Getting the front to flex on the GQ!

[thepatroldude]

ok, have been doing my research for 5 links for a nissan GQ LWB. This is how it goes. Some companies say they are awesome with getting the front to flex, whilst other are saying they are crap! . These are the two options.

One being welded on. Advantage better clearence with no lower brackets, however if angles are out, then it screws up everything, and makes it shocking to drive ont he road.

The other other option is bolting it on. This means a extra bracket which decreases ground clearence, but more so gives accurate steering etc etc.
Both kits are around the $2,500 mark installed.

The other optioned that was also given to me is the snake racing superflex dropped radius arms. This is where i need the help, do i go for a 5 link or these dropped radius arms. I need to know what gives better flex, better drive and is suited to competitions. Other then the price differecne I need to get the front of the GQ flexing, the rear, as Nissan drivers knows is pretty good as it is. So here is the story. Your comments are much aprreciated, can anyone link me up with someone who has done this etc, etc or who is currently doing this modification.

Cheers ALL!

[striped tomato]

I have a bolt in 5 link. Flex is great, on road drive is great but a bit wallowy in corners, offroad clearance is compromised and I have bent the lower arms which are being replaced.

You will not get anywhere near the flex from a 3 link setup even with the dropped arms, what you have to ask is whether you need the flex? Whilst the front travels a lot more now for me, whether the truck is any more capable is questionable, with the front locker on it did all teh same stuff, just the front/rear balance was alittle different. For high speed competition work I think the dropped arms might be better, for slower speed technical stuff probably the 5 link.

HTH
Steve

[ludacris]

5 links are good but not for higher speeds and are very fulnerable to damage.

Snake drop arms are good but wont give you anymore flex than what you have.

3RD's would be the better choice of the two as they turn your front end into a lets say Toyota front end but with more joints to flex better.

Since I fitted mine my spring packers have started to fall out which is very annoying but an easy fix.

LudaCris

[AndrewPatrol]

Just out of interest - what would be wrong with fitting Toyota front arms and change the brackets on the axle? Obviously scrub the toyota name off them !!!!!!!!!

[John H]

IMO the five-link is the go if you want REAL wheel travel. The Snake/3rd arms may help restore travel and retain road manners but they still have the same restrictive design. That is the four bolt set up that tries to twist the diff housing under cross axle articulation — it will only move until the rubber bushes can't squash any further.
If you have the dollars, a well made five link combined with a nice heavy sway bar (+QR disconnects of course) may be the best bet — that is if max travel is what you are after, just hook the sway bar back up when you get back on the road.
As pointed out, those hefty Snake/3rd arms may have something going for them in terms of sheer strength if you do any high speed/jumping kind of stuff.

[Bishop]

5link with a sway bar and disconnects if you want front wheel travel and on road handling. just be careful with the bolt in kits if its a daily driver the bolts that fix the mounting plates to the chasis work loose over time even when lock tight is used, it means the front diff moves around and rotates when you are on the breaks it can get messy. silastic beetween the mounting plates and the chasis stops the movment and there fore stops the bolts falling out. (aircraft maintance mate put me onto it) but as far as it goes if you put the 5link in it will travel as far as the shock will let it and you will be giggiling like a school girl when you go off road. They are the shit

[thepatroldude]

Ok, so there are both sides of the story which is cool, but lets say if you run extended socks, won't this flew aewsome??

[Tiny]

5 links will give you good flex, but as said on road manners suffer, but then every mod you do wil effect the onroad manners any way. is it a daily driver of hard trip / comp rig.....weigh up the pros and cons and whether on road is important on the list.

Snake offer no more flex.

3rds wont say they offer any more flex, but the design imo will offer minimal improvment.

[fatassgq]

Five link will flex real well on the front and if that is what you want then I would recommend it.

I know I have said it before and there are a couple of people waiting but we WILL be doing a five link very soon and we hope to get rid of some of the comprimises made with a bolt in five link.

Mine at the moment flexes unreal on the front (see avatar) and on road it is good too. Just keep sway bars on for road use and it drives great.

IMO those dropped arms not worth the cost. The figure you quoted for a five link installed sounds expensive too.

Any strength issues in my oppinion is a matter of design and engineering. should be able to make the lower arms plenty beefy.

If ya want to have a chat about any queries you have give me a call at work (Superior Engineering 3889 6778)

cheers
Brian

[YankeeDave]

agree completely with fatasgq,

can anyone comment on the bennifit if any for drop links/drop boxes to front end travel.

[bogged]

...b ut lets say if you run extended socks, won't this flew aewsome??

you been on the Moonshine tonight?

[thepatroldude]

No mate, no moonside, rather doing school work and working out potential mods!

[GUJohnno]

No mate, no moonside, rather doing school work and working out potential mods!

[thepatroldude]

Must be a victorian thing to be fussy about spelling

[Tiny]

agree completely with fatasgq,

can anyone comment on the bennifit if any for drop links/drop boxes to front end travel.

I have drop boxes, and as with the arms offer no particular gain flex wise, just correct the camber as they are supposed to fi that make sence

I want to do a 5 link, but thjere are more important mods to fund first, hoping to purchase off a mate with coil over tubed rear, he wantrs to coil over the front as well now so maybe pick up cheap