rear 8.8 coil conversion/RA

[glom742]

Ok so i hate shackles lol... Anyways I have been searching around to swap my rear springs to coils so i can get rid of shackles and trim up the bumper area for more deproach angle. Everywhere i search i find people doing 4 link or wishbone style. I was looking under my truck and with a 4-6 inch lift using the front leaf perches...some custom radius arms would fit nicely, let my coils sit right under frame and the RA would be parallel to the ground. Throw in a pan-hard and boom done, no moving the gas tank. Is there some reason i haven't seen this simple designee talked about.

What this project would require:

custom radius arms with coil seats
coils
coil seats for frame
panhard bar
new bumpstops
new shocks
custom shock mounts

Any thoughts, did any ford 8.8s ever come with radius arms or aftermarkets availiable? (may simplify making custom ones)

Any thoughts? am i missing something? Some1 call me stupid pls

 

[snoranger]

If all you really hate are the shackles... Why dont you replace them with sliders?

 

[corkey]

i like the slider idea,

but for clearance and flex,,
try this,,

 

[corkey]

or this,

 

[tweakedlogic]

i like the slider idea,

but for clearance and flex,,
try this,,

I think I just came a little.

 

[IZwack]

4-link isnt really easy to execute with the gas tank (as the OP mentioned) in its stock location while maintaining proper pinion angle throughout suspension cycle. As for the radius arm idea - I think the biggest issue is the anti-squat numbers - search Google if you need more info.

 

[IZwack]

If all you really hate are the shackles... Why dont you replace them with sliders?

That's interesting. Got a link of that build thread? I wonder how that system holds up as a majority of the weight of the vehicle os transmitted through those tiny pieces of what looks like Delrin - which might eventually be gouged and wear out significantly in a short amount of time.

 

[glom742]

hmm i like the sliders... I guess adding a 3rd link to top of housing wouldn't be much more work heh... or go ahead a bII tank it... so how about those front leaf perches being used for links/RA, seems like it has enough distance for a good 4-6 lift yea?

Corkey, is that a universal 4 link kit? or specific for us heh? would be cool, prolly expensive as all hell.

 

[glom742]

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/534869/fullsize/toyinrocks11.jp
front and rear RA

Also someone said something about using a winch to help control antisquat???? starting to sound like more trouble than a 4-link heh.

if i do end up going 4-link i will probably fuel cell it just cuz if i go down that road i plan to chop the rear end up here and there

 

[snoranger]

That's interesting. Got a link of that build thread? I wonder how that system holds up as a majority of the weight of the vehicle os transmitted through those tiny pieces of what looks like Delrin - which might eventually be gouged and wear out significantly in a short amount of time.

Nope. Just google leaf spring sliders. You should find that they are becoming more popular these days. They also make them with roller bearings instead of delrin.

FYI.. They use similar materials for wear pads on forklift attachments. They move thousands of pounds all day long for years before we have to replace them. (We have a forklift that moves 12K lb aluminum coils 16 hours a day, 5 days a week for the past 12 years. We have never replaced the wear pads.) I wouldnt hesitate to use it on a trail truck, on a DD... I'd have to think about it first.

 

[IZwack]

GOogled it - good stuff. In case anyone is interested:
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=836831

 

[Stic-o]

found some interesting tech on the sliders here...

http://www.afcoracing.com/tech_pages/leaf.shtml

 

[corkey]

hmm i like the sliders... I guess adding a 3rd link to top of housing wouldn't be much more work heh... or go ahead a bII tank it... so how about those front leaf perches being used for links/RA, seems like it has enough distance for a good 4-6 lift yea?

Corkey, is that a universal 4 link kit? or specific for us heh? would be cool, prolly expensive as all hell.

it's a universal, but it has all the parts in one kit,, and the front of it is already done, just have to get the parts welded on the rear husing,


http://www.trail-gear.com/trail-link-four-rear-4-link-kit-with-16-inch-fox-air-shocks

Trail-Link Four™ Rear Kit w/16" Fox Air Shocks, OEM Housing, 110179-1-K, $1,416