amazin-red said:
@Goatman, I hope you will not think I am cracy, but I could not follow you, about the third link.
The both LCA in long design are easy, but the third...
From where to where it is mounted?
From the middle of the axle to where?
The skill for this I have, (and a good buddy to help also) only the right design is missing so far.
I run currently through the web, and steal any idea or hint I can find.
Thanks for the help
Rgds Red
When the upper arm is connected to the lower arm, rather than to the frame, this is a radius arm. This type of radius arm can have an upper arm on both sides or just on one side, it's still a radius arm design. A triangulated suspension can have four links, or it can use one U shaped or V shaped link that has one attachement point at the axle and two attachment points on the frame (one on each side). This is called a triangulated suspension, and does not need a track bar. It also can be difficult to design a good steering system with this design, causing many to go to full hydraulic steering with a front triangulated suspension.
I assume that you are talking about a four link, with two lower arms and two upper arms, all of them attached to the frame, and using a track bar. It is very tight under the front of an XJ to do a four link long arm. What I'm talking about is a three link, with two lower arms and one upper arm, all of them attached to the frame, and the upper arm on one side or the other.
What I mean by mid arm is something between the length of short arms or long arms. The goal is to get better arm angles, which is what longer arms accomplish. I never get why poeple have to go to very long arms if they don't want the short arms. A somewhat longer arm, with improved mounting locations, is very effective and does not reduce ground clearance like so many long arms do. If a person is limited to what can be bought, then it's either long arms or short arms, but if you're going to fabricate it yourself, and starting with a clean sheet of paper, I see little reason to build long arms, unless you're working with parts that you already have and are looking for a way to make them work. Long arms can work very well, don't get me wrong, but a design that does not compromise ground clearance is VERY difficult to build in the space allowed under the front of an XJ, and very few have been able to accomplish it. A mid arm three link is a much more practical design on the front of an XJ.
Obviously, this is what I have, so here are some pics for you. These pics are with 7.5" of lift and 35" tires.