Dear Welder Series…
I am considering installing a 4 bar link rear suspension under my ’46 Ford Truck. The bottom of the frame is about 16 to 17 inches off the ground and if I install the brackets to the axle with the link connections below the axle centerline the links will be angled upward to the front mounting location. Is there any known problems with mounting the axle brackets “upside down” such that the links are above the axle centerline?

I am also likely have to change the link length to avoid a mounting conflict with a running board mounting bracket. Is is correct to assume that longer links will work better then shorter links for a truck that has greater rear axle vertical range of movement? I am thinking that the rear axle will have at least 5 inches vertical movement possible. Or will the length of the links make any difference? I tend to think that shorter links will cause the axle to have greater axial movement as the suspension elevation changes.

Thanks
Jim

Dear Jim…
Jim, our rear axle brackets mount the upper bar at the axle height (imagine the 9 o’clock or 3 o’clock position) and the lower bar 5-1/2″ below that. I like the frame end of the bar about 1/2″ higher than the axle end. You might want to look at the frame brackets for our 2119 kit. The brackets mount the upper bar 3/4″ below the bottom of the frame. We can easily substitute parts in kits.

Mounting the axle brackets “upside down” might cause clearance issues with the floor of the bed. I don’t think it will cause any other problems, but I’ve never done it.

Your bar length comments are correct.

Thanks for looking at Welder Series parts.

Paul Horton