Mustang II front ,now should I 4 link or leaf spring rear?

[GMtrucknut!!]

I have just finished install a TCI mustang II front end on my 55 chevy truck and now I am wondering if I should 4 link the rear or just use my camaro rearend and install it on the leaf springs? I do not want to set my truck in the weeds I just want it to have the slight rake and I plan on driving .So performance is really important. It will ge driven on county roads along with state highways and interstates so with the various surfaces I am concerned about durability.Any responses would be appreciated.
I also am concerned about ride height ,I have used stock height spindles .

[N2TRUX]

Welcome to the forum GMtrucknut. If it were me I would do the 4 link and small airbags. This will give you an adjustable ride and load capacity.

[GMtrucknut!!]

have you or anyone who you know ever delt with TCI and their 4 link I have thought about using the 4 link coilover they offer

[N2TRUX]

TCI makes some very good quality product. I would take a look in our Suspension Marketplace and the Vendor Marketplace to see what our supporting Vendors offer as well.

[GMtrucknut!!]

Thanks for the information I will check there as well . Varied opinions and a little good advice are something that is way overlooked but yet very important in any build .

[andrewmp6]

I would 4 link it so later if you want to air bag it can be done easier.

[GMtrucknut!!]

Well after a long conversation with several suppliers of 4 link kits I have decided to use leafs on the rear.I want to keep my 55 very streetable with a mild lowering (2" or so). All the companies have told me that I would need to use 2" drop spindles as the kits offered will all make the rear slightly lower with my stock height spindles. So I am going with the leaf springs but if I later decide to install the drop spindles it won't be that big of a deal to 4 link it later.

[Tony@Roadstershop]

Thats odd.... just about any four link you find for that truck would be a weld on and then you can install it at the height you want to run it at... regardless of weather you want to do it on air or with coil overs.

[GMtrucknut!!]

So Tony whose 4 link would you recommend? I have talked with Heidts,Fatman and TCI all all of my replies were answered nearly the same.

[Nikotrans]

I have a similar question as I plan on installing a TCI mustang II front end on my 57 Chevy truck and I am wondering if I should go with a 4 link or leaf springs in the rear.

I’d like to get a slight rake, plan to use it as a daily driver on various road surfaces, would like a focus on performance, but plan to use it as a truck when needed.

Since I would like to use it as a truck, I’m not sure if I should go with the stock spindle height or go with the 2” drop.

Any advice or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

[N2TRUX]

It really depends on what your going to run with the 4 link. If you don't do bags, then a coil over will allow some ride/load adjustment.

[Nikotrans]

Thanks for the response.

I wasn’t planning on bags – just a Camaro rear end with either new leafs or a 4 link.

I’m going with the TCI IFS front end and wanted a rear that would complement that set up without losing any truck functionality (towing, hauling capability).

I'm ready to go either way - just looking for some feedback on leafs vs 4 link.

[LEEVON]

You know, I just about did a 4 link on my '50 but none of them were beefy enough for my taste and with bags the leaf springs were out. I also couldn't bring myself to pay $1k and up for a few bars and brackets that I could buy in pieces alot cheaper. I adapted a '72 trailing arm set-up, you can see it in my build thread link "Popeye" below. It would work even better for a mild drop. As a bonus I've got about $200 into the whole thing. If you have minimal welding/fabrication skill, this can be done fairly easily.

I would check with the forum vendors in the suspension section though. Scotts and some of the others have some nice beefy stuff.

[_Ogre]

i have a 58 with an 86 trans am rear end flipped on top of the stock springs
if you don't change the springs the load capability shouldn't change for the back, but i would overload the mustII
i would do a 5'' c-notch though as i do hit the bump stops sometimes

i have a mustII with standard spindles, i can't imagine that the 2'' drop would work for driving on public roads

[Nikotrans]

Thanks for all of the responses.

Since I’m looking at retaining the stock ride height and truck functionality, I’m leaning towards an IFS with stock spindles in the front and leaf springs in the rear. I’m not sure what I’ll gain by going with a 4 link setup in the rear?

[andrewmp6]

A 4 link will handle better and seems to ride smoother to me.