Link bar building questions..

[hotrodrookie]

Im planning on building some 4 link bars and was wondering what you guys think for parts.(this is my first time)
Im thinking about 1.5" od x1/4" wt for the 4 bars and 2" od x1/4" for the bushing end links. I figure I'll need 8 ft of the 1.5 od and 2 ft of the 2" od. what should this cost me?

Cheapest poly bushings? [IMG]http://www.*****************/files/imagecache/product/Poly_Bushing_for_4-Link_End_0.jpg[/IMG] suicide sells them $7.99 ea

For threaded studs like this [IMG]http://www.*****************/files/imagecache/product/4-Link_Threaded_Stud_with_Jam_Nut_0.jpg[/IMG] has anyone made them from all thread? Or anyone know a cheaper source? $13.99 (suicide)

Threaded bungs?[IMG]http://www.*****************/files/imagecache/product/34-16Threaded4-LinkBung.jpg[/IMG] Anyone make them? or cheaper then $8.99?

Suicide sells bars already made for $50, [IMG]http://www.*****************/files/imagecache/product/4-Link_Round_Adj_Bar_with_Poly_Bushings.jpg[/IMG] I just figured I would ask to see if I could build them for less.

So Im basically a cheapo and trying to find the most costeffective route for my college budget. Ill need 4 bars about 25" center to center, so its either $199 from suicide or piecing them together myself.

feedback is apreciated, thanks.

[PBFAB.COM]

Originally Posted by hotrodrookie

Im planning on building some 4 link bars and was wondering what you guys think for parts.(this is my first time)
Im thinking about 1.5" od x1/4" wt for the 4 bars and 2" od x1/4" for the bushing end links. I figure I'll need 8 ft of the 1.5 od and 2 ft of the 2" od. what should this cost me?

Cheapest poly bushings? [IMG]http://www.*****************/files/imagecache/product/Poly_Bushing_for_4-Link_End_0.jpg[/IMG] suicide sells them $7.99 ea

For threaded studs like this [IMG]http://www.*****************/files/imagecache/product/4-Link_Threaded_Stud_with_Jam_Nut_0.jpg[/IMG] has anyone made them from all thread? Or anyone know a cheaper source? $13.99 (suicide)

Threaded bungs?[IMG]http://www.*****************/files/imagecache/product/34-16Threaded4-LinkBung.jpg[/IMG] Anyone make them? or cheaper then $8.99?

Suicide sells bars already made for $50, [IMG]http://www.*****************/files/imagecache/product/4-Link_Round_Adj_Bar_with_Poly_Bushings.jpg[/IMG] I just figured I would ask to see if I could build them for less.

So Im basically a cheapo and trying to find the most costeffective route for my college budget. Ill need 4 bars about 25" center to center, so its either $199 from suicide or piecing them together myself.

feedback is apreciated, thanks.

Shoot me a PM.... I can help you out on this!

[Twisted Minis]

Do not try to build an adjustable end out of all thread. It can't take the beating. If you must be cheap, use an F911 bolt. They are about 1/3 of the price of the billet stud.

And unless you are going to put the bags on those 1.5" bars, use .120 wall. .250 is overkill and just adds unsprung weight.

[hotrodrookie]

Originally Posted by Twisted Minis

Do not try to build an adjustable end out of all thread. It can't take the beating. If you must be cheap, use an F911 bolt. They are about 1/3 of the price of the billet stud.

And unless you are going to put the bags on those 1.5" bars, use .120 wall. .250 is overkill and just adds unsprung weight.

Do you think 1 1/4" od .120 wall could get the job done safely?

[Twisted Minis]

As long as the bag won't be placed on it, yes. I use 1.25" .120 wall for link bars pretty often.

[DHPmike]

the poly bushings in the pic above are daystar and are not the best. the best would be energy suspension graphite impregnated polyurethane. needs no grease ever and does not turn into a sponge in 12 months.

if you plan on running the bags on those bars even at that thickness they will bend unless you run braces. its better to run 2" square for bags on the bars.

The ends in the pic above are the best for that job.

any other questions you dont get answered here just pm me.

[hotrodrookie]

Im not planning on useing bags, I just picked up a set of chris alston regular coilovers that I'll use to mount behind the rear.
So would 1 1/4" .120 tube be stout for the bars?

[PBFAB.COM]

Originally Posted by hotrodrookie

Im not planning on useing bags, I just picked up a set of chris alston regular coilovers that I'll use to mount behind the rear.
So would 1 1/4" .120 tube be stout for the bars?

Yes... make sure it's DOM.

Nate

[DHPmike]

yup, thats what most of those are made from 1/8" DOM

[ShowSS12]

Originally Posted by porterbuilt

Yes... make sure it's DOM.

Nate

You I have a hard time finding DOM in my neck of the woods....
Every time I go the the metal supplyer they look and me like WTF is DOM tubing? am I asking wrong?

[PBFAB.COM]

Originally Posted by ShowSS12

You I have a hard time finding DOM in my neck of the woods....
Every time I go the the metal supplyer they look and me like WTF is DOM tubing? am I asking wrong?

Maybe they refer to it as "Seamless".

Let me know how much you need... may be cheaper to have me cut it and ship it to you (instead of having to be a whole stick).

[hotrodrookie]

Originally Posted by DHPmike

the poly bushings in the pic above are daystar and are not the best. the best would be energy suspension graphite impregnated polyurethane. needs no grease ever and does not turn into a sponge in 12 months.

if you plan on running the bags on those bars even at that thickness they will bend unless you run braces. its better to run 2" square for bags on the bars.

The ends in the pic above are the best for that job.

any other questions you dont get answered here just pm me.

Know of a good source to find these bushings?

[DHPmike]

try discountsteel.com they will ship you any length pre cut.

they have a place in minneapolis and one in ftworth.

as for the bushings look at suicide doors.com, they have daystar bushings. if you want energy suspension look at suspension restoration products co at suspension.com

you can buy the bars already cut and threaded at some places.

[cdowns]

get a catalogue fropm speedway motors they have all the supplies you'd need for fabbing something like that as well as universal kits

[Mike Bradbury]

If you say "Dom" as a word, they might not understand. But if you say D.O.M. (Drawn Over Mandrel) as three letters that might make more sence to them. Then if they still don't know what you're talking about, find a different supplier.

[ShowSS12]

nope I would yas D.O.M tubing and they would look at me funny. Then I went to another supplier and asked for D.O.M and they told me some ridiculous price of $30 a foot for 1 1/4 .120 D.O.M

[Mike Bradbury]

I spent a little over $8.50 a foot for 2" .250 wall. $30 p/ft seems like they don't know what they are talking about. Just buy it from Nate, I have a suspicion that if you ordered it in from a supplier they would make you buy the whole 20 feet anyway.

[mycool72]

Is this really cost effective to do it yourself? What are the savings?

[ShowSS12]

I finally talked to a supplier here in houston that knew what I was talking about 1 1/4 x .120 wall DOM $3.85/ft available in 8ft, 10ft & 20ft lengths... Now I've gotta see what I can find for the square tube for the lower arms

[hotrodrookie]

I found a guy on ebay who is located in vegas that sells various sizes of DOM and the machined parts. 1.5" od .120 wall goes for about $6/foot.