2 link rear suspension on EZGO??

[ronncat]

My 84V AC project is on hold while I order up the motor. As I am itching to practice my newly acquired welding and fab skills, I am considering ditching the rear leafs for a 2 link rear suspension.

Monkey and MazDawg have done this conversion and I am strongly considering following suit. Your opinions????

[ronncat]

No comments/suggestions???

I've decided to forge ahead and build the 2-link rear as others have done. Bought the materials yesterday. Funny thing is, I only needed 3-1/2" of 1.5" round tubing for the bushing holders. No scrap at my supplier, so I had to buy a whole 24' stick. Guess I'll have to think of something to do with the other
23'8"

While I am on the subject, is it possible to build a true 2 link for the front?? My collective suspension knowledge is a big ZERO! I was thinking that arms with bushings on either end that attach on one side to the body and the other at the axle would eliminate my air shocks working against the leaf. The go pedal and brake linkage might have to be modified to work. Also, how would you keep the axle from pivoting forward on the bushing and possibly disconnecting the steering??? Any advice is appreciated....?

[1sikcart]

in for opinions and results. looking to do the same as you just been to busy at work to get started. other than tearing the cart apart.

p.s. this section has been super dead.

did you cut off the bushings on the rear leafs and use them or did you buy new bushings and weld them to the tubing?

[ronncat]

I'm fabricating all new trailing arms with new polyurethane bushings. Using 1.5 inch 0.12 tubing to hold the bushings and 1.5" 0.12 square tube for the arms.

[sportcoupe]

I don't know how your are planning a 2-link because you need a way to keep the rear axle from rotating on takeoff. You can make a 2 lower link and a single upper link (triangulated) which is a true 3 link (no panhard bar).

My custom rear 4 link is here on 1st page. It is lifted but similar principles apply for on-road.
http://www.buggiesgonewild.com/elect...txt-build.html

[ronncat]

Actually, as I'm told this isn't really a 2-link...

My friend who fabricates jeep suspensions called it something else because the motor end of the trailing arm is hard mounted to the axle as opposed to using a bushing. He may have called it a ladder or something??? Anyhow, he also was concerned when I told him I wanted to build a 2 link and told me I would need a panhard bar to keep the axle centered. However, when I sketched my proposal for him, he told me that it would probably work without one... but if it doesn't, I'm hoping he will help me design something that will.

Doesn't appear that Monkey's or MazDawg's suspensions have a panhard. I'll probably make it, try it and if it doesn't work, then modify it.

[sportcoupe]

If you triangulate the lower control arms then you won't need a panhard bar. You will have to have at least 1 upper control arm of some sort even if it's just connected to the lower arms. That type is called radius arm. Post a sketch of your plan if you can.

I too have built jeep suspensions, it's an older hobby of mine.

[1sikcart]

lot's of good info in here keep it coming!

[ronncat]

So today I fabbed the trailing arms. 1.5" square tubing (0.12") with polyurethane bushings that mount to the front leaf mounts. The axle is hard mounted about 13" from the pivot points.

This setup allows the rear wheels to tuck up inside the fenders about an inch further than with the leaf springs. At the other extreme, it raises about 3" higher than before.

When the cart is fully lowered, the trailing arms are level to the ground. I believe that ideally they should be level at ideal ride height, so I may shim the axle if this becomes an issue.

As for as the panhard bar, I didn't add one as of yet. I left several inches of extra tubing rearward of the axle. I was thinking I could weld some pivots on there and do a drop from the frame on the opposite side to mount the panhard
bar. I think I could mount the bar so that is the same height as the axle and parallel to it, just a couple of inches behind it. Do you think this would work?? Hopefully better than mounting the bar in front of the axle.

DSC06808.jpg DSC06810.jpg

[sportcoupe]

If the panhard bar is at same height as the axle it will still work, but the frame drop will need to be extra strong since it'll be long. What about an upper control arm? Can't forget that.

We look forward to pictures also.