Author Topic: 4-link rear vs Hotchkiss  (Read 2285 times)

Offline 70RAG383

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4-link rear vs Hotchkiss
« on: June 10, 2013 - 01:00:21 PM »
I'm restroing my 70 Challenger convertible.  I've gone withthe Control Freak IFS for the front suspension.  Not sure what do with the rear.  I could go with the Control Freak 4-link rear or the Hotckkiss leaf spring suspesnion.

I'm looking for recommendations and just things I should consider.  I'm not going to race the car but I want it to handle better than stock.  It is going to look stock with 15" ralley rims.




Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: 4-link rear vs Hotchkiss
« Reply #1 on: June 10, 2013 - 10:17:28 PM »
A 4 link will need a proper shock crossmember installed , personally I prefer the leaf or for ultimate traction a leaf ladderbar floater combo .

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Offline brads70

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Re: 4-link rear vs Hotchkiss
« Reply #2 on: June 10, 2013 - 10:34:25 PM »
If your going to stick with 15" rims and this will be mainly a street car then stick with the rear leafs .
Lots of options for rear leaf springs, relocation kits for wider tires etc....
Brad
1970 Challenger 451stroker/4L60 auto OD
Barrie,Ontario,Canada
Proud to own one of the best cars ever made!!!!!

My restoration thread 
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=59072.0
 My handling upgrade post
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=73985.0

Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: 4-link rear vs Hotchkiss
« Reply #3 on: June 10, 2013 - 11:05:51 PM »
A true 3 link can be very difficult to tune , I believe what you are talking about has far less adjustment possibilities but you still need adjustable shocks to dial in the reaction of the car / traction , I don't see a 4 link as the hot tip for cornering either , you will need a panhard bar or diagonal bar to keep the suspension square as well where th eleaf spring provides both lateral support & a small amout of rear steering , as the leaf spring flattens on the outside the diff is pushed back slightly , no 4 link can do that .

Challenger - You`ll wish You Hadn`t

Offline 70RAG383

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Re: 4-link rear vs Hotchkiss
« Reply #4 on: June 11, 2013 - 10:32:11 AM »
Chryco and and Brad,

Thansk for the feedback.

The 4-link kit I'm looking at includes a panhard bar.  The tuning and adjustment that the 4-link requires doesn't really appeal to me.  Sounds like you guys think the Hotchkiss leaf spring setup will provide decent handling characteristics. 

Are there any incompatibility issues with the Hotchkiss rear setup given I have the Control Freak IFS for the front?  This is basically the same config as the RMS Alterkation.

Offline brads70

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Re: 4-link rear vs Hotchkiss
« Reply #5 on: June 11, 2013 - 03:32:02 PM »
Chryco and and Brad,

Thansk for the feedback.

The 4-link kit I'm looking at includes a panhard bar.  The tuning and adjustment that the 4-link requires doesn't really appeal to me.  Sounds like you guys think the Hotchkiss leaf spring setup will provide decent handling characteristics. 

Are there any incompatibility issues with the Hotchkiss rear setup given I have the Control Freak IFS for the front?  This is basically the same config as the RMS Alterkation.

Do your research on the Hotchkiss rear leaf springs as they do lower the car some. You might not be into that look/stance?
Brad
1970 Challenger 451stroker/4L60 auto OD
Barrie,Ontario,Canada
Proud to own one of the best cars ever made!!!!!

My restoration thread 
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=59072.0
 My handling upgrade post
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=73985.0

Offline 70RAG383

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Re: 4-link rear vs Hotchkiss
« Reply #6 on: June 11, 2013 - 05:26:02 PM »
Good point Brad. I was just reading the info on their website and noticed the rear end sits 1" lower with that setup. That's not the look I want.

I will look at some other options. Maybe the stock leafs with an aftermarket swaybar ? I have the factory swaybar but not crazy about that flimsy attachment to the frame rails.

Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: 4-link rear vs Hotchkiss
« Reply #7 on: June 12, 2013 - 10:42:25 AM »
The Flimsy attachment seems to hold up better then any aftermarket system I have semm other than a race system with rod end links etc

Challenger - You`ll wish You Hadn`t