Derricks X getting Portals.......

[CoryL]

That suspension setup is also pretty much designed for wheel travel when it airs out on jumps. I bet it wouldn't flex as well because the coil spring rates are going to be VERY high because of their location and aslo because of those mounts (unless they are uniballs).

Rick's works in the front because they aren't far from the axle centerline.

 

[sirhk100]

The hiems are down at the axle. You usually want a non rotating end on it. You can get away with heims on both ends if you mount your shock/coil below the centerline of the link but then as the tires are drooping out the link may try and flop over.

One more think to check out... I realize these are all more along the race lines then the crawler but I've seen these things flex like monsters too!!!

http://www.mcneiloff-road.com/3-link.html

Not the same truck but here's one flexing. I've been out with a couple 4X4 prerunners with race 4 links in the rear and they flex very well. They run soft springs for a smooth ride, it's all in the valving of the shocks. In the prerun scene the coils only hold up the vehicle, the shocks are valved VERY agressively to provide the ride...

 

[TravisC]

HOLY HORSE $H1T, just replying for updates

This is going to be great!! And HUGE

 

[sirhk100]

Okay, that's probably enough outta me on this project. I'm sure Coryl will examine my photos and ideas and see if they are applicable to your project, just thought I'd stir the pot and show you some alternatives that might work. And just for some more info...

Here's some shots of why you should not mount shocks off the side of the links... Especially if you're runing heims on both ends!!!

 

[NOTAJP]

Ouch!

 

[Derrick C.]

Well you have me really thinkin about those. It would save on fabin. But what about the front???

 

[Heath]

Oops... Some genius must have thought that one up..

 

[sirhk100]

I'm picturing in the front something similar to a TJ or XJ in Design. What's Rick running?

 

[Derrick C.]

Go away mister dana 30 man!!!

Ricks runnin just a 4 link with coil overs.

Ok, I'm seein it. Coils or coil-overs???

I found some Race Runner coil overs(with no coils) on race-dezert.com for $200 a peice. They were only 12s though. I'm thinkin I might need to go to a 14" coil over.

 

[mattrick8888]

khris, i found this thread and have a few things i thought i would throw on the table. first is are the explorer frames the same as ranger frames? this includes width as well as shape. those ranger kits use mounting points off the stock frame to locate the links properly. ie-the newline kit is designed for the LCA mounts to use the stock body mount holes. do the explorers have the same body mounts? also if the frames are wider than rangers then the UCA will not be long enough.

another problem might be the axle being used. nestor and mcneil designed the kits for a 9" axle. the unimog axle doesnt have the pumpkin in the center, and the tubes may not be the same size as a 9". this will require more thought to be put into the pivots and for someone who may not understand how links work it might complicate things.

anyways just thought i would throw those out so someone doesnt blow 3 grand on a badass link system and cant use it.

 

[sirhk100]

That's a decent price... That's definately the classifieds to look for that kind of stuff on!!! Rember, there's Fox, SAW, King and Bilstein. I think Bilstein RCS series is cheaper then the 9100 series. To me it seems that c/o would be easier to fab up then a normal coil. Coryl, what's your opinion? Seems to me you just have to make bolt places instead of fabbing up platforms for the coil to sit on.

 

[Rick]

 

[sirhk100]

I would assume he would call the maker and explain what he's doing and what he needs. I realize those are for rangers but he's also planning on hacking off the rear of his Exploder so it's not like they are out of the question. As far as mounting to the axle, it's just a matter of hanging tabs strong enough to handle the loads involved and slip the links in. Mostly I was just showing this guy that there's kits out there and people will probably build something similar for him if needed. Also, it sounds like this guy is pretty serious on the project since he's already ordered material. It also sounds like he's pretty serious about linking the rear. On explorers stock you can't run the upper arm because of the gas tank and other stuff that's in the way, not to mention the floor.


What's really funny is that at the same time as this I'm emailing with a friend here in San Diego that is building a rock buggy from scratch and is considering buying the Newline kit and developing the rear of his buggy around it.

 

[Derrick C.]

Hey Rick, Do you know what size of rod ends they used on yours???

 

[JoshC]

Derrick, not sure if this will do you any good, but here is what Cory made for mine. He did away with the top link, i guess the 3rd and 4th links. I have no idea how this is compared to a 4 link like Rick has (minus the coilovers) but i'm really pleased with it.

 

[NOTAJP]

Originally posted by mattrick8888
khris, i found this thread and have a few things i thought i would throw on the table. first is are the explorer frames the same as ranger frames? this includes width as well as shape. those ranger kits use mounting points off the stock frame to locate the links properly. ie-the newline kit is designed for the LCA mounts to use the stock body mount holes. do the explorers have the same body mounts? also if the frames are wider than rangers then the UCA will not be long enough.

another problem might be the axle being used. nestor and mcneil designed the kits for a 9" axle. the unimog axle doesnt have the pumpkin in the center, and the tubes may not be the same size as a 9". this will require more thought to be put into the pivots and for someone who may not understand how links work it might complicate things.

anyways just thought i would throw those out so someone doesnt blow 3 grand on a badass link system and cant use it.

The front portion of the frame is the same for Rangers up to 92 and all first gen explorers. That's about the end of it. The rear frames are quite wider than the Rangers. That rear link system is pretty awesome and could work with some modifications but I'm still thinking we can build a 4-link or reverse 4-link cheaper and easier. I'm hoping to talk Derrick into keeping most of the frame front and rear.

 

[Derrick C.]

Keeping the frame??? Why???

I can see keeping the front but wouldn't it be easier just to whack the rear off??? That way we can build around the axle.

I just got off the phone with Baja Concepts. I asked them about some coil overs. I asked about there 2 1/2" x 14" travel Racerunners. With the coils at 200 and 350 pound rating. With all hardware and shipping I'm right at $527 per shock.

 

[sirhk100]

That's a resonable price. How did you come up with your spring rates?

 

[NOTAJP]

That's quite a bit of spring rate if you plan on cutting off the rear so there wouldn't be any weight AND spring rate will need to be different if the coil-overs are mounted straight up and down or at an angle.

Edit: That should be a good rate for the front and we'll keep the shock almost straight up and down and right above the axle.

 

[Derrick C.]

I've been talking to Cory about coil overs for a week or so. Thats what he suggested to start with.

Kent, you gotta remember. Theres going to be atleast a 25 gallon fuel cell and a spare tire mounted back there. Plus my dual batterys and all the usual trail stuff.

I thought coil overs didn't work well mounted straight up and down. I thought there should be some sort of angle to it.