08 Tacoma SAS

why does most everyone that I see do a 3 link kit in the front for an SAS? why not 4 link it? mounting the 4 link and everything would be more simple?

I only ask because I am in the process of collecting parts for an SAS

 

Because you can't triangulate the front links properly without building a sky scraper, or building a system with a bunch of bind. Jeeps have front 4 links with a panhard bar, but flex like shit. A 3 link with a panhard will flex better, fit easier and bind less.

 

Hmm really? I've always thought 4link is the better way to go providing the most flex possible. But from what you're saying doing a 3link is less of a cluster fuck in turn providing more flex?

 

Go research 4 links on full bodied rigs.

 

Listen to Slander. He's not always right but he is absolutely right on this one

There's one guy on this forum that has a 4 link SAS in the front. He has a ton of flex, but his rig is taller than most and he is running 42"s. So it can be done depending on your goals.

But if you want to be part of the low rider club and have your cake an eat it (low ride, ton of flex, awesome highway ride, etc.), then as Slander said it ain't gonna happen with a 4link set up. Something's gotta give.

Even with a 3link you will quickly realize that there's just not a lot of room for anything under there. As it is my 3link was a pain to set up,....i can't imagine what would have been like with a 4link suspension.

 

... and no speed/ death wobble.

 

Most Tacomas still want to retain a normal steering box, and the only way to do that without bump steer is to build a 3-link.

If you're going full hydro then 4-link all day long (if it'll fit).

 

This is actually very true. Knew a guy that tried to do a 4 link with normal steering box and it didn't work. Bump steer madness! But he needed to drive his rig on the road and did not want to go full hydro, so he changed to 3-link and things worked well.

I know some guys drive their rigs with full hydro on the road, but many people are apprehensive because of how it feels, state laws, etc.

 

Jeeps from the factory are a 4link front with a panhard bar, however the suspension binds like crazy. Most of those guys switch over to radius arms, 3links, or accept it. It can be done with a steering box, it's more of a why would you even want to do that, when a 3 link is better in just about every way on a streetable truck. Might as well ditch one link and get better flex and less steering issues out of it.

 

Yup...you see a lot of Jeep guys in the southwest doing 3-link conversions all the time for the reasons you mentioned. Also very typical to see JKs running 1tons from Super Duties because apparently the tone rings can be easily swapped to eliminate ABS and other speed/data issues.

 

No offense OP but you should step back and do a bunch more research on link suspensions and geometry before cutting your truck apart if you are asking these questions.

Technically a 3 link/ panhard is a 4 link suspension, the 4th link being the panhard.

 

www.4wheelunderground.com

 

True. Both designs use four bars, links, arms, or whatever people like to call it.

It seems like most people tend to count the panhard bar in a 3-link as something extra because it mounts laterally to control the side-to-side movement of the axle, which is certainly needed with a traditional steering box. With a 4-link this might not be an issue.

But it is confusing because the panhard in a 3-link is really another link just going in a different direction than the other 3

 

I am doing my research, the swap it self won't be happening for another 6-8months. I'm not some mechanically inclind guy that understands this shit easy. I'm your average guy with the love and passion just not the knowledge. Me asking these questions is part of my research! I met and talked with some other guys now I fully understand the steering/linkage part so I will be 3linking the front. Plus I'm not the one doing the actual labor I personally can't weld worth shit haha

 

There is Parallel 4-Link, Single Triangulated 4-Link and Double Triangulated 4-Link. All have different characteristics.

The only one you can use a steering Gear with is Parallel 4-Link (Dodge Ram, Jeep), ans 3-Link with a Panard Bar. Radius Arms have more bind than a Parallel 4-Link, both however turn the axle into a torsion bar. There is one more that the Early Bronco guys used to like, and it is dangerous as hell at speeds, its a Wristed Radius Arm.

The only suspension that offers 0 bind is a 3-Link with a Panard Bar.

Also geometry plays a huge role in how the vehicle will handle and behave on and off road. My suggestion OP is unless you have someone building this that knows what they are doing, I would stick to a quality IFS System.