TOTM: Rear Suspension Designs

Coils, 3/4 elliptical, Leafsprings, whatever....


what is your rear suspension compiled of? and does it work?


or what rear suspension designs are you a fan of?

pics will be appreciated.

I will start by asking a question about Coils or Four link. I noticed that yours, Nick, has both upper and lower arms triangulated. From what I understand you only have to triangulate one. That is either upper or lower. I have seen some built with semi straight lowers and just the uppers Triangulated.

I personally am only on the stock leaf style.

89WhiteXJ wrote:I will start by asking a question about Coils or Four link. I noticed that yours, Nick, has both upper and lower arms triangulated. From what I understand you only have to triangulate one. That is either upper or lower. I have seen some built with semi straight lowers and just the uppers Triangulated.

I personally am only on the stock leaf style.

packaging and simplicity is a big reason that some people only triangulate the uppers. it is true that you only need to triangulated 1 set of arms to avoid using a trac bar. but if you only triangulate 1pair, then a phenomena called "rear steer" starts to occur. it happens while flexing and can cause trouble when trying a run a pretty tight line.

Triangulating both pairs of arms will avoid this problem. but, triangulating both means you will need a separate crossmember (like i have) in order to mount the arms for the correct geometry. and this is sometimes tough to do because of space, and driveshaft clearances and such.

Cool.

I have read about the 3/4 elliptical set up. I was very interested in it at first but then after investigating more I see its not the best Idea. Yes it will flex well but the reaction the spring can do on certain hill does not attract me.

If anyone does not know what 3/4 elliptical rear is: Basically its a normal leaf spring placement to the axle but at the rear instead of a shackle you have half a leaf spring attached and it is bolted to the "frame".

True, you want to put up some pictures of 3/4 setups?

I would, but im not at my computer

Im using my phone right now and before.
http://www.cherokeeforum.com/f46/88-mj-build-2wd-4x4-3-4-elliptic-longarm-etc-104510/
This is a link to a guy building one for a Comanche.

anyone have any questions about certain suspension setups?

i am going to 3link my front of the Wangler ,and see how it flexes with the stretch leafs rear before i decide on any other major changes i also plan on running coil springs not coilovers it is simpler and fits my budget. coilovers have to be set up and each rig is different so you can't do what someone else does to their rig so you spend more money tring different spring combinations

true, coilovers can be pretty tricky. knowing how the weight in your jeep is spread out really helps out.

im with you on using coil springs instead though. although you can still end up going through multiple springs to find the right one for you. (ive tried out about 6 pairs of springs for my rear)