The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Convert rearend from leaf to Coils HELP!!

I am trying to locate information on converting my 1951 chev 3100 from a leaf rear end to coils. I have a totally rebuilt 9" f*rd with coil pads ready to put on my frame- somehow. Any info on adding a cross member for trailing arms and such would be GREATLY appreciated!!! The frame is totally stripped and ready for the work to be done- just need a little re-assurance I won't have any serious problems.

You're talking about a conversion to a 3-link, 4-link, or 5-link suspension. It doesn't matter whether you use coils or coil-overs, since the control arms are the "crux of the biscuit." The control arms can't be installed as is convenient - Geometry is everything. Will a later coil/control arm setup drop-in? I doubt it.

Do some web searches on 4-link suspensions. A lot of sites show setups for racing. I don't know what changes to geometry you'd want for street, but perhaps a real expert will weigh-in.

Check this setup
http://www.progressiveautomotive.com/triangul.htm

Thanks for the info, I am going to try and use the original setup from which the axle came from, the Mercury Montego Wagon 1976 3 link setup. The rear end is all ready to go as far as brackets- now- just to find an old Merc wagon with the control arms and a couple of angles to measure.
I can tell this is going to be reeeeel interesting figurin' out. Oh well, I'll get there.