3,4 or 5 link?

[kimosabi]

whats the difference between all these links? (besides the numbers) which one gives off better artic? ???

[my45]

best way to find out good info is to do a search on the net aqnd read as many articles as you can, but as far as i know 5 link is the best.

[kimosabi]

then would it be 4 link then 3 i guess eh? so then 3 would probably be the cheapest? hehe

[wooders]

My 2¢....It's a bit Holden/Ford/Toyota/Nissan.....

At the end of the day either 3,4 or 5 link if they are not binding - will not be the factor limiting flex.
Generally a 5 link will locate the axle more firmly (esp in a lateral sideways direction).
and generally a 3 link gives more flex becuase there's less areas to bind - but can give a wobbly feel...
4 link is just somewhere in between.....

I suppose if I was building a custom buggy the 3 link would be my preference - but for offthe shelf generally usage - I link the 5 links......(Which the TJ's have front & rear :D)....
But anyways as I said regardless of the number of links - they can all be designed for massive artic.....

[kimosabi]

so a four would be sturdy yet gie some flex? would that suit a hilux extra cab? at the rear, but i dunno what to put at the front. any suggestions?

[wooders]

Generally you'd want a 5 link for the front......

[baby_troupe]

This is a 5 link in action
http://www.mannellmotors.com.au/TWhatsNew/5LinkSuspensionS.jpg

[kimosabi]

ok, have all hilux's now days gone IFS??

[my45]

saddly yes :'(

[Slunnie]

Wooders, apart from hinged arms and drilling bushes, how do you get massive flex from a 3-link? I don't think I've seen a 3-link flex like a 5-link (but then again there's lots I have not seen).

Kimosabi. The number relates to the number of axle locating links that run from the chassis to the axle. The geometry varies for each setup, and there are a number of interpretations for some.

Just a thought Wooders, when you talk of 3-link, do you mean 2x radius arms + panhard, or A-frame + 2xRadius arms.

[big red]

a gq/gu patrol has three link front [two radius arms and one panhard rod] and five link rear [ two lower trailing arms, two upper trailing arms and one panhard rod]
a four link usually has the arms at an angle [not 90 degree] to stop sideways movement.
An "A" frame i'm not sure what you would call that....3 link?
shane

[Slunnie]

I wasn't really sure if the A-frame setup was considered a 3-link or a 4-link???? I could be interpreted both ways.

[wooders]

I've always counted the links at the axle end not the chassis end - An "A" framed like is one large link and only has one attachement point to the axle - so for both these reasons I would say it's a 3link.....
Never seen a 3link flex - ummm have a look at Petes Yella Yota ;)

[Slunnie]

In that respect you are right Wooders, and Peter Autinacs LC flexs like crazy :o. I had just always thought of that setup as a 4-link (possibly incorrectly ::)).

[my45]

have a look a sam knecks zuk it has an a frame setup ( i think) and it gets HUGE flex :o

[kimosabi]

have a look a sam knecks zuk it has an a frame setup ( i think) and it gets HUGE flex :o

but sam ditched that and constructed AZTEC, so where can i find the pics of it? ive seen his page but there wernt many on there :-[ and now th new one is still trying to get up and running. so... where can i see em?

[Slunnie]

OK, 3-link as in 2x radius arms and a panhard I have not really seen fleeex. A-frame is a different show, and very impressive.

Kimosabi, is the AZTEC the pipe buggy? If so I think it was for sale.

[my45]

Slunnie the Aztec is one he's just making its bigger and stronger than his zook ;D

kimosabi do you have some old 4WDM's as they did a custom truck of it about a year ago.

[spazbot]

the aztec is a completely new build up, he scrapped most of the old one just after tuff truck, and i know he was selling it but im not sure what the status of that is now.

[my45]

If you want some pics go to http://www.offroadimages.com.au/Ontrack/OnTrack.html and look at BAZOOK revisited or Sam Keck and BaZook from Overkill Engineering ;D

[RobertM]

I have seen it sitting out the front of Prestige Performance (or something like that) in Hornsby just down from Macas. I thought I read somewhere that it sold it so I don't know what the new owners are doing to it?

[my45]

I bet he'd be have'n alota fun ;D ;D

[kimosabi]

nope!!! i spoke to my cousin's girlfriends brother who is good mates with sam and the news is, he's not selling it!! dunno where you got that from but he isnt, and yea well had a look at bazook and yea i now know wat yas mean, is zezook the same? man that thing must have one sky high centre of gravity eh? well neways, thanx for all your input, ive learnt a tonne, thanx fellas

[Rangieau]

I have a 5 link fitted to my Rangie and it makes full use of my 13" travel shockies!

If you also fit front and rear lockers and 35's there wont be many tracks that are Not driveable! ;D ;D