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Trail Gear 3 link vs. springs

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Old Apr 10, 2010 | 09:46 PM
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Trail Gear 3 link vs. springs

So, I was just cruising Trail Gear's site and I'm curious. Why not just go with the Trail Gear 3 link front suspension instead of springs? Obviously the flex is better with the 3 link, price is the same. Would my truck be streetable with the 3 link? I am really considering doing this instead of a regular SAS.
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Old Apr 10, 2010 | 09:56 PM
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what are your fab stills? The price might look the same but it is not when you consider additional equipment needed to complete the 3 link.

IFS eliminator comes with High steer kit, front shocks and springs are a pretty straight forward conversion.

Link kit does not come with coil overs--$400+ or a hydro steering kit..another $500 or so...
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Old Apr 10, 2010 | 10:02 PM
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I can do any of the fab work at my friend's shop no sweat. I didn't realize that the kit lacked hi-steer. So that would be another $400 and the air shocks and building the upper mounts would be another $400, so I guess in the end it would be pretty spendy, but it would be cool and unique!
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Old Apr 10, 2010 | 10:26 PM
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I think its the way to go, I only wish I could afford it
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Old Apr 11, 2010 | 08:13 AM
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Hey man, I'm in Oregon too.
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Old Jun 8, 2010 | 07:28 AM
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i dont have any input on 3 linking, as i have leafs, but im in oregon too.lol
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Old Jun 8, 2010 | 07:34 AM
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Leaf springs - $100 corner

Link - $500+ corner + extras

Leaf springs are cheap and easy

Links are expensive and harder to
dial in, more expensive to repair too

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Old Jun 8, 2010 | 01:24 PM
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SillyFab in Ranchco Cordova, CA custom built the 3 link front and a 4 link rear rear suspension on my truck. I looked into "Trail Gears" set up but I desided to have one custom built to the way "I" wanted. All said and done I spent 6k for everything including Fox shocks in all corners. I'll try to post up some pictures in a few days.
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Old Nov 8, 2010 | 07:16 AM
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Just finished my TG front three link with the fox 2.0 shocks and its my DD. I am using the high steer for now with limit straps. It drives great on and offroad and looks amazing.
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Old Nov 10, 2010 | 12:44 PM
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Originally Posted by kawabays
Just finished my TG front three link with the fox 2.0 shocks and its my DD. I am using the high steer for now with limit straps. It drives great on and offroad and looks amazing.
Dude that is a sick setup! I've been looking for someone thats done it with the hi-steer but couldn't find a soul. Did you get the air shocks with the kit? and besides the 3link and hi-steer what else did you have to get to make it a complete kit front and rear?? I just finished up with the air locker and 3.4 swap now its time for some link action!!
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Old Nov 11, 2010 | 07:53 AM
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Well you need a tube bender for custom shock hoops and the shock hoop brace that goes over the engine from hoop to hoop. Using high steer you have to use limit straps but I found another thred somewhere with part numbers for chevy tie rod ends that flex a lot more. So I plan on making a new steering rod using them. Let me know if you want the part numbers. You can make the kit at whatever ride height you want so where I put mine I'm using tg 5" rear springs. Oh yeah and I had an extra set of rear tg shock mounts I used for the shock hoops. Go ahead and factor in a nitrogen setup so you can fill your own shocks. Btw your rig sounds sweet. Wish I had a 3.4! Check out my pictures if you get a chance.
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Old Nov 12, 2010 | 09:01 PM
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Awesome yeah throw those part numbers at me if you don't mind. I believe I'm gonna try to run coilovers with the TG 5" springs. I'm on 37's right now with a 4" bracket lift and body lift (for the 3.4) but after seeing your pics I'm dead set on the 3-link... Yours has got some wicked flex man!
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Old Nov 13, 2010 | 05:18 AM
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Thanks man. 2026r 2027L are the part numbers. I'm running 37s also. So you have to do a body lift to fit the 3.4 in? Your truck will be huge with the 5inch springs and a body lift. It can be a pain getting in and out of mine lol. Everyone was trying to get me to go with coil overs also but I had already ordered the kit. So I was told all these bad things about the air shocks and was scared as hell it was gonna ride like crap on the road. But it rides great. Even high speed on dirt roads hitting pot holes and all. The only problem I can see having is them unloading. I did a tug of war the other weekend at a tractor pull and I had to go up against a 01 2500 4x4 cummins extended cab sitting on 40s with stacks haha. Well I got pulled back like ten feet but when we started going the front of my truck raised all the way up and the ass end squatted. Tires stayed on the ground ofcoarse but the people watching from behind thought I did a wheelie.
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Old Nov 13, 2010 | 05:22 AM
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So I'm just worried about climbing a straight up hill and the front end unloading causing me to roll over. Coilovers may do the same just not near as bad. I may have to mount a small winch to hold the front down. I just don't know yet.
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Old Nov 13, 2010 | 02:11 PM
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Thanks for those part numbers. yeah Ive heard things as well about air shocks but the biggest things Ive heard is bad body roll on the street cuz my truck is my DD as well I wouldnt mind running air shocks if I knew I could take a turn and not flip over esp if I'm riding down the road and I get cut off or something and have to dart out of the way, Ive just heard coilovers offer more stability for the most part and they are much more predictable when you get in and out of the gas (like you experienced on your pull I guess) but thats still sick you went up against a 01 cummins haha. I think I'll run 12" coilovers so i dont really have to go up into my wheel wells much and may go 4" leafs cuz my truck already feels too tall as it is but about the 3.4... you dont have to do a body lift the other option is to cut the hood, you just have alot tighter fit with everything (exhuast, heater hoses, fan etc) in my opinion a body lift makes it much easier but I guess its just in personal preference. Ill try to get some pics of mine on here soon so ya can check it out.
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Old Nov 14, 2010 | 06:01 AM
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From: Athens, GA
Body rolls not that bad for me. Most people run 5wt in there shocks but im running 15wt. No matter what you go with you will have a lot of body using a link system. You could always get a sway bar. I really dont feel the need for one. I just need more power. The 22re's not pulling the 37s well over 55mph. Im looking into an engine swap soon but i got to go semi cheap cause i spent sooooo much on the rest of the truck. Let me Know when you get those pics!
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Old Nov 24, 2010 | 08:10 PM
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Originally Posted by Bridger5228
So, I was just cruising Trail Gear's site and I'm curious. Why not just go with the Trail Gear 3 link front suspension instead of springs? Obviously the flex is better with the 3 link, price is the same. Would my truck be streetable with the 3 link? I am really considering doing this instead of a regular SAS.
Definitely not cheaper. You'll need to add in coilovers ($1100 w/springs), steering, shock mounting, etc.

The 3-link kit will give you a little oversteer. If you stick with leafs in the rear it will do okay, since rear springs tend to have understeer. So, it will help cancel each other out.
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