Coil spring front suspension for my 79 GMC

[odin]

Ive been planning a coil spring front suspension for my truck for a while now. I was gonna use raidus arms or a parallel 4 link but after alot of cosideration I decided on an inverted three link front suspension.
I tore apart the 4 inch leaf spring suspension and D 44 front. Mounted the upper coil mounts from Ballistic Fabrication to the frame and their lower mounts to the Dana 60 Im swapping in.

 

[Cornfield creations]

on extreme 4x4 they actually did something similiar on their suburban gorilla I believe it was. They bought the spring mounts from dodge that they used on their 95-01 trucks. If I remember right they were pretty cheap and had the 4-link arm mounts on the spring mount also. Something maybe worthy of checking out to make it a little more easy.

 

[odin]

3 link front suspension

Next I fabbed the outer link mounts to the frame. The outer links are 36 inches long. 2.00 .25 wall DOM tubing with 1.25 Johnny Joints at the 60 and 3 inch poly bushings at the frame.

 

[odin]

Next was the center link. Its 39 inches long 2.00 .250 wall DOM like the outers. I mounted it to the center of the 60 4 inches below the centerline and mounted it to the bottom of the trans crossmember.

 

[odin]

Next was the track bar or panhard bar. There isnt a whole lot of room left on the D60 so I welded the mount as far up as I could. The mount at the frame would have the angle to steep so I welded the mount to a piece of 3in by 4in .25 in thick rectangle tubing then bolted and welded it to the frame.

 

[odin]

The coil springs are out of an 05 F350 with a gas engine. I used Sky's crossover steering. I highly recommend him. UPS lost half of the first shipment. One phone call and Sky had the missing parts on my porch in 2 days!

 

[HOPPER]

Sweet, Looks good.
Is there going to be any thing to support the upper link mount besides the bolts holding it to the side of the frame? Maybe a support welded to the rect. tube that bolts to the bottom of the frame also?
If I link mine Ill probably start in the rear.
Keep the pics comin.

 

[odin]

I have to adjust the spring mounts. It turned out to be about 4 inches higher than I expected. I put the stock wheels on the front just to get it out of the garage!

 

[odin]

Sweet, Looks good.
Is there going to be any thing to support the upper link mount besides the bolts holding it to the side of the frame? Maybe a support welded to the rect. tube that bolts to the bottom of the frame also?
If I link mine Ill probably start in the rear.
Keep the pics comin.

The outer link mounts are bolted to the frame and welded to the trans crossmember.
I plan on doing the rear but figured Id do the front first because its more difficult.

 

[odin]

I need to fab some shock mounts and adjust the steering and coil mounts. Im anxious for a test ride! I will post the finished pics this weekend after I got it done.

 

[HOPPER]

Right on. Did you buy all those pieces as a kit?

 

[odin]

Right on. Did you buy all those pieces as a kit?

No. I pieced it together with parts from Ballistic Fab, Sky, Poly performance and Ruffstuff. As well as fabricating a few myself.

 

[romeolimagolf]

No. I pieced it together with parts from Ballistic Fab, Sky, Poly performance and Ruffstuff. As well as fabricating a few myself.

If you don't mind me asking, but how much do you have in parts? I see the Off Road Ltd. kit is 5 grand and who knows how much the ORD kit is (why is it not on the website?) I was wondering how much you can save, if any, by peicing it together yourself.

 

[odin]

If you don't mind me asking, but how much do you have in parts? I see the Off Road Ltd. kit is 5 grand and who knows how much the ORD kit is (why is it not on the website?) I was wondering how much you can save, if any, by peicing it together yourself.

I called ORD and their kit is $4500. I have way less than half that in my setup. In my opinion a 3 link is better than the radius arm setups in the kits.

 

[chevy wrangler]

that is just awesome

 

[muddybuddy]

very cool man, i linked the rear of my k30 last summer and pieced everything together as well. looks great man. how much lift would you day you have up front now?

 

[muddermilitia]

Lookin nice! I'd love to see some flex pics and to see this tested out on the trail

 

[odin]

Thanks for the compliments guys! I cant wait to test it eighther. When Im done it will be about 6 inches over stock.

 

[odin]

Do you guys think the stock crossmember will be strong enough? I dont hardcore wheel this thing but I do want it to last.

 

[HOPPER]

Personally I wouldnt trust it. I would also be concerned about whacking that lower link on something. Thats just me though I like to play in the rocks.