kawasaki

This might sound like a dumb question but here goes any ways. My friends and I were discussing what would be the difference of a four link rear with leafs versus coils. If you cut the u-bolts off of the axle and had a four link setup, wouldn't it be about the same as using coils. It would let the rear drop out further than just leafs??? I dunno really. Was just wondering. I would like someone that actually understands suspension to chime in if possible. Thanks guys

96_xj

are you talking about a 1/4 elliptical suspension or full leaf packs...?

kawasaki

Well we were thinking of full leaf pack with just no u-bolts holding the axle to the leafs. I understand there wouldn't be anymore weight of just the axle and tire on the rocks, but any little bit would help. Wouldn't it? That 1/4 eliptical would be really sweet on a Cherokee though.

96_xj

you could essentially do it. there would not be much gain then you also have to figure in landing pads. and how to make it to where the Centering pin would not break off causing you to lose all of your leafs...

What I mean by landing pads is with a typical leaf sprung set up the axle moves up and down and not a lot of side to side movement, where as with a 4 link when you move the axle up it pushes the axle back and then if you droop one side you shift the axle.

I dont see any benefit other than being different. coils would be much easier and more cost effective to be honest

PingPong

1/4 elliptical set ups wer popular douring the late 90's and early 2000's. Not much more work to setup a true 4 link using air shocks. I have only seen a couple 1/4 setups work well, and most of them were "hinged" on the body side, and had a similar shackle setup on the axle.