xlink v drop arms

Post by **rotate_gq** » Sat Mar 14, 2009 4:57 pm

I've got to do something about the poor front articulation my LWB gives. I currently have a very basic set up consisting of 4'' EFS extreme springs and shocks, offset radius arm bushes, radius arm spacers, nil sway bars, 33'' muddies. I was looking at the dobbin x link, and superior superflex radius arms. it is still driven on the road a fair bit, so would prefer an x link with a lockout. Compared to each other, which setup will provide the most articulation? I hope to swap do a different spring and shock at the same time, maybe just going to a 5'' as i'm pretty disappointed with the efs stuff.

I realize the xlink is the cheaper option, and may handle as such. But by the time i have chopped and modified it, the time and effort may just be worth another few hundred to go with the arms.
Also, one thing i don't quite understand, the superior superflex arm, on the passenger side arm is there a pin that is required to be removed when off roading? i see three pins in total in the arm.

I'd like to hear opinions from people who have used either set up, and what the pros and cons are.

Post by **SIM79** » Sat Mar 14, 2009 5:36 pm

Do search there are few huge treads with heaps on info on both these products. There is no pin that get removed for off road with the superior arms.

Post by **mud_runner_GQ** » Sat Mar 14, 2009 5:42 pm

i have an Xlink in my gq, very very happy with how it works. i don't use the lock out pin, and don't think its to bad on the road.
im running 4" flexy coils also spaced the diff forward.

front wheel tucked into gaurd, mind you 4" is cut out of the front gaurds also.

Post by **1MadEngineer** » Sat Mar 14, 2009 9:02 pm

plenty of info on here!
short answer: same overall flex for both, x link has less roll stiffness and needs to be pinned or run with a swaybar (pointless in my opinion, 2steps forward and 1 step back

). Xlink is only cheaper in the short term, if you use it without the added cost of drop arms them you are using up some of the available travel on the pivot pin to correct castor... so to do it properly its actually more expensive. Xlink can work well as a complete package - BUT the whole setup required would be over twice that of superflex arms. Also beware that Xlinks are known to bend arms/bushs (search for more info). Superflex stop bushs from destroying them selves. Plenty of comp trucks running them (winch / rockcrawling) and also plenty of tuff touring rigs. they are good allround.....

Post by **brad-chevlux** » Sat Mar 14, 2009 9:34 pm

the draw back to superflex arms is that if you don't have enough weight on the front of the truck they dont flex aswell.

there is thread here somewhere that shows it very well.
reversed up the ramp the front would flex great. but drive up forward and all the weight comes off the front and hey presto same flex as stock arms.

there is draw back to every solution.

Post by **chunderlicious** » Sun Mar 15, 2009 9:48 am

brad. ive built a 3 link panhard front on a hilux and its only flex limit at the front is the 14 inch shock. the rear was the same. going up the ramp forwards the rear flexed huge but the front didnt (im sure greg can explain why this happens) but going up backwards the front and rear both maxed out their shocks.

its not poor design, its just physics.

Post by **SLASH** » Sun Mar 15, 2009 12:50 pm

Hi guys,i totally agree with brad-chevlux.I like the concept of the superior arms but from what ive seen in my opinion is that they rely on weight transfer to get there full potential.I think the best way to test flex is on flat ground with big holes and see if the wheels will drop into them as well as testing compresion wich i think you also need alot of.Saying that any suspension that will flex well like that will require additional work to make it stable on the road.Thats were the superior arms come into it,a compromise of both.Im still a xlink fan though.Only my 2c worth.

Post by **professor** » Sun Mar 15, 2009 8:00 pm

1MadEngineer wrote:plenty of info on here!
short answer: same overall flex for both, x link has less roll stiffness and needs to be pinned or run with a swaybar (pointless in my opinion, 2steps forward and 1 step back ). Xlink is only cheaper in the short term, if you use it without the added cost of drop arms them you are using up some of the available travel on the pivot pin to correct castor... so to do it properly its actually more expensive. Xlink can work well as a complete package - BUT the whole setup required would be over twice that of superflex arms. Also beware that Xlinks are known to bend arms/bushs (search for more info). Superflex stop bushs from destroying them selves. Plenty of comp trucks running them (winch / rockcrawling) and also plenty of tuff touring rigs. they are good allround.....

