Thursday, December 16, 2010

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.