1st suspension mod?
Senior Member
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 4,928
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From: The People's Republic of Los Angeles
My order would be:
Anti-sways will probably improve the handling more than shocks, but lowering moves shocks up the list as a necessity.
Also, depending on how well the X-Factor works once I get around to installing it, I could see it jumping up to #4 or #3.
I think that most people's favorable reports about panhards are to the change in roll center that it makes, not from stopping the axle from moving. Axle location is something to worry about only after the rest of the suspension is working well. If the truck is suffering from massive body roll or the frame is twisted a couple of degrees, a 1/4" movement of the rear axle is the least of your problems. Several respected engineer authors even state that a panhard (or watts link) is not required in a Hotchkiss (two s's) Drive suspension like we have (leaf springs over a solid axle).
FYI: you might want to consider trying some Hellwig Traction Control helper springs instead of the Hotchkis leafs. They will add more rate the more that they are clamped down, allowing you to play with rear rate. To get the drop, you would need to use shackles and/or hangers. But many have theorized that longer shackles allow the axle to wander more, which brings you back to the panhard.
- Lowering (springs or any other method)
- Shocks
- Bigger anti-sways
- Urethane bushings / Axle location (panhard or any other method)
Anti-sways will probably improve the handling more than shocks, but lowering moves shocks up the list as a necessity.
Also, depending on how well the X-Factor works once I get around to installing it, I could see it jumping up to #4 or #3.
I think that most people's favorable reports about panhards are to the change in roll center that it makes, not from stopping the axle from moving. Axle location is something to worry about only after the rest of the suspension is working well. If the truck is suffering from massive body roll or the frame is twisted a couple of degrees, a 1/4" movement of the rear axle is the least of your problems. Several respected engineer authors even state that a panhard (or watts link) is not required in a Hotchkiss (two s's) Drive suspension like we have (leaf springs over a solid axle).
FYI: you might want to consider trying some Hellwig Traction Control helper springs instead of the Hotchkis leafs. They will add more rate the more that they are clamped down, allowing you to play with rear rate. To get the drop, you would need to use shackles and/or hangers. But many have theorized that longer shackles allow the axle to wander more, which brings you back to the panhard.
Last edited by Tim Skelton; Apr 17, 2006 at 04:15 AM.
