Thread: hair pin or 4 bar

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I am in the process of figuring out what I want to do with my front end, with a dropped axle. Which has a better ride, and is one better than the other, and why? Yes I like the look of the vintage hairpin, but I can live with the look of the 4 bar, especially if it is a way better suspension pkg. Of course either system would have heim joints.

Thanks,
Mike

i have had both i cant tell a difference.

Most 4 bar fronts don't have heim joints, or clevis ends for that matter. Most are made with the urethane bushings, which are quieter than the metal to metal of heim and clevis. Of course if you're partly (mostly?) deaf like some of us, can't hear it anyway.

My choice would be the 4 bar...... Well no, actually my choice would be an IFS!!!

Like everybody else, I've read and heard that hairpins are the wrong way to setup a front end because the axle has to twist when going up and down, etc, etc, etc. That being said, I still run either hairpins or split bones. If I were building a more contemporary hot rod, I might use a four bar setup to get that slight edge on performance, but I just personally prefer seeing the other types on a more traditional car. That is just me and something I prefer.

If hairpins and split bones are so bad, how are there literally thousands and thousands of hot rods using them with good results? Everything on a hot rod is somewhat of a compromise anyway, so this is just one more of those areas where sometimes function follows form.

If you have no problem with the look of a four bar on your car, I would say run them for the very slight difference in ride and quietness you will get.


Don

If you like the looks of a hairpin, go for it. However, limit the Heim joints to the batwings. Use urethane bushings on the frame mount bracket. It cuts the noise and vibration that otherwise would be transmitted to the frame.

In my opinion, 4-bars aren't way better. Maybe this much <---> but not a lot

If hairpins and split bones are so bad, how are there literally thousands and thousands of hot rods using them with good results?

My sentiments exactly. Also, the same guys who claim the 4-bars are the ONLY way to go also sell hairpins. I find that very interesting.

Thanks, for the quick answers, must be a bunch of slackers out there not doing anything at work today
As for noise, lets see after working flight lines in the Navy, many modified cars with somewhat mufflers, and kicking steros, just sold my superformance cobra to finance this hot rod, which will be a fenderless, blown 392, 33 roadster, and a loud stero, I don't see I'll be hearing the little bit of noise a hairpin will make, so I will probably go ol school.

Thanks guys,
Mike

Just a quick commentary on your screen name.............

A year or so ago my bride and I were waiting in line at Costco. I made some comment about an exciting opportunity for an "E ticket ride". The friendly guy waiting behind us decided to join in the chat. He thought I was making reference to buying an online ticket for some event or other. He seemed nonplused when I explained to him that it was a reference to the "old days" when you needed the most costly ticket (marked A thru E) for the best rides at Disneyland. Ah language and generational differences..............

That's why no stereo is going into my new T. In my other roadster, over the engine and wind noise, the only time I could hear it was at a traffic light.

Look forward to meeting you if and when we Florida guys ever get together.


Don

My personal choice is the 4 bar. Like Bob said it used urathane bushings. Quieter, and for me a more solid attaching point. I dont like metal to metal suspension connections that move. I was going to go with an IFS for my 33 but I love the classic hotrod look of a superbell. Besides Mr. Heidts pissed me off

Don, I bet ya could hear the wailing of the sirens just off your rear bumper too. Even if you couldn't see the flashing red lights.

Eticket: who you calling a slacker? you lookin in the mirror again?
Just so happens I am on my lunch hour(s), at taxpayer expense, of course!

Popular opinion is, because a tube axle doesn't twist, you should run the four bars, but an I-beam will work just fine with either a four bar, split bones or the hairpins.

However, I've seen hairpins on tube axles with alot of miles on them with no problems.

I too have had cars with both four bars, hairpins and split wishbones, and with the front ends set up correctly, they all seem to work just fine.

Mick

Bob Yes the Eticket refers to the old disney rides, but couldn't get it for a tag for my cobra it was in use and various ways to use the name

Mopar 34 as for using tax payers money wisely lets just say your tax money sent me out to CA for over 5 years at 3 weeks at a time, and I had managed to hit the Grand National Roadster show 4 times, missed this year rats, a couple Cacklefests, Del Mar shows, historic races at Monterey (3 yrs) to Vegas for drag racing, SEMA, LA Roadster shows, Pleasanton, so anything between Thunderhill raceway, Fresno for Angie Grehann ? show, even jet boat drag racing, Ponoma winternationals, and of course trips to the Petersen, and a whole bunch of local stuff. Many gig worth of pics and memories. But that is all over for awhile, back to a real 6 to 3 job.
But it is giving me time to work on the cabriolet.

as for driving around FL in the the cab we managed to hit 3 different Hot Rod power tours for 4 to 5 days at a time with the cobra, so this cab is not going to just sit around, it is going to be driven.

Wish it was ready as some of my roadster buds are driver their roadsters to the LA Roadster show in CA then up to Salt Lake, then down to Pueblo CO for the NSRA show

Mike