Anyone install a Speedway 4 link?

[jweb]

I just ordered a Speedway bolt in 4 link but the instructions only show how to bolt it on their frame rails. They said it will fit on stock rails and I have seen others use it but there are no instructions.

Anyone use this and have any measurements or tips?

[67 chevelle]

Post a link to the kit if you can , I did a tci 4 link kit on my camaro , with coilovers , worked out well , it had detailed instructions

[mr48chev]

He has this one I believe and while the brackets that bolt to the frame are pretty well self explanatory I can find no instructions for fastening the brackets to the axle it's self.
http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Speedw...xle,81185.html

There may be instructions on a different four bar set that show that part.


Looking at that again I am assuming you got the kit without the axle housing with brackets welded to it. Who ever wrote the instructions assumed that everyone would get the kit with the 9 inch housing.

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Bolt-I...Kit,63703.html

[jweb]

Yes, it's the one without the axle. Even the location for the brackets on the frame aren't that clear since their measurements refer to their aftermarket rails.

I sent them an email but their reply wasn't very helpful.

[mr48chev]

Originally Posted by jweb

Yes, it's the one without the axle. Even the location for the brackets on the frame aren't that clear since their measurements refer to their aftermarket rails.

I sent them an email but their reply wasn't very helpful.

Looking though about six of their four link rear suspension kits I'd say that they need to get someone who can understand that not everyone is highly experienced in rear suspension installation to rewrite all of the instructions and make them complete.

The TCI instructions are well put together and highly detailed with photos to follow.

[jweb]

Thanks for the TCI instructions, I think those will help. Hopefully the Speedway forward brackets line up wit the old leaf spring brackets.

[67 chevelle]

If you are useing this kit
http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Heavy-...-Kit,8984.html

If you look at its reviews on speedways site , one guy said the bars were very short , too short for him to use , also it does not come with a panard bar ,, you WILL need one unless its a triangulated kit , and no coilovers , its a very "bare bones" kit

This is why I like tci , their kits are pretty complete , and reasonable for what you get , on my 49 5 window I used a chassis engineering ladder bar system [ they are 10 miles from my house] , with coilovers , it was a 3100 truck with some stout leafs in the back , it went from horse and buggy to a sports car instantly,, the change and improvement was instant and drastic , seriously I was afraid to pass people with the truck going the same way on a 4 lane , after , I could scoot in-between cars like a gocart , it had a camaro clip up front

[mr48chev]

This is the TCI 4 link instruction sheet for 47-54 Chevy trucks. You will have to compare measurements and read between the lines a bit when comparing it to your kit but I think that it will give the info you are looking for.

It does give you the angle you want on the brackets compared to the pinion and you will have to compare thier 33 inch center line to the center line of your brackets on the frame after you bolt them on the frame and go from there. In other words match the brackets on the axle to the brackets on the frame.

http://totalcostinvolved.com/wp-cont...ver_4-link.pdf

[chev3600]

I don't have any measurements for you, but I did use the same kit. I had to drill some holes but there were some holes in the frame to initially locate the brackets. At least in my case. Otherwise, nice kit for the money. Rides great with the qa1s.

[jweb]

Originally Posted by chev3600

I don't have any measurements for you, but I did use the same kit. I had to drill some holes but there were some holes in the frame to initially locate the brackets. At least in my case. Otherwise, nice kit for the money. Rides great with the qa1s.

That's what I was hoping, I just wasn't sure without instructions. Now I just need to decide on a rear end. Then I will pull the bed off and see if I can figure it out.

[shrek55]

What year is the truck ?? Do you have the triangulated kit minus the housing ??

[jweb]

Originally Posted by shrek55

What year is the truck ?? Do you have the triangulated kit minus the housing ??

It's a 51 and yes the triangulated kit without the housing.

[iowaboynca]

I've got the same kit. If i remember the frame brackets align to exising holes on the frame. The axle brackets, both top and bottom will need to be welded on to the axle. Bottoms are straight back and the tops are angled from the frame bracket. The lengths do appear to line up with the orginal axle location based upon on my measurements.

Of note, on your shocks, look how big the eyelets are. The ones I ordered from Summit came with 1/2" eyelets whereas the kit's bracket bar is set up for 5/8". I had to get creative with some sleave bushings inside the bracket.

