Re: My Project 56Chevy1300
 

The problem is that 60psi front/rear seems to be the minimum before I my exhaust starts scraping the pavement....might have to change the exhaust.

Re: My Project 56Chevy1300
 

I believe the solution there is taller cups on the top of the bags. This will give you the same ride height at a lower pressure. Unfortunately I don't know how much higher you'd need to make them. You need to find out.
I think I would drive the truck onto some 2x10 blocks, enough that the exhaust wouldn't bottom out when you air it right down. Now measure your front ride height. Let all the air out of the front, then start airing it up again. When it starts to lift, push down on the bumper to see how stiff the ride is. Keep lifting 1/2 inch at a time and checking how stiff it is. When you find the sweet spot lower it 1/2 inch and measure. The difference between this measurement and your initial one is the amount you need to add to your cups. Do the same for the rear.

At least that's what I think.....

Re: My Project 56Chevy1300
 

Cool !!! LOL I can't wait to see pics of this :metal:

Re: My Project 56Chevy1300
 

I'm running 100 psi in the front and 32 psi in the rear. Any less up front and my cross member will scrape the road.

Re: My Project 56Chevy1300
 

Thanks, I'll give it a try.

Re: My Project 56Chevy1300
 

First show...not quite sure about that spare tire...might have to get a matching wheel.

Re: My Project 56Chevy1300
 

You may consider a tire/wheel cover with your logo on it until you get a matching rim and tire. Just a thought... Looks great otherwise!

Re: My Project 56Chevy1300
 

Here's some info from the Tri-Five guys. Have a look at the RCD link.

http://www.trifive.com/forums/showth...ghlight=shocks

Re: My Project 56Chevy1300
 

should be eazy enough add some big shims between the cups and the bags and use longer bolts to try it before going in there with a hacksaw and a welder , it sounds like a good idea

Re: My Project 56Chevy1300
 

Dave, how is your ride quality?

Re: My Project 56Chevy1300
 

I'm trying to find an 80's "Alberta" cover but have been unsuccessful so far!

Re: My Project 56Chevy1300
 

Now that brings back memories.

My Dad had one on his van spare on the back door.

I think I remember wheel covers using both of these logos.

Which one were you thinking of?

Re: My Project 56Chevy1300
 

Now I know my memory is going.

This picture is the cover that my Dad had on his van.

Re: My Project 56Chevy1300
 

The right

Re: My Project 56Chevy1300
 

i really like your paint; it is a very interesting color.

Re: My Project 56Chevy1300
 

Great finely someone using a gm front end on a Chevy.
Thanks help me out great pictures.

Re: My Project 56Chevy1300
 

WOW, just went through all the pics, nice job truck looks great. Lots of work, you should be proud.

Re: My Project 56Chevy1300
 

Did you ever get the harsh ride problem figured out?

Re: My Project 56Chevy1300
 

Yah, too much air. I think what I'll do is buy larger diameter tires and let a little air out of the bags.

Re: My Project 56Chevy1300
 

Its time for some larger diameter rubber...thought about running 255/60 front and 285/60 in the rear. I have 7" rims front and 8" rear. Any thoughts on fitment?

Re: My Project 56Chevy1300
 

How much clearance do you have between the rear tire to the fender? Would you be able to run a 10inch wide rim?

Re: My Project 56Chevy1300
 

I'm running 285/60x16 on 10in rims on the back of mine and I had to cut the bedsides. Plan on using some early 70's suburban wheel tubs to cover the opening. Have a look at my build thread for pics!

Re: My Project 56Chevy1300
 

Thanks for the info chuck.

Re: My Project 56Chevy1300
 

Im bringing this back to the top...

What did you do as far as the suspension? You go with the Slam Specialtise RE 8"s in the front?
In all the air ride installes Ive done for myself as well as customers..around85-100 psi is normal in the front. the rear depends on bag placement as well as the bag size. I have seen several articles on using those rolling sleeve bags you have in the rear..They claim less air/more lift/better ride with that style bag.

What did you do about tire size?

And I have to ask.....Did you get the cruise control working? If so how do you set it and adjust it? I may have missed it but do you have a steering column that has the cruise switch on it?

