Has anyone installed a 4 link system on a 48 pu that has a gas tank under the bed not in the cab as later 1950 pu's. All kits I see online look like the Gas tank would interfere with frame mounting.
The question involves safety and I'm definitely no expert here.
A tank behind the rear axle does a "Pinto" in a rear end collision. Side mount tanks outside the frame rails have a similar fiery end in a T-bone collision. Inside the frame rails and before the rear axle is safer. If you plan to install a performance engine and rear axle to go with that 4 link, the drive shaft will now be under stress. So a cage design attached to the frame rails is needed to catch the driveshaft and hopefully keep it from rupturing the fuel tank.
If you buy a kit, I would ask the seller what they recommend.
"Adding CFM to a truck will only help at engine speeds you don't want to use." "I found there was nothing to gain beyond 400 CFM."
1939 Packard Standard Eight Coupe (The Phantom) | 1956 Cadillac Coupe de Ville (The Bismarck) | 1964 Ford Galaxie 500 coupe |1966 Ford Mustang (Little Red) | 1969 Pontiac GTO (The Dishpit) I 1979 Ford F-100 | 1976 Ford F-150 (Big Red) | 1995 Ford F-150 (Newt)
Other than the brag factor- - -"Look- - - -I've got a 4 link!"- - - -is there any really good reason to run one? I haven't seen many vintage pickups running the Road America track! Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt! There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
Some phrases just feel good as they roll off your tongue. Four bolt main---the WEAKEST sbc bottom end and four link suspension, just extra expense for 99% of street driven rides. The Mopars that dominated drag racing had a Single 7/8 all thread with a rubber snubber that loaded or unloaded the top of the pinion housing according to track condition. Left the rear end with pre set wind up and free to follow track irregularities. If street driven use rubber bushings or possibly urethane bushings in the link ends but NOT Heim ends.
Especially true for so many of the 4-link systems I see where the links are not equal length and/or not parallel. A recipe for an uncomfortable possibly unsafe ride on the street.
For a truck used as a truck, the biggest shot in the arm is to bring the rear leaf springs, hangers, eyes, bushings etc. back into factory condition. Then add a rear sway bar.
"Adding CFM to a truck will only help at engine speeds you don't want to use." "I found there was nothing to gain beyond 400 CFM."
Thanks for the input, I had modified the truck with airbag suspension and custom z link rear suspension back in the early 90's and also pah a pacer frontend put in at that time. I want to bring the truck up to date with replacement parts that are easily available.
I have spoken with a few suppliers and they had never come across the situation with the gas tank being originally placed under the bed as my 48.
The AD truck series was from 1947 2nd (second half) to 1955 1st (first half). Fuel tanks under the bed was 1947 2nd through 1948. Only 1-1/2 years.
?? You currently have: 1992 V6 4.3 TBI 700R Transmission Pacer Front Crossmember Z link rear suspension ?? S10 rear axle
Assuming you are not planning on removing the body. There are new front suspension bolt-in kits. There are modern improved bolt-in rear leaf spring suspension kits. Add front and rear sway bars.
The original AD steel gas tanks can rust inside with today's Ethanol gas. I would find something Ethanol tolerant.
30 year old engine and transmission. Time for rebuild or replacement? Factor this in before buying new kits.
"Adding CFM to a truck will only help at engine speeds you don't want to use." "I found there was nothing to gain beyond 400 CFM."
jrs48pu My first 4 link was on a 51 AD looked at 400$ kits,welp you just have to make them fit...so made my links out of schedule 160 black pipe used 10 3/4 heim joints with swap meet springs. Rides like a baby buggy,has been 10 years no problem. Load it too has a hitch back there pull my wood splitters around with it pull stuff out with a tow strap.
coilover Not seeing why you say no heim joints,my 51 6400 pickup has 10 7/8 rock crawler heim joints with 15x5 coil springs from speedy Bill,s of nebbraska. Has run nearly 10,000 miles since 2018 and is the best daily driver pickup i've had . Links are 1 inch schedule 160 black pipe,differential is original 2-speed. Tough as nails rides fairly well on junk illinois roads,is great on good roads about a 50 MPH truck. Like was said they don't handle like a sting-ray !!
