travel

[mufasa]

How much travel can I get out of a stock front link pin front end. I have adjusters and stock stops removed. What should I use for shocks. On the back I have spring plate adjusters on a swing axle. Any links to modify stock rear suspension to increase travel. My buget is limited but I am very handy with a torch and a welder. thanks Mufasa

[blackthree4me]

not to sure about actual travel but it aint much
here are the limiting factors
front
how much the leafs will bend either way
the stops would be a factor but you cut them out
tie rod hitting the chassie durng drop of axils

rear
swing axil Bad the axils are the limiting factor cant change that
next would be spring plate stops
Ive seen folks cut the stops out of that cast piece to get a little moore
travil
hope this helps go a little more in depth to think about
David O could give you the specs on actual travel im sure

the guys on www Chaindriverails have re thought the whole process and its worth a look see just to think outside of the box
blackthree4me

[David O']

I'm thinking that the rear is probably limited somewhat by the amount of distance that the axles can move in and out of the CV joints, and also the amount of angle that the CV joints can take before they bind. (not to mention the length of the shocks and their operating limits)
The front end would be limited to the mount of movement in the shocks (bottom limit) and the top would be limited by the amount of clearance of the tie rods to the gas tank, and the compressed length of the shock in the completely compressed position.
What kind of car and what is it being used for?

[mufasa]

There is no cv on a swing axle. It is a fiberglass buggy shortened 14 1/2 inches. I know I am limited by its design but I would like to get as much travel as possible with what I have. I am not rich but I am very handy at fabrications thanks Mufasa

[David O']

Sorry for not catching that.....You are pretty much stuck with the stock amount of travel on the swing, due to the amount of allowable movement at the spade end of the axle, (where it meets the transmission).
I would look at the amount of clearance on the front end (like gas tank, and body) that will be the limiting factor there.

[mufasa]

Is it possible to change my car to irs and keep the swing axle trans? What I am asking is can I adapt cv to it?

[blackthree4me]

nope its one or the other
you can change the swing to IRS but its a lot of work as the whole trailing arm setup must be changed as well as the tranny
if you wanted to do that it would be be better to get a doner IRS cut off the old swing torsion assembly and weld in the new IRS assembly
like I said allot of work
most if not all the offroad crowed uses the IRS set up
due to the camber issues created in the swing axil type configuration

if you remember seeing Picks of the old cars with tires pointed in at the top
or some old Bajas with the tires pointed in at the bottom
that is a direct result of a swing axil
the tires just go at an arch instead of up and down like a an IRS

for better travel as well as safety the IRS is the way to go
both configurations are well covered in a manual
I highly sugest you get HP Books
Baja Bugs & Buggies
( how to prepair VW based cars for off road fun and racing)
by Jeff Hibbard
It will be well worth the 20 bucks you spend on it
its a must for settting up an off road car
blackthree4me