Panhard or Not?

[Rustrod]

On my 23 Dodge rat I have rear buggy spring and a 4 link. going to run friction shocks off a 40 ford standard. Do I need to run a panhard bar? If so do I have any other options?

 

[adam]

I would say no, you don't need one. The leaf spring is locating the rearend side to side- all a panhard rod would do is try to bind up the spring as it swung in an arc, which the leaf spring doesn't do. That's my opinion...

 

[Unkl Ian]

The leaf spring is locating the rearend side to side-

...with shackles on both ends of the spring.
Might be ok,maybe not.Panhard bars are common on front.


Shake the chassis side to side and see how much it moves.

 

[bob w]

I like your 4 link bars. Nice and substantial. The mounts look real good too. I have been able to run a buggy spring without a panhard bar using parallel '35 Ford rear radius rods. I think you will be ok too, especially since it is a light car with a pretty stiff spring.

 

[adam]

Uncle Ian, I hadn't taken the shackles on both ends of the spring into consideration-you're right, a good shake test would be a good idea to see how much it does move.

 

[Unkl Ian]

I'm sure lots of people have gotten away without running a panhard bar.

My first choice would be to run one.