Thread: running short leaf springs or short tube 4 link?

Tweet

Got my bucket all apart to put the roll bar in and keep looking at the rear of it and how i could possibly shorten the distance between rear axle and body. looks like i could shorten it by about 16 inches and bring the rear tires right up aganst the rear body.
I have right now a set of rear springs from a nova and they handle amazingly well, ride pretty good and launch well at the track with a set of slapper bars.
One idea would be to set the springs inboard the frame and run a 36 inch custom leaf. worried about ability to get any kind of launch out of a short spring.
I know a guy who actually ran 24 inch trailer style springs in his bucket with not much trouble.
other idea would be to run a stubby 4 link with about 12 inch long rods . susp travel would be limited but so what its a t bucket.
how short could the tubes be before its totally useless
i have looked at a ladder bar syst which would actually work pretty good but have been told great for straight ahead but no good in the turns.

Or maybe lose the leaf springs and put in a pair of coilovers and the four bar. I've never used a bar shorter then 14"... It also depends on whether you are talking an equal length or unequal length 4 bar.....

I was thinking of a equal length 4 bar, this is going to be a dumb thing to ask but how does a unequal lenth 4 bar work wont it bind
Thinking out loud it wouldnt bind but what is the advantage.

An unequal length 4 bar is a drag car setup. The bottom bar is longer and the setup has numerous adjustments on both the housing and frame brackets for adjustability. Hard to explain all the possible configurations of an unequal length 4 bar here, check out the "Doorslammers" chassis book, or take a look at Chris Alston's, Chassis Engineering (the one in Florida), or Art Morrison's site for some good pics and info. No, they do not bind, with all the adjustment possibilities you can easily dial your suspension in, or totally out, for existing track conditions.... Your car would work fine with ladder bars and coilovers and a Watt's linkage. If it were for track only, then a diagonal link would be the best, but with street use a Watt's linkage is the best setup....