Friends,

The zuk that I have has the leaf spring setup. To increase height & articulation, I want to do either SPoA or a Coilover mod.

While SPoA is straightforward and lots of information is available, not much detail is available for coilover.

Anyone here done the coilover for their Samurai SJ413? If yes, then I can take inputs from them.

I saw this article:

http://www.fourwheeler.com/techarticles/suspension/129_0508_suzuki_coil_spring_install/index.html

Any thoughts?


PS: In India, both SPoA & coilover would be DIY (Here it owuld mean, mechanic does the job & you just guide them) jobs as no parts are available. But the good thing is that in India most parts can be custom fabricated and we can go to a shop to get our custom work done.
 

It really depends on what you want to do with it.  I'm currently building a Triangulated 4 link for my SJ-410.  It is pretty involved so far but it has been a lot of fun but time consuming.  The easiest would probably be a 3 link suspension design, as you don't have to do near as much setup and planning to make sure your suspension isn't going to wander off on it's own when your driving down the road.  There is a good primer article available at http://www.4wheeloffroad.com/techarticles/suspension/131_0306_four_link_suspension_part_1/index.html

You might want to look at a SPOA with Jeep YJ springs instead, it is a lot easier and faster to setup.

Sorry to ask a dumb question, but what is the difference between a 3 link & 4 link setup?

3-link = 3 links, or bars to hold the axle in plase.
* Easier to design
* Less space needed to install
* Will bind at extreme articulation

4-link = 4 link / bars to hold the axle in place
* Much more difficult to design suspension geometry
* Easier to tune 'rear steer', squat / anti-squat
* Properly setup, won't bind, and allows for more artriculation

Because of the space difference between the front and rear axles (the front has more "stuff" on it to steer the wheels), 3-links are common on the front, and 4-links (where there's more room) in the rear.

You can also see hybrids, where they have a Y top link, similar to a stock Tracker rear suspension design.  Rocky Road uses this in their Coil Over conversion.

http://www.rocky-road.com/coil.html

For a good example of a 3 link design there was a bright orange Samurai that had great poser shots on some rocks with his home built 3 link.  I'll have to see if I can dig them up for you.

I was wondering of that "wishbone" link setup was a 3 link or 4 link. It confuses my newby brain.

I think it is still considered a 3 link due to the 3 links going to the axle.

Thanks Guys for the info. Really appreciated.

In India, we don't get YJ Springs and other stuff, so everything will be a DIY. So better to do a Coil than a SPoA.

Now I know the difference between 3-link & 4-link. I have read a lot about 4-link setup and have also got calculators to determine the length's, angles, positions of the various links at the rear.

In India, fabrication & welding would not be an issue. I can go to a good fabricator & get all this fabricated & then go to a god welder & get this welded.

With the rear part sorted out, I have questions for the front part.

What does 3-link for the front mean? I have seen only 2 links (and at best a panhard). Would appreciate help here.

What all to consider for the front part and how to make calculations for the front part. Any pointers?

Cheers,

There are two types of 3 links.  One is half of a 4 link plus the panhard bar, you just don't put the 4th link in that would go through your driveshaft.  This gives you close to the same movement as your 4 link.

The other is just two links with Y on the end to keep your axle from rolling, like the Rocky Road kit, and a panhard bar making the 3rd link to keep your axle from side-to-side movement. 

....You might want to look at a SPOA with Jeep YJ springs instead, it is a lot easier and faster to setup.

You know what, after all the reading & reasearch and punching numbers in the calculator, I have realized that right now in India, Coil Over may not be the best option. Too many variables and not ANY info/examples, parts to rely on.

So, what I ahve decided is the SPOA route. Will be doing that instead.

Now a question:

What will be the MINIMUM lift I will gain if I do SPOA? I don't want any more than 4" or so lift.

I will be using the stock leafs and all rest stuff will be fabricated.

With stock springs you are probably looking at 5-5.5" of lift at least.

One alternative might be to move the Ring Springs Up Front (RUF) and put a set of Jeep CJ springs in the rear.  That will probably give you 1-2" of lift and a softer ride at the same time.  Combined with a slightly longer set of shackles and different spring mounts you could easily hit the 4" mark.

Friends,

The work has started and it is SPOA route. Will post in a new thread soon.