1947 53 Chevrolet 4 Bar Kit

7/28/2019 1947 53 Chevrolet 4 Bar Kit

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1947-53 Chevrolet 4-Bar Kit 2/13/2013 Rev0 1

1947-53 Chevrolet 3100 4-Bar Kit

Congratulations on your purchase on what we believe is the finest rear

suspension 4-bar kit available for 1947-53 Chevrolet pickups with stock frames.

We have invested many hours into designing a kit that will be effective, easy to

install, and offer years of dependable service – and deliver excellent drivability. To

ensure a smooth installation, please read these instructions carefully – don’t

forget to measure twice and cut once. If you have any questions about the

installation, please give us a call.

Main Kit Components

1. Forward Crossmember: This assembly has the four-bar brackets and driveshaft

hoop welded to a 2x6x0.180 tube. The tube is slightly taller than the stock rail

and may be trimmed at the ends of desired, or welded in as-is. When welded to




the upper and lower rails, along with the inside wall of the vertical part of the

frame rail, overall structural integrity is greatly increased. To further stiffen the

frame, the rails may be boxed.

2. Coilover Crossmember/Panhard Components: These components will provide

all mounting points needed to attach coilover shocks and a panhard bar. Whilethey are designed to closely match the stock frame rails, some trimming may

necessary due to manufacturing variances.

3. Four-Bar Tubes: Manufactured of 1-3/8” 4130 steel and bushed with

polyurethane, they provide exceptional durability, ride quality, and adjustability.

The forward end consists of a stainless steel polyurethane rod end with right-

hand threads while the rear is a fixed bushing sleeve to prevent the link from self-

adjusting while the housing articulates.

4. Panhard Bar: Using polyurethane on the frame side and a Teflon-linedspherical joint on the housing side will accurately locate the housing without

transmitting any noise. The bar is mounted at the same level as the axle housing

to provide the handling dynamics needed for this application.

Installation

1. While the stock rear suspension components can stay in place, it is

recommended they be removed for a clean look. Use a grinder or an air

hammer with a chisel attachments to remove the rivet heads.

2. This kit is intended to locate the axle housing at the center of the wheel wellopening, which lengthens the wheelbase to about 116”. Using page 7 as a

reference, draw a line on the frame rail where axle centerline will be. Measure

forward 24” as per page 4 and 5, marking the location of the 4-bar

crossmember. Cut a 2” slot in the top rail flange and slide the crossmember in

until it seats at the lower flange. If necessary, trim the crossmember’s width

to fit. Also, most frames will require a small amount of the triangular brace to

be removed in order to fit the crossmember. When finished, make sure the

crossmember is centered and square in the chassis and tack weld to lock its

location.3. Slide the inner coilover mount plates onto the coilover tube (note the mount

plate with panhard bracket provisions should be on the right side). Put the

coilover crossmember in place at the dimensions shown in page 5. The

crossmember tube will simply rest on the frame rail. Center the coilover

crossmember such the coilover studs are equal distant to the vehicle




centerline. When the fit is satisfactory, tack the tube to the frame rail. Slide

the inner mount plates against the rail and tack into place, and repeat with the

outer plates.

4. Put the panhard plates into place by the vertical location on page 6, and the

longitudinal dimension on page 5. The rear plate is designed to weld to thevertical wall of the frame rail, while the forward plate welds against the

coilover crossmember mount plate. It is advised to bolt the panhard bar to the

plates when they are located (or build a spacer of equal width) to ensure the

width is correct.

5. When all parts have been located, it is time to mock up the suspension. Locate

the housing at the axle centerline marked on the frame rail (24” from the

forward face of the 2x6 crossmember), and the vertical height of 5” below the

top face of the 2x6. Bolt in the 4-bar tubes and adjust for proper pinion angle

and proper square:a. Adjusting for pinion angle: Adjust the upper and lower links equally but

in opposite directions. The upper link should lengthen while the lower

link should shorten by equal amounts.

b. Square: Adjust upper and lower links on either left or right side equally

in the same direction. Both upper and lowers on one side should

lengthen or shorten in equal amounts, and in the same direction. This

will rotate the housing when looking from the top.

6. Install coilovers (without springs) and panhard bar and check for proper fit.

7. When satisfied, disassemble (don’t forget to mark the location of each link!)and fully weld all components.
















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1947 53 Chevrolet 4 Bar Kit