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Talking Rear Suspension - Trailing Arms or Double

Talking Rear Suspension - Trailing Arms or Double Arms

We use both designs in our buggies and both do very well, but there are some advantages and disadvantages of each.

Trailing arms offer strength because of their layout and are well-suited to larger high-powered buggies like the R16 and high-speed rough driving like desert racing with big tyres. They take a bit to set up and tune because they are not easily adjusted.

Double unequal A-arms offer more/easier adjustability for camber and toe and better camber control of the wheel through the suspension's travel. They are well suited to lighter more nimble buggies like the R21 and short-course racing with tight turns. They are also better suited for mixed-use buggies and asphalt driving because of the camber control and adjustability.

The limitations can be overcome to some extent for both designs with eccentric bushes for trailing arm adjustment and beefier construction for the lower A-arms.

In both cases, the limits to suspension travel have more to do with the axle length and CV articulation than the suspension arms. Longer axles = more wheel travel. Don't choose a design on the wheel travel numbers, suspension design and matching it to your use is far more important.

Personally, I like double A-arms as the adjustability is great for tuning your buggy.

In the process of assembling my tube cutter pro. C

In the process of assembling my tube cutter pro. CNC plasma notched tubing and air engraving for pinpoint accuracy in chassis building. Not long now...

Adjusting caster when there is no built in adjustm

Adjusting caster when there is no built in adjustment.

Caster is the laying back of the steering axis and assists with recentering the steering and stabilisation in the straight-ahead position (think wobbly shopping trolley wheel).

The caster is often set by design (the Rorty R16 is 6 deg) but you might find, that despite your best efforts, your build is not 100% symetrical. Don't dispare, it can be adjusted to compensate for variations in your build, or because you want to tune it, by using offset bushes in the a-arms. This can be done at the chassis end or with the high misalignment spacers inside the upright (usually easier as there is more meat in these). You can shave the outside of the bush on a lathe (or any method that keeps it square) and then pack the opposite side with spacers/machine washers. The top or the bottom (or both) can be adjusted to get the change required while still keeping the rod end from fouling on the upright.

Camber and toe are usually adjustable on the front suspension, but not always on the rear. Similar methods can be used there too.

Good luck!

Using a solid chassis table and tacked-on guide bl

Using a solid chassis table and tacked-on guide blocks to set out an R16 chassis. Thanks to Baja Brothers

Keep your eyes out for an R21 build coming by the

Keep your eyes out for an R21 build coming by the end of the year! Pics and video to follow...

Marking out for a new project, drift/kids buggy. M

Marking out for a new project, drift/kids buggy. More details soon!

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Rorty R16 superlite buggy. Bike or car power, your

Rorty R16 superlite buggy. Bike or car power, your choice. Ecotec and CVT is popular for racing. #builtnotbought #offroad #buggy

Working through the Land Rover 101 disc brake conv

Working through the Land Rover 101 disc brake conversion. Getting some progress now! #builtnotbought #landrover101

Rorty #1 bender. Free with buggy plans. A simple r

Rorty #1 bender. Free with buggy plans. A simple reliable tube bender #builtnotbought

Rorty ring roller. Build it yourself from detailed

Rorty ring roller. Build it yourself from detailed plans. Great for big radius curves and hoops.

Rorty Tube bender #3. One of the awesome workshop

Rorty Tube bender #3. One of the awesome workshop tools you can make for yourself.

Our R16 Shotgun II is not for the faint hearted. T

Our R16 Shotgun II is not for the faint hearted. Think you can handle it?

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Our R82s will provide you with the thrill of a sin

Our R82s will provide you with the thrill of a single-seater race buggy, but with the addition of a passenger seat.

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A very nice R82s build. Want your very own custo

A very nice R82s build.

Want your very own customised R82s? Visit our website (link in bio).

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Stuck at home feeling blue? Want your very own c

Stuck at home feeling blue?

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