4 link system.

[flores_57]

Can anyone be kind enough to explain the major advantages of a 4 link suspension . I'd like to know what goes out & what goes in ...also has anyone delt with Magnumforce & their 4 link system.Thanks in advance you guys!

[Chryco Psycho]

I don`t really recommend a 4 link for the street , it requires coil over shocks , & the shock mount Has to be reinforced to take the load , the leaf springs are removed & the frame in front of the diff has to be modified & plates added to locate & adjust the 4 link bars , you also need a track bar to keep the diff located square under the car as the 4 link has no resistance to side movement , often the feul tank has to be moved or modified to allow enough clearance for the track bar & coil over shocks
 my preference for street use is a Ladderbar system , it can be use with the leaf springs & floaters or you can replace the leafs with coilovers which again requires a track bar , I have built 2 street cars with ladderbar systems & the traction is awesome , I retained the leaf springs in both cases so cornering was good to & if a rod end fails the leaf still keeps the diff in place   

[Oldschool]

    100%   As I have stated before, you can hook a car with properly adjusted ladder bars in a cornfield.  Ladder bar systems aren't near as "picky" about track surface as 4-link systems.   Almost a set it and forget it set-up.  They perform well under most any situation you can throw at em on the street and playing on the track.  Simple and dependable---that's why I like em......               

[ttmott]

A properly setup 4-link has some features that allow the chassis to be tailored for optimum handling and straight line performance.  For example adjusting the panhard bar vertically up and down changes the instant roll center of the axle and consequently roll stiffness of the chassis rear.  Setting the lower bar positions with respect to forward intersection point sets variables like anti-squat vs. squat, oversteer vs. understeer.  Setting the upper bar positions with respect to the lower bar locations has a great affect on the rear axle steer during chassis roll.  My Cuda' is being set up with an intersect angle just below the vehicle CG and as far in front of the chassis as possible (about 160 inches).  This creates a very minor overstear condition and no chassis loading problem comming out of a corner and laying into the gas.  Since the bars intersect so far in front the arc lengths during chassis roll will be, for the most part, equal.  The real benifit over leaf springs is the chassis adjustibility.  You can set up for drag racing, then road handling in about an hour.  The 4-link is complex to set up correctly.  If it is not correct nothing but problems will result.  Note in the pictures the adjustable PH bar and parallel links on my project.

[tactransman]

4 Link

Ladder Bar

Stock

Stock with traction bars

 

[flores_57]

Thanks for all of the replys. The 4 link is one of the options I'm looking at, but not the only one. I'm looking at rebuilding the front end along with the rear. I really like the way the coilovers look-front and rear, but how would they work on a street car. What would work over all for a street car... the best bang for my budget? As always THANKS to all!!!

[Chryco Psycho]

Ladderbars are cheaper & easier to set up , it gets more costly with frame mods & coilovers though

[cowboy]

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If you go for max.traction, 4 link rules, if set up is 110% rigth..

But I use the "CalTrac" system, and at the price, and how easy it is to install, nothing beets it..

[HP2]

What would work over all for a street car... the best bang for my budget?

Two key phrases right here. What is your usage street compared to track usage? What is your engine combo like? How much $$ are you willing to spend? If your doing the front and rear suspension simultaniously, it can get very spendy very quickley. Do you just want a baseline starting point and want to change/modify over time or just want to fix it and forget it? Are you willing to get under the car and make changes each time you take the car out to do something? Do you have future plans for changes to your power train?