4 Link vs Standard Suspension

[tripleJs15]

I need some help determining the direction to go and pros and cons of each, the goal is to have a superb handling road/hwy driver, little to no off-road.

The build includes a coyote, 33x12.5's, I currently have a 2.5" JD DuckTuff set up all in the box with front and rear sway bars, and the torque tamer kit.

Price aside what's the best performing setup and why?

 

[DirtDonk]

Hmm, following this to hear the answers.
Used to be it was just used to get some extra wheel travel for off-roading and keep a good street ride. Nowadays though with so much tech thrown at it, it can probably do everything if it's done right.
Spatial limitations aside, it's a good system. Just fitting it all under a Bronco while keeping the correct geometry and not having to cut into the body has been at least one of the stumbling blocks over the years I think.
Willingness, or ability to fully custom fabricate one yourself would be another aspect that keeps most people at arm's length too I would imagine. Not too many "kits" out there yet. A fair amount of info on the Duff kit over the years though I'd say. With some new additions to it recently too if I remember.

Good luck! Don't know what the consensus (hah, just used the c-word and Broncos!) will be, but very interested to hear why most have gone with 4-link and what they think about it.

Paul

 

[Yeller]

The kit and parts you have there are the best your going to get working within the stock style design. Duff’s street 4 link is an option and overall will provide the best ride. In my opinion the handling is not drastically better on the road by most standards. I know you said cost was not a factor but it is a SIGNIFICANT amount higher and significantly more complex to install.

As anyone here can attest I’m the “4 link everything guy” and have designed close to 100 different rear 4 link designs in different vehicles for different purposes from street to desert racing and I’d be torn as well what to do. The tuning that has gone into the current modern leaf springs has made that ancient rudimentary technology still as viable today as it was over 150 years ago when it started appearing on horse drawn wagons.

I know I didn’t answer your question, just gave more to ponder. No matter what it is YOUR truck and build it the way you want. Just be aware that the way you want can be a slippery slope that leads to never completing it or you do it’s no longer that cutting edge machine that you dreamed up, pick a point you can handle and complete so that it gets completed and enjoyed sooner than later.

 

[Broncobowsher]

I thought Duff released a street oriented version of a rear 4-link?

 

[Madgyver]

The kit and parts you have there are the best your going to get working within the stock style design. Duff’s street 4 link is an option and overall will provide the best ride. In my opinion the handling is not drastically better on the road by most standards. I know you said cost was not a factor but it is a SIGNIFICANT amount higher and significantly more complex to install.

As anyone here can attest I’m the “4 link everything guy” and have designed close to 100 different rear 4 link designs in different vehicles for different purposes from street to desert racing and I’d be torn as well what to do. The tuning that has gone into the current modern leaf springs has made that ancient rudimentary technology still as viable today as it was over 150 years ago when it started appearing on horse drawn wagons.

I know I didn’t answer your question, just gave more to ponder. No matter what it is YOUR truck and build it the way you want. Just be aware that the way you want can be a slippery slope that leads to never completing it or you do it’s no longer that cutting edge machine that you dreamed up, pick a point you can handle and complete so that it gets completed and enjoyed sooner than later.

I second this^^^^

 

[Yeller]

I thought Duff released a street oriented version of a rear 4-link?

They have and it is phenomenal. As awesome as it is it’s not for every build, every use or every builder. If you have the resources, it is the next level but you have to be “eyes wide open” about the purchase and installation, it is not for everyone.

 

[tripleJs15]

They have and it is phenomenal. As awesome as it is it’s not for every build, every use or every builder. If you have the resources, it is the next level but you have to be “eyes wide open” about the purchase and installation, it is not for everyone.

Good to know - I appreciated your input on the other post as well, it’s a tough decision but I want to make sure I make it once!

 

[rguest3]

I have a Duff Street 4-link in the works. Welding as we speak. There is a lot more to it than other factory style suspensions. It's not just the purchase of the kit itself.

Rear Spring and Shock Frame brackets are removed and the frame is grinded smooth.

Then there is the set-up itself. Not welding yet. Getting EVERYTHING square. Making sure the axle is where you want it. Making sure the Rear Coil Buckets and Side Frame Link Brackets are where they need to be, and with that, the Links have to be properly adjusted. Again Square. Ideally you are doing this part with at least the drivetrain installed to get close with overall weight.

