Link Lengths?!

charliesnyder · Mar 13, 2012

So what are some of the advantages of having longer or shorter links? I'm working on a 3 link front and have about 40" tube lengths to work with.

Edumacate me please!

JOOP · Mar 13, 2012

charliesnyder said:
So what are some of the advantages of having longer or shorter links? I'm working on a 3 link front and have about 40" tube lengths to work with.

Edumacate me please!

Shorter will limit your articulation and be a stiffer ride. Longer = smoother ride and more flex.

allenzm153 · Mar 13, 2012

I've been investing this link stuff myself, and you can actually find link calculaters online, they ask for wheel base, tire size, etc. and tell how how long and where to mount links. I just googled it and found a good one on pirate.

Maverick26 · Mar 14, 2012

:corn:

This thread is gonna be good... let the link tech begin!

charliesnyder · Mar 14, 2012

Maverick26 said:
:corn:

This thread is gonna be good... let the link tech begin!

Thats exactly what I was thinking! I've already done a ton of research and have a very good general idea of what I am going to do. Just like watching these discussions!

nowires · Mar 14, 2012

Find a rig that works good, duplicate

BUILTnotBOT · Mar 14, 2012

allenzm153 said:
I've been investing this link stuff myself, and you can actually find link calculaters online, they ask for wheel base, tire size, etc. and tell how how long and where to mount links. I just googled it and found a good one on pirate.

calculator link please :corn:

i kept running accross threads about the calculator but no actual calculator.... porn probably distracted though... :redneck:

This thread here looks to be a good help with plugging in and understanding the variables with said calculator:

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=841830

Also bare bones you can use Ians tech off Xtreme...:

http://www.powerblocktv.com/player/show_player.php?ep_num=XT2009-07&ep_show=XT

Im still leafed but links is somethings ive been trying to learn more and more about. When the day comes when i can finally afford to build the my suspension setup ill hopefully know the ins-n-outs and be worry free...

Hopes this helps...

charliesnyder · Mar 14, 2012

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=933918&highlight=link

Pirate links..

BUILTnotBOT · Mar 14, 2012

everytime i click on those links it says the link is broken

is it working for you guys?

charliesnyder · Mar 14, 2012

****, no...

PM me your email and I'll send you the 3 link calculator I downloaded a few weeks back!

London Gentleman · Mar 14, 2012

If I ever plunge into a 3 link front i'm gonna run about 36" lowers, slightly shorter upper link. Having longer links could lead to more of a rock anchor effect depending on where you mount them....

charliesnyder · Mar 15, 2012

That was my theory as well. Why the shorter link up top tho? I was looking at like an inch longer link up on top. Just to keep that pinion up top.

Also I have been told a few times about keep that upper link as level as possible at ride height. Anyone have the reasoning behind that?

zukkev · Mar 15, 2012

One reason for the different length links is to try and keep the pinion pointed as close to the same angle as it sits at rest, while the susp is cycling...

charliesnyder · Mar 15, 2012

My thoughts on a shorter upper tho would be with the passenger side at full droop the upper would pull back on the top of the axle and cause the pinion to go into the dirt.

Am I completely wrong when I say that?

This weekend the mock up starts with the links so we will find out!!

nowires · Mar 19, 2012

Just for kicks and giggles I ended up with 42.5 lowers and 44.5 uppers. As the zuk man says it rolls the pinion perfect. the uppers are a little tight aginst the frame for my tast. But then agian I have 2" links on the top. It was a lot of work to get to this point for a 4 link. Personally if I was doing it agian I would just get TG 3 link and call it good and wheel

View attachment 51867

zukkev · Mar 19, 2012

You're not talking massive differences in length, and when I say same angle, I meant in relation to driveline angle as the susp cycles. Keep in mind that the uppers (or lowers depending how it's set up), are usually at a different angle altogether which changes its arc of travel.

nowires · Mar 19, 2012

zukkev said:
You're not talking massive differences in length, and when I say same angle, I meant in relation to driveline angle as the susp cycles. Keep in mind that the uppers (or lowers depending how it's set up), are usually at a different angle altogether which changes its arc of travel.

Spot up there tippy :haha::hi:

charliesnyder · Mar 20, 2012

As of right now I have everything mocked up with 41" upper and 39" lowers. I made myself a set of PVC links so I didn't have to cut and re-cut everything....

I'll post up pics of my links in relation to each other. Look like it will work and I'll get the actual links cut this week and get everything mocked this weekend.

nowires · Mar 20, 2012

charliesnyder said:
As of right now I have everything mocked up with 41" upper and 39" lowers. I made myself a set of PVC links so I didn't have to cut and re-cut everything....

I'll post up pics of my links in relation to each other. Look like it will work and I'll get the actual links cut this week and get everything mocked this weekend.

:awesomework:

zukkev · Mar 20, 2012

zukkev said:
You're not talking massive differences in length, and when I say same angle, I meant in relation to driveline angle as the susp cycles. Keep in mind that the uppers (or lowers depending how it's set up), are usually at a different angle altogether which changes its arc of travel.