[392Hemi]

Just got mine all tacked up today. I can help you out if you need I recommend trimming the tab off the bottom of the upper brackets for the diagonal bars. The hole won't really line up with the bolt.
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[jweb]

Thanks for the pictures and tips. I tore out my old suspension today and the bed wood to make it a little easier. If I had more space I would take the entire bed off.

Looking at your pictures I hope I don't have any trouble with the upper bar brackets on the axle. I'm using an Explorer 8.8 and the housing is offset. I guess I will find out next weekend when I bolt everything in place.

[392Hemi]

Originally Posted by jweb

Thanks for the pictures and tips. I tore out my old suspension today and the bed wood to make it a little easier. If I had more space I would take the entire bed off.

Looking at your pictures I hope I don't have any trouble with the upper bar brackets on the axle. I'm using an Explorer 8.8 and the housing is offset. I guess I will find out next weekend when I bolt everything in place.

I hope you don't. Most of the time it the axle is offset people will go with a pan hard bar setup. I bet you can make it work, it just won't be symmetrical obviously.
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[jweb]

Originally Posted by 392Hemi

I hope you don't. Most of the time it the axle is offset people will go with a pan hard bar setup. I bet you can make it work, it just won't be symmetrical obviously.
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Well so much for keeping it simple. If one of the upper bars goes straight towards the housing I'm not sure if I will be able to keep everything aligned properly.

Can you tell me the distance between the upper bars on the axle?

[392Hemi]

Originally Posted by jweb

Well so much for keeping it simple. If one of the upper bars goes straight towards the housing I'm not sure if I will be able to keep everything aligned properly.

Can you tell me the distance between the upper bars on the axle?

I'll try to remember when I'm out at the shop next. You could always mount one of the brackets on the center housing area up top. Would still be able to keep the triangulation effect.
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[tmoble]

I looked at that deal before I went with the Vette deal. I couldn't get around the angle of the upper arms. Almost looks like it would need a panhard bar. I you're going to use a panhard you don't need the angled upper at all. Just run a straight ahead 4-link.

look at the angle of the uppers on a Chevelle rear, this is essentially a stepchild of that. I think they're at 45*.

[shrek55]

FWIW I put in the Speedway triangulated 4 link with the 9 inch housing included. I own my repair shop w/Alignment rack. I was really surprised that with a minimal adjustment everything came in perfect and that my frame is totally squared off.

[jweb]

Originally Posted by tmoble

I looked at that deal before I went with the Vette deal. I couldn't get around the angle of the upper arms. Almost looks like it would need a panhard bar. I you're going to use a panhard you don't need the angled upper at all. Just run a straight ahead 4-link.

look at the angle of the uppers on a Chevelle rear, this is essentially a stepchild of that. I think they're at 45*.

I think it's a good kit and the angles of the upper bars are fine. My problem is that I have a Ford 8.8 and the housing isn't centered, so one of the upper links would go straight toward the housing. I'm sure I could make it work but it just wouldn't look right.

There's no problem with Speedway or this kit, I just have too much into the 8.8 not to use it.

[chopit]

Just a note to anyone reading this thread for future reference. The 8.8 Mustang GT rear has centered housing and 3:55

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=693615

Sorry for your pain jweb. Since you already have the 4 link and may be hard to sell, wonder if you could come out selling your 8.8 and going with Mustang

[jweb]

Originally Posted by chopit

Just a note to anyone reading this thread for future reference. The 8.8 Mustang GT rear has centered housing and 3:55

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=693615

Sorry for your pain jweb. Since you already have the 4 link and may be hard to sell, wonder if you could come out selling your 8.8 and going with Mustang

I thought about selling the 8.8 but either way I will lose. I paid $225 for the 8.8 then had new seals and bearings installed ($180). Also already got new slotted/drilled rotors and pads ($70). Due to my lack of patience I ordered a trailing arm kit and will keep the 8.8. The trailing arm setup is what I wanted originally, plus the 3.73 gears will work well with my LS1/4L60 setup.

Also going to change the price of the 4 link to $300 shipped, that way anyone can get it for $100 less.

[dsraven]

there are a few rear suspension write ups on google and then, once you have the basic geometry thing figured out and if you were so inclined, you could build your own 4 link pretty easily with parts from welders series in Ontario Canada. check out their site, lots of brackets and bars and kits for the do it yourself guy. that is what i used for my rear end set up.

[tmoble]

that Welder Series stuff looks good. well thought out and easy to work with.