Rear Suspension

[chevy55]

I have finally decided what I am going to to for my suspension on my 55 2nd series truck, but I need some help.

I decided on doing four wheel disc brake and I am going to bag it.

My question is does anybody else have problems with the rear fenders rubbing the tires? Whenever I would get on it or hit a big bump the truck would sink down and the fenders would scrape one of the rear tires. What is the best way to solve this problem?
One idea that was suggested to me is to shorten the rear end, the differential in it needs to be rebuilt.

Which leads me to my next question, what are the possibilities for the stock rear ends? I want to change the gear ratio to something like 3.43 with a posi.

Any suggestions would be helpful

[Coleman396]

Ford 9" out of full size Bronco with 350-1 ratio is easy to find and the right width to get 8" rims to fit under your truck!

[ShamrockCustoms]

here's the deal. there is only a certain distance between the outer fender lip and the inside of the fender, which is not much more than 10" as I recall. That being so, the outer measurements of your rear wheels is going to be a factor. The other problem is that the INSIDE measurements of your wheels will be a factor too. Basically, if you're going to bag the truck (most likely wanting to drop it to the floor), you will have to do one of several things:

1. Use stock rear end, change wheel/tire combo to fit in the rear fenders properly.

2. Use stock rear end, buy 3" widened rear fiberglass fenders, change wheel/tire combo to fit.

3. Use stock or modifed rear end, tub the bed to you liking, use wheel/tire combo to fit your needs.


Hope this helps! Good luck!

[chevy55]

Thanks for the info!
I done some more thinking and talking with some guys at work. I am thinking that it would be easy enough to convert the rear suspension to either a four link or the trailing arm setup, using a shorter rear end that already has disc brakes, and tubbing if necessary. I just have to decide which suspension setup is goingg to be better. What have you guys heard about either one, pros and cons?

At the end of this week I should have enough money for a front disc brake conversion kit. I just have to do some research to see who is cheaper.

I can't wait.

[rico_bob]

Get rid of the leaf springs and tub the bed and you can put in some super wide wheels and tire! My two cents worth...rico_bob

[greatdaen]

Moving the tire/wheel combo inside the fender so that you don't have contact with the wheel well opening will obviously provide much more wheel travel without contacting the fender. And as presented in this thread, there are different approaches.

But independent of which method you would chose, the comment that strikes me is your description of hitting a bump and the rear sinking down. That sounds to me like your spring rate and shock absorber valving are way out of whack. At the least is sounds like you need some more compression control in the shocks.

You can do all sorts of cool things to move the wheel/tire combo inboard, but if you don't address the spring rates and valving, your rear suspension will bounce, sink, jounce and sag exactly the same as it does now.

Rates and valving seem to be a bit of a "black art" to many, but they are crucial to a good ride. When you take a ride in a vehicle that handles and feels great - your feeling the spring rate and shock valving - not the geometry (leaf, coil, four-link, trailing arm).

Chevy55, since you are in AZ, you have access to some shops that work with spring rates and valvings - a common adjustment in Off-road racing. Most don't know what they are doing, but some do. Consulting with one of them might be time well spent in helping you with your new rear suspension project.

If you want some shop suggestions, I will be happy to impart my wisdumb upon you.

-dch

[ShamrockCustoms]

convert the rear suspension to either a four link or the trailing arm setup

You would be good with either a 4 link or ladder bar setup, using a panhard bar for rear axle locating. Both are great setups, though some people tend to lean towrads 4 links for the street.