The 4 link calc can help with driveline angles as well. You may want to model in the panhard, clearance with the front diff may be a problem. Its why Jeeps use bent ones. All that matters geometry wise is the endpoints.
The easiest way to allow you to cycle the suspension digitally is as follows; its not the most convenient or accurate way and it will only show one point at a time, but it is the easiest.
The panhard is considered to be a link.
- Links: Model the link as a solid circular bar running from one point to the other. The diameter should be the OD of the tube you plan to use for this link
- Extend each end of the link by 1/2 the diameter from step 1
- Fillet the edge by the same amount as it was extended in step 2. This should result in a hemisphere end
- Repeat for all links.
- Shocks: Create a cylinder that is is 1/2 the height of its diameter.
- Fillet the edges of this cylinder so that it also forms a hemisphere.
- As a new part, create a cylinder that is the same diameter as the max diameter of your shock or coilover. The length is the maximum extended length of the shock.
- Rear Axle: Create a box with the side lengths matching the diameter of your axle tube. The length of this box is 1/2 the distance between your tires
- Add a cylinders to the end of the cylinder from step 8 that are the same size as your tires.
- Front axle: Create a box with the side lengths matching the diameter of your axle tube. The length of this box is 1/2 the distance between the points formed by the intersection of the line between the ball joints or kingpins and the axle centerline.
- Create a cylinder at an angle going out the distance from the pivot point to the outside of the tire. The angle is the same amount as the steering angle. For more accuracy match the caster and king pin angle as well.
- Extend this cylinder back towards the pivot such that it has the same width as the wheel.
- Both axles: Mirror using the flat part of the axle tube. This should result in a dumbbell shape for the rear and a bent dumbbell in the front.
- Create a cylinder going from the box to the suspension mounting point. The diameter of the cylinder does not matter.
- Extend the cylinder by its radius and fillet to create a hemisphere end
- Repeat for all link and shock mounting points on axles
- Frame: Create spheres at all links and shock points. Ground these spheres in place
- Mates: * All following mates are concentric/ball mates unless noted. Different CAD programs may do this portion differently. * Mate the round link ends from steps 1-4 to the frame spheres from step 17
- Mate the other ball end of the link to the corresponding hemisphere on the axle
- Repeat for all links, it may help to drag the link to its rough orientation before performing the second mate
- Mate the hemisphere from step 9 to the axle shock hemisphere.
- Mate a second hemisphere from step 9 to the frame shock ball
- Mate the end of the cylinder from step 7 to the frame side hemisphere
- Mate the flat sides of the hemispheres from steps 22 and 23. Set the mate offset to the shock length at ride Take note of where the value for offsetting the matting surfaces is. This is how you will cycle the suspension.
To Cycle: change the value noted in step 24. Set it to the length of the shock you want to check at. To get full articulation set one side to max shock length and one to minimum. For bump set both to minimum. For droop both to max.
I tried to keep this as dumbed down, step by step, and generic as possible because I intend to copy it over to the linked suspension bible for the broader internet, so don't take it personally.
In your case, you may want to model the axles using the ones you already have, this will let you check for pinion clearance with the engine. Also watch the front upper link and the turned tire.