QA1 Rear 4 link on 69 Superbee Dana 60

[Super69bee]

I'm installing a QA1 rear 4 link set up for my 69 Superbee. I'm installing a Dana 60.
Has anyone installed the QA1 4 link with dual adjustable coil overs? And install onto a Dana 60. Need to know the 4 link upper tab spacing, which are wider spaced out than the 8 3/4". Quite sure my 4 link bar and brackets I installed between rear rails is set up for 8 3/4".

 

[Paul_G]

I cant answer your question. But I am going to watch your install. I am planning a full QA1 front and rear suspension on a 72. 2" drop with double adjustable shocks. I have not been able to find out what the difference is with 4 link between the Mopar and Dana rear ends. Not sure yet which axle I am going to use. I did read somewhere that the Dana does not leave much room for the exhaust to cross over the axle.

 

[Super69bee]

I cant answer your question. But I am going to watch your install. I am planning a full QA1 front and rear suspension on a 72. 2" drop with double adjustable shocks. I have not been able to find out what the difference is with 4 link between the Mopar and Dana rear ends. Not sure yet which axle I am going to use. I did read somewhere that the Dana does not leave much room for the exhaust to cross over the axle.

Paul, thanks for info on limited room for exhaust. I'm planning on going with 3" custom stainless steel exhaust also. Looking closer it will be tight for sure. Not gonna switch to 8 3/4" Diff, building a 69 1/2 A12 Tribute car, 440/efi 6pack, TKX 5spd, and of course Dana 60. Already have the hood and all fixings. Unfortunately I ordered the 253-175 for 8 3/4" Diff application. Needed the 263-175 for the Dana 60. I don't have a problem ordering a new link set up between the rails... But will it help with exhaust, gonna contact QA1 this week to confirm ear locations on round bar.

 

[RemCharger]

I would pull the coils off the shocks so you can get everything at ride height before cementing any plans

 

[Super69bee]

I would pull the coils off the shocks so you can get everything at ride height before cementing any plans

Coils are not the problem at this time. Right now it's the 4 link upper bar 2 links that run back to the Diff. Like I said previously I unfortunately bought the setup for 8 3/4 not Dana 60. Tabs welded on are at roughly 16" centre, Dana 60 could be at 19" centre to clear the cast centre section and land on the axle tubes. What I need is the measurements for Dana 60. Like Paul's said even with the correct Dana 60 part it is very hard to get exhaust through. I would rather modify the one I have already, move tabs and reweld further apart if needed to run 3" exhaust.

 

[Super69bee]

Got the rear trailing arm brackets on the QA1 rear 4 link moved and tack welded in. Set the brackets and tack welded onto the Dana 60 axle tubes. Very limited space for my 3" exhaust. Ordered the Ice Engine Works 3" kit, and installed the pieces from end of tailpipe to front of axles. The kit is definitely going to be a time and material saver. Still have limited amount of room for exhaust without hitting the brackets and rear trailing arms on Dana 60 axle tubes. Might drop the trailing arm down on Dana 60 axle tube brackets and fabricate and add onto the 4 link brackets. Not sure if it will change anything, or QA1s design, they probably know about this problem but failed to rectify or redesign properly.

 

[donm]

I have the same setup that im installing, did the same as you ordered for the 8 3/4 then decided dana60. I havent started exhaust fitting, or fitted a final housing. I used my 8 3/4 for mockup, but i know its gonna be tight. Did you cut out your old shock brace?

 

[Paul_G]

I started putting my rear QA1 4 link with a Dana axle in today. I am having an issue with the u bolts for the trailing arm brackets. The bracket wants to be very close to the and of the axle housing. The dana axle tube gets larger there. That one U bolt needs to be a little larger. Probably going to drive it down over the tube to open it up a bit.

 

[Super69bee]

I have the same setup that im installing, did the same as you ordered for the 8 3/4 then decided dana60. I havent started exhaust fitting, or fitted a final housing. I used my 8 3/4 for mockup, but i know its gonna be tight. Did you cut out your old shock brace?

View attachment 1740736

No didn't cut stock shock braces, did modify the 4 link crossmember for Dana 60, bought Engine Ice Works 3" exhaust Kit also. All mocked up now. Just have to remove coil overs install pinion snubber, and bottom out till snubber hits

 

[Bird 426]

This is interesting. Is your gas tank going to fit in there? Why do you need a pinion snubber ? Rear sway bar? The reason that I ask, I have the Gerst triangulated 4-link on one of my other cars, a '69 Dart. It's an 8 3/4" housing. I couldn't run tail pipes with a swaybar. Do not see any use for a snubber and have a stock gas tank. My '69 RR, with a Dana has ladder bars with coil overs. Gas tank is in trunk, no snubbers, no swaybar, 3" exhaust.
Will try and remember to follow you guys, just curious.
Good luck!

 

[Super69bee]

The difference is upper links that attach to the top portion of the Diff. With a 8 3/4 it's all steel and can weld brackets on closer together, which would allow for room for 3" dual exhaust. With a Dana 60, you have to move the link brackets out further apart due to cast center section. They are moved out 1.5" further on both sides so can be welded to the steel axles on Dana 60. Now I loose that much more space, very tight for 3" pipe to run through. As for the gas tank, I won't have a problem fitting into stock location. QA1 is well aware of the problems just doesn't want to acknowledge that they should redesign to suit Dana 60 and 3" exhaust. I'll just have to redesign in order for it to work. Gerst would have definitely figured it out, but Unfortunately sold to QA1.