Thread: Low-budget/T-Bucket Pickup

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Progress on the Hot Rod has been slow lately. My job has really been interfering with my free time.

I was able to get some work done on the rear suspension. I decided to go with a 4 bar rear suspension. I think performance wise that is the best way to go - I'm trying to get the best ride out of this car that I reasonably can. I am going to use tie rod ends for these bars, along with 5/8" steel threaded suspension tubes from Allstar. I made up the brackets out of 1 1/2" angle iron and 3/8" steel plate. After I drilled the holes for the tie rod mounts, I welded a 1/2' nut to the back of each hole for added thickness. I then used a tapered reamer in the drill press to cut the taper for the tie rod ends. The tie rod ends have 5/8" thread. They fit a 1965 Chevy Van. The AutoZone/TRW ones are only 10 bucks apiece.

I'm sure most everyone reading this probably has a drill press, but if you don't, I really suggest getting one if you can. I just picked one up a couple weeks ago at Home Depot for $130. That makes it SO much easier (and safer) to drill the holes in all these brackets. Up until now I had been doing all this stuff with hand drills.



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Here are some pictures of the four bars mocked up and ready for welding.

I got everything tack welded in place. Next I'll pull the rear end back out and finish welding the brackets on.



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Good job on the brackets.
And yes, a drill press can be your best friend, LOL....

Nice work. The tie rods are a cheap alternative. I never really thought about using them for link ends.

I'll bet the tie rod ends won't squeak either. I have a drill press like yours, it does just about most of what I like it to It seems like you get a lot done with the time you spend on it.

Yep, I think the tie rods add to the old school look, and I love that they are greasable and sealed. My cousin works at the TRW tie rod factory in Portland, Michigan. He might have made these.

Don't cheap out on a quality vice for your drill press. Even a cheap drill press will benefit from a good vice. It always frustrates me when I see a machine shop using a cheap / damaged vice on a drill press, sacrificing safety and precision/ease of work.

What type or price range of vice do you recommend?

I hope none of my family realives or friends are ever on the same road as you

Originally Posted by jerry clayton

I hope none of my family realives or friends are ever on the same road as you

Jerry, care to elaborate on which component that is freaking you out there?

his choice of materials-Black iron pipe???? Tie rod ends on 4 bar links??? Single shear mounting of links???

Jerry, keep in mind that this is a light weight, low powered (stock 350) T-Bucket. It's also going to have skinny rear tires (about 8 inches wide). These are relatively large tie rod ends. I've seen guys use 1/2 " rod ends in single shear on the rear suspension of buckets with much more engine and tire than I am running. All of the suspension components will be assembled with grade 8 bolts.

Steve--------I think you have been doing some fabulos work/design-----------your choice of materials and some methods are just not what I'd do--------but I do believe that your use of those tie rods for 4 link bars are over the line-they were developed for steering purpose/loads and not vehicle pushing /stopping rear end bars-they have a definite point of fracture at the end of the threads in the tubes and the lengthy ones you used put this point in a more fragal area

What airline do you fly for?????? I haven't seen Bob D since last century-----

The design application shouldn't be the concern. The calculated force load is important.

The tie rod ends are designed to handle force load of varying angles, which will not be present in this application. That is to say the force will always be in perpendicular plane to the center pin.

If one were to research the engineered load ability of the tie rod ends, I would expect that it would equal or exceed the heim joints which are more common to the application.

Well, you’ve got me thinking. I guess that’s a good thing.
I’ll see if I can come up with some engineering data on those tie rods.

I fly for PSA Airlines. They are owned by American Airlines. Unfortunately my pay check looks nothing like an American Airlines paycheck.