Slinky Shevy Wanted
Question: I just picked up a '91 Chevy shortbox 4x4 with 35s under it for $700. i'd like to get rid of the iFS. i am kind of tired of leaf-spring suspensions and would like to put in a four-link suspension under the front and rear of this truck and still run 38- to 42-inch tires. Who makes a good four-link suspension kit for my '91 Chevy?
Ted
via nuts@4wheeloffroad.com
Answer: Off road Design (970.945.7777, www. offroaddesign.com) has a new threelink front suspension with a panhard bar for '73-'87 Chevy trucks that is designed for use with coilover shocks. Though this suspension is not engineered for the '88-'98 trucks, we know OrD is looking at adapting it to be a solid-axle swap kit. it currently works with a GM Dana 44, Dana 60, or 10-bolt front axle with the passengerside drop or the '79 Ford Dana 60 with the driver-side drop, which is what you would want for your current transfer-case front output. in the rear you could build your own out of component from the many different rock-buggy supply houses or you could try to modify OrD's rear four-link suspension kit for the earlier trucks as well.
Wobbly Rear Ford Axle
Question: I have a '98 Ford Eddie Bauer Expedition that i am slowly turning into a 4x4 rig. So far i put a 3-inch body lift, a safari rack, a CB for talking on the trails, lights on the rack, an Evolution programmer, and some safety stuff like fire extinguisher and a first aid kit. i plan on lifting it and adding 37-inch tires, a winch, lockers and a few other things. But i have a few friends with Hummers and i like the four-wheel independent suspension. Have you in your travels come across any Fords done up like this? Any advice?
Clyde B.
via nuts@4wheeloffroad.com
Answer: I never expected to get a question asking for independent suspension as so many readers want to tear out the complex, lightweight components found in a front independent suspension. However, i can see some advantages to a fully independent vehicle, such as ride quality and differential ground clearance if you are willing to deal with the costs of conversion. Before we go any further, did you know that in 2003 Ford actually offered the Expedition with an independent suspension both front and rear? Also the front and rear independent suspension on Hummer H1s have what is known as a portal hub, and this not only increases the ground clearance of the suspension, but also has reduction gears at the wheels so it decreases the stress on all the axle and CV parts. if you were able to swap all this under the Expedition, (or better yet, stuff it under an H3 Alpha just for the cool factor), you would have great ground clearance, and could have a pretty good ride once you get all the spring rates figured out for your lighter Expedition. But the conversion would be very expensive and completely custom.
Other options i have seen are those from Creative Motorsports (www.gocms. com), where custom independent suspension systems are offered with computercontrolled suspension heights. Also Cwi (360.274.3373, www.cwiinc.com) has systems that use a Dana 44 centersection from a Jaguar that has been made to work in the back of a Toyota and with some more custom fab it might be adapted into your Expedition, but it's probably too lightweight. Of course either of these would require an enormous amount of fabrication. i think you need to determine why you like the independent suspension. is it because of the ground clearance, ride, or just coolness factor? Whatever your reason, i think you'll find that the cost, strength, and reliability of the solid axle far outweigh it.