Parrallel 4 link

[greystoke]

just a question for ya'll, can I put a parrallel 4 link on my 93 C1500 and keep the spare tire location? I would also want to go with coilovers.

[N2TRUX]

Even if there is room, will the spare tire hang too low?

[greystoke]

Yeah, i'm not sure. It's just an idea I had, I don't want to go real low or anything, the thought is maybe the ride quality would be better.

[Twisted Minis]

You should be able to install any forward 4 link and keep the spare tire. Doing a parallel will force you to put the coilovers on the front side of the axle, since you will have a panhard bar.

[greystoke]

ok...i picture what your saying. You have any recommendations on a part supplier?? Great info, thanks

[Twisted Minis]

Are you going to build it yourself? Do you want an off the shelf 4-link? Or a custom one?

All 3 would warrant a different supplier for me.

[greystoke]

I'd like to build it myself. About the only extent of my equipment is a mig welder.

[Twisted Minis]

No tube notcher?

If you can't notch tube, I would get a weld it yourself kit from Suicide Doors. If you can notch tube, I would buy some Prothane bushings from The Suspension Co. in Modesto CA and build everything else yourself. Or source some DayStar bushings.

[greystoke]

I don't have a tube notcher but have notched pipe before with a torch. Maybe i'll look at investing in a tube notcher. Man, I appreciate you taking to time to give some advice twisted. Thanks. Any good recommendations for a coilover?

Dano

[Twisted Minis]

I have only run Bilstein's myself, and I was very impressed with them. None of their products are cheep though. I don't actually know of any coilover that is now that I think about it.

Check out the Pro Tools notcher. It's around $150 and it's pretty nice. Not to mention still proudly made in America.

[greystoke]

Pro tools has some nice stuff...the only notcher I found on the site that wasn't expensive was $219 but it's darn cool.

[Twisted Minis]

Hmm, prices may have gone up since I bought mine.

Ya it has, I just checked. I got mine here:
http://www.chopworx.com/product.php?...&cat=39&page=1

I've had mine for about 2 years now though, and use it daily. It's held up well.

Here's a slightly cheaper alternative that's still decent.
http://www.vansantent.com/tube_copin...int_jigger.htm

[greystoke]

another question twisted....what size of pipe/steel tube do you recommend. Wall thickness, etc.

[joe231]

here is a notcher similar to the 2nd one twisted posted, it is about half the price
http://www.eastwoodco.com/jump.jsp?i...rID=462&KICKER

[Tony@AirRideTech]

Yes.... you can.... I even had an one of our Airbars on my last C1500, bags behind the axle with a panhard bar and I still retained my spare tire.

[greystoke]

what company do you work for Tony?

[Tony@AirRideTech]

ummmmm......Air Ride Technologies .........

[greystoke]

haha...duh. Man I bought a lot of stuff from you guys. You wouldn't happen to have any pics of your c1500 rear setup would you?

[Twisted Minis]

Originally Posted by greystoke

another question twisted....what size of pipe/steel tube do you recommend. Wall thickness, etc.

I would probably run 1.5" .120 wall.

I would like to see pictures of the parallel link with a panhard and bags behind the axle.

[greystoke]

sweet....man I appreciate the info. It would be great to do a basic how-to for what I want to do. I have a pretty good idea but this will be my first fabrication effort.

[fixit-p]

Originally Posted by Twisted Minis

Hmm, prices may have gone up since I bought mine.

Ya it has, I just checked. I got mine here:
http://www.chopworx.com/product.php?...&cat=39&page=1

I've had mine for about 2 years now though, and use it daily. It's held up well.

Here's a slightly cheaper alternative that's still decent.
http://www.vansantent.com/tube_copin...int_jigger.htm

Is that the notcher you use on your builds, I've always been hesitant on buying a notcher (I've seen some really flimsy ones) I like the fact that this one has ball bearings I've been looking at this one with needle bearings http://www.vansantent.com/tube_notcher.htm#reviews I think the one from Eastwood with the bronze bushing is trouble and you basically get what you pay for.
edit Duh...I just read that you've used it daily for 2 years thanks.

[Twisted Minis]

Ya I love my notcher. Only thing I would consider trading it for is a JMR or something more industrial. I couldn't justify the $400 price tag for the JMR, and at this point I don't feel I need something that fancy. I don't produce 4-links all day. I looked into the JD2 notcher, and I didn't really like it as much. It seems more limited for the same price. The Pro Tools will do some light offset notching, and it will do higher angles which I have found myself using more than I thought. And you can also slide the base forward and backwards, to get the holesaw closer to the tube and keep deflection down. It's got a 1/2" aluminum base, and it's pretty well made. I also like the way it mounts better. The piece it comes with, I mounted on the edge of my table. But when I am notching on a bent piece, I can put it in my vise too to get it away from the table top.