rear suspension

[fosh69]

Now that my truck is near road-worthy and I'll have a mobile project, I'm thinking of some suspension options for when I shorten the WB. Does anyone know a good 3-link setup/kit or do-it-yourself site where I can start researching this? I've read some on the internet, but have found very little in the way of what type of hardware to start gathering. I'd like to do this on the cheap, of course, but have no time-line.

[Rusty_Quarters]

Do not know about three link, but, I have been looking at four link kits recently, and ladder bar set ups for sale on jegs website, they are not too expensive, a couple of hundred dollars, then you have to buy either air bags or coil over shocks which are quite a bit more, seems like the expensive part of any of these type of rear bar set-ups are the hiem joints, they are pretty costly and you have to get left and right threaded ones for them to work properly, I have been seeing more of these setups cheaper on the air bag sites, as they almost always require them for draggin frame on custom trucks.

[MountainMoparRobin]

fosh69
do you have a welder??? I'll post a link to the website G-force, I've been reading, and will eventually make a setup for mine for cornering, & performance funny I'm going to shorten mine also

[MountainMoparRobin]

OK
I found it guys, this will give ya some idea of what is going on with not only the rear, but what they are doing to created "G" force, there is NO WAY I would pay that kind of money however this gives ya an idea of what to do, I will fabricate and make some for the rear of my truck, but I'll do it at a fraction of the cost
http://www.maxgsystems.com

CHECK IT OUT

[fosh69]

Rusty: yeah, I saw the heims are expensive, but on Extreme 4x4 they mentioned if you find a kit without the threaded bungs they are less expensive... so I look on e-pay and found some kits that seemed pretty reasonable (I think).

Robin: I found a 61 shorty frame (bare) for $250, as soon as I get a way to transport it and some extra coin I'm going to get it. I already have the short bed (also a 61), but if you want to get together on anything like fabricating, let me know. I only have my oxy/ace right now, but will be looking into the right equipment or someone who has it. (The early 60's sheet metal is all to go along with my theme, you see.) Also I took a glance at that site... looks like a good setup for a unibody car, but do you think all that metal would be necessary in a full frame truck if the frame was boxed? Check out these, for instance: http://www.artmorrison.com/frames/truckframes.cfm

[slick]

http://suicidedoors.com/4LinkKitsThorbeckeBrothers.php

http://suicidedoors.com/4LinkParts.php

[MoparKid340]

that kit from suacide doors is good i used one on a nissan hard body i slammed last year.

[MountainMoparRobin]

fosh69,
no I don't think all that will be neccessary on our trucks, however, I'm going to use a little of there idea to keep the rear end under the truck in cornering and exerting "G" force, I would love to get together for fabricating and exchanging what we have learned, When should we do the truck warming???? I change days off maybe we could do Saturday Nov 1st??? or I'm off on friday,(halloween). I'm also in the process of acquiring a welder (look out)

[fosh69]

Thanks for the input slick and MoparKid340, I'll look into that.

Robin, give me a little more time and I'll get back to you... my parts are still on back order and I have to do a little more ringing out on the truck before taking it down the road. Cool?

[MountainMoparRobin]

Cool!

[mopardwh]

Robin, you lookin to switch to a short bed?

[MountainMoparRobin]

Yes
I'm going to shorten to Short Whell Base truck, I'm going to get the measurements and start after I get a place with garage in March, will also change to disc, powersteering at same time, along with some more body modifications

[soopernaut]

Yes
I'm going to shorten to Short Whell Base truck, I'm going to get the measurements and start after I get a place with garage in March, will also change to disc, powersteering at same time, along with some more body modifications

I thought you were big on the idea of not cutting the frame.

[MountainMoparRobin]

Wow soopernaut, you have one good memory, and yes your right, and I'm trying to deal with it, I read and have an article from Classic trucks they did that on a 64 Chitty, and I'm coming to terms with the fact the frame would have to be cut behind the cab, I'm planning on also boxing the area, I'm very centamental about making sure its the exact frame and exact body, and would box this area, and your right, I have a HUGE issue with cutting the frame, but it will make it lighter also and then again I may chicken out, for maybe it would make better history, if I keep it LWB??? but I've already been seeing a therapyst by the way how is the body swap going??? I've thought of a future possible project doing that also???? not this truck yet another one

[soopernaut]

Wow soopernaut, you have one good memory, and yes your right, and I'm trying to deal with it, by the way how is the body swap going??? I've thought of a future possible project doing that also???? not this truck yet another one

I do have a good memory.

I haven't started the body swap yet. I haven't brought the frame donor truck home yet because the guy who has it is trying to get rid of a bunch of other trucks that need to be moved fast. I will probably have it before the end of November. I also don't know if I'll start this Fall/Winter. I have a 24x30 garage that is unheated but insulated and I would like to park my daily driver and my 70 in there. I'll have to decide soon though.

[devilbrad]

You may want to read this. Its some tech articles written by Bill Shoppe from the factory Chrysler/Dodge Ramchargers race team. There are plans for 4 and 3 links in the articles. http://home.earthlink.net/~whshope/

[MountainMoparRobin]

Please post as your doing it, for I've got a thought that I may do that with another truck, which in turn would be an extra, setup so the wife could easily, and want to drive it (keep her away from mine), it seems the fastest way to do the update

[sireland67]

Soopernaut
As for heat in your garage have you ever considered a kerosene torpido heater?
I heat my garage with one and they are not that expensive.
Mine is 155,000 BTU's and will heat my 12 x 20 garage in 5 minutes from dead cold 10F to 80F.
If you ran it all the time (impossible it would be too hot) it only burns one gal an hour.
I think last winter I spent under $200.00 in fuel to keep my butt nice and tosty warm.

[soopernaut]

Soopernaut
As for heat in your garage have you ever considered a kerosene torpido heater?
I heat my garage with one and they are not that expensive.
Mine is 155,000 BTU's and will heat my 12 x 20 garage in 5 minutes from dead cold 10F to 80F.
If you ran it all the time (impossible it would be too hot) it only burns one gal an hour.
I think last winter I spent under $200.00 in fuel to keep my butt nice and tosty warm.

I will have to look into it. I'd rather put the money into the truck or other tools I may not have though.

[CLIFF]

This is what im planning on shortly after I do the 440/A833 swap......ladderbar and leafsprings with floaters. We did this on my pops 46 Ford. It hooks great! Rides great also.