4-link, 3/5, 4/6 questions and pics

[Puglia10]

I think Im going to be buying my friends 81 c10, regular cab, short bed. He has a 4-link for it and a 3/5 lowering kit with spindles and a flip kit. The entire truck is taken apart, every piece...On to my questions (never lowered anything before, bear with me.)

1. Is the 4-link worth the 200 dollar price difference in buying the truck? He said it was $600ish, never used, powdercoated body color (red) What exactly is so good about a four link?
2. Can I go lower easily, say I want to change to a 4/6 or something?
3. I plan to do a c-notch while bed is off anyway. Just get a bolt it? or does it depend how low I want to go? (will stay static)
4. Anything else I should think of doing while the frame is by itself?

Feel free to post pics of different drops and suspension set ups!
Thanks for any help! Sorry for the (probably) dumb questions, new at this.

[andrewmp6]

A 4 link is only good for drag racing or air bags so i would pass on it.Yeah a bolt in c notch is easy and most you can do with the bed on but off is easier when you cut the frame.I would look the frame over good for cracks and all the body mounts are good and straight.Before you order the front kit see which brake rotors it has gm used 2 ones a inch thick ones a 1 and a 1/4th.

[AirMale]

[QUOTE=andrewmp6;3987213]A 4 link is only good for drag racing or air bags so i would pass on it.

Did you ever have a four link?

[Puglia10]

I was told it was only good for bags, then i was told to snatch it up cause its the best thing ever no matter what you use it for, and Id be stupid not to. could someone clarify? And anyone got any help for the other questions too? I think im buying it saturday and joining the square body team!.... Thanks!

[AirMale]

I wouldn't pass on it. Four links are very adjustable and superior to most alternatives.

[Puglia10]

Okay, i think ill grab it and then if i dont use it i can always sell it and make my money back! thanks guys. Feel free to add any more advice or answers!

[andrewmp6]

That's a 4 bar not a 4 link and yes i have owned 4links before and have a 3 link in my mustang.To a normal person a 4 link is kinda over kill.It comes down to how he wants to use the truck if as a truck its better to keep the leafs to handle hauling and towing.

[AirMale]

Originally Posted by andrewmp6

That's a 4 bar not a 4 link and yes i have owned 4links before and have a 3 link in my mustang.To a normal person a 4 link is kinda over kill.It comes down to how he wants to use the truck if as a truck its better to keep the leafs to handle hauling and towing.

I'm not sure how much experience you have with 4 links/4 bar suspension.
1. When used with airbags a four link is the best option for towing/hauling because of the adjustability of the bag psi. Unloaded trucks with leaf springs ride like dog poop. The truck with bags can run low psi when unloaded and the ride is far superior. Futhermore, a bagged trucked can handle more weight and still offer a better ride.
2. That's definitely a four link!

[andrewmp6]

That is a 4 link but has limited adjustability.And a 4 link has less load carrying then leaf springs.Look up the load weights of a f150 vs a lightning the lightning is way lower because its a 4 link.Yeah a leaf spring truck will ride rough but a spray in bed liner will ad enough weight to smooth it out.

[AirMale]

You're right, I'm tearing out my 4 link and putting the leaf springs back in.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by andrewmp6

That is a 4 link but has limited adjustability.And a 4 link has less load carrying then leaf springs.Look up the load weights of a f150 vs a lightning the lightning is way lower because its a 4 link.Yeah a leaf spring truck will ride rough but a spray in bed liner will ad enough weight to smooth it out.

I think I'm looking @ the same pics you were/are..... How is that considered "limited adjustability"? I count what looks like @ least 3-holes on the front upper/lower links & 2 or 3 @ the rears. That might not be race car adjustable, but that's a good range (especially vs. leafs or a 4-bar).

The issue of 4-link capacity can be equaled w/some air where leafs require additional weight to equal the ride quality.

[AirMale]

nooooooooh SCOTI,
I allready tapped out.

[SCOTI]

I there's something to be learned.... I'm in. Just seeing if I'm missing something here that's all.

[N2TRUX]

Ok, I'll bite. What is the difference between a "4-link" and a "4-bar" suspension? I don't see any mention of using the term adjustable or fixed to define one, so I in my mind we are discussing the same thing.

[panhandler62]

If the purpose of the truck is to haul 3000lbs of hay around for 14 years then a 4 link is an un-needed expense and just a bit of over-engineering but if you are building any sort of performance or cruiser ride; it's a no-brainer unless finances preclude it.

For $200.00 it looks like a pretty obvious choice to me in this circumstance.

[Puglia10]

i wont be hauling anything, MAYBE one dirtbike every so often...itll just be a fun little cruiser with hopefully big HP, not planning on towing much at all! Just got back from his house, Now the proud owner of a dismantled, red 1980 rcsb chevy! got it with a steel cowl hood, brand new built rear end with 3:73s, detroit tru locker, new bed, all straight body, a 350 and got the 4-link too! Will post pics when I go trailer it home! Thanks for the help everyone, a lot of questions are sure to come putting this thing back together!

[dieselarmy13]

Originally Posted by andrewmp6

That is a 4 link but has limited adjustability.And a 4 link has less load carrying then leaf springs.Look up the load weights of a f150 vs a lightning the lightning is way lower because its a 4 link.Yeah a leaf spring truck will ride rough but a spray in bed liner will ad enough weight to smooth it out.

I'm pretty sure Lightnings didn't come with 4-links and that there lower towing capacity could probably be contributed to it's lower suspension (via lower LEAF springs) and lower profile tires compared to a normal F150.

Anyhoo, an extra 200 for a powdercoated 4-link is definitely worth it.

[andrewmp6]

A 4 bar is what the rear dropmember has and most rear air bag kits use.A 4 link I'm use to the drag ones like http://www.summitracing.com/parts/CEE-2028/

[panhandler62]

That is exactly what is pictured above.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

Ok, I'll bite. What is the difference between a "4-link" and a "4-bar" suspension? I don't see any mention of using the term adjustable or fixed to define one, so I in my mind we are discussing the same thing.

The 4-bar set-ups can adjust the length of the all 4 bars on some kits; & can't on others (just 2 of the bars). They have one mounting point location for top & bottom; front & rear. The adjustment of length on the bars will yield slight pinion angle change and/or wheelbase change.

The 4-link has multiple locating holes top & bottom; front & rear. All 4 bars are adjustable for length which will yield the same pinion/wheelbase change. The multiple choices for upper/lower, F/R mounting allows tuning the instant center of the vehicle for optimum suspension effectiveness.

The tuning is very important in the drag race scenario. Some tracks have more bite vs. others. Some nights, you might need more bite @ the start of the track; sometimes you need less (wheelstands look cool but can be hard on parts).