Linking a LUBR

[JSmall]

Yes it does. I use all rights for everything. I've had alignment guys cuss me because they can't get it within .010" they can only get to .050" but once you spend the time getting it right it stays that way if you carry spares you only have to carry one. And if you drag them and knock the jam nuts loose they don't get shorter or longer on you. 120 wall tubing, even 1-1/4 OD is plenty sufficient for uppers. I normally use 1-3/4x.120 for uppers so I can use the same 1-1/4 shank Johnny joint on the upper as the lower.

Before you order the artek truss make sure it won't make your uppers too high and hit the floor. I know their 14 bolt one would have pushed my uppers 4" through the bed floor

I really appreciate all of the feedback. I will do some more research and then ask some more questions I think I'm on the right track.

 

[JSmall]

Still researching the rear truss options. I need to take a few measurements before I make a decision.

On Yeller's recommendation, I plan to go with eight of the 2.5" Johnny Joints in RH thread. http://www.currieenterprises.com/cestore/Product.aspx?id=2629
2" x .25" lowers, 1.75" x .120 uppers.

The last parts I'll need to source are the coils and the parts to mount them to the axle. I have Ballistic adjustable coil bucket mounts so I'll try to get them to work.

 

[kb6677]

Yeller makes good recommendations! I have johny joints on a rear traction bar which have been in for over ten years and still going strong. On your rear coils, if you want to save a buck, friends have had good luck with stock TJ coils. Make sure you stay with a lighter rate deal-you don't want to get too stiff after going to all the trouble to link the rear. Duffs makes the brackets to install your rear coils. Might want to put a new thread up asking folks who are running rear coils what application they are using. Other than the TJ deal my crew is on ORI's, coil overs or air shocks, so no real world apps. for you

 

[Yeller]

Thanks for the props KB!

i've found the TJ coils to be a little soft but you can usually pick them up for free (I have some I'll send you for shipping cost) If they are too soft its easy to change out to something else, with a low stockish luber they will probaby be just about right. I know a lot of guys are having very good luck with factory 6cyl bronco springs but IMO unless you have a lot of added weight like heavy bumper, tire carier large spare tire and a hard top they are too stiff. On a low rig softer springs work better and feel better. I'd even be tempted to use TJ rear springs, but they can be hard to package, they have a large od with pig tail ends on both ends, but they are short, designed to cary similar weight and I think there is enough room.

On the subject of springs, espeically on the rear, be sure to securely attach both end of the spring to the mount, they will be short enough that you will be stretching them on droop and you don't want them falling out, its a royal PITA.

 

[broncosbybart]

Another vote for JJ's. I would recommend LH and RH threads though on each end. You'll be glad you did.

I would stay away from trailing arms on a short travel application. I've thought hard about linking the rig I'm building now but decided against it due to time/expense/little gained. If you have time and money and just want to be different, go for it!

 

[JSmall]

Yeller makes good recommendations! I have johny joints on a rear traction bar which have been in for over ten years and still going strong. On your rear coils, if you want to save a buck, friends have had good luck with stock TJ coils. Make sure you stay with a lighter rate deal-you don't want to get too stiff after going to all the trouble to link the rear. Duffs makes the brackets to install your rear coils. Might want to put a new thread up asking folks who are running rear coils what application they are using. Other than the TJ deal my crew is on ORI's, coil overs or air shocks, so no real world apps. for you

I will be following Steve's advice as much as possible. I'm not trying to reinvent the wheel here so advice from knowledgeable guys that have done this before is great to have.

I'm still going over the option to run coil overs or ORI's. As I mentioned to Steve in an IM, I'm just not sure how I could get them in there without cutting up my floor. I haven't taken any measurements yet so it could end up not being an issue.

