Hi, I am wondering if anybody could give me some insight into my project. I am building a small modified, but instead of using a dropped straight axle I intend to use an IFS from a small 60"s car. ( I already have the small car as a donor and this is a severely budget-limited project) I figure the front crossmember and A-arms are not a problem to mount and hide since they are relatively small compared to larger cars. I was wondering if it was possible to run the sway bar and the steering cross link behind the A-arms instead of in front, under the engine and trans. I am sure that it can be fabricated to be set up that way, I am curious what the handling result would be, the same maybe since the parts themselves would not be modified or would the geometry be a complete mess? I am in the design stage of my car right now, it will be a small narrowed body with a short wheelbase and running a 4 cyl and 4 speed. I was hoping to not have to have the sway bar and center link way out front for a cleaner look.
I'm thinking anyone capable of answering your questions is going to need more information about the front suspension in question, like what it is from. Pictures would probably also help.
As for the sway bar, sure it can be moved to the rear (as long as there are no clearance issues) or possibly just remove it completely.
You might be able to swap the spindles side-to-side (which would move the steering arms on the spindles from ahead of the suspension to behind) and run a rack and pinion that came from the factory as a rear-steer. Manual racks (certainly some anyhow) can be shortened through the body to match the pivot points of your lower control arms.
Swapping the spindles side to side will put the steering arms to the rear but your geometry will be way off. It is called the Ackerman Principle that deals with steering angles. If you draw a line from the lower ball joint to the center of the rear end the steering arm should fall in that line. That is a basic start, there is more to it taking into account bump steer. It is possible to heat and bend the steering arms if they are not out too far. Look it up on the web and do some measuring to see how far out you are then make your decision.
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