Ardent's 3-link

[Ardent]

Well, I've been talking about it for a while and I finally got it done. I wasn't able to take pics during much of the process, but here's some finals. Hopefully these will satisfy some of the people that have been asking...

Sorry the truck is dirty already. It snowed a couple days after I started driving it and finally got to take some pics. Once I wash it again, I'll retake some of these for more detail.

Parts:

Front
12" FOA Coilovers 2" body, remote resevoirs.
Upper spring is 10" and 275 lb/in
Lower spring is 14" and 400 lb/in
All three links are 2" .25" wall DOM
New Panhard is 1.5" .25" wall DOM
3" Ballistic Fab joints for lower arms

Rear:
Slee 4" medium springs
OME L shocks
1.75" .25 wall DOM for new LCAs
A couple custom brackets for LSPV and swaybar.

On to the pics...
Again, sorry I didn't take a lot of active build pics. I'm sure you can search around to find pics of coil buckets cut from the frames etc... :flipoff2:

Checking flex and clearances during mock-up:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oUNLzqhmmk4/TywKp4YXzsI/AAAAAAAAA3Y/sW8KeHry-io/s800/LC%25203-Link2.jpg (https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oUNLzqhmmk4/TywKp4YXzsI/AAAAAAAAA3Y/sW8KeHry-io/s800/LC%25203-Link2.jpg)
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bvMCqGYgR2I/TywKqNPW4MI/AAAAAAAAA3Y/iwOKg18eT28/s800/LC%25203-Link3.jpg (https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bvMCqGYgR2I/TywKqNPW4MI/AAAAAAAAA3Y/iwOKg18eT28/s800/LC%25203-Link3.jpg)
With the C/O at full extension:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-i6bJztGmrr4/TywKqVwRHUI/AAAAAAAAA3Y/wAyd8i5_k4E/s800/LC%25203-Link.jpg (https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-i6bJztGmrr4/TywKqVwRHUI/AAAAAAAAA3Y/wAyd8i5_k4E/s800/LC%25203-Link.jpg)

For the LCAs, we decided to go over the tie rod. With a slight bend in the LCA, the tie rod has ~1/8" clearance at full lock and stuff. I forgot to take our final link measurements; I'll do that tonight it I remember. A new crossmember was design with the frame side mounts integrated.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xwZOhIuHVJI/TzScFCzCleI/AAAAAAAAA4c/HETIHM5pQYc/s800/IMG_1066.JPG
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-LtfUF691l3w/TzScBZFqEPI/AAAAAAAAA30/u8kM0SKfp9o/s800/IMG_1061.JPG
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-VUXM5ZVIv_o/TzScC2r9UTI/AAAAAAAAA4E/RajTDzUAdMw/s800/IMG_1063.JPG (https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-VUXM5ZVIv_o/TzScC2r9UTI/AAAAAAAAA4E/RajTDzUAdMw/s800/IMG_1063.JPG)

Upper and lower links have ~10" of separation; plenty for 35-37's

Panhard and draglink are nearly parallel. I may end up raising the axle side mount ~1". For now, it really drives well and only very minimal bump steer is present. I'll probably wait for everything to settle before make that decision. From the front:
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-mIVfD5DQW0I/TzScIIbL0LI/AAAAAAAAA5E/kz_b53yjYcc/s800/IMG_1071.JPG (https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-mIVfD5DQW0I/TzScIIbL0LI/AAAAAAAAA5E/kz_b53yjYcc/s800/IMG_1071.JPG)

The coil mounts were CNC designed and cut then welded up to the frame:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-C8SzDHH8odc/Tya9hIs0BOI/AAAAAAAAA2E/Dhscz79_Psc/s800/DSC06867.JPG
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-mp5L5HJzFyc/TzScFmHSFgI/AAAAAAAAA4k/u9vjplw8RKc/s800/IMG_1067.JPG

[Ardent]

Ride height ended up ~6" higher in the front. I will probably adjust it down closer to 5" after all has settled.

For the rear, everyone knows what Slee's coils and OME shocks look like, but here's a picture of the new LCAs.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-n7iUrS0UkCM/TzScKamMKSI/AAAAAAAAA5k/YII73TNrS6Y/s800/IMG_1075.JPG

I got ~5" from the slee 4" springs. That's about what I expected with no weight in the back.

Here's a couple at ride height:
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-VSxx2XKn6-U/Tya9gZZZXLI/AAAAAAAAA2w/R1qHJHjEWq0/s800/DSC06864.JPG
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GDoaVJcUpZU/Tya9gAwcDUI/AAAAAAAAA10/FEJBvqTyPW0/s800/DSC06865.JPG
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-lWiA-MLqeSo/Tya9iHdO3AI/AAAAAAAAA2Y/ivZTfqO-mb4/s800/DSC06869.JPG

And that was the quickest build you've ever seen. Well, maybe not...

To Do's:

Bump stops, additional break line extension (4" isn't enough with 5" lift and ~another 8" of down travel...), and possible a DC front shaft. Hoping to complete most of that on President's day.

Drive-ability:
I was worried. At first, I really wanted to go the y-link route like Jodo, but after talking to my fabricator friends, I decided that the 3 link would suit my needs. I'm really happy with it, even on the street. I believe one major key to a stable 3-link is progressive spring rates. These coilovers are soft at ~165 lb/in initial rate. When on the street, the truck leans more than stock- absolutely. However, the lean is controlled by the dual rate spring stopper on the coil. It leans ~ 2" and then it's on the lower spring only. It firms up and holds there until the turn is complete. It is very stable and doesn't sway in the lanes. Castor is adjustable now and currently ~2.4*.

After I get the bumpstops built, I'll flex it out. Then I hope to have a shake-down run or two within the next month.

:D:thumb:

[mattzj98]

very nice!

[Funrover]

Looks great, I am intrigued on how it will hold up! Thanks for the build thread!

[Clint Z]

Are you going to sell the 3 link set up as a Kit :)

[MelloYello]

Well done! That looks great.

[Michael4rnr]

Looks really good.

[Ardent]

very nice!

Thanks!


Looks great, I am intrigued on how it will hold up! Thanks for the build thread!

Thanks! I am too. So far so good!


Looks good!

Thanks!

[Ardent]

Are you going to sell the 3 link set up as a Kit :)

Haha, probably not... :)


Well done! That looks great.


Looks really good.

Thanks!

[Brody]

Looking nice, Nate! That is really going to be fun to wheel! looking forward to more feedback from the first wheeling/offroad trip.

[Cr33p3r]

Looks great Nate! You and your brothers want to do that to the rear of my truck?(maybe someday)

[jesse05lj]

Looks great!