4 link the right way if anyone wants to know how.

[UNBROKEN]

The stock 4 link sucks on dropped trucks...we can all agree on that.
I went through the hassle of fixing it right and this can be duplicated by anyone with the tools and some time.
We used the stock front locations, cut the axle mounts off and lowered them and also reworked the panhard bar to push it back a couple of inches.
I used all chromoly tubing, brackets and heims but this could be done for much less with mild steel and bushings.

This is when we mocked it all up.

Everything powdercoated and final install.

And the link bars...

And at ride height loaded up for the ride home.

It's nothing crazy. Bars 3/4" longer than stock to center the wheels, same geometry as a stock 4th Gen at stock height. If someone did this with bushings and mild steel...you'd probably have 3-400 bucks in parts plus some fab time over a long weekend to build it.
Doing this with a 5.5" rear drop and changing the bump stops to the 1/2" tall button style eliminated my bottoming out about 99%. I've felt it hit 2-3 times in the last several months. With the longer bumpstops in to keep the upper link bar from hitting the frame it bottomed out every time I drove it....it's so much nicer now.
This is just to show you guys that the negative stuff associated with dropping these 4th Gens can be fixed with a little time and minimal cash.

 

[DavidRam]

Awesome write up! Read it twice and studied the pics closely! Ofcourse, the work was done to perfection...

 

[UNBROKEN]

I did some things as usual that probably weren't necessary but I like overkill. We welded on spacers to the front mounts to add some strength there since I used heims. The work to the panhard wouldn't be needed with a stock diff cover...I thought it was too close though so we pushed it back...you can see the extra work in that in the pics too. It could be drastically simplified for sure.

 

[Statcher1]

Looks good man. Your truck has set the bar for all lowered 4th gens


Sent from the Rocket in my Pocket

 

[MikeG]

Nice work.

You can also mod a top link to make new bars

 

[UNBROKEN]

I would caution against that. Top links are nowhere near strong enough to take the day to day operation of a suspension...especially if you're making any power. They're fine for traction bars on the cheap but not 4 link bars. They also use the cheapest heim joints possible...those wouldn't last long at all on a true link bar. The heims I used are the best chromoly heims money can buy and were about 80 bucks each.....those are about 8 bucks each at Tractor Supply. I just bought some for my tractor not too long ago.
Don't cheap out of your suspension...your life rides on it if you think about it.

 

[audio1der]

Must...not...fap...
Seriously, top notch work as always. Creative, top-shelf DIY really gets the nod.

 

[BlkRamRt]

nice. you sold your spohn bars?

 

[UNBROKEN]

Yes

 

[johnnysart]

AWESOME write up!

 

[Lawhand]

why were you disappointed with your spohn bars? or rather why did you sell them? i still have mine sitting at home not on my truck as well.

 

[charonblk07]

Suspension geometry changes when you lift/lower and as much as the spohn arms can adjust for the change in required arm length to recenter the wheel and adjust pinion angle they don't fix the geometry change.

Your arms should move in similar arcs when the suspension travels but you have a huge difference in the arcs after lowering. Most people wont push their vehicles far enough where this can become a problem, but for some it is an issue if they are constantly cycling the suspension at speed, such as road track.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[UNBROKEN]

Pretty much what he said^^
The Spohn bars can center the wheels but they can't fix jacked up geometry and with 5.5" rear drop it's unbelievably bad. The stock trucks ride fine so we just recreated that with the drop built in. It rides like a dream now...better than stock actually.

 

[tones2SS]

Pretty much what he said^^
The Spohn bars can center the wheels but they can't fix jacked up geometry and with 5.5" rear drop it's unbelievably bad. The stock trucks ride fine so we just recreated that with the drop built in. It rides like a dream now...better than stock actually.

And that's exactly what the 4 link does, it keeps that rear planted.
Great write up.
What's the next project??

 

[Lhemi]

Great information and write up! Thanks!

 

[UNBROKEN]

Lhemi, how about you stay off my threads and I'll stay off yours? Deal?

 

[TylerB]

lhemi, how about you stay off my threads and i'll stay off yours? Deal?

lofl

 

[cullen17]

Do you have the mesurements on all the bars? I work at a shop that sells Chromoly Heims and tubing so and ive been wondering about doing this just havent looked into it to much

 

[UNBROKEN]

Not off the top of my head and I'm out of the country right now so I can't measure.
I live in Dayton....I could probably run over to Conroe and you can take measurements and pics if you want them.

 

[cullen17]

I would love to see that Beauty but im affraid it might be bad for my bank account...