3 link upper link on passenger side or drivers side?

[CRASH]

I'm running claytons radius arm set-up and am using only a single upper link on the passenger side. I have not had any clearance issues or adverse handling with this set-up.

That's not really the kind of three link we're talking about here. A single-sided radius arm can be fit just about anywhere, but getting acceptable geometry and a flat belly out of a true three link takes some work.

 

[CRASH]

I don't know if anyone knows Jim Brown, he is a member here, and on www.socalxj.com. He did a Triangulated 3-link, he bent his upper triangulated link around the oil pan, and this worked out perfect. I like it so much, I am doing a triangulated 4-link in a similar way. He built new upper mounts near the stock location, and trussed the housing. He would know more about what he did. I hate the track bar, so this is an option to avoid that POS.

I don't understand the great desire to get rid of the Panhard. What kind of problems do you have with it? And are they so bad that you are willing to give up your ability to drive your rig on the street (full hydro is mandatory with a triangulated front set-up)?

 

[vetteboy]

That's not really the kind of three link we're talking about here. A single-sided radius arm can be fit just about anywhere, but getting acceptable geometry and a flat belly out of a true three link takes some work.

Ain't this the truth. I managed to get it *almost* flush with the bottom of the frame rails. Ended up needing to space the whole thing down 5/8" - only to clear the NP231 on the trans tunnel though.

Yes, that's a pilot bushing acting as a spacer right now. I have pieces of 3" x 5/8" bar to run the whole way that I'll be using when it all goes together.

A rear 4-link with a flat skid is an interesting adventure as well.

 

[Jes]

Ended up needing to space the whole thing down 5/8" - only to clear the NP231 on the trans tunnel though.

That's not a NP231, looks more like a Dana300.

 

[vetteboy]

That's not a NP231, looks more like a Dana300.

The devil's in the details, man.

 

[Paul S]

Passenger side upper:

Flat belly:

Achievable with mid arms.

Paul

 

[vetteboy]

I was planning on doing boatsides like that as well. How's that workin out for you?

 

[Goatman]

I don't know if anyone knows Jim Brown, he is a member here, and on www.socalxj.com. He did a Triangulated 3-link, he bent his upper triangulated link around the oil pan, and this worked out perfect. I like it so much, I am doing a triangulated 4-link in a similar way. He built new upper mounts near the stock location, and trussed the housing. He would know more about what he did. I hate the track bar, so this is an option to avoid that POS.

Yes, and Jim also went with full hydro steering, something that is not universally accepted for driving on the street. A triangulated front requires full hydro steering which considerably adds to the complexity of the project. We're seeing more and more rigs built (many buggies) with 3 link front ends because they work so well. There's nothing wrong with a track bar, it's just another link. I like track bars, and 3 links, and am very happy with the front 3 link that I've been running for 5 years. I'm currently building a buggy, and plan on doing 3 links front and rear.

Oh, and I also run a mid arm with the upper link on the pasenger side and a flat crossmember, and it was much easier to build than CRASH's........however I really like CRASH's design.

 

[Paul S]

I was planning on doing boatsides like that as well. How's that workin out for you?

REALLY well. I thought nerfs were good for pivoting off until I saw how well Matt's junk worked with the boatsides, that moved this mod to the top for me. It's amazing how much more traction you get when you don't even touch the rocker.

Paul

 

[vetteboy]

Outstanding. How do you have it tied into the door sill? I was probably going to put a piece of 1/8" wall rectangle tube in place of the rockers and weld it to that, plus some triangular bracing going from the frame rails up to that rectangle tube (following the angle of the boatsides). What thickness plate for the skids themselves?

 

[Paul S]

Outstanding. How do you have it tied into the door sill? I was probably going to put a piece of 1/8" wall rectangle tube in place of the rockers and weld it to that, plus some triangular bracing going from the frame rails up to that rectangle tube (following the angle of the boatsides). What thickness plate for the skids themselves?

I hate to screw-up a perfectly good 3 link thread. Why don't you start a boatside thread & we'll get some details & photos going there.

Paul