Thread: My Rat Build

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Crazyrat - I am running 2-link (commonly called "truck arm") suspension in the rear of my coupe. This is the same type system that NASCAR cup cars use. Rather than modify the heavy arms from a truck, though, I build my own from 2" x 3" x .120 wall tubing similar to what the NASCAR builders do. Also, instead of welding the arms directly to the rear end housing, I mount them in rubber so the arms can flex slightly without stressing the welds or housing. Here are a couple of pics from when I built my coupe. The holes in the arms have 3/4" i.d. tubing welded through them. I use 1/2" heavy wall heater hose (1/2" i.d., 3/4" o.d.) to make the rubber bushings and bolt it all together with 1/2" grade 8 bolts. I have built several of these over the years and never had a failure due to weld stress or metal fatigue.

The good news is, the car launches hard with very little wheel spin, but still handles like a dream on twisty roads. I am using '82 Chevette rear coil springs with NASCAR-style weight jackers to adjust ride height. Rear shocks are '86 Nissan pickup fronts.