building a front suspension 101

well i have decided that i am going to build a full frame for my truck starting in the next few months. i've built a couple 3/4 frames in my days but have always used the stock front clip. so i was wondering if some of the more experienced guys who have done this could give me a better understanding of what all has to be done when setting up the front suspension. i'm assuming that i would have to build a jig and hold the spindle where i need it and then set up my upper and lower arms, and the tie rod all parallel to each other. if this is right or wrong let me know and give me a rundown of the way you have done it...

Edited: 10/5/2006 10:56:13 AM by Iownissan

also, would they even stay parallel throughout the entire range of motion? seems as if they wouldn't....

would like to know too, haha.

Yes, so would I. What steps are necessary? Would you set the spindle at the height of wheels you're running?? For example, I'm building a frame for my 65 and plan on running 265/35/22s....so would I get a measurement of where the spindle would be located and build from there??

I think if the spindle is set in place, and built from there then the frame would theoretically need to be around ride height as well in order to set it up for the correct amount of camber at ride height

bump

I also need info on this . I bought this program http://www.auto-ware.com/software/asgp/asgp.htm but it is not designed for building a suspension from scratch its made for correcting a pre existing suspension.

yea me and mike (msturg) were lookin at that earlier. you need something like autocad to build something from scratch. the plan for me is to figure out all the dynamics behind building the front suspension and then mike is gonna mock it up in autocad for me.

Bobby (sadisticiron works) and Cris (forumn bejesus) are the only two i've heard confidently speak as if they know the mechanics of the front suspension. I've picked up a few books, and have a grasp of things but i wouldn't imagine attempting to build one w/o knowing more.

I'm sure someone will correct me, but the one rule that has been repeated is that the lower control arm and the tie rod should be parallel with eachother, and the ground at ride height.

I've also heard that the imaginary line from upper and lower control arm ball joints twoards the pivot points on the frame should intersect at some point, meaning the upper control arm should be pointing downward at ride height while the lower is parallel with the ground. The rest i too would like to hear, lol

^^^ u sure u meant the forum jesus?