66 OCTOBER 2019 4-WHEEL & OFF-ROAD 4WHEELOFFROAD.COM
THREE-LINK IN A BOX?
“
Gone was the
drivetrain windup
associated with
accelerating with
leaf springs
”
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We placed the upper link frame mount
ahead of the lower mount. For added
strength, we tied it into a factory crossmember
and added another support plate under the
mount. RuffStuff also offers an adjustable
mount for this location to allow more tuning,
should you choose that option.
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RuffStuff provides large 1^1 ⁄ 4 -inch rod ends
and matching threaded inserts for the
upper and lower links, along with misalignment
spacers. The big joints use one-piece construc-
tion from heat-treated chromoly steel. The
inner race is injection molded using Teflon-
impregnated nylon.
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The upper and lower links are construct-
ed w ith 2- inch - diameter, 0.250 -wall DOM
tubing. We MIG-welded all the inserts to the
tubing.
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RuffStuff offers frame-side Panhard
mounts in several configurations. This
shows ours tack welded outside our framerail.
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The Panhard rod uses^7 ⁄ 8 -inch rod ends
mated to 1.5x0.250-wall DOM tubing. We
placed the axle-side Panhard mount angled
off the rear of the axle on the driver side. The
Panhard vertical angle at ride height is about
10 degrees.
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Debate s w irl s around how best to weld
threaded inserts for rod ends after
they ’ ve been tack welded in pl ace. W hen pos -
sible, we like to thread an old rod end into the
insert, then weld the full circumference before
removing the rod end after a cool-down period.
In any case, it’s wise to apply antiseize com-
pound to the treads before mating them.
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RuffStuff offers^1 ⁄ 4 -inch-thick plate
shock towers in two heights and also
tubular mounts, depending on your preference.
We opted to use the plate mounts with includ-
ed tabs that can be welded to accommodate
the spacer width of your coilovers.
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Here you can see the cut-and-formed
plate construction of many of the
mounts. Some require welding at some of the
fold lines. Some mount s al so come w ith addi -
tional keyed reinforcement plates.
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