The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Rear suspension kits

I am shopping for a rear suspension kit. I hope to keep the stock ride height. There are adjustable 4-link kits, but most seem to lower the truck. I also want to keep it a truck (ie. be able to put weight in the bed). Ihave to wonder if the springs in the 4-link kits are as strong as a leaf would be. Anyhow, I will be installing a 12 bolt rear out of a 71 Chevelle. I have seen a kit at Chevs of the 40s, that I think is made by Chasis Engineering. I wrote them but haven't heard back yet. It seems to use wider springs and different spring mounts. They mention rearching the spring for lowering, but don't say whether the kit normally rides at stock height. Has anyone had experience with this or other similar kits. The sell a version that aloows the install of gas shocks which would be nice. I might be interested in istalling a panhard bar and/or a swaybar. Any thoughts are appreciated.

i put a ce kit in my 49 yes they are wider springs (2 1/2") new hangers front and rear.upper shock bar and lower shock mounts.its a bolt in kit using some of the original holes as a guide for the few holes you have to drill.it does center the rear wheel in the opening.kit is available with gas or oil shocks.and a optional rear sway bar which i used also.and yes it does lower the rear with mine it was almost 5".i think it worth doing.and well engineered.only thing i did different was to pitch their hardware and put things together with grade 8 fastners.tsc stores sells them bulk so the cost was minimal................dave

What power will you have? Do you really need a panhard bar? How much weight will you expect to carry? If you want it the original height why not use the original springs? A sway bar fore and aft are good investments for any vehicle.

Ditto what Big Chevy 3600 said.
BTW, a panhard for the most part is not necessary with leaf springs, but I do know of some exeptions. So far, the only leaf setups I've seen with a panhard bar has been the later mono leaf sprung Chrysler mini-vans.

I have built a 235 that might have 180hp. Yes, it is not huge. I am installing a 12 bolt rear which is probably overkill. However, it leaves me set up to easily install a V-8 in the future if I choose. That is why I have wondered if wider and fewer springs inthe stack would reduce axle wrap up. I understand that the panhard bar is probably not needed. I see them offered and was soliciting opinions on this. Obviously it is used to keep the axel from shifting side to side. It would seem even more important to do that with the stock "taller" springs vs the hotrod lower setups. However, hotrod setups are more likely to add stickier tires and generate larger cornering forces. I am thinking of using 235/70 tires, not huge hot rod tires. It would be more beneficial I think to add sway bars front and rear. Unless, I find something else, I think that I will be using the stock springs. I am looking for ways to improve my truck. I think that I have seen someone who offers gas shocks for the stock setup. I don't expect to haul loads of gravel, but it does't take much to sink the rear of most cars. I have no experience but I would assume that the coil spring 4-link kits would significantly decrease the load carrying capability.

Todd,

If the springs are sized correctly, there would be no decrease in capacity. However leaf springs are cheap and easy, that is why GM and everyone uses/used them on trucks and early cars.

I do not know of a stock ride height 4-link, however it would not be hard to make.

Here are some links:
http://site.streetissuecustoms.com/4linkFAQ.html
http://store.gaugemagazine.com/triangulated4-linkrearsuspension.aspx
http://mysite.verizon.net/triaged/4linkcalcv15html/index.html
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=204893

Scott