DIY 4 Link

[86gmc23]

Hey got my 86 down to the frame to spray it with chassis saver and was looking to do a flip kit. Now that I'm thinking about it I would like to make it a 4 link set up. Has anyone built their own for this truck, I trust my welds but don't know how to set up the 4 link. Any advice would be great.

[VileZambonie]

If you don't mind welding and setting everything up yourself the fatbar setup from nolimit will work. Just be aware you will need to mock everything up several times. I had to make a Drop bracket for the track bar on mine. The rest of it was fairly straight forward.

[86gmc23]

My first job was a welding job and been doing it ever since, so not worried about that. Do you have a thread for yours or pictures.

[86gmc23]

Should have looked at kit before I responded. My budget isn't really that big atm. I know I could make all parts needed myself but don't have anything to go by. Would anyone by chance have a kit or setup you could give me measurements of. I have access to a full metal shop, don't see dropping a grand on a small amount of metal that I could make myself.

[bake74]

     I don't know if you have ever set one up before, but if not find someone who has one, look it over real good to see how and where to mount, then you can make the parts from raw material.
     After the first couple ones I did, the rest were all done with raw materials and making the pieces myself. ( except hem joints ) All brackets, bars, and mounts were fabricated at my friends shop.
     The hardest part of a 4 link is getting the geometry correct, and it is not something that someone tells you how to do, you have to learn from someone who sets them up, or by making mistakes and correcting them.  Kits will only take you so far, there is always a little adjustments you have to do.
     My advice, find a shop or someone who has done a couple and convince them to help you so you can learn.
     2 wd would be easier since extreme flex is not the goal, you know when you don't set one up right on a 4wd as soon as you hit the trail.

[86gmc23]

Truck is and will always be 2wd. I really just need to get an idea how its setup and what is involved in the geometry. Just moved to new area and don't know any car guys here. Anyone on here live in south florida. I'm in Stuart area.

[86gmc23]

Truck is a 2wd and no I've never set one up before. Came across this setup, http://m.summitracing.com/parts/CEE-2017/Media

What difference in this one to the 1300 setups, except coil overs and such

[VileZambonie]

So it sounds like you want someone who bought a setup to give you the copycat recipe so you can try and build it yourself cheaper right?

You'll need a track bar, the mounts, coilover shocks, mounts, and that looks like it slides over the axle tube. That setup doesn't look like it will adapt well to the frame either. Personally I would buy a setup unless you have a lot of extra time on your hands.

Why do you want a link set up anyway?

[bake74]

  that looks like it slides over the axle tube.   

     That is 100% correct, and my advice for the first time is NO, like vile said you have to " slip " ( or cut ends and re-weld ) the ends of the axle tubes to get the bracket on, then once it is on it is permanent.  If you did not make the measurements right, or if the left and right are off by the slightest, your truck will track sideways.
     I can not state enough how much fitting and measuring and re-checking a 4 link requires to do it correctly.  I have spent many all nighters fitting and re-fitting mock up tubes and brackets to make sure it will line up and move in correct arc with the suspension, to make sure when you corner it doesn't want to pull one side up while pushing the other side down.
     I am not trying to change your mind, just want you to understand this, if you get the theoryof a 4 link down, then you can apply that to any vehicle you want, but I can not stress this enough, the theory is the hard part.
     A 4 link is positioning your axle, the only thing now that is positioning the axle.  So you have to get it straight, each end of the axle left to right, and even on both ends top to bottom.  This sounds easy, I thought that too the first time I did it, It took my friend and I, 3 times to get it right so the bronco we did would track right and not bind up while we were 4 wheeling.
     Again, if you are not buying a complete kit,with great instructions, search your area.  You said you were new to the area, it is a way to make new friends and get some experience also, you just have to find the right kind of person who is willing to help.

[86gmc23]

I know it sounds kinda messed up to try to get someone to bought one to so me how to make it cheaper, but its not like I'm stealing something from you. You paid your money for it, what are you losing by helping me? If you don't like it I am sorry, not trying to be rude or anything thats for sure. I love this site and I know it will help me out tremendously when I get working on my truck more and more. I'm just trying to build my truck, and unfortunately I'm unemployed and have 3 kids so I can't go buy myself a complete kit.

I really just want to do a 4-Link because I want to learn how to do it. This is my first project truck and so far I'm into it about $500. Trail n error has always been my strong point, but just like to get an idea what I'm doing to start. I guess now that I got my computer internet up and running again and I'm not using my wifes phone I can do some real research on 4-Links. Thanks for everyones response. Will let you know when I start this aspect of the project.

One more question, I would need wheels and tires before I start building 4-Link right? Or at least know what size I plan to run.

[Da67goatman]

watch this it may help.

http://www.spike.com/full-episodes/1kw8pr/powerblock-xtreme-4x4-suspension-101-rock-racing-season-3-ep-407

[86gmc23]

I knew I watched xtreme 4x4 build one, thanks for that link. Maybe get some good tips from there.

[bake74]

One more question, I would need wheels and tires before I start building 4-Link right? Or at least know what size I plan to run.

     It would really help to know how wide and tall a tire you want to run before, especially since it is a 2wd and if you plan on dropping it at all with the 4 link.
     I wasn't trying to persuade you one way or the other, just giving you facts, and since your last reply about your situation, my thoughts are still to find someone who would be willing to show you or let you watch.  But you can trial and error it also, just trying to help you save some money on wasted materials.

[bake74]

     That video is good, it leaves out some important stuff to make it into a 1 hour tv show.  But you can get the idea of it from there for sure and trial and error the rest.

[86gmc23]

Yeah I think I'm going to order this kit from suicidedoors.com
http://qualityairride.com/4-link-kits/thorbecke-brothers/heavy-duty-universal-triangulated-4-link-kit

Then go from there, atleast on my next 4-link I will know more and be able to build it all my self.