Then the Rear Buckets and Side Frame Brackets are Tack welded in place. You can actually Bolt the rear buckets in place and move them later as you need to.

Now since you have gotten to everything easily, lets install the Body and maybe a heavy Roll Cage to see if your initial spots you Tack welded earlier will need to be moved. Probably not the Side Frame Link Brackets but the Rear Coil Buckets may need to be adjusted up or down for proper ride height.

Then, if you are 100% satisfied that everything is as it should be, you tear it all down, finish the welding and then Powder Coat or finish the frame as you like. After Powder Coat you can now build the final time.......

Do you see what I'm getting at??? It's not the Factory style suspension that can be installed easily in one day. As Yeller stated, it's not for everyone.

I also have Coil-overs and Extended Radius Arms in the front. Thats a different story.

I do expect great results though.

 

[Yeller]

I have a Duff Street 4-link in the works. Welding as we speak. There is a lot more to it than other factory style suspensions. It's not just the purchase of the kit itself.

Rear Spring and Shock Frame brackets are removed and the frame is grinded smooth.

Then there is the set-up itself. Not welding yet. Getting EVERYTHING square. Making sure the axle is where you want it. Making sure the Rear Coil Buckets and Side Frame Link Brackets are where they need to be, and with that, the Links have to be properly adjusted. Again Square. Ideally you are doing this part with at least the drivetrain installed to get close with overall weight.

Then the Rear Buckets and Side Frame Brackets are Tack welded in place. You can actually Bolt the rear buckets in place and move them later as you need to.

Now since you have gotten to everything easily, lets install the Body and maybe a heavy Roll Cage to see if your initial spots you Tack welded earlier will need to be moved. Probably not the Side Frame Link Brackets but the Rear Coil Buckets may need to be adjusted up or down for proper ride height.

Then, if you are 100% satisfied that everything is as it should be, you tear it all down, finish the welding and then Powder Coat or finish the frame as you like. After Powder Coat you can now build the final time.......

Do you see what I'm getting at??? It's not the Factory style suspension that can be installed easily in one day. As Yeller stated, it's not for everyone.

I also have Coil-overs and Extended Radius Arms in the front. Thats a different story.

I do expect great results though.

You nailed it! Been watching your build, it is going to take a little shock and maybe spring tuning to get perfect but it is going to be sweet

 

[RODRIG3911]

I've never had 4 links on a Bronco (I'm sure it's great), but I can tell you that you can get a very nice ride with conventional style soft springs and racing shocks. All with less engineering.

I've got 3.5" linear deavers (190#) in the front with Duff long arms and 12" ADS 2.5" reservoir racing shocks. The rear is WH 3.5" leafs with 12" Duff 2020 shocks for now (They are actually pretty good for the price, but I will upgrade to the ones I have on the front when I get more money for parts). The ADS shocks I got up front are like $600 each, but they're tuned for the Bronco and you can fly down rough roads. Very very smooth on the Streets and Highway with this setup.

Springs and tuned Shocks are key

 

[markw]

We’re also looking at using Ranger/FSB length rear springs. Fair amount of fab but not as much as the Duffs kit.


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[68ford]

We’re also looking at using Ranger/FSB length rear springs. Fair amount of fab but not as much as the Duffs kit.


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I have ranger race leafs from Deaver. They work great and easily achieve 16in true vertical wheel travel. That being said, they are soft and wrap pretty bad even with my little warmed over 302.

 

[markw]

Probably have to put a good traction bar on the axle. I don’t recall the part # for the Deaver springs but it will give a stock ride height.


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[68ford]

Probably have to put a good traction bar on the axle. I don’t recall the part # for the Deaver springs but it will give a stock ride height.


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Mine is stock ride height and with the factory bump stop and bracket gone it has 6.5 in up travel from ride height. The hard part with such high arch springs (when unloaded) is, it is almost impossible to get a traction bar to move with the axle the same path as the leaf springs and the entire set up ends up binding at some point. Probably can get it close though.

 

[markw]

Good point on that. I’d like to see more of your setup sometime.


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