I searched the past threads, and no one talks about the length of the link arms/tubes, is a longer arm better or is short? I have seen everthing from 20 inches to 30 inches. Same question for a Triangulated style, is longer better or not. I am getting ready to buy a kit from gambino for my 54 chevrolet rag for the front, Its got a huge X frame and I will need a litle differant link set up in the rear, I think. Any input or pics would be cool. Thanks.
I believe for ride,longer is better(providing you have room),for performance/utilizing 4 link for what they are designed(traction),shorter and more adjustment points is better.The longer they are the less arc/motion you with get in travel-rides smoother.Shorter transmits lifting action of rear end quicker to ch***is.What I've come to understand,for what its worth!
With a four-link, the pinion is fixed at a given angle, so the length only affects suspension travel. The more travel you need, the longer the links need to be. Most street cars can get by with no more than 3 to 4 inches of suspension travel, so short links of 18-24 inches, maybe shorter, are fine. When you look at the suspension travel of a truck, it needs more like 6 to 10 and up, especially off-road. That much travel with short links would result in too much reduction of wheel base as the suspension moves through it's arc. When designing a four-link from scratch, start with the desired suspension travel, select a link that fits the space you have and then draw a radius line based on that length for both the axle and the pinion u-joint. Measure how much the wheel base and drive shaft are shortened as the suspension is at it's limits. A slip yoke on your drive shaft is intended to handle about 1 inch in street use. Extended yokes are available for off-road, but they usually go with a slip joint in the drive shaft when this gets interesting.
I am gonna have to do a two piece drive line with a slip yoke, this x frame in this car is a ***** trying to work around it, with out cutting on it.
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