4-Link the Rear

[bradyh20]

I'm seriously considering 4-linking the rear end.

Anyone have experience doing this to an F-150? I need a rough estimate on cost. 10k? 20k?

What about site sponsors. Anyone wanna take this on?

Any info is appreciated.

 

[A.I.I.Raciing]

I've got a few ?'s for ya:

Are you caging the truck?

Fuel cell or stock tank?

Plans to run a bi pass and bump stop?

Are you putting a 9 inch under the truck?

Price can be anywhere from 10-20K depending on parts used. My suggestion is to do it right the 1st time so you don't waste any money in the long run.

Who have you talked to about doing the work?

Where you located?

 

[bradyh20]

Thanks A.I.I. I was hoping you'd chime in; it seems like you have relevant experience.

Yes, I'm planning to cage the truck.
Probably have to go with a fuel cell, but I'd rather use the stock tank for now and upgrade the fuel cell later.
Running a bi pass, coil overs, and bump stop.
I'd like to keep the stock rear end.

I've talked to a few places, Camburg, Link, and I'm trying to get a hold of Outlaw Raptor (babies seem to take up time!!). Quotes for specific work seems about in line with each other, but the cool part is there are some differing philosophies on the best way forward.

Link thinks they may be able to keep the stock bed (or a portion of it) so I could still haul camping equipment and dirt bikes. They say I'd give up a little travel, and only get like 24" using a 16" bypass (ha ha).

I work in Manhattan Beach, but I'm looking at shops in OC also.

 

[A.I.I.Raciing]

Thanks A.I.I. I was hoping you'd chime in; it seems like you have relevant experience.

Yes, I'm planning to cage the truck.
Probably have to go with a fuel cell, but I'd rather use the stock tank for now and upgrade the fuel cell later.
Running a bi pass, coil overs, and bump stop.
I'd like to keep the stock rear end.

I've talked to a few places, Camburg, Link, and I'm trying to get a hold of Outlaw Raptor (babies seem to take up time!!). Quotes for specific work seems about in line with each other, but the cool part is there are some differing philosophies on the best way forward.

Link thinks they may be able to keep the stock bed (or a portion of it) so I could still haul camping equipment and dirt bikes. They say I'd give up a little travel, and only get like 24" using a 16" bypass (ha ha).

I work in Manhattan Beach, but I'm looking at shops in OC also.

If you have any questions feel free to ask away. I love this sh*t!

The problem with running a stock tank is that your upper links will need to be mounted right behind the tank on the frame. You should look into a Bronco II tank that "may" fit between the frame and you can put it behind the axel until you want to step up to a cell. If I remember right its 23 gal.
You can run a reverse mounted link and keep the stock tank, but the few trucks that I've seen and been in that are set up this way don't work for sh*t. To much leverage on the upper wishbone and usually fail after a while.

There are a few trucks that have been linked with the bed and work decently(Not as well as getting rid of the bed) but you have to give and take. 24" is very respectable if keeping the bed, most trucks that lose the bed only pull 24-28"




When you were at Link, was Endo's Supercrew there? If it had the 5.4 I would have bought it last year.

I would strongly suggest that you talk with Jason at GMR...If you don't know; now you KNOW! in HB, he's the one that did the bedcage and built my housing on the Sport Trac.
His prices are always much lower than anyone else and he's put's out some really nice work

Like I said, If you have any questions feel free to ask away.

 

[MagicMtnDan]

Just make sure you buy a tow strap Rob :mrgreen:

Sounds like you're going all out! Be sure to document it so we can live vicariously through you.

 

[bradyh20]

Well, I bent the frame (yes, I have Deavers), so now it's decision time. From all the advice I've been given, I'm taking one thing away; do it right ($$$) or don't do it.

I'll let ya know what happens.

 

[NoCaDiver]

^^ Frame bending...nice. Certainly didn't make you happy. Definitely is decision time. How much is it going to run to straighten it, any idea?

 

[The Tank]

Are you putting a 9 inch under the truck?

Why? The Ford/Sterling 9.75 rear end is very strong. Aside from easier gear change outs there really is no advantage to this.

 

[SVTRay]

So what is the advantage of four linking a rear end on an off road vehicle?

 

[A.I.I.Raciing]

Why? The Ford/Sterling 9.75 rear end is very strong. Aside from easier gear change outs there really is no advantage to this.

The Sterling housing is cast and when you weld to it it becomes very brittle.
Another is the spline length at the yoke and pinion is inadequate causing the yoke to wobble and move, this will cause the bearing's to wear prematurely.

So what is the advantage of four linking a rear end on an off road vehicle?

Lot's of control able travel