Radius vs. Leaf

The Luke · Feb 7, 2013

Alright, the 30/entire front end in my zj is wore out worse than a cheap hooker. Time to upgrade to a 44. I've pretty much ruled out a 4 link for now. I'm about to build a new trans crossmember, so it wouldn't be much to add two radius arm mounts to it. Or I can find a leaf sprung 44 and simplify the whole ordeal. But then I have to build hangers up front. I've already measured it out, the hangers would fall halfway on the "frame" rails and would be halfway in the radiator mounts.

Thoughts?

86tank · Feb 7, 2013

Why not do a 3 link? I went the radius arm route on my old xj and if I had it to do over again I would have just bought the heims and material and 3 linked it. The radius arms just never seemed to let the front end on mine flex a lot.

tonybolton · Feb 7, 2013

Re: Re: Radius vs. Leaf

Radius arms work just fine on my XJ with D44 up front. Simple setup...drives/rides jus fine....goes where i point it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8eYJlBHuoE

natedawgxj · Feb 7, 2013

3 link is the only way to go!!!! on steep hills the radius arm setup unloads bad unless u tie your winch down tight!!! i ran a 3 link on one tons with 42s in a xj and would climb a freaking tree!!! :****: its a little more work but its worth it!!!!

ibrokeit · Feb 7, 2013

natedawgxj said:
3 link is the only way to go!!!! on steep hills the radius arm setup unloads bad unless u tie your winch down tight!!! i ran a 3 link on one tons with 42s in a xj and would climb a freaking tree!!! :****: its a little more work but its worth it!!!!

Just curious, what makes a radius arm unload more than a 3 link? ( I run a 3 link front )

muddinmetal · Feb 7, 2013

ibrokeit said:
Just curious, what makes a radius arm unload more than a 3 link? ( I run a 3 link front )

I personally have no clues, But I can tell you one thing, it's true!!! I've never had a rig squat while hill climbing the way the fzj 80 does. That plus lack of flex = lots of tire lifting while going up even somewhat mild climbs. The increased pucker factor alone makes me what to fab up a 3 link

ranger11 · Feb 7, 2013

Re: Re: Radius vs. Leaf

I'm running radius arms and haven't noticed any lift. My set up is a parallel though not angled from the top of the diff to the arm.

The Luke · Feb 7, 2013

Re: Re: Radius vs. Leaf

Well, I hadn't really considered a 3 link. Any of yall build your mounts into a crossmember? Specifically you xj people. Post up pics. Im thinking the making a removable center section for trans access.

xjkrawler · Feb 7, 2013

I run a 3 link on my xj. Ill snap some pics this weekend. Im about to swap in a narrowed hd44 using the Barnes 4x4 bracket for the axle and possibly the ruff stuff frame brackets with my 3rd link on the pass side. If recommend not using your crossmember to mount your links to cause if you have to drop the tranny the. You loose your suspension.

And I would definitely wouldn't run radius. I hated my old setup. Would unload like crazy.

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The Luke · Feb 8, 2013

Re: Re: Radius vs. Leaf

Thats why I was going to do a removable center section. The mounts would be attached to the frame, but you could unbolt the middle and drop it for tranny access.

The Luke · Feb 8, 2013

Re: Re: Radius vs. Leaf

Similar to this.

xjkrawler · Feb 8, 2013

The Luke said:
Thats why I was going to do a removable center section. The mounts would be attached to the frame, but you could unbolt the middle and drop it for tranny access.

That should work perfect. You could use a ruff stuff 3 link mounts. But check out Barnes 4x4 as well

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scoutdogfab · Feb 11, 2013

I ran a radius arm setup with a hp 44 in the front of my tj and i absolutely hated it. Unloaded like crazy, rode like a brick in the fast stuff, and it used to eat johny joints and bushings for breakfast. if i did it again i would go 3 link and heims for sure :****: same price if not cheaper and way better performance.