Can I get a visual aid on what "5 link" means?

[nutz4sand]

Originally Posted by jeepindakotas

Well then I have a question on which one would be the simplest one to construct with minimal tools and resources to build. IE back yard / shade tree, lol.

Are you building your design from scratch or planning on buying plans from somemone?

[Damien]

you may want to consider buying a set of plans. designing a suspension that works well requires learning a fair amount about it first. a set of proven plans will also maximise the amount of time you spend driving it vs. testing, redisigning and rebuilding. If you want to design your own suspension do some searches on this site. a lot has been covered. there are several general books out there which can apply to off road as well.

[LEE1969GB]

I spent many days cycling the suspension up and down (real time not cad) then moving one of the mounting points at a time to get it to do what I wanted it to do, I also made sure to keep the 2 lower links running inboard as wide apart as possible to reduce the stress on the links and heims. It works very well with minimal plunge, I would design your own then you know it works, there are plans out there that have never been tested except for on cad and we all know that does not mean it will work in the real world.
Also even if you did get a design that works but needed to move one of the mounts a small amount to clear the gearbox or A caliper mount etc that could easily throw it all out and cause big problems.

[Bugpac]

Originally Posted by LEE1969GB

I spent many days cycling the suspension up and down (real time not cad) then moving one of the mounting points at a time to get it to do what I wanted it to do, I also made sure to keep the 2 lower links running inboard as wide apart as possible to reduce the stress on the links and heims. It works very well with minimal plunge, I would design your own then you know it works, there are plans out there that have never been tested except for on cad and we all know that does not mean it will work in the real world.
Also even if you did get a design that works but needed to move one of the mounts a small amount to clear the gearbox or A caliper mount etc that could easily throw it all out and cause big problems.

I couldn't agree with lee more, Lot of plans that have only seen paper and minimal testing.. If you want a proven rear suspension on the low buck, with superior craftsmanship, Contact Rick S, Build the frame around it...

[atomicjoe23]

Originally Posted by LEE1969GB

I would have to disagree that A five link can not be made strong, Mine has taken many big hits, a few times I was expecting the wheel to be hanging off but all was fine. I once side swiped a big tree with the rear wheel, I got out expecting the worst but no problems except a big lump of wood from the tree jammed between the rim and tyre

If you want a strong 5-link (or 3-link using two members going from the chassis to the wheel laterally and a single member going from the chassis to the wheel axially. . .like a trailing arm) all you have to do is add some plate to the bottom of the two lateral members. . .if you wanted it to look like you had built some boxed lower arms plate the top and the bottom.

You can get pretty cool looking results with less time and money invested if you get creative. . .let your imagination run wild!

[nutz4sand]

Originally Posted by atomicjoe23

If you want a strong 5-link (or 3-link using two members going from the chassis to the wheel laterally and a single member going from the chassis to the wheel axially. . .like a trailing arm) all you have to do is add some plate to the bottom of the two lateral members. . .if you wanted it to look like you had built some boxed lower arms plate the top and the bottom.

You can get pretty cool looking results with less time and money invested if you get creative. . .let your imagination run wild!

I am cornfuzed here.

Since a five link travels backwards as it rises (how much depending on the angle of the front links) would not connecting the two bottom links not allow this? It would make it bind as it tries to go straight up like an A-arm.

Or do I need a Nap time? :]

[Bugpac]

Originally Posted by nutz4sand

I am cornfuzed here.

Since a five link travels backwards as it rises (how much depending on the angle of the front links) would not connecting the two bottom links not allow this? It would make it bind as it tries to go straight up like an A-arm.

Or do I need a Nap time? :]

I must need a nap as well... Cause you just made a boxed a arm from what i read...

[jeepindakotas]

Thanks for the input. I do have some plans using arms and that's the way I'm going. I have just had to make some small mods to accommodate some alternate parts I have acquired so since I had to make these mods/adjustments I thought I would ensure I was getting the rear end made with as few potential problems as possible. Thanks for all the help.

[atomicjoe23]

No you're right it would limit it some. . .don't know how much. . .you would still get some of the travel, but you wouldn't get as much.

Just a suggestion for anyone really worried about not having a strong enough set-up.

[minibajaman]

Originally Posted by atomicjoe23

No you're right it would limit it some. . .don't know how much. . .you would still get some of the travel, but you wouldn't get as much.

Just a suggestion for anyone really worried about not having a strong enough set-up.

It wouldn't limit it some, it would not allow it to move. In a 5 link or even 3 link suspension, none of the links can be rigidly connected to any other link as it will just bind and not move. If it did move it would only be due to parts flexing, which wouldn't be very good for durability.