63 F-100 - 4-Link Build

I was going to buy a kit for my 4-link. But I didn't really like the brackets on any of them and I wanted to drop the truck without having to cut a hole in the bed. Then I realized...wait a minute, I am an Engineer...I went to school to know how to design this. So I decided to build my own.

It started with a lot of measuring of the frame and CATIA work.

Then some sexy hardware.

Before the real work could begin, the dirty frame needed to be cleaned up and shortened.

Cleaning up the frame a little.

The section forward of the axle.

Section behind the axle.

Now for some boxing! I made some slots in the plates so that I could get at the nuts for the bed bolts as well as get behind the plates with some paint.

Just have a little 1" notch to do yet.

Now to actually MAKE the 4-link parts.

Here are the Rods.

I made wooden templates to use with my plasma cutter. Depending on if it is an inside or outside template, you have to offset the line you want to cut my 3/16"

After a little axle cleanup.

After some cutting and a little welding.

Now to get it all on to the frame! Notice the spacer block to make sure the ride height is all good.

We will see how it turns out when I get the truck running. It has plenty of adjustment, so I might have to spend a lot of time at the track to fine tune it for the perfect launch...ohh poor me... :)