Rear 4-link opinions needed

Old77 · Aug 27, 2024

Hey all! I'm needing opinions on rear 4 link set ups and what people recommend. I'm seeing prices all over the place and wonder what preferences are based on experience.

For context, this is for my 91 R3500 dually.

For years I've known about the Ridetech kit. Looks like a super nice kit but it also comes with a super nice price tag at $2,500. With that it also looks very complete. After buying their panhard bar and possibly an air compressor then I'd be out the door at $3k minimum just for parts.

HD Universal Parallel 4-Link System - Ridetech

The HD 4 link offers a huge improvement in ride quality, load capacity, and handling performance. It's highly adaptable design and weld-on installation will allow it to fit a wide range of 3/4 ton and 1 ton trucks.

ridetech.com

So then, after doing more research I'm seeing other kits out there from outfits such at Michigan Metal Works or NFamous or outfits like that. The kits are usually in the 3-400 range but they are also not as complete as the Ridetech kit so I know other costs would be incurred but probably not anywhere close to the $3k mark.

4 Link Kits

So do any of you have any recommendations? @bluex and @TotalyHucked , what vendors have you used in your experiences?

animal · Aug 27, 2024

I think you should buy the most expensive kit they make. Then you can let it set in the garage and by the time you get around to putting it on you'll have it paid for :shrug:

Old77 · Aug 27, 2024

animal said:
... by the time you get around to putting it on you'll have it paid for

....maybe

TotalyHucked · Aug 27, 2024

I can't speak from any personal experience on anything HD related on these trucks. I just haven't worked on them much. That said, obviously Ridetech makes top notch stuff, I've had or used/worked on their C10 and Mustang stuff and it's all great.

I also know MMW makes good stuff, I've got a buddy with a set of their narrowed arms on his C20 crew and they're top notch quality. For someone with the fab skills, I'd probably go with the MMW kit and go from there. That would be a good base and then just complete the kit on your own. Most fab guys, it'd be cake for them to make a panhard or whatever else you need.

Old77 · Aug 27, 2024

TotalyHucked said:
I can't speak from any personal experience on anything HD related on these trucks. I just haven't worked on them much. That said, obviously Ridetech makes top notch stuff, I've had or used/worked on their C10 and Mustang stuff and it's all great.

I also know MMW makes good stuff, I've got a buddy with a set of their narrowed arms on his C20 crew and they're top notch quality. For someone with the fab skills, I'd probably go with the MMW kit and go from there. That would be a good base and then just complete the kit on your own. Most fab guys, it'd be cake for them to make a panhard or whatever else you need.

Thanks for the insight. I knew you'd at least been around the products in your line of work and stuff so that's why I tagged you in specifically and I tagged @bluex because of both personal experience and owning a his business for a while and working with different vendor's products during that time.

What you said is very helpful and I'll consider that as I look to buy. The Ridetech kit does look good. Seems like you're also paying for it being virtually complete out of the box, too, which IS worth something. I just may be too cheap for that LOL :rofl:

TotalyHucked · Aug 27, 2024

Exactly. It just depends on your resources. If you know someone that has some decent fab skills, building a regular 4-link isn't that hard. It gets hard when you're talking autoX/racing/that kinda thing, then you have to think about roll centers/COG/etc. But for what you're looking for, a straight up traditional 4-link isn't complicated.

The Ridetech kit is specifically for the weekender with no connections/with no access to a fab shop. Good option, but definitely pricey. Since I know some guys here that can do the fab work, I'd personally go with the MMW kit, some Firestone heavy duty bags and some quality shocks.

Old77 · Aug 27, 2024

TotalyHucked said:
Exactly. It just depends on your resources. If you know someone that has some decent fab skills, building a regular 4-link isn't that hard. It gets hard when you're talking autoX/racing/that kinda thing, then you have to think about roll centers/COG/etc. But for what you're looking for, a straight up traditional 4-link isn't complicated.

The Ridetech kit is specifically for the weekender with no connections/with no access to a fab shop. Good option, but definitely pricey. Since I know some guys here that can do the fab work, I'd personally go with the MMW kit, some Firestone heavy duty bags and some quality shocks.

Makes perfect sense. I consider my skills in the area "decent" but I've got a cousin local to me that I trust and he's done a 4 link on his bagged F-100. So I'm probably going to hit him up to do this in his driveway.

bluex · Aug 27, 2024

The ridetech stuff is nice for sure. The nfamous 3 link is on my list if I go bags on my dually. If you can do some of the welding then you'd be money ahead with it. I don't think either one would be a bad choice.

MMW I've not seen their stuff personally, or dealt with them. There are about as many bad stories on him as good ones so idk about them.

I have my eye on dcfab too but they only list gmt400 stuff so that doesn't help you.

It's more expensive but go airlift with height sensors for air management. You'll be glad you did. Viair compressors, aluminum tank, water trap BEFORE the valve bank.

The level ride on my C10 works great too. I don't really like how he just uses a phone app for a controller. Mainly because I have the the previous gen ecu, the Bluetooth in it doesn't work with current phones. In order to fix that I have to replace the ecu. Can't trade the old one in or send it for an upgrade just replace it, and at full cost. Not to happy about that an it's never something that's happened with airlift or accuair (to my knowledge). Accuair should be solid again after the whole bankruptcy buyout thing. Stay away from the valve/compressors in the tank if they even still offer it. Lots of issues out of those.

Old77 · Aug 27, 2024

bluex said:
The ridetech stuff is nice for sure. The nfamous 3 link is on my list if I go bags on my dually. If you can do some of the welding then you'd be money ahead with it. I don't think either one would be a bad choice.

MMW I've not seen their stuff personally, or dealt with them. There are about as many bad stories on him as good ones so idk about them.

I have my eye on dcfab too but they only list gmt400 stuff so that doesn't help you.

It's more expensive but go airlift with height sensors for air management. You'll be glad you did. Viair compressors, aluminum tank, water trap BEFORE the valve bank.

The level ride on my C10 works great too. I don't really like how he just uses a phone app for a controller. Mainly because I have the the previous gen ecu, the Bluetooth in it doesn't work with current phones. In order to fix that I have to replace the ecu. Can't trade the old one in or send it for an upgrade just replace it, and at full cost. Not to happy about that an it's never something that's happened with airlift or accuair (to my knowledge). Accuair should be solid again after the whole bankruptcy buyout thing. Stay away from the valve/compressors in the tank if they even still offer it. Lots of issues out of those.

Thanks, as always, on the feedback. That’s good stuff! I’ll certainly keep all that in mind as I collect parts :waytogo:

BlazerBill · Sep 2, 2024

Also check out QA1 4 link

Rear 4-link opinions needed

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