Anyone have pricing for DSE 4 link ?

[4MuscleMachines]

Third question, do you have to use a special order rear end housing or will it work with the oem on the car?

[Sparky67]

Third question, do you have to use a special order rear end housing or will it work with the oem on the car?

No, you don't have to use a special order rear end housing. I was at the Columbus show, when DSE first showed it. DSE had it setup with a 12 bolt housing. Your better option though would be to sell your 12 bolt rear end, because first generation parts are very high dollar now. Then you could install a new rear end (For example a currie nine inch).

[Damn True]

Anything special required to graft a 12 bolt or 9" into the rear clip?

[TitoJones]

I have a question regarding this as well-
How do you make sure you weld the brackets on the housing in the right spots? Do they supply a jig? I would be worried that you could have the brackets off by a few degrees, or worse yet, not in the right spots and miss the bar locations by a bit.
Also, how do you weld them onto the rear without warping the tubes?

Tyler

[parsonsj]

Also, how do you weld them onto the rear without warping the tubes?

You don't. The housing will have to be straightened if the axle ends are already on. Ideally, you'd weld on your brackets, then have the ends jig-welded on, tested, and straightened in a press if they aren't square. There is simply no way brackets can be welded to the tubes of a rear end housing without affecting the alignment of the axles.

jp

[68protouring454]

So, with all of this considered, what is the TOTAL price of this kit, installed and running??????? It sure seems there's a lot of hidden cost in the kit , as far as straightening axle, welding kit without a jig, which holy **** that could turn out to be a serious mess for people, you would think they would of thought about this before hand., maybe i do not know??

[68protouring454]

So, with all of this considered, what is the TOTAL price of this kit, installed and running??????? It sure seems there's a lot of hidden cost in the kit , as far as straightening axle, welding kit without a jig, which holy **** that could turn out to be a serious mess for people, you would think they would of thought about this before hand., maybe i do not know??,

[camcojb]

So, with all of this considered, what is the TOTAL price of this kit, installed and running??????? It sure seems there's a lot of hidden cost in the kit , as far as straightening axle, welding kit without a jig, which holy **** that could turn out to be a serious mess for people, you would think they would of thought about this before hand., maybe i do not know??

Marquez Design is selling the kit for $1360. which is complete minus coil-overs. The Koni's from DSE are $650/pair with the kit purchase. The rest is fab work on your end.

A couple of things. This kit comes with very good detailed instructions with specific pics and measurements as to where the brackets go. They can also be welded on without distorting the housing tubes if you use your head and do small welds, going side to side to not overheat an area; pretty much how you have to do sheetmetal repair. DSE just did one this way and checked it and it was fine. They do recommend having it checked afterwards, but it is doable if you're careful and take your time.

This is a no-compromise kit as far as fit finish, and how it works. There was concern over upper bar length but the instant center on the car is where it is supposed to be. It flat out works, and if you need specific info on instant-center or anything related get ahold of DSE for more specifics. The bottom line is that like all the rest of their products they do not compromise function. There is no way to make a 4 link a complete bolt-in; you are going to have some cutting, welding, and measuring. But the end product works very well. It is not for everyone, but most of you who build your own cars can install this kit.

Jody

[Camaro Zach]

Don't worry about warping your axle housing. People weld bracekts for link bars on them all the time and have no problems. Just dont weld like a dumb@$$ and put a rediculous amount of heat in one area. The lower bars mount in the origional spring perch so it is EXTREMELY straight forward on installing the lower bars. Then center your axle, set your pinion angle and mock up the upper bars maybe tack them lightly and MEASURE MEASURE MEASURE check everything then weld some and check again and before you know it it'l be done.

[BRIAN]

Not really sure if welding it correctly is being a dumb ass. The best way to have it done is when you purchase your housing just send them the brackets and the instructions.

I have used S&W and the fees are so reasonable there is no reason to do it yourself. They weld them in a jig and also put the ends on at the same time. Welds are beyond perfect so there are no worries later on.

I have in the past attempted to do it myself but you are usually compromising the weld trying to keep the heat down. Just not worth considering the consequences if something goes wrong.

[JoshC]

No, you don't have to use a special order rear end housing. I was at the Columbus show, when DSE first showed it. DSE had it setup with a 12 bolt housing. Your better option though would be to sell your 12 bolt rear end, because first generation parts are very high dollar now. Then you could install a new rear end (For example a currie nine inch).

Very good point. Who makes a rear end that is "ready to go" with this set up? If anyone.

[Camaro Zach]

Not really sure if welding it correctly is being a dumb ass. The best way to have it done is when you purchase your housing just send them the brackets and the instructions.

