Bit of a slow week this week, I did managed to make a bit of progress on the 4 Link install.
The truss I ordered from Barnes was for a 3.5 in axle tube but I knew I could modify it to fit my 3 inch axle tube. So that was the first thing I wanted to get out of the way. First I had to figure out how far down the truss could go without hitting the rear pumpkin. I used a wooden block on top of the housing to figure out how much clearance I had, turns out I could drop it 3/4 of an inch and still have some clearance. This would give me enough meat on the site to cut out the 3 inch diameter holes requires for the smaller axle tubes. I used a combination of a cut off wheel, grinding wheel and recipocating saw to achieve this angry beaver look. Had to find a better way for the remaining holes.
For the truss braces I had a 3″ hole saw that I thought I would give a try, turns out that gives a way better result. This is great cause this is the part of the truss you will see. I still have to modify the bottom to make it closer to the axle tube. Plan is to give it a relief cut and bend it in. Should close up the gap nicely and give me a nice clean welding surface.
Next I needed to paint the under side of the truss and the top of the axle housing. There would be no way to paint this later so this was the time. Luckily I had ordered some Steelit black spray paint from TMR just for this purpose. This paint is awesome goes on really clean and easy. Couple of coats on the underside and pumpkin and I am ready to mount this truss to the axle.
But I decided to turn my attention to finishing the frame side of the 4 link mounts. In order to get the upper mounts where I needed them I have to add some more frame to give myself a mounting surface. Decided the easiest course of action was just to add another upright welded to the existing upright.. this would give me plenty of meat to mount the upper links and pull them closer to the rear axle. So I cut and bent up a upright addition and welded into place. Please remember I am new to welding and these are some of the longest welds I have done so far. So be kind when judging and I managed to tack the first upper link into place. Now I just have to repeat on the other side.
