Panhard/Draglink Relation

Hey guys! I'm working on my SAS. It's a 1st gen Tacoma with a F250 Dana 60 front axle. I'm doing a custom 3 link setup on it.

That said I'm getting stuck on my panhard/drag link relation. From what I read they should be the same angle and length. Now angle isn't an issue but length is killing me.

Currently my draglink measures 39 5/8". I don't really have much adjustability with that because the knuckles and steering box are where they are.

My panhard bar on the other hand is looking to be 8-10" shorter than my drag link. I'm using a Barnes frame side mount and a custom axle side mount. No matter where I place these I will not be able to match the length without having the panhard bar stick 10" out from my frame.

Would this be OK? I'm just trying to avoid as much bump steer as possible.

I can add pictures later when I'm with the truck.

Thanks!

 

I'm definitely no expert here but I have not seen a matching drag and panhard on any of the 3 link vehicles I'd seen.


This is bayarea build by qtrtilt


Mine's about 5 inch short

 

Add some pictures. My buddies drag link is definitely longer.

 

That makes me feel better. I've spent days with SolidWorks and in the garage trying to figure our a way to make them match lol. Everything I came up with was either super ugly or changed the angles.

 

Making sure the drag and panhard is in the same plane will matter tho

 

The panhard is pretty much always be shorter because of Toyota steering boxes mounting outside the frame rail. Pretty standard stuff. I did mitigate this on my setup by running GM y-link steering, which shortens the draglink quite a bit compared to regular crossover steering.

 

Best you can do is run the panhard outboard

 

That's what I was hoping to hear! Seems all the builds with a matching panhard/drag link run a different steering box to get it inside the frame. I might consider that if I didnt have a radiator right in my way.

Also interesting use of the GM Y-link. I guess if it becomes an issue I'll look in to that.

 

Yep that's what I'll be doing. It's still going to be shorter because the steering box is also outboard.

 

Yeah that's a given

 

I can't speak to what kind of length difference is appreciable since my truck is the only one I've got experience with on a 3-link personally. The Y-link works really well for getting your steering lower and better/easier packaging for uptravel too. Are you on a SD60 axle that needs a bent tie rod to clear the diff cover or an earlier 60 that can use a straight tie rod?

 

I have a 2008 SD60 with a Barnes high steer kit which pushes everything out so I can run a straight tie rod.

 

While you are at it, get some F-4/550 SD axles with the 1550 ujoints.

Barnes....thats what I have, everyone runs those

 

Having them parallel and the same length guarantees no bump steer, but having them parallel and close to the same length and fairly flat (no crazy angles) will functionally give you next to no bump steer at ride height. If you have a small amount of bump steer at the extremes of axle travel does that really matter?

 

I should also add that you want them both roughly the same height or else things get weird with steering angles at full articulation

 

I took some measurements today, here are all the heights from the ground:
Axle Side Drag Link: 21 1/2"
Frame Side Drag Link: 26 7/8"
Drag Link Length: ~47"

Frame Side Panhard: 27 7/16"
Axle Side Panhard: ???
Panhard Length: ~39"

So i just need to figure out how high the axle side panhard needs to be to ensure all the angles match. So let's do that.
Here is my math:



So if I can get the Axle Side panhard ~23" off the ground I'll be dialed!

 

I assume youre using something like this?
https://barnes4wd.com/products/short-offset-axle-panhard-bracket?_pos=3&_sid=4b7bf54c2&_ss=r

 

Very similar but I am designing my own. I'll get it all laser cut when I'm ready:


Reasons I'm making my own: I have a truss on my axle and no one seems to make one for a trussed axles. I'm running 7/8" heims on the panhard which not many people do. I can fine tune it.

 

Geez you gonna me ready for KOH with that setup?