4-link bars
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Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,906
Likes: 82
From: Oregon
4-link bars
have figured out the route I will be going for converting my 55 semi rear suspension to air ride. I am going to build a 4-link style rear suspension, and use air bags for a commercial truck, instead of coil overs. My question for you guys is.....What size DOM tubing should I use for the link bars. I will run 1/2" plate for the lower bag perches, and 1/4" for the brackets, but what size tube should I run? I've been thinking about 2" O.D. .250 wall, but have also considered a smaller O.D. with a .125 wall. I know the locating bars aren't what hold the weight, and since it's technically a "hot rod" (Oregon DMV says so anyhow), it doesn't have to meet ODOT specs. I just want to be able to pull a travel trailer, or car trailer. I won't be pulling any commercial or heavy loads with it.
More Turbo
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 670
Likes: 6
From: south-central PA
2" OD x .250 wall tube is really strong, i assume your talking about DOM. i've seen that size take some really serious abuse off-road, usually rodends, bolts or brackets brake before tubes that size, since mounted the bags to the axle housing (not the lower tubes) i'd say you could make them up to 40" long.
just curious what type of link ends your planning to use?
just curious what type of link ends your planning to use?
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Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,906
Likes: 82
From: Oregon
Wasn't planning on link ends. I was going to make the ends with a 3" long section of same tube, and weld perpendicular to long tube, and mount inside a bracket like the ends of a leaf spring. I would then mount the bags on a bracket made from 1/2" plate to the rear of the axle housing. The bags are what hold the weight, not the link arms, so I am wondering if 1" .125 wall would be sufficient. I have access to a 50 ton iron worker, so I bend some 1/2" steel to act as brackets from the axle house to the bag perches. I have a plentiful suuply of grade 8 bolts from 1/2" to 1" and can weld and bolt what ever I need.
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,005
Likes: 3
From: Mcafee, NJ
while i dont think 1" x 1" is heavy duty enough... i know that it will really out of place
we built a 4 link out of the 2" x 2" 1/4 inch wall for a 88 s-10 blazer and that thing gets ABUSED... we drag a 42" wide drag bar for miles on a weekly basis
where are u mounting the bags???
we built a 4 link out of the 2" x 2" 1/4 inch wall for a 88 s-10 blazer and that thing gets ABUSED... we drag a 42" wide drag bar for miles on a weekly basis
where are u mounting the bags???
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Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,906
Likes: 82
From: Oregon
I'll be mounting the bags on a bracket to the rear of the axle. The bracket and bag mount will be made from 1/2" plate. The bag holds the weight on a semi, not the suspension arms. All the arms do is keep the axle located. I plan on using round tube as well, not square.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 148
Likes: 0
well if you want to save time I have a 55" ladder bar set up with tubular crossover pan hard bar and 3 way adjustable coil overs with 200lbs springs all new for 550 + shipping I have pictures and such pm me if you are intrested
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Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,906
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From: Oregon
Appearance is the biggest reason. The intent is to make the truck look not so much like a hot rod, or full custom, but to make it look more like a stock vehicle that has been spruced up a bit. Square tubes at the rear suspension will stick out like a sore thumb. Round ones would look more factory, especially since a lot of Kenworths use a link style rear suspension on their air ride.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,906
Likes: 82
From: Oregon
fast83, thanks for the offer, but if I could go with an aftermarket setup, I would be limited to kits for at least an F-650, or larger. The truck is a tandem axle semi with 44000# rears. I'm going to be changing over to 24.5 super single tires in the rear, and would actually need two kits to convert the rear. Anything built for a pickup, or car will not be stout enough. 3minke6, it's a semi, I don't know if I need to go 2", but that is why we are here discussing it. I am feeling out the opinions, and options laid on the table by others. The air bags I'll be running are from a Peterbilt.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,172
Likes: 1
From: Oakdale,Ca.
Ahhh...I see...do you want some pics of my Peterbilt airride? It's under a '79 we built as a Transfer. Be easy enough to get rear shots, and raise the bed for some more.
I was wondering why you were talking about using semi-bags under it...thinking to myslef, "geez, what's this guy gonna haul?"
I was wondering why you were talking about using semi-bags under it...thinking to myslef, "geez, what's this guy gonna haul?"
Last edited by 3Mike6; Sep 15, 2007 at 06:32 PM.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,172
Likes: 1
From: Oakdale,Ca.
PS...I haven't looked at it for awhile, but I think it's just the 1/2 leafs, bag mounts...then to locate the axles are a solid bar about 1 inch in diameter...they're bushed ofcourse on each end...might have one out laying around somewhere to get you an idea.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 148
Likes: 0
i see now said the blind man while argueing with a tree! I am pretty sure mine are 1-18 with .25 ID> good luck I would definatly NOT go with squar tubing Tubular is much stronger in design. I would love to see some after pictures of what you decide on using before install!