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Projects 1955 Buick open driveline conversion progress

Discussion in 'Traditional Customs' started by century55sedan, Sep 1, 2014.

  1. century55sedan
    Joined: May 10, 2011
    Posts: 43

    century55sedan
    Member
    from earth

    Here is the recent progress Ive made with the rear end conversion so far. I am not entirely sure of what Im doing so all suggestions and criticisms are welcome.

    The plan for now is to reuse the factory springs and factory panhandle bar along with truck trailing arms.

    Thanks for looking.

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
  2. Gonna need some kind of links to keep the axle from twisting. Them U-bolts ain't gonna do it.
     
  3. century55sedan
    Joined: May 10, 2011
    Posts: 43

    century55sedan
    Member
    from earth

    What type of links would you suggest?
     
  4. The geometry could get tricky with the length of those lower arms. You might get by welding some spring pads on the bottom of the axle housing.
     

  5. chuckshomeservices
    Joined: Oct 21, 2011
    Posts: 76

    chuckshomeservices
    Member
    from mass

    I pretty much did the same setup to my 53 special. I did use 2x2 tubing and welded mounts to the rear end with tabs to keep it from turning. I drive the hell out of it and it works great! Good luck
     
  6. century55sedan
    Joined: May 10, 2011
    Posts: 43

    century55sedan
    Member
    from earth

    Do you have pictures of how you used the welded mounts to keep the ubolts from turning. This isnt really the final set up, I am trying to mock everything up to get an idea of the lay out. Then measure, and measure it and measure it again, then get to tack welding.
     
  7. Hnstray
    Joined: Aug 23, 2009
    Posts: 12,355

    Hnstray
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Quincy, IL

    What you need at the axle/truck arm junction is the equivalent of the spring pads on a conventional leaf spring rear suspension. The difference being, the truck arm pads are a bit longer and angled. They are available from various sources, but can also be fabricated fairly easily. They get welded to the axle housing once all the dimensions and pinion angle is set.

    By the way, overall what you have going there appears to be on track.......but one suggestion....
    be sure you have the panhard bar level at ride height and you may want to remove the springs to mock that up. Get the axle at ride height in relation to the chassis, double check all your key alignment references and then tack weld the panhard mounts and truck arm forward brackets in place.

    Good job!

    Ray
     
  8. Just weld "pads" to the bottom of the axle housing.
     
  9. century55sedan
    Joined: May 10, 2011
    Posts: 43

    century55sedan
    Member
    from earth

    Thanks to everyone for the suggestions. I am actually starting to rethink the suspension, and might be switching to parallel 4 link design for the rear...

    Ordered some axle perches from Hot Rods to Hell, those should do well in holding the ubolts straight. Going to keep going with the truck arm suspension for now because it is more fitting to my wallet!
     
    Last edited: Sep 2, 2014
  10. dtracy
    Joined: May 8, 2012
    Posts: 223

    dtracy
    Member

    If you will look at the Chev. pickup rear setup that those trailing arms seem to have come off of you will see how this was originally done. It is a very strong rear suspention, strong enought for a truck and they rode like a Caddy. Thier problem was ground clearance of those arms on the truck which isn't a problem on a sedan like yours. Keep it, it will work well for you. Just do it the same way that it was done in the original Chevy pickup.

    Dave.
    PS Get the shock brackets from the Chevy while you're at it, it will save you a lot of work.
     
  11. century55sedan
    Joined: May 10, 2011
    Posts: 43

    century55sedan
    Member
    from earth

    Dave, good call on the Chevy shock brackets, I will look for those. But now I'm considering replacing the springs with airbags...

    I think this is about what the ride
    height will be. This set the pan handle bar almost perfectly. I'm thinking I have almost all the parts necessary to finish the trailing arm suspension so I'll stick to it and try the 4 link on the next project.

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Sep 2, 2014
  12. Hnstray
    Joined: Aug 23, 2009
    Posts: 12,355

    Hnstray
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Quincy, IL

    While I find the term "Pan Handle Bar" endearing, and may use it myself in the future, the correct term is "Panhard Bar" which derives from the French car "Panhard" ...the 'h' is silent.......:confused:

    I love what you are doing (not so much the air bag idea) and think you will be well pleased with the results. Carry on! :D

    Ray
     
  13. d2_willys
    Joined: Sep 8, 2007
    Posts: 4,285

    d2_willys
    Member
    from Kansas

    Nascar uses trailing arm suspension with their 850-900hp engines. Should be just fine.
     
  14. century55sedan
    Joined: May 10, 2011
    Posts: 43

    century55sedan
    Member
    from earth

    How she might look sitting on the ground.

    [​IMG]

    Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
     
  15. century55sedan
    Joined: May 10, 2011
    Posts: 43

    century55sedan
    Member
    from earth

    [​IMG]

    Progress on the trailing arm cross member that will go inside the xmember of the buick. Hopefully will have someone do the welding over the weekend
     
  16. tommyduncan
    Joined: Jul 17, 2012
    Posts: 27

    tommyduncan
    Member

    There is a company in the Phoenix area called Porterbuilt that makes some nice suspension stuff for the 60's GM trucks. Some of their parts(as well as other trucks companies) might be helpful to you.
     

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