Thanks for the props KB!

i've found the TJ coils to be a little soft but you can usually pick them up for free (I have some I'll send you for shipping cost) If they are too soft its easy to change out to something else, with a low stockish luber they will probaby be just about right. I know a lot of guys are having very good luck with factory 6cyl bronco springs but IMO unless you have a lot of added weight like heavy bumper, tire carier large spare tire and a hard top they are too stiff. On a low rig softer springs work better and feel better. I'd even be tempted to use TJ rear springs, but they can be hard to package, they have a large od with pig tail ends on both ends, but they are short, designed to cary similar weight and I think there is enough room.

On the subject of springs, espeically on the rear, be sure to securely attach both end of the spring to the mount, they will be short enough that you will be stretching them on droop and you don't want them falling out, its a royal PITA.

I'll be running a hard top, aftermarket bumper with tire carrier and a 33" spare. I'll take some measurements at the ride height I'm going for while using the adjustable coil mounts and see what I come up with. I think that is my next task. I'll order the JJ's today...can't believe 8 joints are almost $450

 

[JSmall]

Another vote for JJ's. I would recommend LH and RH threads though on each end. You'll be glad you did.

I would stay away from trailing arms on a short travel application. I've thought hard about linking the rig I'm building now but decided against it due to time/expense/little gained. If you have time and money and just want to be different, go for it!

I'm still not sure about using left and right threads vs all RH threads. I've read a few different builds and it's about 50/50. The vendors that sell universal 4 link kits use RH and LH threads in their kits.

 

[Yeller]

I've done both R/L and R/R. I prefer R/R but nothing wrong with R/L. Coilovers or ORIs are an option but would require some surgery to the floor and or wheel house. With the 3-1/2" lift your looking at the coil springs will fit no problem. Also keep your shocks close to the factory mounting, you'll give up a small amount of wheel travel but gain substantially more stability. IMO stability and axle control are more important than massive flex. Don't get carried away trying to fit 15" travel shocks when 8-10" ones fit and provide the axle control that you need.

On a side note all of the linked Broncos I've linked, accept for my own, have all been for 3-1/2" of lift.

 

[broncosbybart]

On a street rig, I'd stay away from ORI's. Go coil overs if you want to spend cash. Otherwise, just use coil springs and some nice shocks. I'd just use coils myself.

Should be a cool project!

 

[JSmall]

I've done both R/L and R/R. I prefer R/R but nothing wrong with R/L. Coilovers or ORIs are an option but would require some surgery to the floor and or wheel house. With the 3-1/2" lift your looking at the coil springs will fit no problem. Also keep your shocks close to the factory mounting, you'll give up a small amount of wheel travel but gain substantially more stability. IMO stability and axle control are more important than massive flex. Don't get carried away trying to fit 15" travel shocks when 8-10" ones fit and provide the axle control that you need.

On a side note all of the linked Broncos I've linked, accept for my own, have all been for 3-1/2" of lift.

The more I think about it the more I'm liking the coil and shock option. I don't want to cut into my floor and it sounds like I would have to do that. I'm not looking for crazy flex out of this setup... nice ride and stable on the street. I'll add a sway bar to my list.

On a street rig, I'd stay away from ORI's. Go coil overs if you want to spend cash. Otherwise, just use coil springs and some nice shocks. I'd just use coils myself.

Should be a cool project!

Thanks! Hoping it will be worth the extra cash when finished. If I buy quality parts and follow the advice here, I don't think I can go wrong.

 

[Yeller]

For sway bars look at the currie a anti Rock. They are just enough to ad stability but still maintain a great ride. If too stiff of a bar is used it will ride harsh. With the hieght and link set up on mine I do not feel the need for sway bars at all. If I'm pushing it hard enough to feel it's needed I'm usually in really nice ticket/Inpound territory by the local Popo. Even on twisty mountain roads.

 

[JSmall]

For sway bars look at the currie a anti Rock. They are just enough to ad stability but still maintain a great ride. If too stiff of a bar is used it will ride harsh. With the hieght and link set up on mine I do not feel the need for sway bars at all. If I'm pushing it hard enough to feel it's needed I'm usually in really nice ticket/Inpound territory by the local Popo. Even on twisty mountain roads.

