panhar bar design

[dusterbd13]

im looking into building a panhard bar for my autocross truck. what i need is help designing it right the first time.
truck is 87 gmc s15 (build link in sig), leaf sprung rear.

i know that a watts link is better, but a panhard is cheaper and simpler for now. ill do a watts link when i fab up the three link after the GRM Challenge.

what know about panhards is that you want them as long as possible, and parallel with the axle and ground at ride height.

can i use heim joints at either end, or do i need a urethane bushing at one end or both?
where do i mount the thing? on the stock panhards ive seen, they seem to be about equal with the center of the axle.
how tough do i need to build this thing? able to jack the whole truck up or tow it with it?

so, please educate me on the panhard bar.
thanks
miochael

[JRouche]

Ok, you have leaf springs? Why do you need a PHB? I thought the leaf springs were a lateral locating devices too? Or are you changing it around.

I had one, tossed it cause it was too short (24"). But yeah, you have the basics down, long as possible and parallel with the ground. Simple, and they are simple and work great if you can package a long enough bar in there.

I have a lil Fiat spider and it has a PHB on it. Lemme tell you, that lil car has some great transition handling. Going into the turn, under throttle or off, mid turn, on or off the throttle, exit, on or off, its completely predictable, throughout the entire turn. And thats what you want. Sure, its a no roof car with a really low CG, that helps. But the PHB is also as long as the rear axle, just about from brake to brake. Think long and level. JR

[greencactus3]

you can use heims on both ends.
the panhard bar should decide your roll center height, so decide how much jacking you dont want lol

[Chewy72ss]

Here is a thread I started a couple years ago, while on a similar quest. Lots of good info in there.

Panhard Bar Basics (http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=149849)

HTH