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rear 4-link is starting to take shape

mavereq

Bronco Guru
Joined
Feb 19, 2009
Messages
2,092
i've played around with the calculator long enough and it's time to start linking the rear. the front 3-link is more or less finished and i need to get this chassis rolling so i can put my tub on it. here's the link to the 3-link thread:

http://www.classicbroncos.com/forums/showthread.php?t=167637

i'm moving the axle back some so i notched my rear crossmember. i'm setting this suspension up a little differently than i planned originally. instead of tacking all the brackets in place and then trying to cut the links to the right length, i'm using the lower links from the front so i don't have to carry different spares. i tacked my upper links together and set the axle for full compression and moved it back as far as possible without hitting the crossmember. this weekend i'll get the upper frame mounts tacked into place and will then lower the axle down to ride height with the upper links attached. i'll then set my pinion angle, hook the lower links to the axle brackets and then raise them up to set my frame brackets. this way i know i'll have the axle moved as far back as possible and my pinion angle will be set right for my ride height. it makes sense in my head.

anyways, once i got my axle into position with my calibrated cinder blocks and put my upper links into place i found that my upper frame links need to sit right where the body mounts are. i cut the body mounts and am in the process of plating the inside of the frame with 1/4".
 

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ken75ranger

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Jan 27, 2002
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5,069
Loc.
Troy, NY
Looks good so far. Make sure you cycle the suspension with the lower links in place. You don't want your pinion angle changing too much.
 
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mavereq

mavereq

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Feb 19, 2009
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2,092
my pinion angle should be alright. my upper links are about 80% of my lowers. my antisquat is going to be a bit higher than i wanted but my upper link mounts are adjustable so i can play around with it.
 

ken75ranger

Bronco Guru
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Jan 27, 2002
Messages
5,069
Loc.
Troy, NY
A little extra anti squat it ok in an EB. The center of gravity is higher than most Jeeps and buggys and will help push the front end down when climbing.
 
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mavereq

mavereq

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Joined
Feb 19, 2009
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2,092
good to know. i think i'll be sitting at about 70%. from what i've read i want to keep it below 100% if possible. having the upper link brackets on the axle and frame adjustable will let me play around with it some.
 
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mavereq

mavereq

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Feb 19, 2009
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2,092
got some more work done this weekend but not too much. everything is tacked in place and the suspension cycles really well. i'm really happy with the upper links i got from ruffstuffspecialties.com. the inside plate is 3/8" and the holes are threaded so i can have the mounts right up against the frame. it really helps with this narrow bronco frame. the other nice thing about the threaded holes is that i can tack the inner plate in place for mockup and make sure everything works. next weekend i'll get the out shells welded on and work on the coil buckets. here's some porn in the meantime:
 

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73stallion

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Joined
Mar 5, 2004
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16,786
Loc.
Eugene, OR
like how you notched the rear member. are you gonna make that new cross member in the front detachable?
 
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mavereq

mavereq

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Feb 19, 2009
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2,092
i haven't decided yet. i just have it tacked in place right now. i placed it so i can still take the transfer case out without hitting it so i might just weld it all up.
 

broncobran68

Full Member
Joined
Apr 4, 2004
Messages
310
Loc.
Idaho
So both your uppers and lowers are triangulated? Why aren't the lowers straight? I'm a total 4 link newbie, so I'm not knocking your setup, just in the beginning stages, and trying to learn.
 
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mavereq

mavereq

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Feb 19, 2009
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2,092
triangulating the uppers and lowers keeps the axle centered more. because bronco frames are so narrow it's difficult to get triangulation with your uppers. i have about 10* with my uppers and 25* with my lowers.
 

broncobran68

Full Member
Joined
Apr 4, 2004
Messages
310
Loc.
Idaho
triangulating the uppers and lowers keeps the axle centered more. because bronco frames are so narrow it's difficult to get triangulation with your uppers. i have about 10* with my uppers and 25* with my lowers.

That makes sense. So is there a trade off to triangulating both?
 
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mavereq

mavereq

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Feb 19, 2009
Messages
2,092
no not really. i don't see a downside to triangulating both, with the exception of more fabwork being involved.

i'm using duff upper and lower coil buckets and bronco springs. the front 3-link will use 4.5" springs and the rear will use 3.5" springs. i thought about using jk springs because i think you can compress them more without them binding but i want to keep it all ford.
 
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mavereq

mavereq

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Feb 19, 2009
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i welded up the upper link brackets this morning. i'm still really digging these brackets from ruffstuff.
 

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Gravel Maker

Bronco Guru
Joined
Sep 13, 2006
Messages
2,351
Loc.
Sacramento
Thanks, I like those brackets too!

That small center hole is for more welding surface also. Everything is looking good...Keep it up.
 
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mavereq

mavereq

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Feb 19, 2009
Messages
2,092
yeah i still have to plug weld that. i did have to trim the top and bottom a bit since i'm using ballistic joints instead of heims. i have no doubt they're gonna hold up.
 

eb-nutt1

Sr. Member
Joined
Apr 17, 2006
Messages
600
Hey Gravel Maker, glad to see you finally joined!! I'm sure the masses on here will send you alot of business once they see what you have to offer.

brian
 
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mavereq

mavereq

Bronco Guru
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Feb 19, 2009
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2,092
sometime in the next few days i should be posting up some pics of their lower coil pads. they're 3/8" thick.
 
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