Rear wishbone suspension mocked up

[Tri5Nerd]

I started working on this a few months ago http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=342851 and finally got around to mockup stage and testing. As it is now it's going to sit low, how low I don't know until I put all sheetmetal back on the frame. The gas tank is about 4" off the ground when aired out onShockwaves.

[lolife99]

Looks NICE!

[scotts62]

Hey that looks good, nice work!

[68 short step]

nice, i like it...

[Tri5Nerd]

Thanks guys, this forum offers a lot of information and I try to ickup and use as much info as I can find.

Tri5

[nuke1]

Looks good!

[Mike Bradbury]

I am no expert on suspension, but I am building a system myself and I have done a fair amount of research on the subject. It looks like you have installed a heim joint in the front of the wishbone. One of the jobs of the third link is to prevent lateral movement. Wouldn't a Heim in the front wishbone negate that purpose, requiring the use of a pan hard or watts link?

[Tri5Nerd]

Originally Posted by Mike Bradbury

I am no expert on suspension, but I am building a system myself and I have done a fair amount of research on the subject. It looks like you have installed a heim joint in the front of the wishbone. One of the jobs of the third link is to prevent lateral movement. Wouldn't a Heim in the front wishbone negate that purpose, requiring the use of a pan hard or watts link?

I'm no expert myself but looking at what other here have done I don't need a panhard bar or a watts link.
Maybe someone can shed more information on your question, here are some of the threads I used as exmaples and ideas for my setup:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...light=wishbone
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...light=wishbone
Look at post #12
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=331302&page=2
If anything baybe I should turn the misalined heim vertical so it goes up and down.

Tri5

[Rokcrln]

Originally Posted by Mike Bradbury

I am no expert on suspension, but I am building a system myself and I have done a fair amount of research on the subject. It looks like you have installed a heim joint in the front of the wishbone. One of the jobs of the third link is to prevent lateral movement. Wouldn't a Heim in the front wishbone negate that purpose, requiring the use of a pan hard or watts link?

It does not matter were the single heim goes. It will do the same job but their is some conversation about if the IRC (instant roll center) changes during travel more or less depending on what end the bars converge. In a street application it really does not make a difference in performance. Most guys put the single over the diff because it makes getting your exhaust a lot easier to run that way but it all works.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

[Mike Bradbury]

Makes total sence now, Twisted's description of why it doesn't move side to side was perfect. So many joints, sometimes it is difficult to wrap your mind around which way things will move unless you've mocked it up. Looks good so far.

[Tri5Nerd]

Here's a quick vid of how low the rear goes. I think I need to turn the misalined heim joint to a vertical position instead of having it horizonal. With the air out the driveshaft is about 1/2" from the cross bar, is that OK?

[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y123/Howise1...

[N2TRUX]

I would be considering a skid plate for your gas tank.

[Tri5Nerd]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

I would be considering a skid plate for your gas tank.

Great idea, I didn't think about that, I do have dumpstops but it still might be too low. What material and thickness would you suggest I use to make a skid plate?

Tri5

[lax54650]

12 guage sheet stock airbrushed with a shower of sparks

[N2TRUX]

Whats the gas tank out of? Was it available with a factory skid plate? I would consider a stock unit to save on fab time.

[Tri5Nerd]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

Whats the gas tank out of? Was it available with a factory skid plate? I would consider a stock unit to save on fab time.

It's factory 22 gallon tank for a 1970 mustang or cougar. I would imagine that I should be able to find one.

Tri5

[N2TRUX]

See if the stocker will slick up and look good if there is one available. Better safe than sorry.....

[Twisted Minis]

I've been working on a lot of Mustangs lately, and I have never seen one with a skid plate for the gas tank. They sit up pretty high above the rear bumper in the cars stock, so I don't think it was a concern. Plus those cars where pretty much lifted from the factory. I would probably end up running a few pieces of square or round tube under the tank with a removable bracket that bolts to the frame.


The location of the rod end doesn't matter as far as laterally locating the axle. It works along with the lower bars as a team to keep everything centered. But it is preferred that the rod end go on the chassis to keep your roll center predictable. It's always in the same location on the chassis, instead of moving in relation to it. It's ideal this way, but not always possible. You usually can't get your Instant Center in a good location with a one piece drive shaft, because the drive shaft essentially determines the mounting point of the rod end. This can often put the IC behind the axle, so in those cases I will turn it around and put the rod end on top of the pumpkin.

[ZR2RICK]

Looking good Tri5, Hey Twisted, Wouldn't raising the rear end mounts (axle bridge or taller mounts) so the single pivot is mounted slightly downward keep the IC properly in front and allow for the drive line clearance? I have followed your "not so budget 3 link build" excellent work.!