jwkilgore
New member
Ok, looks like I misunderstood. You said replacing the links with OE shocks and springs is pointless, which I completely agree with. But going with the assumption of bolt-only mods (no cutting things up, no welding on new link attachment points, no converting to a rear coilover... you can take it back to stock in the future if you want to sell), can you gain anything by replacing links with better aftermarket versions? Do you realistically gain anything by, say, installing a Metaltech Stage 4 rear (replace springs, shocks, & lower links) over a Stage 2 (only replace springs & shocks)? And gaining articulation would be "anything".where on earth did i say that if you want to LT rear all you have to do is change the shocks and springs? i seriously cannot find it in anything i wrote. i know i did in fact say that your stock travel suspension doesn't warrant the replacement of the stock links as you don't have enough travel to utilize anything with as spherical bearing joint in it.
but you answer your question, technically you don't need you replace the links for a LT rear at all if you understand geometry and how it works. your travel arc doesn't change because the links are not any longer (unless you lengthen them to return your wheelbase to stock dimensions from a lift). the only net gain you get from replacing your links at all is added strength, and added articulation from spherical bearings if you can even utilize them in the first place.
Actually, a little research and I answered it myself... the Metaltech lower links have an offset rear bushing, and some pics I found show this allows more articulation because it prevents the link from binding against the main axle tube.
So if you keep your OE shocks-springs you're wasting money with new links. If you go to long travel shocks+springs, replacing the lower links is a benefit.
Literally: "How the wrong definition of 'literally' sneaked into the dictionary"
It may be in the dictionary, but using "literally" to mean "virtually" is still literally wrong. :argue:
I'll see your wimpy TI and raise you a classic HP 48GX with 128k RAM. RPL or GTFO. :lalala:TI-89 or Bust:llama:
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