I.R.S or LINK

[R.A.D]

school me which is the preferred/ superior choice for a bend hugger or corner carver.

[N2TRUX]

Could you be more detailed in what you are trying to accomplish? Lets start with what year truck? Then tell me what IFS, and 4 link you are considering.

If you put some effort in to your post, I will do the same.

[lolife99]

Like Ken,... give us the most detail you can in your questions.

You might check out this.
It's a great read:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=419251

Now,... what are your plans, and what are you working on?

[canadian trucker]

Good Morning Guys,

I think what R.A.D is asking for is, if its better to run Independent Rear Suspension or a 4 Link.

If this is the case, I will chime in on this.

If you would like a corner hugging road carving pickup, there are a few problems to deal with. (don't let this put you off, i know cause i was going thru the same thing)
All modern performance cars are I.R.S. based, (some of you may say, an IRS rear end will not hold the same power as a built live axle, wrong 1000 hp thru a stock IRS rear end) Look at Limbo, Ferrari, Porsche, BMW, Mercedes, heck even my 1971 Triumph GT has an IRS setup. It keeps the tires planted better on the ground, especially in corners. Now putting it on a pickup, and making it handle is well difficult. We are faced with a heavy front end and next to no weight out back. The frame is also not very stiff, which does not help on an independent setup, an IRS ties into the anybody of a car. which is usually so stiff that when you jack up the car at the front tire the back comes up with it. sadly our trucks do not share this feature.

(yes it is do-able, cause im currently doing it)

Hope this gives you some ideas.

[R.A.D]

ok i was out for awhile.what i am building is not a gm product but this forum i can relate to and it is actively informative. i am putting together a 58 dodge pick up that i dropped on a 92 dodge dakota frame. suspension currently is all dakota stock. and what i am looking for is is to hold the corners with the best of them when i drive it it will be driven hard not that it will have tons of horse power. this is not the case i just like manuever and play in the twisties

[Tony@AirRideTech]

it is going to be much easier to get correct geometry with a properly set up four bar than it will to make sure the IRS is correct.

[jimmydean]

Originally Posted by Tony@AirRideTech

it is going to be much easier to get correct geometry with a properly set up four bar than it will to make sure the IRS is correct.

After seeing the '69 with Hotchkis setup, I would say a well set up 4 link would be the way to go. While an IRS would be nice, it would involve a lot more work to make handle since the setup would be from scratch.

[R.A.D]

Originally Posted by jimmydean

After seeing the '69 with Hotchkis setup, I would say a well set up 4 link would be the way to go. While an IRS would be nice, it would involve a lot more work to make handle since the setup would be from scratch.

plenty of donor vehicles out there

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by R.A.D

plenty of donor vehicles out there

You are correct. The difference being that you may not be able to buy off the shelf components to accomplish what you want. From the sounds of your build, your no stranger to mix-n-match parts, so that may not be a concern.

[jimmydean]

Originally Posted by R.A.D

plenty of donor vehicles out there

Yes, for an axle, but mounting it, suspending it, articulation, performance are all on you at that point. Not saying it's impossible, but a hell of a lot more engineering involved than a 4 link setup.

Cars with an IRS were designed for an IRS. It's not like taking a 12 bolt out and putting in a 10 bolt. You would need to engineer the suspension to leverage the IRS, otherwise it's a huge money hole with little to no benefit over a straight axle.

Take a look at the Porterbuilt C4 rear. I would venture a guess that Nate didn't come up with that over some beers on a bar napkin. But I could be wrong.

[R.A.D]

well i've never been one to be a follower. so off the shelf cookie cutter items are usually my last resort. i have the need to push my skill and comprehension levels and that has always been me. i am not worried about easy as much as which is superior

[jimmydean]

Originally Posted by R.A.D

well i've never been one to be a follower. so off the shelf cookie cutter items are usually my last resort. i have the need to push my skill and comprehension levels and that has always been me. i am not worried about easy as much as which is superior

Well, I'm all for pushing your abilities, but keep in mind that this truck might be on the road some day and if you aren't experienced with suspension geometry and design, you could wind up with a cool looking death trap.

I'm not much of a follower, but I know my limits and sometimes its best to "leave it to the pros".

My 240Z was IRS and handled like it was on rails. But the Z cars were built to take advantage of the IRS, and boy did it.

[R.A.D]

yeah i bought a 240z new when i was 18