4 link rod length

how long are the rods in a four link setup for most setups? I have most of the items needed to make one just was curious of how long the rods need to be on average and a few pointers on set up. thanks

most are in the 19" - 20" range , but there are some shorter and some longer.

KY JELLY wrote:most are in the 19" - 20" range , but there are some shorter and some longer.

What Randy said. A lot of the store bought drag racing 4-links will get you in this general area.

In the end I think deciding bar length really depends on a vehicle's body style & it's intended use (full chassis vs back half vs minitub vs drag only vs street rod use vs. low ride height vs high ride height vs etc etc etc). One part that factors into deciding bar length with a "drag racing" use (like a full chassis or back half) aftermarket 4-link is tire/slick O.D. and therefore wheel tub O.D. But then on some mini-tub builds if the class rules dictate they must retain a car's factory rear frame & floor size/shape, the frame/floor most likely will dictate length of the bars. In this situation the top bars might end up being shorter than the bottom bars.....some times a lot shorter. On a truck there is usually a decent amount of room to work with to make the bars damn near any lenght you might want. But a really super long 4-link bars on a drag vehicle really isnt going to be a benefit. In fact real long bars might actually hurt adjustability if a drag combo ends up needing an I/C length on the short side and can't reach the needed number.

There are some basic design/layout differences between a modern aftermarket drag racing 4-link vs a 4-link more aimed at say a "street rod, or road racing" application. The drag 4-link setups usually have taller brackets on the housing & chassis so they have a ton more holes to choose from to increase adjustability. The aftermarket street rod stuff is usually less worried about placing the I/C for best initial hit on the tire, and more about ride quality. So the street rod stuff is more likely to have the top & bottom bars closer to being parallel to each other (viewed from the side) for a real long (calm & lazy) I/C length. Some of the aftermarket street rod stuff also places either the top or the bottom bars pointing outward (when viewed from above) much like the Fox body Mustang design does to help center the housing side to side.

the question is are you going to put your life on something sub par that you built yourself? not knowing anything about what is put into the design or Material used....?


Randy

why do you think that i know nothing about it just because i asked a question this don't mean i know nothing on building a four link or any thing else and why does it mean it would be a sub par part???? I'm sure that some average JOE makes some of the parts that you have on your car at least if i make it i know it will be made with over kill in mind so i cant break it !!!!!

There ya go John,Ya gotta take up for yourself or this place will suck you in pretty quick. And Coug, I've met John, and he's a first class guy and the type of person i'm proud to call my friend. He's also the type of gearhead that does'nt halfass anything. He may not always use NEW parts,but he does good work.
And John, Thanks for making me a PROFESSIONAL looking header flange.

Thanks Rick and you are right if its half assed it came from some where other from my shop. later. also rick the header flange was a piece of cake and was no problem glad to help out a friend.