Agree x2

people i wouldnt kid your self with the flex on road matter I would go for the arms over the link if you do more than 40% on road 60% off. The link is better suited for cars that run off road but The arms are a better all rounder in my opinion. There is also a few issues with the pivot on the link creeping in which has flagged some concearn

Post by **ozy1** » Sun Mar 15, 2009 8:22 pm

professor wrote:
1MadEngineer wrote:plenty of info on here!
short answer: same overall flex for both, x link has less roll stiffness and needs to be pinned or run with a swaybar (pointless in my opinion, 2steps forward and 1 step back ). Xlink is only cheaper in the short term, if you use it without the added cost of drop arms them you are using up some of the available travel on the pivot pin to correct castor... so to do it properly its actually more expensive. Xlink can work well as a complete package - BUT the whole setup required would be over twice that of superflex arms. Also beware that Xlinks are known to bend arms/bushs (search for more info). Superflex stop bushs from destroying them selves. Plenty of comp trucks running them (winch / rockcrawling) and also plenty of tuff touring rigs. they are good allround.....
Agree x2

people i wouldnt kid your self with the flex on road matter I would go for the arms over the link if you do more than 40% on road 60% off. The link is better suited for cars that run off road but The arms are a better all rounder in my opinion. There is also a few issues with the pivot on the link creeping in which has flagged some concearn

what do you mean by creeping in?

Post by **1MadEngineer** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 9:54 am

SLASH wrote:.I think the best way to test flex is on flat ground with big holes and see if the wheels will drop into them as well as testing compresion wich i think you also need alot of.

like this pic?

as you can see there is that much flex that the top of the front PS is the same height as the bottom of the DS tire!! 37" of travel....and that is still not at full flex.

Post by **Micka** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 2:04 pm

I get that with stock Rangie front arms

But its hardly a flat ground shot

Post by **SLASH** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 2:14 pm

Yeh thats nice.Very impressive.You wouldnt think that a three link arm set up could do that.Sounds like a good compromise.Cheers.

Post by **1MadEngineer** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 2:36 pm

Micka wrote:I get that with stock Rangie front arms

But its hardly a flat ground shot

thats not fair

rangies have good geometry to start with!!

still not to bad for a nissan thats built to drive fast!

Post by **Micka** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 3:05 pm

But its a shit load further up the rock than mine. And mine would probably break before going half the places that Patrol goes.

Post by **professor** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 5:43 pm

ozy1 wrote:
professor wrote:
1MadEngineer wrote:plenty of info on here!
short answer: same overall flex for both, x link has less roll stiffness and needs to be pinned or run with a swaybar (pointless in my opinion, 2steps forward and 1 step back ). Xlink is only cheaper in the short term, if you use it without the added cost of drop arms them you are using up some of the available travel on the pivot pin to correct castor... so to do it properly its actually more expensive. Xlink can work well as a complete package - BUT the whole setup required would be over twice that of superflex arms. Also beware that Xlinks are known to bend arms/bushs (search for more info). Superflex stop bushs from destroying them selves. Plenty of comp trucks running them (winch / rockcrawling) and also plenty of tuff touring rigs. they are good allround.....
Agree x2

people i wouldnt kid your self with the flex on road matter I would go for the arms over the link if you do more than 40% on road 60% off. The link is better suited for cars that run off road but The arms are a better all rounder in my opinion. There is also a few issues with the pivot on the link creeping in which has flagged some concearn
what do you mean by creeping in?

Showing signs of issues. Bush issues and pivot issues. people with links it might pay to have a look at the link every so often.

Post by **brad-chevlux** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 8:43 pm

Don't get me wrong guys, i'm not saying either product is bad.

They are suited to different people doing different things.

was only trying to point out that there is never going to be a "perfect" solution. No mater what people come up with there is always a drawback.

The trick is working out which drawback will effect you less.

Outer Limits 4x4 Board

xlink v drop arms

xlink v drop arms

Who is online