4-Link Rear???

[MtnManMatt]

So now that my engine swap finally seems to be nearing completion, I've begun to turn my attention toward getting my 9" rear in and have a lot of questions and thoughts...

First of all. Taking into account that my 9" already has a truss and is currently set up for leaf springs, am I right in thinking that going triangulated 4-link would be the best route? I figure since I'm pretty much starting with a blank slate and will have to buy/build brackets, I might as well build it right...

Second, if I do go four link, what are the pros/cons of kit vs. custom? Will I save money by buying my own DOM, joints, etc.? With the truss, it seems like all I'd have to do is make some simple tabs and weld them on for the upper axle ends...

Here's a pic of the axle...

2012-09-23_14-55-53_255.jpg (68.66 KiB) Viewed 4861 times

[Matt612]

After the meeting I looked on poly performance and this is probable going to be the cheapest route for you...http://www.polyperformance.com/shop/Syn ... 16802.html only $920 bucks

[jstables]

these frame brackets

http://claytonoffroad.com/product_info. ... cts_id/134

axle brackets

lowers - http://www.ballisticfabrication.com/Axl ... _1444.html
uppers - http://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/cat ... SHORT.html

hiems

http://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/catalog/34SET.html


done

[Matt612]

these frame brackets

http://claytonoffroad.com/product_info. ... cts_id/134

axle brackets

lowers - http://www.ballisticfabrication.com/Axl ... _1444.html
uppers - http://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/cat ... SHORT.html

hiems

http://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/catalog/34SET.html


done

Forgot about DOM tube for the links and shock tabs...those clayton brackets are a better deal than the poly ones though...but the poly ones are more ballin and have much better ground clearance with their design.

[willhf1011]

Agree with Matt on the link brackets, but the claytons work well ad are cheap. You will need spacers for the lowers to make the 3/4 heims fit in the 2 5/8 brackets. 2 x .250 wall will be fine for lowers. I have just started to bow mine pretty good. upper can be 1.5 or 1.75 x .120 wall, they should only see axial loading and those sizes are more than strong enough for that.

[jstables]

these frame brackets

http://claytonoffroad.com/product_info. ... cts_id/134

axle brackets

lowers - http://www.ballisticfabrication.com/Axl ... _1444.html
uppers - http://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/cat ... SHORT.html

hiems

http://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/catalog/34SET.html


done

Forgot about DOM tube for the links and shock tabs...those clayton brackets are a better deal than the poly ones though...but the poly ones are more ballin and have much better ground clearance with their design.

I know I didnt include tube and I need to look at the shocks to tell where they need to mount and Clayton also has these

http://claytonoffroad.com/product_info. ... cts_id/127

[willhf1011]

Even better deal on frame side brackets

https://artecindustries.3dcartstores.co ... p_253.html

[Matt612]

Even better deal on frame side brackets

https://artecindustries.3dcartstores.co ... p_253.html

Very nice, Way better design than the claytons and 10 bucks cheaper.. Matt buy those

[willhf1011]

or buy these. They should work fine for your axle.

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/misc-stu ... ckets.html

[MtnManMatt]

Even better deal on frame side brackets

https://artecindustries.3dcartstores.co ... p_253.html

SWEET! I was just getting on here to post up some adjustable frame brackets I'd found for 180, but these look way better built and are cheaper. Thanks! I'm ordering them now.

[MtnManMatt]

For the upper links on the axle end, would it be best for geometry to use:

Vertical tabs on top of the truss similar to these?
http://www.ballisticfabrication.com/Mul ... _1476.html
http://www.artecindustries.com/Truss-Up ... p_182.html

Horizontal tabs on the side/front of the truss kina like these (two different lengths for the angle)?
http://www.ballisticfabrication.com/HD- ... _1643.html
http://www.barnes4wd.com/Square-Link-Mo ... _p_69.html

45 degrees in between, sorta like these?
http://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/cat ... LTMED.html

OR

Something else/expensive like any of these?
http://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/cat ... TRUSS.html
http://www.ballisticfabrication.com/Adj ... _1182.html

[BadAssEddie]

That should be the least of your concerns right now, it doesn't matter. You need to design it first and use whatever tabs and bracketry work.

[willhf1011]

Matt you are on the right track. I would recommend those Artec brackets, though you will have to decide what joints you are gonna run for you uppers so you can get the right width.

Either of these would be fine, just figure out your width.

http://www.ballisticfabrication.com/Mul ... _1476.html
http://www.artecindustries.com/Truss-Up ... p_182.html

The other option would be to just order 4 basic link tabs and mount them to suit.

Don't get overly concerned about geometry. Most of yours is already determined for you at this point since you will be running combined brackets up top, and the preexisting truss. The artec frame side uppers are adjustable so that should give you enough options.

I will put together a list tonight or tomorrow for you

[MtnManMatt]

Just ordered these https://artecindustries.3dcartstores.co ... p_253.html, these http://www.ballisticfabrication.com/Mul ... _1476.html, and these http://www.ballisticfabrication.com/Axl ... _1444.html

And was planning on ordering 4 of these sets http://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/cat ... SET15.html

Still dont know where the best place to get the DOM is though

[MtnManMatt]

CURRENT STATUS:

Upper and Lower Axle Link Mounts/Coil Buckets - Tack welded awaiting final weld
Link Tubing - Ready. Can't cut til I get frame brackets.
Heim Joints - Ready.
Springs - Ready
Frame Brackets - In route, expected Thursday afternoon.
Shock Mounts - In route, expected Wednesday afternoon.
Wheels - Searching for local/cheap

Expected Completion: Late Thursday night or Friday morning.