The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop 4 link rear suspension

I have a Lincoln 125 and stick two pieces of metal together, but I'm not the most proficient welder. I don't want the rear end rolling past me down the street! lol! I'll leave that someone with experience!

Most complete welding units are around $1,000. There is skill and liability with welding suspension parts. Be glad to pay for that kind of job. When I get done with a welding job, I am pretty good, however, when another year goes by, it takes a while to get my skills back.

Ed

Mobileortho Dont you have any pipefitter neighbors? Seriously those are critical welds on your truck need to be sure they are there for keeps. The frames are made of A36 frame steel that is stretchy,its why our trucks flex like they do. All welds to the frame should be made with 7018 low-hydrogen welding rod. As for cost I think your right that is high,on the other hand there is liability !

I had a live in welder, my son-in-law who worked at the shipyard. He’s the one who helped me shorten the frame. He used my Lincoln 125 to do that and said it was solid. Things went south with he & my daughter so he’s no longer in the picture.

Clearly , your daughter did not prioritize your automotive needs when she let that fellow get away.

With my Wife's family it's easier to deal with the Ex's than the brothers and sisters. I'm sure your daughter would "understand"

I'm sticking with my daughter on this one.

Got it welded up. A little bit more tweaking & it’s done! Well at least that part of the journey! I’ll turn my attention to these running boards next. I decided my old ones were a bit too chewed up for me so I ordered a set from Rock Auto. They’re made by Good Mark. First glance they seemed ok but I test fitted them and found that the top hole on the rear didn’t line up with the fender hole and there’s a good half inch gap. Gotta love repop parts!😒

Mobileortho Dont know anything about Fabquest but did study up on 4 link kits,decided to just make the whole thing to fit my 3100 frame.When you read about it and they give percentages on lengths,and not clear on spring load ,kinda murky. So bought 3/4 heims ,followed my blueprints,works fine, pinion is right on the money. Made it a panhard bar run the wheels off of it !!

If one is building a suspension for a larger truck, semi trailer torque arms are a great application.
They are plenty strong, come in adjustable lengths, are designed for this application, are reasonably priced( $40. ea.). The mounting bolts are .875” which is a little large, however, moly impreg. nylon bushings at the local plastics shop are easily machined to reasonable dimensions( .750” in this case.

The use of heim bearings with steel on steel and no lube. opportunity are not a good use.

Ed

mobilortho I looked at speedway 4 link too it is a generic 500$ outfit that YOU have to make fit. So went to the oilfield supply store bought some schedule 160 black pipe 3/4 inch drilled and tapped for 3/4 heim joints from speedway. Read all that tech stuff on line, made my own setup load it if I need to works fine. Can adjust pinion angle easily,is all right hand threads, couldn't see any use of left hand threads since one or2 adjustments and your done !

Sounds like a neat setup! Post some pics.

I had a piece of tube left over from the panhard bar I used to make 2 1/4 spacers for the coil overs. The bolts are 5/8 x6 grade 8. Wondering if I need to weld on some tabs for additional strength or am I overthinking this?

I think it's just about done.

Lookin good!

mobileortho

Mobileortho

Mobileortho Wish I could get pictures to you,haven't got right set-up yet. In the meantime have done more 4-link. Can't keep my replies on the air,must be those gremlins !!!

I'm about done with the actual 4 link install, working on mounting the exhaust, brake lines & rewiring. You should be able to upload pics from your phone or computer.

I stumbled on a tail pipe kit on Amazon that caught my eye. Flowmaster 15802, fit pretty good. Finished up the rear & decided to go ahead and put coil overs up front as well.