Experienced Opinions Needed - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

*72longbed* · 09-14-2003, 09:30 PM

Just finished the ECE 2/4 drop on the C-20 this weekend. Rides really nice and smooth, but I noticed a couple of things. #1. The rear is now pushed over to the passenger side about 1" off center. #2. The panhard bar is just about level now at the new ride height.
My Questions are: Does the panhard bar have to be at a downhill angle when the rear is centered? Can I just get the adjustable bar and mount it in the standard location and correct the problem with a 1/2" adjustment? Or do I have to get the panhard bar that goes down to the lower shock mount location to re-establish a downhill angle at ride height?

A 27" bar will bring the rear back to center, I just don't know if it also has to have an angle at uncompressed ride height.

Any opinions would be greatly appreciated.

72longbed

Stroker · 09-14-2003, 09:39 PM

I think the adjustable bar using the stock locations is fine for a 4 inch drop. Personally I would call ECE, their tech support is pretty good and they know their products.....Stroker

**68 Stepside** · 09-14-2003, 09:40 PM

I'd also call ECE to be sure. I'm going with a 4" drop on the rear of my truck too, and need an adjustable panhard bar to re-center the axle.

cdowns · 09-14-2003, 09:52 PM

i've got a 2/4 drop and you can't use a stock panhard you get the adjustable one in the stock location and it will be fine

*72longbed* · 09-14-2003, 10:14 PM

Stroker,
I called ECE on this and they got a little flustered because I'm using a 1973 14 Bolt Full Floater which has a panhard bar bracket welded to the axel tube on the pass side. The stock bar is approximatly 28" long right now, and ECE seemed to not want to give me an opinion for the flat angle I now have. They said that their Super Trac Bar that mounts to the pass lower shock mount would not fit, but from what I measured, it will!! They also sell a 24" adjustable bar that would go in the stock 12 Bolt mounting location; I know that one won't work.

I guess they didn't want to tell me that their competition, CPP, sells a 27" adjustable trac bar, I had to search for myself. Thats OK, maybe they don't know that a 27" bar is a standard GM item from earlier pickups. CPP knows, and so do others!!

Anyway, you feel its OK to have the flat angle and just go with the adjustable 27" bar?

tom hand · 09-14-2003, 10:15 PM

While adjustable panhard bars are nice, I lowered one of these trucks back in 84 when no parts where available to do it. To recenter the rearend I simply bent the stock bar with a hydralic jack...the big advantage was cost...0

cb · 09-14-2003, 10:45 PM

72 Longbed
The ideal angle for the panhard rod is level when the supension is half way through its travel. That way you minimize the axle shift in both directions as the supension moves up and down. With the 4" drop you don't have much travel, therefore I would not worry about the rod being level as it sits.
Craig

09-14-2003, 09:40 PM	#3
68 Stepside huh? Join Date: May 2000 Location: Washington, Illinois Posts: 5,692	I'd also call ECE to be sure. I'm going with a 4" drop on the rear of my truck too, and need an adjustable panhard bar to re-center the axle. __________________ Someday when I'm lonely, Wishing you weren't so far away, Then I will remember Things we said today. RIP El Jay

09-14-2003, 09:52 PM	#4
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	i've got a 2/4 drop and you can't use a stock panhard you get the adjustable one in the stock location and it will be fine __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

09-14-2003, 10:15 PM	#6
tom hand CCRider Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Olive Branch,MS,USA Posts: 2,232	While adjustable panhard bars are nice, I lowered one of these trucks back in 84 when no parts where available to do it. To recenter the rearend I simply bent the stock bar with a hydralic jack...the big advantage was cost...0 __________________ 72 GMC Sierra SWB almost finished---- 84 Softail Olive Branch MS

09-14-2003, 10:45 PM	#7
cb Registered User Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Gilbert, AZ USA Posts: 98	72 Longbed The ideal angle for the panhard rod is level when the supension is half way through its travel. That way you minimize the axle shift in both directions as the supension moves up and down. With the 4" drop you don't have much travel, therefore I would not worry about the rod being level as it sits. Craig __________________ Craig Berland

09-14-2003, 09:30 PM	#1
72longbed Account Suspended Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: PA Posts: 1,411	Experienced Opinions Needed Just finished the ECE 2/4 drop on the C-20 this weekend. Rides really nice and smooth, but I noticed a couple of things. #1. The rear is now pushed over to the passenger side about 1" off center. #2. The panhard bar is just about level now at the new ride height. My Questions are: Does the panhard bar have to be at a downhill angle when the rear is centered? Can I just get the adjustable bar and mount it in the standard location and correct the problem with a 1/2" adjustment? Or do I have to get the panhard bar that goes down to the lower shock mount location to re-establish a downhill angle at ride height? A 27" bar will bring the rear back to center, I just don't know if it also has to have an angle at uncompressed ride height. Any opinions would be greatly appreciated. 72longbed

09-14-2003, 09:39 PM	#2
Stroker Registered User Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Moore, Ok Posts: 1,149	I think the adjustable bar using the stock locations is fine for a 4 inch drop. Personally I would call ECE, their tech support is pretty good and they know their products.....Stroker __________________ 72 SWB parts and pieces Oklahoma

09-14-2003, 10:14 PM	#5
72longbed Account Suspended Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: PA Posts: 1,411	Stroker, I called ECE on this and they got a little flustered because I'm using a 1973 14 Bolt Full Floater which has a panhard bar bracket welded to the axel tube on the pass side. The stock bar is approximatly 28" long right now, and ECE seemed to not want to give me an opinion for the flat angle I now have. They said that their Super Trac Bar that mounts to the pass lower shock mount would not fit, but from what I measured, it will!! They also sell a 24" adjustable bar that would go in the stock 12 Bolt mounting location; I know that one won't work. I guess they didn't want to tell me that their competition, CPP, sells a 27" adjustable trac bar, I had to search for myself. Thats OK, maybe they don't know that a 27" bar is a standard GM item from earlier pickups. CPP knows, and so do others!! Anyway, you feel its OK to have the flat angle and just go with the adjustable 27" bar?



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