4link + Ladder bar setups?
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 114
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From: Phoenix, AZ
4link + Ladder bar setups?
I'm looking to redo my rear suspension when I get around to putting the D70 in. I think I'm just gonna go with a coiled rear. And have been looking into the different suspension setups.. mainly the 4Link and Ladder bar systems..
Then I was thinking, why not have two ladder bars for the two outer bars | |. And then have the two inner links just as bars. / \ Would there be a downfall to this, or a reason that it wouldn't be as good as the traditional 4link?
I'm mainly trying to figure out a way to make sure it's gonna be able to stand up to the abuse it's gonna go through.
Edit: I was lookin' at the picture of Pro's ladder bars, and though maybe have all 4 like that, to increase clearance of them, or do you think the angular design would lower the strength of them too much to be used for the only means of supporting the axle. I'm at 38's right now w/ about 9" of lift. And saving to stroke and twin turbo the 351w.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal.../74928.520.390
Then I was thinking, why not have two ladder bars for the two outer bars | |. And then have the two inner links just as bars. / \ Would there be a downfall to this, or a reason that it wouldn't be as good as the traditional 4link?
I'm mainly trying to figure out a way to make sure it's gonna be able to stand up to the abuse it's gonna go through.
Edit: I was lookin' at the picture of Pro's ladder bars, and though maybe have all 4 like that, to increase clearance of them, or do you think the angular design would lower the strength of them too much to be used for the only means of supporting the axle. I'm at 38's right now w/ about 9" of lift. And saving to stroke and twin turbo the 351w.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal.../74928.520.390
Last edited by Meilichios; May 10, 2005 at 05:06 AM.
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Dallas
If you are serious about building a 4-link, check this out: 4-link info
There is a lot of great info in there, and also somewhere in that loooooong thread is a link to another loooooooooooooong 4-link thread. There seems to be a lot that goes into a 4-link concerning angles and such. Good luck, hope it helps.
There is a lot of great info in there, and also somewhere in that loooooong thread is a link to another loooooooooooooong 4-link thread. There seems to be a lot that goes into a 4-link concerning angles and such. Good luck, hope it helps.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 114
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From: Phoenix, AZ
Ok, well, I read through those, and thought some more, and this is what I came up with so far...
The links would attach to the custom xmember/brackets where the driveshaft connects to the TCase... w/ the ladder bars, it should keep the yoke on the diff pointed at the TCase.
I think it might squat a bit, but I can design it in a way that it could be adjustable to help with that..
Ummm.. from what I udnerstand, the two links in the middle, going at an outward angle like that is supposed to keep the axle from wandering from side to side correct? If not, I'm wondering how it's going to stay straight under the vehicle, at high speeds, and or sidestepping.
I checked under the vehicle, and it should have more than enough room to clear the links/ladder bars all around. The inner liks, if attached to the top of the axle, should be higher up than my driveshaft, so if I caught them up on something, I think I'd have a little more to worry about.
If anyone has anything that they might be able to point out that I missed or something, I'd appreciate it. I'd rather design it twice, than build it twice. :-P
The links would attach to the custom xmember/brackets where the driveshaft connects to the TCase... w/ the ladder bars, it should keep the yoke on the diff pointed at the TCase.
I think it might squat a bit, but I can design it in a way that it could be adjustable to help with that..
Ummm.. from what I udnerstand, the two links in the middle, going at an outward angle like that is supposed to keep the axle from wandering from side to side correct? If not, I'm wondering how it's going to stay straight under the vehicle, at high speeds, and or sidestepping.
I checked under the vehicle, and it should have more than enough room to clear the links/ladder bars all around. The inner liks, if attached to the top of the axle, should be higher up than my driveshaft, so if I caught them up on something, I think I'd have a little more to worry about.
If anyone has anything that they might be able to point out that I missed or something, I'd appreciate it. I'd rather design it twice, than build it twice. :-P
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 8,238
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From: Oregon
First, to clarify, you don't need ladder bars with a four link because they do the same thing as far as axle wrap is concerned. That said, you are talking about using a pair of ladder bars instead of a pair of your links for the 4link. As designed, I don't think your plan will work. You have two pivot points instead of one at the end of the ladder bars, and this will cause bind, instead of just using a single link/pivot point as with convention 4-links. Secondly, the arch in the bars will fubar your geometry and your suspension will react accordingly. You would be better off creating a conventional 4-link.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,945
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From: Spokane, WA
Originally Posted by proeliator
This needs to be in everybodies sig 
What you CAN do to simpify things a bit is make a 3 link using ladder bars as links and a trac bar to locate the axle but this will not offer near the articulation that a good 4 link does. For a pavement pounder it's not a bad way to go though, provided the ladder bars are built heavily enough to handle the load and your angles are correct to prevent excessive anti-squat which, btw, I feel you would get using high clearance bars like Pro's.
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Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,544
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From: okc
i dont really like petersons 4wheel mag all that much, but heres a good artical on 4-link geometry thats pretty long, but is the best info ive found with the little bit of research ive done.....hope it helps....
http://4wheeloffroad.com/techarticle...131_0307_link/
http://4wheeloffroad.com/techarticle...131_0307_link/
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