DAY 6
EXTREME BUILDUP 2000 Project 2
Damian's 1970 800a
With the rear axle and the custom shackles built, we are ready for the upper and lower links.
We are using a 4-link on this quarter elliptic conversion. Why not a 3-link? Here is why.
ON A 4-LINK: The two bottom links are mounted near the brakes on the axles and extend toward the
front of the truck mounting to the outside face of the frame. This holds the axle front-to-back
(much like traction bars would). The two remaining links are mounted atop the pumpkin and “V”
out to the frame rails. This “V” gives the whole assembly side-to-side rigidity.
ON A 3-LINK: The 3-link setup we would replace the two "V" links with a single “A frame”. The
wide part of the A would attach to the two frame rails and the top part of the "A" would attach
to the top of the pumpkin with a single heim joint. Even though this is plenty strong, *if*
it were to brake, we would have no side-to-side rigidity. And then we would literally be stranded
(unless a very capable flatbed happens to come driving by).
Although a similar brake in a 4-link would be *very bad* it isn’t as crippling as one in a 3-link because
there will always be one link left attached to the middle of the axle giving at least some strength and
side-to-side support. With this, I could carry a spare link and change them out in case of the unfortunate.
Anyway, here is a small sneak preview of the links. They are made of high-strength DOM tube
(which happens to be pretty darn heavy) and are mounted utilizing two Hiem joints at each end.
There are a total of eight joints all together, which make a very strong and very flexy rear suspension.
PLANS
| Day 1
| Day 2
| Day 3
| Day 4
| Day 5
| Day 6
| Day 7
| Day 8
| Day 9
| Day 10
| Day 11
| Day 12
| Day 13
|
