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Old 11-15-2017, 08:27 PM   #1
tinydb84
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Rear suspension rework

A guy through instagram contacted me about redoing his rear suspension. It was a local shop truck he picked up and didn't realize how bad the suspension was. I don't think I am going to do much more than the rear on the truck so I'm not going to start a project thread on it but the pictures are pretty cool so I figured I'd share. I tried to bang it out in a weekend with his help but it is taking a bit longer than originally planned. Hopefully should be done by this weekend.

Here is the truck:



And here are the problems


All the suspension tabs were 1/8'' thick, bent, and cracked.

Piles of parts...Check out that panhard bar, 2 link, and offset bag mounts.

And they welded the two link to the axle perches, which were welded on one inch off to the side.
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Rear suspension rework: http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=750557
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Old 11-15-2017, 08:27 PM   #2
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Re: Rear suspension rework

Then I noticed they didn't weld up one side of the notch. It clearly wasn't prepped to be welded so we ground off one of the welds.

and we have no penetration

I'll be grinding out a grove to weld it properly.
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Used parts build: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=638991
My brother's Nova: http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=727985
Rear suspension rework: http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=750557
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Old 11-15-2017, 08:28 PM   #3
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Re: Rear suspension rework

Removed all the offending areas.

Bought a universal 3 link from AVS. Nice product! Decided to run a bag on bar set up so I welded on the trusses.

Welded on the axle tabs
20171111_133809
Welded the tabs to the differential. Preheated, used nickel rod, and peened it with an air chisel. That's why the weld looks so odd.
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Used parts build: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=638991
My brother's Nova: http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=727985
Rear suspension rework: http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=750557
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Old 11-15-2017, 08:29 PM   #4
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Re: Rear suspension rework

On to the frame side

Tabs on

Suspension in!
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Used parts build: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=638991
My brother's Nova: http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=727985
Rear suspension rework: http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=750557
Instagram: myfabguy
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Old 11-16-2017, 09:16 AM   #5
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Re: Rear suspension rework

Nice! Glad to see you got it all straightened out. No doubt that original install was a little sketchy and unsafe. Good job!
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Old 11-17-2017, 02:31 PM   #6
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Re: Rear suspension rework

Nice looking fix. Those are much nicer looking welds!

It's scary to think that an actual "shop" was responsible for the original suspension design.
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Old 11-20-2017, 01:27 PM   #7
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Re: Rear suspension rework

Fixed all the notches

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Used parts build: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=638991
My brother's Nova: http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=727985
Rear suspension rework: http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=750557
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Old 11-20-2017, 01:31 PM   #8
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Re: Rear suspension rework

I had originally planned on doing bag over bar for this set up but the original builder welded the notches in funky (and not in the same spots...) so I didn't have enough space to fit the bags on the bars.

Ended up with a bag over axle set up.
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Used parts build: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=638991
My brother's Nova: http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=727985
Rear suspension rework: http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=750557
Instagram: myfabguy
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Old 11-20-2017, 01:33 PM   #9
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Re: Rear suspension rework

I didn't want to build a bridge over the axle so I decided to weld the tabs to the pumpkin. I bought some Nickel99 rod (holy **** that's expensive). Preheated the housing, welded it with the nickel rod, and peened it with an air hammer as it cooled. No cracks! It should hold up just fine but if it ever cracks Ill build a bridge and fix it.
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Used parts build: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=638991
My brother's Nova: http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=727985
Rear suspension rework: http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=750557
Instagram: myfabguy
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Old 11-20-2017, 01:40 PM   #10
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Re: Rear suspension rework

Mounted the shocks to the upper bag mounts and ran them off the bars to make sure there was enough travel.

Ran a cross member along the backside to tie to the bag mounts.

and the finished product
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Used parts build: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=638991
My brother's Nova: http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=727985
Rear suspension rework: http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=750557
Instagram: myfabguy
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Old 11-20-2017, 01:45 PM   #11
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Re: Rear suspension rework

Noob welder question - what is the purpose of peening the welds? I don't think I have ever seen that done.
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Old 11-20-2017, 01:53 PM   #12
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Re: Rear suspension rework

Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnJ@RideTech View Post
Nice! Glad to see you got it all straightened out. No doubt that original install was a little sketchy and unsafe. Good job!
Thank you sir. He has a young daughter he wants to drive with so that old work had to go.

Quote:
Originally Posted by bs46488 View Post
Nice looking fix. Those are much nicer looking welds!

It's scary to think that an actual "shop" was responsible for the original suspension design.
Just to clarify, the shop he got it from didn't do the work. They just painted a logo on it and drove it around. The original bag job was done in Texas. Not sure by who though.

Quote:
Originally Posted by DieselSJ View Post
Noob welder question - what is the purpose of peening the welds? I don't think I have ever seen that done.
It is done as the welds cool in order do decrease the stress and reduce the likelihood of the welds cracking. Mild and cast steel have different cooling rates and it is really common for welds on cast steel to crack.
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Used parts build: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=638991
My brother's Nova: http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=727985
Rear suspension rework: http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=750557
Instagram: myfabguy
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Old 11-20-2017, 03:15 PM   #13
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Re: Rear suspension rework

Awesome work, love your welds!
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Old 11-20-2017, 08:31 PM   #14
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Re: Rear suspension rework

Beautiful work...Jim
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Old 11-21-2017, 12:28 PM   #15
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Re: Rear suspension rework

Quote:
Originally Posted by tinydb84 View Post
It is done as the welds cool in order do decrease the stress and reduce the likelihood of the welds cracking. Mild and cast steel have different cooling rates and it is really common for welds on cast steel to crack.
Well I learned something today. Thank you.
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Old 11-21-2017, 05:07 PM   #16
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Re: Rear suspension rework

Nice work....Thanks for sharing the process. It's cool to see how you improved the set up.

Marc
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Old 11-21-2017, 10:35 PM   #17
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Re: Rear suspension rework

your doing nice work...WOW...that was a mess..just when you think you've seen it all...a tractor 3rd link for a panhardbar?...wow
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Old 11-28-2017, 02:12 PM   #18
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Re: Rear suspension rework

I would like to more pics when its done. I'm trying to decide which way i want to go with my new ride.
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Old 11-28-2017, 02:47 PM   #19
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Re: Rear suspension rework

Quote:
Originally Posted by dec010974 View Post
I would like to more pics when its done. I'm trying to decide which way i want to go with my new ride.
Those are all the pics I got. He took it home last weekend. You can follow his instagram thought @yosoyjames
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Used parts build: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=638991
My brother's Nova: http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=727985
Rear suspension rework: http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=750557
Instagram: myfabguy
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Old 12-04-2017, 09:33 PM   #20
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Re: Rear suspension rework

Like everyone else said, great work!

Bubba
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