Bush65 Posted March 29, 2007 Share Posted March 29, 2007 Here are some pics of an 80 series landcruiser with Dobbin Engineering X-Link. And another 80 series with a home built copy. Last couple show the demonstration setup, using landcruiser front axle and radius arms, with the Dobbin Eng X-Link. The X-Link allows radius arms to flex like a 3 link plus panhard, without the problem finding where the 3rd link can fit without fouling the engine etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dollythelw Posted March 29, 2007 Share Posted March 29, 2007 thats impressive John - pretty straightforward to build by the look of it, any drawbacks shown up so far? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bishbosh Posted March 29, 2007 Share Posted March 29, 2007 Looks very impressive. Excuse a dumb question, but I can't see for the life of me what is used to locate the axle transversally . All I can see connecting to the chassis are the two radius arms. Am I missing the bluddy obvious? Is the panhard rod still used? Confused and impressed at the same time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
will_warne Posted March 29, 2007 Share Posted March 29, 2007 Thanks for that, John. I really like this idea as its simple and looks like it should be very effective. I'll be doing my version of this idea shortly (well, relitivly speaking ). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bush65 Posted March 29, 2007 Author Share Posted March 29, 2007 Only thing is more body roll on road, but you would expect that. With sway bar fitted they handle and brake similar to stock. With extra long travel shocks the radius arm can be limited by clearance to the axle housing. Flipping the radius arms to above the axle housing overcomes this, but the spring perch's are in the way on rovers. But there are other ways to gain clearance between the radius arm and the housing if extra travel is required. Sway bar and disconnects is the way to go for on/off road use. The X-Link makes a good diff protector as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
white90 Posted March 29, 2007 Share Posted March 29, 2007 Will stop it you're making my sides hurt to much Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bush65 Posted March 29, 2007 Author Share Posted March 29, 2007 The panhard is still used for lateral location. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
will_warne Posted March 29, 2007 Share Posted March 29, 2007 Will stop it you're making my sides hurt to much Sorry Tony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dollythelw Posted March 29, 2007 Share Posted March 29, 2007 Cheers John - did you see if the central pivot is running a bearing or bushed? do they keep a lockout to stop the linkage function on road? - will try not to annoy with too many questions but it looks like an elegant solution! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MogLite Posted March 29, 2007 Share Posted March 29, 2007 Certainly for the 2nd vehicle, there is a lot of articulation, but the vehicle isn't leveled out like I would hope for. I suspect it needs more work on spring rates and bumpstops. Nice to see another solution though. And LandCruisers Rock Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill van snorkle Posted March 30, 2007 Share Posted March 30, 2007 Some good pics there John with impressive articulation. Is it the camera angle or would I be correct in observing that the bottom edge of the crosslink swings down well below the axle tubes during articulation, reducing ground clearance? I am just concerned that the minimum groundclearance measurement, ie to the bottom of the diff, is carried across the whole axle housing. Bill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dollythelw Posted March 30, 2007 Share Posted March 30, 2007 dont tell me you're short of ground clearance then Bill? if you flipped the radius arms over then that wouldnt be an issue? hmm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill van snorkle Posted March 30, 2007 Share Posted March 30, 2007 dont tell me you're short of ground clearance then Bill? if you flipped the radius arms over then that wouldnt be an issue? hmm No not at all Jez, but my 3 link works well enough and doesn't affect clearance at all. Flipping radius arms on LandRovers would possibly put the crosslink in conflict with coil spring platforms and engine components, additionally on LandRovers there would be problems with Panhard rod relocation,therefore making the sytem as difficult to package as a 3 link. Actually I don't suppose any possible loss of ground clearance would be a factor on Rangey/Defender/Disco's anyway, as the steering trackrod is the lowest point aside from the differential itself, and the crosslink would tend to protect that to a degree. Bill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bush65 Posted March 30, 2007 Author Share Posted March 30, 2007 Cheers John - did you see if the central pivot is running a bearing or bushed? do they keep a lockout to stop the linkage function on road?- will try not to annoy with too many questions but it looks like an elegant solution! There are 2 flanged bushes in the X-link. A drilled hole from the boss feeds grease into the gap between the bushes. The thick washer held by the centre bolt is pinned so that it won't rotate with the bushes/X-link. The X-link is not locked on road. I have one to fit the hybrid front axle in my rangie. As Bill pointed out, the panhard mount is a problem with Rovers, but should not be too difficult with my hybrid axle, which has a wider track, higher steering and panhard set-up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill van snorkle Posted March 30, 2007 Share Posted March 30, 2007 John' to get away from the dozer blade/snow plow appearance, is there any reason you can think of why the crosslink couldn't be fabricated from a length of round steel bar, with a bushing carrier welded in the middle ? For example an old panhard rod could be modified something like below, and the radius arm attaching brackets could be swivel mounted to the ends of the rod for even less binding during articulation. O=====O======O Bill. Edit. I have just noticed how thick the steel plate the crosslink is made from, so presumably all the accelleration and braking forces are fed into and resisted by it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bush65 Posted April 1, 2007 Author Share Posted April 1, 2007 The link is 20mm thick, 100mm deep at the centre pivot, 50mm deep at the ends where the radius arms attach. A boss for the centre pivot bushes is 50mm ID x 45 thick. The link has to take the bending loads from the end of the radius arms during acceleration and braking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roguevogue Posted April 1, 2007 Share Posted April 1, 2007 Assuming that it's made of steel then it's a kin heavy solution. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dollythelw Posted April 2, 2007 Share Posted April 2, 2007 Assuming that it's made of steel then it's a kin heavy solution. very true - wonder if it could be monocoque'd (easy moglite) out of something lighter, Trophy Truck or pre-runner trailing arm stylee? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
will_warne Posted April 3, 2007 Share Posted April 3, 2007 very true - wonder if it could be monocoque'd (easy moglite) out of something lighter, Trophy Truck or pre-runner trailing arm stylee? Thickwall box or tube would be a nice solution if its strong enough - the only downside would be a slightly bulkier link. The panhard rod is also a problem on a rover axle as there's no way of using an x-link with a standard panard rod setup. I've got a couple of idea about this but I've not had a chance yet to think about issues with bump steer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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