New Guy
 

Sort of, Joined Several years ago. I have a 1985 C10 that I bought 14 years ago for my first truck. It's been on the back burner and I'm back at it. My dad actually bought an '85 about 10 years before I did and still have his too. I will try to post some pics asap.

I'm looking for a few things that I want to do and change with the truck. A few years ago I did a 5/7" drop using a DJM kit, spindles, coils, rear axle flip kit. The truck sits on 22x9" Gun Metal Coys. I have an aluminum 5.3 with LS2 heads, tbss intake, F-body oilpan/pump, MS4 cam, ls7 lifters and a few other goodies. For the trans I'm putting in a 4L80e with a stall from Circle D. Should be gettting the motor and trans in soon. I am wanting a fun, but quick driver. I want to ditch the leaf springs and go with a 4 link with coil overs. What is the route to take? I have been looking at QA1's and I'm not sure which set I would like. I would like them to be adjustable. I'm not doing a budget build, build I'm not going to spend several thousand dollars on the rear end either. I have seen several 4 link kits that are on ebay, and I have considered piecing the kit with QA1's myself.
Also looking at different front sway bars. Anyone have any input on belltech or Hellwig sway bars? Thanks in advance!

Re: New Guy
 

Paragraphs!!! hahah just messing with you. My input (for whatever its worth) is in red. Post up some pictures when you get the chance.

Re: New Guy
 

Take a look at http://pbfab.com/shop/73-87-rear-dropmember-coilovers

Re: New Guy
 

Sorry about the structure of the text! Honestly, I try to do that. I'm on my Iphone and it's difficult for me to type and make it easier to read. I also have a 100000% complete '98 LS1/4L60e that has less then 10k miles on it, been sitting in my shop for ten years haha. I may use it first, get the swap done, then throw the 5.3/4L80e in.
I got the L33, LS2 heads (243's), tbss intake, 102mm throttle body DBC, and some other parts for pretty much free. I had a '03 GMC and I have bought several LS motors and sold some of it off. It isn't worth it to me to pay a ridiculous price for a 6.0. With that, people are paying crazy money for LS1 engines, so I plan on getting rid of it. I think the 5.3 in the end, will do everything the LS1 does or more.

Re: New Guy
 

These are really nice kits. I have checked them out before, and that is what is bringing me here. I know a guy in San Antonio that can do the 4 link with QA1's, and a hand made fuel cell for me. I was quoted $1800 parts/installation out the door. I would like to better compare the two before pulling the trigger on a decision. I just adjusted some things on that link. The prices were roughly $3k to $5k. I want a 4 link, coil overs, wilwood brakes, and the truck a tad lower in the back then I have it now.

I guess what I want the truck for would help with the information that I am looking for. I'm not wanting a race truck. I don't want to take all the glass out and put in a cage. But if I want to take it to the track twice a year, I would like it to get traction! More importantly, I want the truck pretty much slammed height wise and not beat the crap out of me. The better the ride quality the better with it being slammed, not body dropped and laying frame. If I wanted all of that, I would go with bags. I think the single adjustable coil overs will be what I am wanting for the truck.


When looking at Wilwood brakes, what are the different options available for our trucks using the same 5x5 bolt pattern? Also, part numbers would be greatly appreciated. I have searched and searched but I'm still not gaining much information.
What weight rating and type of coil over should I be looking for? Am I correct that the heigher weight rated shocks will be stiffer?

Re: New Guy
 

http://i836.photobucket.com/albums/z.../1985c10_3.jpg
http://i836.photobucket.com/albums/z...lkes/photo.jpg

http://i836.photobucket.com/albums/z.../1985c10_2.jpg
http://i836.photobucket.com/albums/z...es/1985c10.jpg

Re: New Guy
 

I love this truck, wondering how you got that patina to perfect of the pass side.

Re: New Guy
 

Wheel and tire combo looks great. Do you mind sharing the backspace and tire specs?

Re: New Guy
 

The surface rust just ate through the primered spots. 22x9" Coy Wheels, tires in the front are 265/35r22 rear are 305/40r22. I don't remember the backspacing I ordered. I saw on the website that they only offer 5" and 5.5". It seems like they offered me a custom backspacing and one was 6.5" for the front and the rear were 5.5". I'll have to measure and see. The 305/40r22 is a little bit too tall. It's difficult matching tread with a staggered setup. A 265/30r22 & 305/30r22 would be perfect to me.

Re: New Guy
 

Except for the potholes w/that short of a tire sidewall. Did you find a front sway bar yet?

