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Rear 4 link questions

94xjsport94

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Is anyone running a triangulated lower with straight upper set up thats not running rockwells and if so, why? Or is everyone running straight lowers and triangulated uppers or double triangulated links? Going on a 10.5 under what will be a moderately low full bodied XJ. Leaning towards a double triangulated set up if I can swing it but I'm not opposed to straight lowers and triangulated uppers if the flex steer isnt too bad with welded axles. Haven't heard too many people complain about it but it never hurts to ask after reading a few threads!
 
nhl_bullitt said:
I ran straight lowers and triangulated uppers on an xj. Just curious why you are considering vice versa.

Why not do it? Just tossing ideas around.

My XJ on leafs and a traction bar does work well for what it is!
 
Building a crossmember to attach the lowers to and dealing with the rear driveshaft clearing it is the first thing the comes to mind.
With a full width axle the lowers will be triangulated 10* if attached under the unibody. Then just run the uppers to the top of the diff/ truss. Works without a lot of hassle.
 
I've got a Clayton offroad cross member I built my 3 link off of. I built a skid off of the center section and will probably copy the design and tie both together with some brackets.

Bad old pic but the very back of this crossmember is right under the output yoke.
e3128076654e08133200ea5ce0d28fb3.jpg
 
Here are some design points to shoot for:

As close to zero pinion angle change as possible.

If you have some pinion angle change, ideally have the pinion rotate up slightly at full droop, but this means longer uppers than lowers wen viewed from the side horizontally.

You want at minimum, 40 degrees of total triangulation when viewed from the top. Add the upper and lower triangulation amounts, when triangulated in opposing directions.

If you can't get 40 degrees, plan for a panhard (track) bar to locate the axle laterally.

Get as much triangulation as possible when comparing the uppers and lower links, when viewed from the side.

This means uppers as high as possible on the axle, and lowers as low as practical.

Generally separation at axle should be a minimum of 25% of tire diameter. Separation at the frame around 50-75% of the axle separation.

You want antisquat between 50-90%. Typically make frame side uppers adjustable with points at 60,70, and 80%. Start at 70% and see what you think.

Too little and you will lifting the front too much under throttle, and not forcing axle into ground.

Too much and you are wasting HP on extending the suspension as weight transfers rearward.

Too much will also cause wheel hop as the suspension loads the tires looking for traction, and then extend the suspension, removing weight on rear tires and then the tire spins. As soon as it spins slightly, the suspension will return to ride height, and process starts over. Wheel hop.

You want roll axis angle as close to zero as possible.

Generally uppers as high, flat, and parallel to the ground at ride height as possible.

Lowers as low as possible without being anchors.

Typical link lengths similar to tire size , and/or driveshaft length.


With all that said, if you can make all those things happen, and all that fit the chassis side mounts, no matter if it's single or double triangulated, straight uppers, or lowers,
You will be happy with the setup.
 
My old 4Runner was set up like that.

Very slight triangulated uppers, full triangle lowers.

It will have less roll steer than a straight lower setup, so it'll generally crawl and handle better
 
What about triangulated lowers with an upper on the drivers side with a long track bar? Any benefit to a rear 3 link over a 4 link?
 
Three links easier to fit sometimes but you have to have a track bar to locate the axle. Same amount of materials and parts just different arrangement.

Four links are nice for many reasons but one of my favs is because of the redundancy if you break a joint your axle won't spin and destroy your suspension and driveshaft.
 

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