3-link using uca 'ears'... strength?

Doober

Moderator
Jun 2, 2003
14,704
1
38
Catalina, AZ
www.cardomain.com
Since hen's teeth are more common than a G-Body 8.5, and aftermarket housings are über expensive, I've wondered about attempting a 3-link mount attached to the upper ears of a donor rear, and using a panhard bar or watts link to keep it centered. Does anyone think there would be strength issues with the mounts being pulled at the off-angles created by the new mount?

For the frame-side I would make a similar mount that mounted to the UCA points on the crossmember. With the design I have in mind, it shouldn't affect the pinion angle at all, and it would be easy to adjust anyway using an adjustable arm for the upper link.

If this works out the way I think it should, it would make any 4-link 8.5 MUCH easier to fit... no geometry issues with the UCAs. Used B-Body 8.5s are cheap, just need to be shortened (some even have factory rear discs), and a watts link could either be fabricated or Fays sells them for around $700.
 

malicad

Dragway Regular
Dec 8, 2009
1,383
0
0
South Milwaukee, WI
Didn't anybody read all the problems everybody is having with the brackets and the upper control arm mounts not lining up with QP rear ends? It's cheap crap. You get what you pay for. Buy from Currie or Moser and rest assured you have something nice.
 

shadychevyowner

Dragway Regular
Jun 28, 2005
782
0
0
Numidia Pa
ecc_33 said:
Keep the stock rearend then

This then. Would be better with a 9 inch then a 3 link setup and its alot less work. Thats why i recommended a junkyard center housing ford trucks came with 3.50-4.10's cheap and are always able to upgrade from there.
 

TURNA

MalibuRacing Junkie
Jul 6, 2003
6,028
1
38
Socialist NY
I wouldn't re invent the wheel. They tried that on the GNX.

The money you are talking about to build a system you are not even sure will work properly you can buy a 8.5

Less than a year ago I sold a GN rear for 850 and just seen another for 1000.
 

shadychevyowner

Dragway Regular
Jun 28, 2005
782
0
0
Numidia Pa
Doober said:
I wasn't asking about bolting in a pre-built 9" housing... I've already looked at that stuff.

I'm asking about the ears... see the original post :)


Just look at the offroad trucks they do brackets to mount ontop of cast iron centers connecting the tubes because of not being able to weld strong enough to cast iron. But this is where cost hits you hard. Brackets, heims, frame end mounting. Anything is possible but this is where a budget 9" comes in.
 

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