Re: New Guy
 

I have found some but I'm not sure what route to take. I have seen several options. I also read up on traingulated 4 links and 4 bar setups with/without anti sway bars. From what I read, a 4 link has the lower bars parralel to the surface, and top bars at an angle. Also, the 4 link is stiff around corners and will actually lift the outside wheel off the ground in turns and an anti sway bar would make that worse. A 4 bar setup has all 4 bars parallel to the surface and does well with an anti sway bar. If I'm wrong, please correct me.

As far as tires, I would prefer to keep the 265/35r22 in the front, however I want a 12" wide tire in the rear and matching tread. There are only so many options. I have seen a 305/40r22 but nothing smaller in height with a 305mm width. I have also seen 315/25r22. That is a little wider then 12", but the sidewall is to short.

Re: New Guy
 

Can a Mod please move this to the build thread ?
I can continue this onto a build thread and move right along!

Sent the the front bumper off to be rechromed.
Trying to decide now, If I want the roll pan left on or swap beds and run a chrome sport bumper. If I went that route, I would ditch the shaved tailgate too.
Going with the smaller side mirrors, no door handles or locks will be shaved.
Shaving the drip rails, trim studs underneath the back glass, fender emblem holes, and turn signal spots in the fender. If I keep this bed, I will need to fill in holes along the rail, as well as the stake pockets. The stake pockets are only good for holding wasps, hornets, and dirt down here in Texas. I've been stung enough!

The original seat is at the upholstery shop currently waiting on some of the things I am going through in life to pass over before getting much done at all.
Dad is 52, has stage 4 bone cancer and We've been in Hospice pretty much since Feb16th. His best friend does upholstery so right now the seat is waiting. No sympathy needed! Hold your loved ones close, there is never enough time with them.

Does anyone have experience with the LS F-body Pacesetter long tubes? If so, please let me know how they fit, good or bad. Also, what has been done with the pan, I figured better save then sorry, and try to go with an F-body oil pan/pump. Thanks

Re: New Guy
 

Im saving for an old square body my dads got an 85 k10 thats red it has a little rust on the tailgate thats bout it

Re: New Guy
 

Lower bars are generally parallel to the ground so your instant center doesn't change as your suspension cycles. The upper bars pointing down will increase your anti squat. Depending on how much performance and reading you want to do there are a lot (or little) adjustments that can be made. In general I have always head to have your instant center (where the bars would intersect if viewed from the side) around your front bumper.

You are off about the lifting one wheel though. You are probably thinking of a two link. The 4 link will have enough articulation to maintain tire contact on the ground.

Re: New Guy
 

Thanks for the reply! Any gained knowledge, I find beneficial. I am also toying around the idea of an independent rearend setup. My leaf springs were reararched at somepoint, they had way too much rake in the rear of this truck. Only positive I saw after removing a few is that they could be used for throwing horseshoes if there are any extremely large giants someday.

Re: New Guy
 

My dad has a black on black '85 C10 he got 10 years before I got mine. Ours were identical when they left the factory. They will be real close here soon. He also has a '66 Nova 2 door hardtop. It's getting an LS swap by christmas august!

Re: New Guy
 

I have the 305sbc/th350 out of the truck, the ls1/4L60e are now sitting inside the engine bay! I got a new driveshaft made by Drive Train of Mesquite and they did an awesome job. Also received a new transmission mount from Scotty Baccus at Tejas Steelworks, Inc. Still have to decide what route I'm taking for the fuel lines, fuel tank/cell.

Re: New Guy
 

Re: New Guy
 

http://i836.photobucket.com/albums/z...ps87zapwjj.jpg

had to notch the mount a tad for the ac

Re: New Guy
 

http://i836.photobucket.com/albums/z...psz5vdmjs2.jpg

EGR delete using a freeze plug

Re: New Guy
 

http://i836.photobucket.com/albums/z...ps77oblnkj.jpg
http://i836.photobucket.com/albums/z...psxjcxzwh4.jpg

a little POR15

Re: New Guy
 

http://i836.photobucket.com/albums/z...psb36ry1sq.jpg
http://i836.photobucket.com/albums/z...psgvfuju2g.jpg
http://i836.photobucket.com/albums/z...psz3de2gh1.jpg
http://i836.photobucket.com/albums/z...ps8poseeje.jpg
http://i836.photobucket.com/albums/z...ps36cwdc4l.jpg
Power steering lines went right together. Got some lizard skin ceramic insulation and sound deadening for the inside of the truck and also using it as undercoating under the cab.

Re: New Guy
 

http://i836.photobucket.com/albums/z...psmuyea9qs.jpg
http://i836.photobucket.com/albums/z...psxhuq48zm.jpg
http://i836.photobucket.com/albums/z...psq4fl9yjm.jpg
http://i836.photobucket.com/albums/z...pssreicfyw.jpg