Thunderbird 4 link

[octanehuffer]

1997 car bought in 99. Had fun with it for a couple years... until I realized the limits of IRS. I have had multiple rear subframe combinations in the car. It was always IRS. Sure, it could get sideways through second gear and chirp tires going in third at 55. 4.56 gearing and Auburn pro worked well but without instant center to plant the tires, it's just a fucking waste of time. The last 4 years the car got 150 miles put on it. I was bored with it and finally decided to get serious with what I planned on 10 years ago. Alstons Chassis Works 4 link back half and a 9".

[Old Man]

Sweet, are you going big tire with it?

[octanehuffer]

You can see where the coil perches were, mounting location for the subframe and shocks. There is a ton of room under the car. Under the rear seat resided the fuel tank. ABOVE THE DRIVE SHAFT. Thunderbirds should have alyways been solid axle.

[octanehuffer]

315 car Gary. If they made a 375, ET street I would have built around those. I can fit a 32x14" slicks in in the factory wheel wells.

[octanehuffer]

Used one of my truck's tires for helping reference the build before I hack the car into a pile of scrap. I try to visualise as much as possible for the best out come.

[octanehuffer]

Picked up a set of 315/60/15 MT's and they perfectly. I also went to Fex Kinko's with the chassis blueprint I intend to use and blew it up to full scale. I took the print and traced it to some MDF and cut a link bracket template to aid in me eye fucking the car more. It bought me another week of that.

[octanehuffer]

Powered by Camel, inspiried by Coors. Unibody frame seams are being welded together because I feel the car does not need a rear clip. The existing chassis will be fine for 9 second runs. Putting in an NHRA 8.50 cage too. With a rear halo so my two boys can ride. 4 Kirkey seats.

[Old Man]

315 car Gary. If they made a 375, ET street I would have built around those. I can fit a 32x14" slicks in in the factory wheel wells.

Looks good so far. The 315s are a big tire and perfect for a street strip car IMO. Now it needs a BBF to balance it out.

[2baditsnotachev]

Looks good so far. The 315s are a big tire and perfect for a street strip car IMO. Now it needs a BBC to balance it out.

fixt

[Old Man]

Looks good so far. The 315s are a big tire and perfect for a street strip car IMO. Now it needs a BBF to balance it out.

fixt not required

[octanehuffer]

I've had plans for the 460 to be put into the car, but I am really impressed with the Coyote. Light weight, proven power, great driveability. I started planing a 460 build 10 years ago and started buying parts and measuring clearances. It would be easy due to the fact that a damn mod motor is dimentionally larger, but I only want 800rwhp. Thats plenty for a cruiser that will get out to the strip a couple times a year. For now. All I want is a Thunderbird with a 4 link. Factory powered untill I can afford the "motivating" part of the drivetrain.

[merkerguitars]

Nice to see you getting some good progress done.

Have seen said car in person, its gonna be sweet.

[Notch]

MN12 Tbird

[bluchev]

Nice garage.

[RyanM]

I wish my bird was a solid axle 8.8 i don't wanna cut it up though