, i would love to do it i will most likely do this in the coming up spring if i do, can't lose out on the winter wheeling comin up
 
Reply
Old Nov 24, 2004 | 12:31 PM
  #8  
ivanribic's Avatar
ivanribic
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,945
Likes: 3
From: Spokane, WA
A little limiting strap can go a long way.

Psychclo, the change in tire size should not affect your angles as long as you don't have to change your amount of lift. If you lift the truck more to clear the bigger tires (as far as fenders go) then you change all your angles and have to worry about more anti-squat and all that mess.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-4

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-9

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
Old Nov 24, 2004 | 12:48 PM
  #9  
jesse460's Avatar
jesse460
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 525
Likes: 0
I call B.S. on the 68 inches of travel.
 
Reply
Old Nov 24, 2004 | 12:51 PM
  #10  
ivanribic's Avatar
ivanribic
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,945
Likes: 3
From: Spokane, WA
I would agree Jess, it's most likely a crock but never say never.

 
Reply
Old Nov 24, 2004 | 08:05 PM
  #11  
82f1504x4's Avatar
82f1504x4
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
From: tacoma-wa
im so sorry i said 68 it's 58 but still very impressive, i was there when it was measured he has some pics of it flexed out with a fork lift ill try to get a hold of them some time this weekend, i couldn't believe when i first heard it, i had to see it to belive it
 
Reply
Old Nov 24, 2004 | 08:13 PM
  #12  
82f1504x4's Avatar
82f1504x4
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
From: tacoma-wa
well that picture there is probably more than 68 in. , im sure that guy there is more than 5 ft tall so that there is 60in its a few over his head, im 6'1 and the bottom of the tire came to about my chin so looking at that picture you have there it doesn't seem so far fetched
 
Reply
Old Nov 24, 2004 | 08:25 PM
  #13  
ivanribic's Avatar
ivanribic
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,945
Likes: 3
From: Spokane, WA
That's about 68-70" to the bottom of his tire. This is a full tube chassis truck with a very advanced 4 link, not a Sami or Toyota frame with 4 link added. 58" would be hella impressive, ESPECIALLY with that short a wheel base but I still don't see how 58" would be possible with a sway bar attached. If the sway bar is in place they should be picking up the other tire before they ever get close to maxed out. Even with the advanced long arm designs like the monster trucks are using you don't get very extreme articulation.
 
Reply
Old Nov 24, 2004 | 09:18 PM
  #14  
82f1504x4's Avatar
82f1504x4
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
From: tacoma-wa
well the toyota is really not much of toyota anymore, really the only toyota parts on it are probably the axles and motor is has no body except a hood and the whole thing is pretty much a jungle gym, the sami has toyota axles under it and the wheel bases can't be an extreme difference from the one you pictured there, also the four link on these rigs is not just something that was thrown together the, both of these rigs are setup in the same fashion as the one pictured, i guess i should of been more clear when i said a toyota and a sami, i would of also assumed they are not capable of this the way i put it, im happy some people are actually interested in this topic

justin
 
Reply
Old Nov 24, 2004 | 09:28 PM
  #15  
ivanribic's Avatar
ivanribic
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,945
Likes: 3
From: Spokane, WA
Sometimes I take stuff on this site seriously . . . not too often though. I'd love to see pics of them.

Have you had a chance to drive either of these rigs? I'm curious what you thought of their handling. The tipsy tendancy is something I'd be a little worried about but then this can be adjusted somewhat by the kind of springs and shocks being used. Quick release swaybars will make a big difference too. I guess it's like anything though, once you're used to it driving would not be a problem even on the street. You just have to know how the rig is going to handle.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:41 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-1
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-3
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-6
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE