4 Linked Duramax Thread

[TrentNell]

I am ordering parts in the next few weeks to start the 4 link going to try to keep a thread going so people interested in doing it will have some reference on what they are getting themselves into . And it begins :baby: it will be a slow thread because it will take a while with the motor build in works and everything else but

it should have enough adjustment built in to sled pull and drag race, but paper #'s arent alway's real life .

And some weight shaving measures

 

[RPM Motorsports]

Biter:thumb:, Every body and their brother is going to four link their trucks now:cool2:. A good book for ref is from Dave Morgan, or Chris Alstons book if you can still find it. Alstons has the most "Heavy Duty" four link system as well. They make a truck 3x2 four link "frame kit", but the material was not up to par with the weight.

 

[TrentNell]

Biter:thumb:, Every body and their brother is going to four link their trucks now:cool2:. A good book for ref is from Dave Morgan, or Chris Alstons book if you can still find it. Alstons had the most "Heavy Duty" four link system as well. They make a truck 3x2 four link "frame kit", but the material was not up to par with the weight.

My four link sotware has a "dave morgan " sugestion built into it , if you look at the pic above that green box is his sugestion , but that doesnt count with 4 wheels turning

i found a company to get Bars made and i will make my own frame/axel brackets . they have bars they say will hold up , 1 1/8 thread , 1 5/8" bars , 1/4" thick wall tubing , I will use 1/4 thick material for the brackets ?

 

[RPM Motorsports]

My four link sotware has a "dave morgan " sugestion built into it , if you look at the pic above that green box is his sugestion , but that doesnt count with 4 wheels turning

i found a company to get Bars made and i will make my own frame/axel brackets . they have bars they say will hold up , 1 1/8 thread , 1 5/8" bars , 1/4" thick wall tubing , I will use 1/4 thick material or the brackets ?

Cool, so the program would benifit my 2x4 project:hug:. It's fun choping up a truck huh!

 

[bullfrogjohnson]

how hard was it to remove the spare tire cross member? I have been wanting to remove mine to build a custom pulling hitch.

 

[TrentNell]

how hard was it to remove the spare tire cross member? I have been wanting to remove mine to build a custom pulling hitch.

Took a cutting torch and blew out about 10 steel rivits and then beat it out with a hammer it wasnt too bad took 45 minutes but the bed has to be removed to do it , for those interested it weighs 55 lbs .

 

[TrentNell]

Also fuel tank is getting ditched for a fuel cell and frame is being wacked off at the axle as it will no longer be needed other than to hold the sheet metal .

 

[RPM Motorsports]

When going from long bed to short bed, I removed 30 5/16" of the frame, and it got rid of the tire cross member.

 

[JD4440]

Nice Trent; subscribing

 

[Rhall]

Nice Trent. Ill have to keep an eye on this one.

 

[maine04max]

I take it your black truck will be an all out racer now???

 

[othrgrl]

Very nice, someday I'll be building a race only truck and retiring my truck to a 600ish hp DD, family hauler.

 

[TheBac]

Good Luck on the build, Trent. You look to have a decent garage area to work on the truck...thats always a plus. I still dont understand how you guys can afford all these builds...they sure arent cheap to do.

 

[paint94979]

Good Luck on the build, Trent. You look to have a decent garage area to work on the truck...thats always a plus. I still dont understand how you guys can afford all these builds...they sure arent cheap to do.

when you can do almost all of the labor yourself it can be done a lot cheaper...

 

[TrentNell]

when you can do almost all of the labor yourself it can be done a lot cheaper...

X2 4 link is only going to cost me 450.00 , it would be cheaper if i built the bars myself . All the weight reduction is free should be able to get 3-4 10ths faster just in weight reduction . I sold my caltracs for 250 so 200 extra for a 4link makes sence to me

 

[coldLBZ]

Right on Trent, can't wait to see how it turns out. Do you guys think a complete 4 link set up would weigh less than the factory rear suspension? I'll bet it would ride real nice on the street too.

 

[RickDLance]

Trent, if you're using mild steel for the brackets I would go 1/4" plate and add an 1/8" plate scalloped to the actual bolt holes. Let me know if you need pics or help. It's right down my alley.

Also don't use too small a bolt or place the holes too close together. They tend to tear over time.

 

[hondarider552]

Looks great so far trent. The spare tire crossmember is 55lbs??? dang.

 

[TrentNell]

Trent, if you're using mild steel for the brackets I would go 1/4" plate and add an 1/8" plate scalloped to the actual bolt holes. Let me know if you need pics or help. It's right down my alley.

Also don't use too small a bolt or place the holes too close together. They tend to tear over time.

I'll give you a call Rick , I need all the help i can get :rofl: I know you've built many of top shelf race cars :cool2:

 

[JoshH]

You doing a double triangulated, triangulated upper/parallel lower, or four parallel and a panhard bar?