[sonoronos]

Out of curiosity, how does changing the joint at the frame increase flex/articulation?

Aren't the front bushings in the radius arm the only things that allow the Defender's front to articulate?

------ Follow up post added January 4th, 2013 09:58 AM ------

Ejohny joint?!

It's slang for a beefy, rebuildable, high misalignment spherical joint manufactured by Currie.

------ Follow up post added January 4th, 2013 10:02 AM ------

http://forum.ih8mud.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=454204&stc=1&d=1285606558

I think...and I don't know, because I'm armchairing this...but isn't this the theory behind superflex radius arms?

 

[sonoronos]

Wait a second...why not just replace one of the radius arms with a 3 link style arm (one bolt at the axle housing) ?

Wouldn't the remaining radius arm prevent axle wrapping? Granted it would be taking additional stress, but it seems beefy enough to take it...

N/m...I see that d90 already did this experiment years ago. 5" more on the ramp.

 

[sonoronos]

In the front you are doing the opposite, bumps are hitting the 3 link directly first then move past the radius arm.

So if I understand correctly, the radius arms can sort of behave like the lower links on 3 link if you removed the front of the two bolts holding the radius arm to the axle.

What is missing is something on the axle that prevents it from "wrapping" when it hits a bump. the front radius arm bolts play that role on the standard defender front suspension.

The panhard cannot play this role because it is in virtually the same plane as the axle.

I think see the problem with the 3 link front. Basically, the upper link controls pinion angle and therefore caster angle under suspension travel. If designed badly, the pinion angle can change drastically when cornering and braking.

I'm guessing that because the upper link is fixed in length, the longer it is, the better.