I am too cheap to buy a complete 4 link, at least for now
I removed the torque tube diffy from my 51 last weekend. I was not sure how the axle pivoted on the spring hanger until I got it all apart. After studying this setup, I am planning to keep the stock springs with the stock differential spring mount. I will make a bracket to weld on my 9" which will accept the stock bolt, allowing the diffy to pivot on the stock springs just as before. I then will make an arm that will go from the top of the rear end housing to a crossmember, making this arm the same length as the distance from the front spring shackle bolt to the axle pivot bolt. I plan to get the pinion angle correct and then weld the bracket to the top of the 9". I shouldn't need a panhard bar because the stock leaf springs will keep the diffy located side-to-side.
The four link suspensions I have seen in the magazines all appear to to have the axle housing centered between the upper and lower links. I am not sure how important this really is. I'm not going to be out drag racing--I intend to use this as a truck, at least occasionally. I didn't mind the ride when the pickup was in stock form.
Any thoughts pro or con would be greatly appreciated!
