2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Four link suspension

[BigBadDodge]

Started fabricating a four link system and exstending the front lower control arms this week. I am using 3/8" plate steel and SkyJacker 1 1/4" kevlar lined hiems, basically I just ordered four of there double flex lower control arms. I will cut them in half and weld 2" OD DOM tubing between them and then screw the hiems in. The brackets pictured are going to be bolted to the frame centered between the front and rear wheels the cut out is for the body mount. Two bars will be going to the rear and one to the front.



pictures





BBD

 

[willyslover]

sweet

 

[mschoenheider]

Sounds like you already have your hardware, but for future reference, here is a great source for parts.

http://www.polyperformance.com/tube_adapters.htm



Mark

 

[BigBadDodge]

Thanks Gary,



Mark, awesome site, check this one out as well click here



BBD

 

[BigBadDodge]

Pics of the 2"dom tubing 1/2" wall thickness.



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[mschoenheider]

Can you get that DOM tubing shown in the photos on the web anywhere?

Mark

 

[BigBadDodge]

Not sure, I didn't look, I got mine through the local pipe shop who had to order from LA. Go to your nearest pipe shop and ask them to order it for you nobody will have it in stock prolly if you need I can ask them who they ordered it from in LA. Let me know.



BBD

 

[BigBadDodge]

Frame brackets:



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[BigBadDodge]

Frame crossover bracket:



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[BigBadDodge]

In place:



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[BigBadDodge]

Brackets to be welded to rear axle:



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[Rob Thomas]

Lookin' great Scott! If you keep adding steel like that, you'll need a 9000# class. LOL How soon before the bars are on?





Rob

 

[BigBadDodge]

Thanks Rob, Yeah I know, actully I am trying to add about 600lbs so I don't have to lug those front bumper wieghts



Hope to have the front bars on next week. the back bars are a different story, I am scraping the rear springs and adding air bags so now I have to make a pan hard bar as well. I also need to pick up some hard brake line and re-route them around the brackets I am welding to the axle. Could be a while as I only get one day a week to work on it. pulling this weekend, so no work on the four link this weekend.



BBD

 

[BPINE]

Looks good as usual Scott, where is the pull this weekend?

 

[BigBadDodge]

Blair, its the Clemments pull, usally pretty good, you going to be able to make it ? Pulling starts at 3:00.



BBD

 

[Tardog]

I know workmanship when I see it and I'm lookingat at it. Very nice fabricating, Home made plans? Where and how much are the hemi links?, Cheers

 

[csutton7]

Tardog--you got that right -----BBD is a top notch fabricator--chris

 

[BigBadDodge]

Thanks for the kind words there fellers Chris is a great fabricator as well when you get a chance look at pics of his drive shaft loops, mine might have to resemble them somewhat.



Tardog, the hiem joints are skyjackers 1 1/4" kevlar lined biggest I could find for this particular application they were approx $82. 00ea through 4 wheel parts, not cheap that's for sure this whole project hasen't been cheap but then again were could I buy something like this I looked all over and couldn't find something I thought was stout enough for sled pulling.



BBD

 

[mschoenheider]

Fab work looks great. Have you checked the clearance between the front lower control arms to your tires at full turning of the tires? I ask this because I fabbed a similar setup on the front of my Cherokee, and I had to mount the rear of the front lower control arms inside the frame so that the tires would not contact them at full turn. It looks like your rear mounts for your front lower control arms are mounted outside the frame. My tire rubbing problem was definitely due in part to running larger than stock tires on my Cherokee, but I figured I would mention it to make sure you could avoid the issue. If they do rub, one possible solution is to put a small bend in the front lower arms, and gusset the back side to keep them from buckling.

Mark

 

[CWebster]

Nice!

I agree with everyone else, your fab work looks great.



What are the benefits you are looking for? It sounds like you are sled pullin' so I am assuming you are trying to "hook " to the track better? I ask because I am looking at upgrading my suspension set up with some of my own ideas, and I am trying to learn as much as possible.



Keep up the great work and let us know how your set up works out.



Chris Webster