4 link or leaf springs

derekw123

derekw123

Member
Joined
May 14, 2010
Location
granite Falls, nc
I know this question has been asked befor and Ive googled it and read for about a weak now but here is my thing I know the link flexs better and I know the leafs are more reliable. What I need is some opinions from this forum. My truck is not and will not ever be a trailor pulled truck I want to be able to drive it if I want to. I want to keep a tag on it and it pass inspection. I am getting ready to start my exo cage and would really just like some opinions.. Any help would be greatly appreciated..
 
haha that is crazy to get rid of links! Well I would love to link my truck but not being able to do it myself it can get pricey as compared to just throwin in some leaf spring packs,with all the fabwork plus nice air shocks and such.You get a good set of leaf springs though and wear them in, my truck flexs really well for leaf springs and also rides really good going down the road.
 
Your truck would pass inspection with 4 link. I would go with 3 link wish bone rear a 4 link or 3 link trac bar front. My front droops like 8" + more than my rear I am running 16" fox coilovers w/ radius arms and trac bar front and 63" chevys in the rear. I plan on 3 linking the rear on day and running either 16" coilovers or 5.5" superflex bronco coils.

There are alot of options for the link suspension...you can use coils, part of leaf pack or coilovers

Pro of Coilovers & Links
- alot of flex with little to no binding (depending on design of links)
- dial in ride height (i can adjust my front + or - 6")
- duel rate coils
- adjust dampening (+ or - nitrogen and fiddling with internals)
- Alway pushes tire to the ground
- you can figure squat or anti squat by your design

Con of Coilovers & Links
- weight sensitive
- unload when going up hill (fix with suck down winch)
-$$$$

Pro of Leafs
- Cheap
- easy to figure out geometry (pinion angle)

Con of Leafs
- alot of overhand for shackle mounts (decrease depacher approach angle)
- not adjustable
- bind and prevent flex (eyes and leafs themself)
- wear out and flatten over time
- easy to bend break (compares to stout links)

(I know i am missing alot of pro con stuff but its late)

my $.02 is if you have the funds and time to build a link suspension correctly than it far surpasses leafs anyday
 



vs

 
Thanks for all the input. The truck is an 83 toyota toy axles 37 inch tires motor is 22r. I really appreciate the input from all of u. Also im only changing the rear frknt is staying with leafs.
 
Black00XJ said:
I'm about to get rid of my 4link front for leaves. That's my .02
Click to expand...

Your factory link suspension is good for what it was designed to do at the height it was designed to do it at. You're running it far outside what it meant to do, so it's far from optimal.

You cannot compare a factory link suspension with one designed for a modified vehicle.:shaking:
 
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