Thanks

Greg "GT" Tholen

Re: My Project 56Chevy1300
 

So I am very interested in what you have decided to do about the ride stiffness of your truck.

Re: My Project 56Chevy1300
 

BTW, I have never seen a "1300" fender spear, all I have ever seen is a "3100".
I think those fender spears are pretty cool.
I have a 57, so not interested in them, your dog doesn't have to sleep in your garage at night.......LOL

Personally, I think that if you ever got a flat, your spare tire would be nice if it actually bolts onto your axles.
Go to tire rack.com, and look up the tire you are wanting to put on the truck, and view the tire. THen click on "specs" on the bottom of the listing, and all the sizes in that tire made by that manufacturer will be displayed if you scroll down.
Then you can pick the diameter, width, tread width, and revolutions per mile (if you had a computerized car with ABS and fuel injection) to be able to make a tire selection that was informed.

Re: My Project 56Chevy1300
 

No disrespect but ditch the spare tire fender and carry a can of fixaflat.
That truck looks sooo nice the spare takes away its cool lnes IMO

Re: My Project 56Chevy1300
 

I've been back and forth for several years now trying to figure out whether to use my '78 camaro's sub frame as a donor for the '57. Tonite, the wife and I discussed it and decided to scrap the camaro project and move on to the '57. This is an awesome thread and a great build! Mine is in my sig and the project starts now... very nice job!! /Ken

Re: My Project 56Chevy1300
 

nice , you can get a ton of stuff from the camaro donor before selling of a ton of camarospecific parts : subframe , engine , automatic , driveshaft , rearaxle including springs , powerbrakecilinder , wheels , steeringcolumb , would the camaro seats and gastank fit the 57?
if i would have to choose between two projects in simulair shape and one of them is a 57 i wouldnt had to think verry long , the 57 chevy pickup is one of my favorite trucks , the only exeption would be a 67 to 69 camaro

Re: My Project 56Chevy1300
 

hey bud, getn ready to put a subframe on my 57 pickup any tips ?

Re: My Project 56Chevy1300
 

56chevy1300 hasn't log on this site in a yr, but this is a sweet truck.
1300 is the canadian version of the 3100 1/2 ton trucks.
what i find interesting is the fender mounted spare is located on the 1300 passenger side vs the drivers side on the 3100.
must be a cunuck thing...
i modified my fender mount to hold a 5 lug 8 inch rim, which makes the stock drivers mirror totally worthless.
had i known the pass side mount was available, i'd have searched for one.
i'd have the only pass mounted spare around :D :D :D

Re: My Project 56Chevy1300
 

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...1&d=1245644121

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/n...llowTrk-50.jpg

Re: My Project 56Chevy1300
 

it does make it eazier to find a fender without the dent in it for the spare

maibe it has to do with the local law , for a minute i figured they drove on the wrong side of the road but thats in australia

Re: My Project 56Chevy1300
 

maybe i should put two fender mounted spares on my truk... :D

the fender mounted spare was a dealer option.
they ordered the fender & mount, tossed the stock fender.
the factory assembly manual shows a 3/8'' shim for the rear axle to level the ride.

Re: My Project 56Chevy1300
 

My former brother in law had a NAPCO that had the mounts on both sides. Guess the guy was a serious off roader.

Re: My Project 56Chevy1300
 

Its been over 2 years since I've posted on this thread. Have almost 5000 kms on the truck. No mechanical issues. Handles and brakes well. Put bigger tires on (225/60 front and 255/60 rear). Have some rubbing issues in the back to fix. Painted interior dark grey metallic.

Going to Rock n Red Deer on August 4th. My first official show to be registered!

Re: My Project 56Chevy1300
 

Anyone know how to move this thread to the "Projects and Builds" file?

Re: My Project 56Chevy1300
 

Well its nice to see you are back.

Re: My Project 56Chevy1300
 

Welcome back. Truck looks good.
Kim

Re: My Project 56Chevy1300
 

Truck looks good with new tires. Did new tires with more side wall fix rough riding issues? What back space do your rear rims have? Trying to order tires for the rear of my truck and want the widest i can get with out rubbing issues.