4 Link Rear

 So when we decided to put air bags on all four corners, we had to build a 4 link suspension on the rear.  When we priced out DOM tubing it was out of the question.  But what about the 1" square tubing that is more reasonably priced?  So we built 'bungs' to put into the ends of the square tubing, using 3/4" solid.  I drilled and tapped it (left and right hand thread) to fit the spherical rod ends.  I have a 4 jaw chuck on my lathe, where all 4 jaws move together.  The jaws move independently on 'normal' 4 jaw chucks, so this is way cool.  Until you try to do a left hand thread and it unscrews the chuck from the headstock.  Then we cut out the mounts for them, and drilled and tapped them as well.  Only right hand on the mounts though.

This is a close up of the 'bung' that will be used for the panhard bar

  At first we were going to use the stock front spring perch to mount the
four link.

But it would make the 4 link bars too short.  So we ended up cutting the original spring mount off.

Here is the rear end with the spring perches all cut off and ground down.

The 4 link tacked in place, measure to confirm that it is square to the world and weld it.  A little at a time, so the axle doesn't warp. 

See we are a peaceful bunch! 

We had to remove the wheel to get access to make the final passes on the axle end. 

Looking good.  Looks plenty strong enough. 

Pretty Welds, Boys!

This is how they look with the suspension fully collapsed.  The rubber bump stops are sitting on the axle.  So it will angle down from here at ride height.  We didn't want to have the front mount hanging down too low, so we compromised and the links are going to be going 'uphill' at ride height.  Next we need to add the panhard bar mounts.  Cut the panhard bar to length.  Then we need to buy the airbags.

I took a picture off of the internet and 'chopped' it using paintbrush.  I also moved the wheels up into the wheel wells.  This is the look we are going for.  It is just too cool.   Chop s'cool.

Body off

 Oh look something to climb on.  Boys.

 So here is the crusty rear suspension.  I think it is a 4.11/1 rear end ratio which should be good for the 5 speed T5 I will be using.

 So we put the chassis on the rotisserie, just kidding, we flopped it over to finish the welding and such on the bottom side.

 Here is a detailed shot of the ford rack and pinion steering attached to the Astro van front suspension.

 In this shot you can see that we just butted the astro clip up against the body mount and then fishplated everything to beef it up.  Yes the students are actually doing all of the work.

 So here is the rear end with the rear spring perches removed.  We will be fabbing up a 4 bar set up with a panhard bar just like I do with the hot rods and race cars that I build.  Except we will used 1 inch square tubing, .125 inch wall thickness, because that is what we have laying around a welding shop.  I will machine some solid bungs for the ends for the spherical rod ends to screw into.  We might C notch the frame a little bit but it will go low enough for a daily driver I think.  The next thing to buy is the rear air bags and then start making the mounts for them. 

Body Off

We decided to take the body off to cherry out the frame and make the modifications for the airbags.  So here are the pictures:

 Nothing that bondo won't cover...

 Teenage boys bouncing the rear of the frame...

The mock up engine.

The latest news on the truck

Well it has been a few days, and the students are making some danged good progress on the truck.  The engine mounts are finished up and look real nice.  We took the engine out, finish welded the mounts, and then put it back in.  We also bolted the hood to the nose pieces, it could stand to be stiffened up a little.  We know how to do that, right?

 We got a roof section out of the D&D autobody scrap bin that came off of a similar year Ford truck.  We hope to make it fit okay, but the curves don't quite line up.

 Sun roof anyone??

 Here is the initial fit up, but you can see where the patch has a different curve than the original roof area. 

 Looking up through the 'sun roof'.

 Trim to fit. 

 Start to tack it in place.  We will also make some cross-members for inside the roof to stiffen it up.

 Here is a view from the back.  I think it looks great!  But I may have low standards; Chip Foose, I ain't!  Thank goodness for Bondo!

 This is the look we are going for.  Thanks for looking!

Setting the engine in the truck

Well the headers from Red's Headers showed up.  Man they are gorgeous.  Well, judge for yourself:

So we bolted them up to an old Y-Block that I had laying around.  It has an automatic transmission that I will not be using...do you need it??

 Off with the old cast iron exhaust manifold...

 On with the new Headers from Red's headers....something shiny on the truck, oooohh aaaahhhh!!

 Pretty!

Nice, with just a couple of simple bends we can get the exhaust done.  Anyway it is just sitting there right now, I have ordered the rubber engine mounts and then we will build the engine mounts for it.

Doug over at D&D autobody had a roof off of a 62 pickup, so I snagged it, and we will make it fit.  It will look a lot better.  That's all for now.  It is getting exciting!

This is how she looked when I first found her in my friend Riff's yard in Pahrump Nevada.  When I showed interest in her, and told Riff that I would use it as a project for my welding students, he gave me the truck!  What a guy!!  It didn't have a hood on it, so he rooted around until he found a hood.  Riff's business is 50's through 70's trucks and parts.  This truck is virtually rust free and the body is extremely straight, but we need to finish the chop top and tilt nose, then scavenge for all of the rest of the parts to make it run.  Probably from Riff!  If you need truck parts, call Riff at 775-751-3751