Truck Arm Rear Suspension
- Thread starter WisconsinHick1
- Start date
I have scoped out a couple of Ford truck rear bars. They attach to the axle tubes with a bracket and c clamp. Looks really easy to make work.
The thing with a 4 link is, NOBODY sells the parts that would fit on these trucks. You've got to think about the torque factor. Its a matter of piecing parts together to make a "kit".
I really like the Thorbros bars, as they are 2" dia, 1/4" wall tubing. Shouldn't be able to bend those. They are also very reasonably priced. So bars are taken care of.
Now, I would love to find someone (ANYONE!!!) who makes reasonably-priced brackets out of 1/4" plate that are actually made for 3-3/8" or 3-1/2" axle tubes (instead of having to use 3" and hog the axle holes out) that use either 5/8" or 3/4" bar bolts.
Then, Id love to find someone who could create a reasonably-priced forward bar/mounting bracket design, again made out of 1/4" plate with multiple adjustment points.
But no, those things are not available, at least not reasonably priced. So the quest continues.....
I also wish someone besides Real offered a 16x10 (or 11" or 12") wheel in a deeper backspace than 4" or 5".
I really like the Thorbros bars, as they are 2" dia, 1/4" wall tubing. Shouldn't be able to bend those. They are also very reasonably priced. So bars are taken care of.
Now, I would love to find someone (ANYONE!!!) who makes reasonably-priced brackets out of 1/4" plate that are actually made for 3-3/8" or 3-1/2" axle tubes (instead of having to use 3" and hog the axle holes out) that use either 5/8" or 3/4" bar bolts.
Then, Id love to find someone who could create a reasonably-priced forward bar/mounting bracket design, again made out of 1/4" plate with multiple adjustment points.
But no, those things are not available, at least not reasonably priced. So the quest continues.....
I also wish someone besides Real offered a 16x10 (or 11" or 12") wheel in a deeper backspace than 4" or 5".
Lot of guys use suburban factory rear sway bars, maybe not as beefy as a front but it's something maybe a 2500 suburban sway bar?
I'm going to be talking to Rick soon about cutting out some brackets for me. I know a while back he posted up that he has a plasma table and will cut custom brackets.
Hellwig 7721 is a rear sway bar kit for the 2500 & 3500HD trucks. I might buy one this winter.
The front bar on my 2006 Duramax and 2007 2500HD gasser are hollow, I used a rear 1-1/2" from a company that makes ambulance package's for the cutaway vans, its not light though.
So you remember that pic he posted of the four link brackets, too?
All we need are brackets similar to the Comp Eng C3429 and C3427, but for our axle tube sizes.
Sorry guys I don't have time to read all the stuff said. If you have money and the time (lots of time) then yes the 4link is the way to go. I used the truck arms for a long time and had great luck with them. I built my own and an adjustable panhard bar. I put double adjustable coilover shocks on it and it worked great 1.45 and I could of got more out of it. Porter Built is a great company that makes great produces. I used his adjustable front frame bracket that the arms go too and it worked great.
It took me around 200 hours to build my complete rear suspension that I'm using now and even longer to tune it.
It took me around 200 hours to build my complete rear suspension that I'm using now and even longer to tune it.
Brent (sawmilldmax) has my frame and all the suspension from when I was running truck arms. Maybe he could post some pics up.
Checked out porterbuilt. Hol-lee shit does he make some nice parts. Between him and CPF there looks to be a lot of options for those trucks.
But -- (yeah, there had to be a caveat) -- our frames are wider than the 67-72 trucks by about 6 inches, if my measurements are accurate.
Could you build outriggers off the frame and adapt one of those frame mounts, sort of like the way 1500s mount their trans crossmembers? Sure you could.
The trailing arms are set up for narrower axle mounts, though. How would you deal with that? Move the axle mounts inward or create custom bars?
I can see how this setup could work on our 2wd's, as you could essentially just "copy" the design for the older trucks, but its going to take someone with a fab shop and skills to create/jig the proper fitting pieces to make it all work/fit correctly.
But -- (yeah, there had to be a caveat) -- our frames are wider than the 67-72 trucks by about 6 inches, if my measurements are accurate.
Could you build outriggers off the frame and adapt one of those frame mounts, sort of like the way 1500s mount their trans crossmembers? Sure you could.
The trailing arms are set up for narrower axle mounts, though. How would you deal with that? Move the axle mounts inward or create custom bars?
I can see how this setup could work on our 2wd's, as you could essentially just "copy" the design for the older trucks, but its going to take someone with a fab shop and skills to create/jig the proper fitting pieces to make it all work/fit correctly.
I have been doing a lot of digging and talking to people that are very knowledgeable and I believe I will be trying my hand at building the trailing arm setup. It is very plausible and if I build it myself not extremely expensive compared to a kit that is.
BUT do you think you can out perform the leafs this route? im 50/50 about it but i have yet to see anyone really working on making a 2wd launch with leafs on the back. it makes me wonder if people just go to a 4 link cause its "the way to go" or if there really is alot left to be desired on leafs like you had posted earlier on eric. i have too many theory's i guess..... maybe i should get me a rc/lb lol
Hell, if you have the skills to do it, then go for it! :thumb: Only way to find out if it works or not is to build it and try it.
I will try to post some pics tomorrow if I can find a seven year old that can show me how to do it. I struggle with technology.
Yeah I've been back and forth for sometime now James but for what it would cost to lower the rear end of the truck and keep the leaves I could buy the steel for the trailing arms. Choices choices.
