[68riv]

I have a Currie built 9-inch rear under my 49 Chevy pick up I am building and have tacked all the brackets in for the 4 link. I want to have the brackets final welded and am not sure my skills are up to it. I could just fire up my MIG and let it have it but am afraid I will warp the axle tubes since the brackets only attach half way around the tubes.

Any suggestions on technique or qualified rear end builders in South Florida who could tackle the job and maybe check tube alignment after welding?

Keith

[scott011422]

Do you have a stick welder??

[68riv]

No stick welder just a 180 amp MIG welder.

Keith

[scott011422]

I haven't tried a MIG on that yet. Personally, I'd try to find a shop to do it

[TurboS10]

I built my own 4 link system and rearend for my s-10. I used my Hobart 175 at 75% with .035 wire. It worked very well. I would not hessitate if I were you.

As for the warpage, it can be a problem. As a rule you should never insert the axle tube ends untill all the welding is done on the rearend as the rearend is going to pull some no matter who welds it. I put my axle tube ends in last and the tubes were pulled back almost 1/8 of an inch due to the bracing I added. I welded caps on the bracing after welding the tube ends and it pulled enough to make my alignment bar through the rearend tight. It was not enough to cause probelms, but if I had done the bracing last I would have been starting over.

Chris

[68NovaSS]

I just finished MIG welding (175 Lincoln w/L-56 wire) all the 4-link, wheelie bar, back brace and disc brake brackets to my Alston FAB-9 housing, with no problems with pretty high amperage ("E" setting, wire feed at 9) to get the penetration. I did have the local guru TIG the housing ends on since he had the jig. He checked it all when I was done, no damage. I didn't go ape in one area too much, let things cool along the way. I'm sure Currie uses the super heavy tubes, same as Alston. If you posess the skills, just go easy and do it.

[TurboS10]

I should add that I was using an oem wide web housing. I am too poor to go for the fancy stuff like you guys. The aftermarket units are probably heavier and less prone to warpage, but the ends should still be installed when you are finished welding if possible. A friend of mine who did not do this on a housing he TIG welded the bracing on had the same problem with it drawing. He was the one that made me aware and I saw the same thing

Chris

[68riv]

Thanks all for the advice. The housing ends are already welded on by Currie when I ordered the complete rear a while back. I figure that I will almost for sure end up with everything out of alignment after I weld so I was hoping someone knew of a shop down in South Florida or even Central Florida that can handle getting it done straight. I can always send the housing back out to Currie but was hoping to avoid the shipping hassle by finding someone within a reasonable distance.

Keith