Looks like what's left after a trapper skins his catch.

 

I am still waiting for the chassis paint to arrive. It should be here next week. The instructions say it needs to be a constant 50 degrees or higher for use. I can heat my shop using my wood stove and keep it above that, but I can't keep it above that minimum over night. Come on, Spring!! I finished stripping all the brake lines off, and unbolted three of the cross members. I'm thinking of picking up a four link set up so I can start that bit of fab and weld. I opted for the Chassis Saver paint.

 

My chassis paint arrived today. Since I will be doing some welding and fab work to the chassis, and it's too cold to use it right now, I have determined the next step should be to 4 link the rear end. I have been doing a lot of searching for what to use. Has anyone on here put a 4 link rear suspension in their Dakota? I searched on the tech index and didn't find anything. I figure I will use a universal kit and modify it as necessary, but wanted to see if anyone has already done this. TIA

**Update
I went ahead and pulled the trigger on an unpainted 4 link kit using my Amazon Prime. It is an unpainted, triangular 4 link kit, meant for a '28 to '40 Ford. I realize some of the brackets may require cutting or grinding to fit prior to weld. I did verify the axle brackets are meant for the same diameter as the axle tubes on my 8.25" rear end (3" tubing). An attractive feature is it has three different mounting holes for the coil over shocks (not included) that increase ride height adjustability. Once I have it installed I will use the Chassis Saver paint on all the components.

 

A low quality picture, but these are the parts.

 

If you remember take some pics when it is installed. I've not seen one of these setups before.

 

The set up requires coil over shocks, which I haven't purchased yet. I need to determine the length of travel after this is welded in before I can calculate the shock length. The two shorter links will be mounted to the differential and are angled outward toward the frame. The longer ones are parallel to the frame and are mount below the frame rails. They end up looking like a large letter W. I will be posting pics along the way.

 

You got to love ordering parts online. You never know what you are going to get. The 4 link kit showed up yesterday, and I was not real pleased to find that I was shipped the upper front control arms for a late 60's Camaro/Firebird/Nova. Obviously someone in the warehouse does not know how to do their job. Now the fun process of return shipping, trying to get a refund, and ultimately trying to get the right parts that I ordered. Good thing this project does not have a timeline associated with it!

 

Something like the 'box of chocolates'?

 

Exactly!

 

20 year old me with my first vehicle, a '52 Studebaker. Now I have another (body only) that going on my Dakota chassis.