Ok so your saying by putting exessive heat in one area would be welding correctly? dont think so.. And how would sending them the instructions along with the brackets to be welded on be the best way? They would have no idea of what angle the brackets should be welded at compared to the angle of the pinion. And DSE isnt going to show you what angle because every car is different. The proper way would be to adjust the link bars halfway out and set the pinion angle, that way if something goes wrong and you need to adjust it you have plenty of slack forward/back to adjust. Then once you get the pinion angle set and you know where the brackets need to be welded you can build a jig and weld it yourself or pay someone else to weld it. If your not confident in your welds then maybe you should have someone else do it for you.

[68protouring454]

i do not care who you are, the axle tube will move no matter how you weld it, its just most people would not feel it when driven, thats why alot of guys weld onthere tubes etc and do not have it checked. and yeah to get the proper penetration you will move the tube, whether its spot welds or stich, a street driven car is pretty forgiving to axle runout etc where as something that is raced you do not want any excess as you would not want the bearing to fail
just another added cost to the dse kit
jake

[camcojb]

i do not care who you are, the axle tube will move no matter how you weld it, its just most people would not feel it when driven, thats why alot of guys weld onthere tubes etc and do not have it checked. and yeah to get the proper penetration you will move the tube, whether its spot welds or stich, a street driven car is pretty forgiving to axle runout etc where as something that is raced you do not want any excess as you would not want the bearing to fail
just another added cost to the dse kit
jake

I'm just passing on what Kyle told me. He has done them and they did not move, at least not enough to measure. He does recommend having it checked after welding. If this applies to the DSE kit it applies to every 3 or 4 link conversion, as well as anything that requires you to weld to the axle tubes. I welded the new perches on my Currie rear and took it to the local axle shop; no movement, nothing to straighten.

He will be offering housings with the brackets already installed and straightened if need be. They are not available yet.

Jody

[yody]

well, i welded my axle tubes to my pumpkin and also welded on brackets for the hardline to softline brake lines. It was a good amount of welding, like a goof off i didn't measure anything, but my axles slid in perfectly and rotate great. I would think if there was any binding you would feel it when putting in the axle. Otherwise you guys might be getting too anal.

[68protouring454]

only in extreme cases will the axles not slide in, in most cases there will be excessive misaligment, which in time will eat wheel bearings, you will know once you put some miles on it, you could very well have gotten likely but i bet you got a bit more run out than you would want.
So anyone have any numbers yet for one of these kits installed with shocks etc ready to go?? none of this kit crap cause it isn't a kit if there are more parts to buy.
What does dse get to install this so called complete kit??
jake

[camcojb]

only in extreme cases will the axles not lide in, in most cases there will be excessive run out, which in time will eat wheel bearings, you will know once you put some miles on it, you could very well have gotten likely but i bet you got a bit more run out than you would want.
So anyone have any numbers yet for one of these kits installed with shocks etc redy to go?? none of this kit deal cause it isn't a kit if there are more parts to buy.
What does dse get to installk this so called complete kit??
jake

You're frustrated it seems, but not sure why. I gave the prices earlier, but here they are again:

DSE Quadra Link = $1360
Koni coil overs and springs = $650./pair

installation, you'd need to get ahold of DSE, I have no idea what they charge. This is all the parts you'll need.

Jody

[yody]

Kudos to Jake for being one frustrated dude!

[68protouring454]

yeah, thanks for the kudos.
jody, will you guys ever be offering installation or just sales of the dse stuff??? i just want an idea of how much time is envolved and total cost, so i can make ther best decision i can on rear suspension and it just seems like there are other things that pop up, that are needed with this. what do places around the country charge for re aligning a rear?? Also no one has any numbers yet onthe hrs to complete this swap?? i guess its time to call dse so i can get some answers

[camcojb]

yeah, thanks for the kudos.
jody, will you guys ever be offering installation or just sales of the dse stuff??? i just want an idea of how much time is envolved and total cost, so i can make ther best decision i can on rear suspension and it just seems like there are other things that pop up, that are needed with this. what do places around the country charge for re aligning a rear?? Also no one has any numbers yet onthe hrs to complete this swap?? i guess its time to call dse so i can get some answers

Jake, As far as I know DSE is the only one to install one so far. We got the first kits sold outside their shop, and they only shipped late last week, so I don't think they've been out long enough to have anyone install one.

Marquez Design does install all the DSE products. We have two 4 links in line now, but haven't received the kit yet to be able to tell you how hard the install is and how long it took.

Jody