Back to a Roller

Posted

December 13, 2011

Back to a Roller

By bungking

Now that the frame had already been boxed and all of the new crossmembers installed, it was time to get both of the axles mocked up in place. I started with the front axle, it is a 4″ drop axle by Superbell complete with their disc brake set up and a mono leaf front spring. I mocked up the chassis at ride height and set the caster angle of the axle to 7 degrees and checked for the size of tab that would be needed for the hairpin mounts. These ended up being about 2.5″ below the chassis to the center of the hole. I made up some 1/4″ thick steel tabs on my CNC plasma and also added some drilled gussets for extra strength and good looks. I then cut out a new tab for the panhard bar and tacked it in place as well.

Then it was time to tackle the rear suspension, I decided to go with a triangulated 4 link in the rear for its design lends itself to a lot of clearance under the chassis for exhaust and anything else you have down there, and their simple clean look. I wasn’t happy with the quality or the price of some of the kits so I decided to make my own knowing that most the time I seem to buy a kit from someone else I end up modifying it so much it doesn’t really make sense. I picked up some urethane front bushings and tube nuts to make up the 4 bars, these are relatively cheep and can be found usually for less than $10 each. I mocked up our Currie 9″ housing in place at ride height and tacked some braces in place so it was locked onto the chassis so that when I was setting up all of the 4 bar tabs I didn’t bump it out of place and have to spend a bunch of time measuring and adjusting it back into place.

I then made up all of the tabs and brackets with the CNC plasma again, first welding the assemblies together and metalfinishing the welds before tacking them in place on the chassis. Once all of the brackets were made up I tacked them all in place on the chassis and the axle making sure everything stayed in line and straight. I then made up some bungs to insert into the chassis for the upper shock mounts, I will be using a coilover set up in the rear. Once everything was tacked in place it all came apart and got fully welded and installed back in place. Now We have a pretty complete rolling chassis minus some brake lines and a steering box but I wanted to mount up the motor and trans first and hopefully next weekend I can get that accomplished!

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