That is good to know. I will hold off on the sway bar until I have a chance to drive it. I know I'll want one in the front when I start the 3-link. I'm sure one sway bar will be plenty.

Thanks to all of the suggestions, I feel like I have a good build list going. I'm in the process of ordering everything that I will need so I should be ready to start soon. I just got mine back on the road after the 5 speed swap so I'm not sure I want to start another project right now

 

[miikee73]

I'm starting to see where your tag line came from "No end in sight" seems to fit. Don't tear it apart until we get together for a look see at the mods so far. Are you planning on the Hangover run? So how's Oliver doing,Dad?

 

[JSmall]

This is what I have planned for the coils at the axle end. Is this acceptable? Is there a better way to accomplish this?

http://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/catalog/COIL-CEN.html

http://www.wildhorses4x4.com/product/Extreme_Duty_Lower_Coil_Spring_Cups

I will be using the Ballistic adjustable coil buckets for the frame side coil mount.
http://www.ballisticfabrication.com/Adjustable-Coil-Buckets_p_1183.html

Going for 3.5" suspension lift and with the buckets at the highest and without going through the floor, there will be about 17" between the mounts with the option to decrease that distance. Trying to decide what coils I should use so I can get them on order. I'll be running a hard top and an aftermarket bumper with a 33" spare. I've read the TJ coils could be a little soft so I'm looking for options. Are 3.5" front coils acceptable?

 

[Numberfool]

If I could find a way to spend the funds to build another, It would be stock height 3 link front 4 link rear on 33's and be a DD. It can be done I've spent enough time laying under them contemplating and studying. My trail truck is stock height on 37's and drives like its on rails on the street, it was even better the 1 time I drove it with 35's on it and with 33's it would be even better

Ok.... I'll ask the softball question.

For a rig that isn't going rock crawling and is truly a DD with an occasional trip off road to get the tires dirty, hunt or camp, what are the handling and mannerism differences one can expect between a well designed and installed suspension lift and a 4 link/3 link setup?

 

[JSmall]

I'm starting to see where your tag line came from "No end in sight" seems to fit. Don't tear it apart until we get together for a look see at the mods so far. Are you planning on the Hangover run? So how's Oliver doing,Dad?

I won't be starting this for awhile. I still have a lot of parts to purchase before I'm ready. I want to make the hangover run, but it will be a last minute decision for me. I'll have to leave Erica and Oliver at home so it will depend on what's happening at that moment. Oliver is great! Three weeks old tomorrow

 

[mavereq]

I was worried that front coils would be too rough. I tried progressive coils first but eventually went to deaver coils. They ride nice. I wouldn't go with YJ coils. Your lower coil mount is exactly what I used.

The bloody knuckle rear suspension is a y link upper. I would go that route for something used on the street more.

 

[JSmall]

I was worried that front coils would be too rough. I tried progressive coils first but eventually went to deaver coils. They ride nice. I wouldn't go with YJ coils. Your lower coil mount is exactly what I used.

The bloody knuckle rear suspension is a y link upper. I would go that route for something used on the street more.

Looking for info on the Bloody Knuckle rear suspension. I've only seen the extended radius arms from them.

 

[Yeller]

The coil buckets will work fine. As for springs I've used all sorts of springs. with a 17" height stock 6cyl fronts should work moog offers stock replacements that are pretty inexpensive. As for using a Y link it works and I've used plenty of them but a 4 link tracks better and has better stability.

 

[JSmall]

The coil buckets will work fine. As for springs I've used all sorts of springs. with a 17" height stock 6cyl fronts should work moog offers stock replacements that are pretty inexpensive. As for using a Y link it works and I've used plenty of them but a 4 link tracks better and has better stability.

I'll checkout those stock springs. What do you think about this truss? Expensive, but it has an integrated pinion guard and skid plate.

http://www.tabzone.com/12559-01-9-INCH-AXLE-TRUSS-KIT_p_661.html