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Old 03-13-2009, 12:23 PM   #1
4DSEVEN
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4 Link with Leaf Springs or Coil Overs?

Looking at my options as we are about to start on the rearend.

I have seen a number of 4 link systems with coil overs or bags but can't recall if anyone is using leaf springs? (I'm talking Leafs with a 4 link)

Is this a common set up or is one recommended over the other and why?

Mark
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Old 03-13-2009, 12:52 PM   #2
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Re: 4 Link with Leaf Springs or Coil Overs?

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Originally Posted by 4DSEVEN View Post
Looking at my options as we are about to start on the rearend.

I have seen a number of 4 link systems with coil overs or bags but can't recall if anyone is using leaf springs? (I'm talking Leafs with a 4 link)

Is this a common set up or is one recommended over the other and why?

Mark
There would be no reason to use a 4-link and leafs. You would use one or the other, not both. The leaf acts as a rearend locater and spring, where as the 4 link is just a locater, you still need bags or springs to set the height. What are you trying to accomplish?
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Old 03-13-2009, 01:08 PM   #3
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Re: 4 Link with Leaf Springs or Coil Overs?

What am i trying to accomplish? LOL! Well I guess it's figuring out that the guy giving me this info in the first place doesn't know what the hell he is talking about!!!

Man talk about frustrating...

Good thing i have all you guys here with the right information.

I'm trying to get the truck low while not using bags. I was considering a 4 link with coil overs and the guy told me to go with the four link AND use the leaf springs for the suspension. I hadn't recalled ever reading this on the forumn and figured I'd best pose the question here. good thing I did!

I think I may just change up the leafs and put the blocks to get my ride height. Seems to be a popular option and since the truck will be a weekend warrior pretty much I will be fine.

Thanks for the heads up.
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Old 03-13-2009, 01:53 PM   #4
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Re: 4 Link with Leaf Springs or Coil Overs?

I'm not an expert on 4 links but I do know in the world of custom fab anything is possible if you wanted to use leafs for the suspension the spring hangers would have to be slider type (no shackles or pivots) like on a trailer the leafs could keep the axle centered eliminating the need for a panhard bar.
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Old 03-13-2009, 05:52 PM   #5
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Re: 4 Link with Leaf Springs or Coil Overs?

Go buy a book and learn about chassis and suspensions. Stop listening to people that don't know what they are talking about. You also have to becareful about the information you get from forums. There are people that provide an answer but don't know what they are talking about. Learn and research before you start cutting and spending money.
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Old 03-13-2009, 07:14 PM   #6
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Re: 4 Link with Leaf Springs or Coil Overs?

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Originally Posted by Wild83C10 View Post
Go buy a book and learn about chassis and suspensions. Stop listening to people that don't know what they are talking about. You also have to becareful about the information you get from forums. There are people that provide an answer but don't know what they are talking about. Learn and research before you start cutting and spending money.
My bad, I wasn't trying to suggest that 4dseven do it with leafs. I was really just throwing out an idea on topic to further the discusion and hear from the suspension guru's who frequent this site as to the technical reasons why not I already know it wouldn't look cool at all. I did state that I wasn't an expert but I do want to learn from them.
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Old 03-13-2009, 09:29 PM   #7
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Re: 4 Link with Leaf Springs or Coil Overs?

the only kind of suspension design that used leafs and 4-link( acutally a wishbone) was in early era cars but they had a tranverse leaf spring. meaning the spring went in the same relation to the axle.
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Old 03-13-2009, 09:49 PM   #8
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Re: 4 Link with Leaf Springs or Coil Overs?

fixit-p I don't think Wild83C10 was responding to your, just stating in general.

To give you a better understanding of what a 4 link is, and what it does take a look at the images below.



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Old 03-14-2009, 12:02 AM   #9
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Re: 4 Link with Leaf Springs or Coil Overs?

Thanks N2 I'm not only new to this forum but forums period and I appreciate any feed back I get on any of my posts whether right, wrong, differing opinion or just misunderstood I was just clarifying my intentions, no offense was taken. I'm familiar with the different types of suspensions and configurations and I believe that just because it's not done.. doesn't mean it cant be done.. but doesn't necessarily mean it should be done. Thanks for taking the time and your feed back.
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Old 03-14-2009, 12:17 AM   #10
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Re: 4 Link with Leaf Springs or Coil Overs?




Just food for thought.
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Old 03-14-2009, 12:28 AM   #11
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Re: 4 Link with Leaf Springs or Coil Overs?

Sweet...is that one of your builds twisted?
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Old 03-14-2009, 06:51 AM   #12
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Re: 4 Link with Leaf Springs or Coil Overs?

Fixit-p I did not take your post any other way than what you had posted. Most anything can be done in terms of fabricating I agree.

Reading a book is a good suggestion but I also think researching on the net and various forums, asking questions and finding the answers from knowledgeable people who have experience for the same vehicle is to me an even better way. No you certainly shouldn't believe everything you read or been told and that is why I posed the question.

I'm here to learn and get my hands dirty. Some of the questions I ask I am sure I will look back and realize how embarassing they are or how waaaay off context they might have been.

I can pay money and have my truck built but my intentions are to not only say this is my truck, but that I also built it.

So on that note I appreciate all the help for those that continue to share their knowledge, ideas and challenges.

This truely is a great forum. The best indeed.
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Old 03-14-2009, 08:45 AM   #13
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Re: 4 Link with Leaf Springs or Coil Overs?

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Originally Posted by fixit-p View Post
My bad, I wasn't trying to suggest that 4dseven do it with leafs. I was really just throwing out an idea on topic to further the discusion and hear from the suspension guru's who frequent this site as to the technical reasons why not I already know it wouldn't look cool at all. I did state that I wasn't an expert but I do want to learn from them.
Wasn't responding to you. You did state that you were no expert and just giving an opinion so that's cool. I was mainly trying to give a word of caution. Don't always listen to what people say on forums and make sure you do research before you go do something. Most of the guys on here provide good input and at least point you in the right direction, so this forum is much better then others.
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Old 03-14-2009, 08:46 AM   #14
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Re: 4 Link with Leaf Springs or Coil Overs?

Nice work Seth, Can you give us more details on the system?
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Old 03-14-2009, 10:26 AM   #15
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Re: 4 Link with Leaf Springs or Coil Overs?

I had a 69 camero with a 3 link and leaves but with floating spring so axle could move and it ran 11 secs no problem
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Old 03-16-2009, 10:27 PM   #16
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Re: 4 Link with Leaf Springs or Coil Overs?

I didn't build it. It's just the first thing that came to mind when I read 4-link/leaf springs together.

It uses a Posi's quarter eliptical spring kit.

I always thought it was a cool setup, and I had those two pictures saved on my computer.
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Old 03-17-2009, 04:37 PM   #17
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Re: 4 Link with Leaf Springs or Coil Overs?

It might be cool, but is it a better setup then coilovers?
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