Steve:
I put an Art Morrison 4-link on my truck 3 years ago. I bought it super
cheap at a swap meet and had to buy a couple of brackets to complete it
(price was pretty reasonable). My suggestion is to order another set of
brackets, cut the originals off and reweld. I can't believe the TCI
brackets are that expensive. I suspect you're right about premature wear on
the bushings. Besides, knowing it's not as it should be might drive you
crazy later-on.
My frame was almost 1/4 inch out of square when I measured it and I decided
if it had run like that for almost 50 years a few more wouldn't matter.
I agree with you, I'd be more concerned about the 1 inch offset in your
brackets.
Hope this helps, my 2 cents worth. Good luck and let us know what you
decide to do.
Carl Ham
'56 Chevy Stepside Pickup
Hopewell, IL
>From: Steven Stuckmeyer <slstusmc@yahoo.com>
>Reply-To: Steven Stuckmeyer <slstusmc@yahoo.com>
>To: oletrucks <oletrucks@autox.team.net>
>Subject: [oletrucks] 4 link install woes
>Date: Sun, 4 Jun 2006 17:52:53 -0700 (PDT)
>
>Hey all, I started playing with the 51 again. I started trying to get the
>TCI 4 link set in place and if it is not one thing it's another. I have a
>70 GM 12 bolt rearend that I welded the 4 link brackets on back in Feb. I
>had to force the bolts through the link bushings and it was tight. I know
>the drill...measure and remeasure. Well I hate to admit it but, I welded in
>the brackets 36" center, they should have been 35" center. I had the frame
>brackets in place and you have to force the bolts through them which
>creates a pretty good angle for the 4 link bushings. I think that would
>cause premature bushing failure and submit the rear supension componants to
>more stress than desired. SO question is, should I cut out the brackets and
>order new ones to reweld right or would notching the frame a 1/2" on each
>side of the frame where the brackets go to set them outbourd be an option?
>If I did this I would also have to shave some of the bottem of the frame to
>avoid rubbing the upper
> link. Or will this 1 inch off not really hurt?
>
> While on the subject, I have a rear axle center measurement of 36 3/4"
>from the back of the frame. This mark is sort of in between the 2 rear bolt
>holes of where the rear axle bumber mounts to the frame.
>
> I also have about an 1/8" out of square on the frame. I don't think this
>will pose a problem, I've seen worse on other trucks in the past. My main
>concern is the 1" off on the axle brackets.
> Steve Stuckmeyer
> 51 3100
> St Peters, MO
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