3-link

[CJS]

Anybody built a 3-link w/ long arms for the front? I was either gonna do radius arms or a 3-link and wanted to know who had done it and how. Pros/Cons of both would be nice too.

[CRASH]

When you say three link, are we talking two lowers and a wishbone upper? One regular lower, and one RE long arm style lower? Two regular lowers and a third torque arm upper (RockKrawler style)? A radius arm style with a Panhard bar?

CRASH

[REDXJ4FUN]

Well I'm running a three link witch is two lowers and one upper simila to the RE but with only one upper. I have so bugs to work out of it with the location of the upper mount to the lower arm that is causing some odd drivaabliity issuses but its a heck of alot better that short arms at 6in and the travel is incredible its enough that i haqd to lenghten my bump stops so the top of the spring wouldn't fall of the spring tower.

[CJS]

When you say three link, are we talking two lowers and a wishbone upper? One regular lower, and one RE long arm style lower? Two regular lowers and a third torque arm upper (RockKrawler style)? A radius arm style with a Panhard bar?

I meant to lowers (long arms) and a wishbone upper. My only concern was how you could build the upper to clear the oil pan.

[Jerm S.]

On our xj's i think that it is better to do a reverse triangulated 4 link. Where the uppers start above the lowers and then angle in toward the middle on a crossmeber some where under the trans. The only problem with this design is trying to get the crossmeber beefy enough to handel the stress. Good luck

Jerm S.

[4ward]

If you're going for a full awn trail rig running full awn hydro, I'd go this route in a heartbeat. Otherwise, I'd build a double triangulated 4 link or a 3 link non-wishbone style with a trac bar (still a 4 link in my book). Dial up folks are gonna hate me:eek:

Sean

http://pics.montypics.com/OneTonXJ/2003-04-22/1051071251_Untitled_10.jpg
http://pics.montypics.com/OneTonXJ/2003-04-22/1051071281_Untitled_11.jpg
http://pics.montypics.com/OneTonXJ/2003-04-22/1051071314_Untitled_8.jpg
http://pics.montypics.com/OneTonXJ/2003-04-22/1051071357_Untitled_9.jpg

[Goatman]

Hey OneTon, do you still wheel that thing, or is it just for show? :D

BTW, you only count arms from the side. BOTW, are you gonna make it?

Are we going to have another long three link discussion here? Long arms....wishbones.......who needs 'em. ;)

[CJS]

I guess I'll probably just end up going with radius arms, should I use a johnny joint on the cross member end?

[Bronco]

Why couldn’t a modified track bar with a stiffened pivot at one end do the job of the upper control arms? I’m thinking like 4-inch long hinge type pivots at the axel end of the track bar. With long arms of course…

[forgiven]

Crash your mailbox is full. So, tell me about tail light eliminators.

[RCP Phx]

Originally posted by Jerm S.
On our xj's i think that it is better to do a reverse triangulated 4 link. Where the uppers start above the lowers and then angle in toward the middle on a crossmeber some where under the trans. The only problem with this design is trying to get the crossmeber beefy enough to handel the stress. Good luck

Jerm S.

Are you talking about a V arm with a single pivot or a parallel four arm with rear upper/lower pivots.Room is the biggest problem,the crossmember is the easiest,Im starting on my setup this weekend!

[4ward]

Well Mr. Goat, as I'm standing to the side of your junk, i can still count 4 links 3 going left to right, one going straight out from me :rolleyes:

No BOTW for me, gonna do the Paragon trip, Tellico trip, Moab trip, and I'm trying to get in a couple of Badlands and Windrock trips. My plate is full and I'm tryin to buy an 8274.

Sean

[Goatman]

Originally posted by OneTonXJ
Well Mr. Goat, as I'm standing to the side of your junk, i can still count 4 links 3 going left to right, one going straight out from me :rolleyes:

No BOTW for me, gonna do the Paragon trip, Tellico trip, Moab trip, and I'm trying to get in a couple of Badlands and Windrock trips. My plate is full and I'm tryin to buy an 8274.

Sean

Straight out.......... :rolleyes: Is that new math? :)

We're going to miss you, but it sounds like you have plenty of runs coming up. We're looking forward to seeing what those CO rigs are made of.......it would have been fun if you were there. :D

[Matt]

I shamelessly followed Oneton into the 3 link zone... It works great after solving some issues with the upper link connection at the axle... I'll just give ya one pic (ps I use ram assist but my drag link is totally flat...)

http://home.off-road.com/~wanderingwillys/xjpics/3_link/new_lowers2.jpg

Matt

[4ward]

Matt, I'm going to shamelessly copy your upper link for my redo next month. Can you send me some detailed pics to metalbytch@hotmail.com . Or just direct me to wherever you may keep your photos. This outta make Mr. Hinkley a happy camper.

Sean

[Matt]

The following are links to the directories where most of the pics are - if you are interested in anything else just let me know...

http://home.off-road.com/~wanderingwillys/xjpics/3_link/

http://home.off-road.com/~wanderingwillys/xjpics/D30_with_D44_outers/

more items of value in the first link...

and a few teasers:

The new gussets...
http://home.off-road.com/~wanderingwillys/xjpics/3_link/3rd_link_bushing_mount2.jpg

The switch from heim to bushing
http://home.off-road.com/~wanderingwillys/xjpics/3_link/new%25203rd%2520link.jpg

Veiw of the backup link
http://home.off-road.com/~wanderingwillys/xjpics/safety_link1.JPG

Clearences before the new gussets and switch from heims to bushings...
http://home.off-road.com/~wanderingwillys/xjpics/ramp8.jpg

Matt

[4ward]

Is your shaft on bearings, or are you running a bronze bushing in there?

Sean

[Matt]

Its actually a trailer spindle and rides on timken tapered roller bearings... :D I works really nicely - you could almost run a single plane pivot on the axle attachement as it handles the axle articulation so well...

Matt

[Chark]

Sean..."dial up guys are goin' hate me".....we already do!!!! What are you willing to spend for a winch? I think I can find one.

[Beezil]

I agree.....sean, its too late.

[PNWXJ]

What about the new Tera setup adapted to the XJ? from pics I've seen it looks pretty simple but effective. At least for us sissy D30 guys.:anon:

[4ward]

Matt, do you think that bushing will live long with the axial front to back movement of suspension articulation. I realize that setup will do nicely for twist in one plane, but what happens when the left goes forward and the right goes to the back?

Big daddy, you know the winch I want. I'm lookin' to keep it under 5 bills cuz I'm gonna put rope on it.


Beezil, you love me and you know it:rolleyes:

Sean

[Matt]

Thats why I had a heim in there originally but after two failures I decided that I needed something that could fail without dumping the front end out... I had the choice between a JJ and a standard bushing - I went with the same bushing I was using on the lowers so all the parts are the same for the purposes of spares.

The bushing proved to have sufficient misalignment to take up the arc radius of the lowers (the front to back movement you are talking about which = ~1.5" at the wheel ends) The trouble I am having now is the ears of the bushing keep getting milled off by the collar...

I think I may go to a RE spherical bearing as it can take the side load better - My concern with a bronze bushing would be deformation from the side loading and the inability to make up for wear...

If I was starting from scratch again I would build the link around a much bigger trailer spindle and use a 1" bore 1.25" shank heim and mount it with the bore running up and down - using the misalignment to account for the vertical movement of the link - this way all the loading of the heim is along the race not across it...

Anyone off hand have the widths of the two sizes of RE spherical joints (7/16" bolt and 9/16" bolt)... I am wondering if I have to build a new mount or can modify my existing one... :rolleyes:

Matt