New 4 link for NBS
01-09-2015, 09:19 PM
#1
New 4 link for NBS
So I finally had a few weeks over the Christmas break to work on my rear suspension. Previously I was running a flipped axle w/ relocated Bilstein shocks and never really liked the ride. Between the leaf springs and shocks that were too stiff it rode like crap, wheel hopped, didn't handle well except on perfectly flat roads. I already have Ridetech stong arms w/ coil overs up front (which are amazing) and wanted to build something to match.
Several months ago I decided that I wanted to build my own 4 link setup to improve on everything I mentioned above. First I drew up a 4 link in Mastercam and had some brackets laser cut. I got by 4 link bars from thorbros.com (really bad ***) as well as Ridetech coil overs. I also designed machined a watts link to keep the axle centered.
All in all its a completely different animal. Much better handling, ride quality, and absolutely no wheel hop. Its still a bit to stiff for daily driving so I have some new rear springs on order(swapping 225's for 185's.) Other than that its absoultely perfrect.
If any of you guys are interested I still have a .stp file for the brackets I used; maybe it will save you some time and trouble in the future. On to the pics!
Several months ago I decided that I wanted to build my own 4 link setup to improve on everything I mentioned above. First I drew up a 4 link in Mastercam and had some brackets laser cut. I got by 4 link bars from thorbros.com (really bad ***) as well as Ridetech coil overs. I also designed machined a watts link to keep the axle centered.
All in all its a completely different animal. Much better handling, ride quality, and absolutely no wheel hop. Its still a bit to stiff for daily driving so I have some new rear springs on order(swapping 225's for 185's.) Other than that its absoultely perfrect.
If any of you guys are interested I still have a .stp file for the brackets I used; maybe it will save you some time and trouble in the future. On to the pics!
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prican_2000 (04-27-2018)
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01-09-2015, 11:22 PM
#8
Awesome man! I really hate mastercam. Probably cause I have limited use with it. But great job on your design!
How much space do you lose having the coilovers on the outside of the frame like that? Looks like they stick out from the frame a couple inches more than the stock leafs do...?
How much space do you lose having the coilovers on the outside of the frame like that? Looks like they stick out from the frame a couple inches more than the stock leafs do...?
01-10-2015, 05:06 AM
#9
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OP awesome setup you have there and looks like some nice machine work. what is it you do for a living?
what version are you using? the only thing I find to be a bit clunky is making 3d models with multiple intersecting fillets
what version are you using? the only thing I find to be a bit clunky is making 3d models with multiple intersecting fillets
01-10-2015, 08:32 AM
#10
Its actually a TBSS rear end. I was looking for a 14 bolt 9.5" 6 bolt and every one I found was pretty damn expensive around here. I took a chance and got a TBSS low mileage rear end for $400. It was exactly 1" narrower per side than my 10 bolt. (which worked out well because I wanted my rear wheels to have a bit more lip.) I also had to re-drill the axles from 6x5 to 6x5.5. I had my own brake setup so I wasn't really worried about that, although the parking brake/ bracket is exactly the same as a full size truck. I removed all the factory brackets and hangers off and welded my own 4 link and watts link brackets on. It ended up being quite a bit of work but was worth it to save $800-1000 on the rear end.