Replacement Axle / C-notch with ECE Panhard

[gbkwork]

I am interested in dumping my 3.08 for a 3.73 Posi rear-end. I've priced-out replacing the ring and pinion and adding Posi...it's about $800.

Since my 17 x 9.5 Torq Thrusts rub the inside of my wheel buckets in back (when on an angle), I was wondering if there is an axle that is 1.5 - 2" wider than my stock unit that I could weld some saddles onto and bolt it on. I figure this would solve my wheel rubbing and axle ratio / traction issues.

Also, I am running bags out back with ECE's Panhard bar and am interested in adding a C-notch just to get a bit more travel when driving low. However, in the past I saw a posting here where someone had installed a Cnotch with ECE's panhard and the mount at the axle U-bolt wouldn't clear the frame. Has anyone installed a bolt-in Cnotch from CPP or McGaughy with the ECE panhard?

Many thanks for the continuing education.

[jorgensensc]

I might be wrong, but I thought I read somewhere here that axles out of the 73-87 trucks were about 1 1/2 wider. DO a search and you might find something. Hope this helps!!!
Shawn

[Slammed67]

Here is the problem you will run into .........







You can fix this by mounting the panhard bar end to the inside of the trailing arm. I need to redo this because the end is adjusted almost all the way out when the rear is centered. I'd like to have it threaded in a little farther.All I did was hack up the ECE bracket and welded the piece as shown in the pic below. I'd like to have it threaded in a little farther.



Here is the bracket I plan to make.......

[gbkwork]

Thanks Slammed67. Those were the pictures I had seen previously...just couldn't find them again.

Whose C-Notch did you use? Did you run into any other problems related to shock travel or axle centering given the increased range of travel?

Thanks again for the help.

[gbkwork]

Slammed67...that's a beautiful '67...just visited your site.

It looks like you remounted the upper rear shock mounts above the crossframe. I'll take a look at that on mine. Also, after installing 2.5" spindles and 1" springs up front, I have decided that I would like to go with bags. Where did you buy your brackets. Those look like 2500# Firestones, correct?

My biggest worry with bags on the front is caster / camber problems. Did you use an aftermarket control arm? What is your experience with the bags? I will be towing a 5000# trailer.

Once again, thank you for spreading the knowledge.

[Slammed67]

I am using the Classic Performance Products c-notch. Since those pics I have moved the shock mounts back under the cross frame. By bed floor is raise 1.5" so it would actually work with them on top, but they wrok just fine in the stock locations. I have the "2600" bags up front and the "2500" bags in the rear. If you are going to tow, you'll probably want to go with the "2600" bags in the rear also.

As for brackets, I'm not using any in the rear....... the bags just replace the coil springs. In the front, I modified my stock cross member and a-arms. There is a link on my web site that shows what I did.

Jason

[gbkwork]

Thanks for pointing out that link on your site. Given my lack of welding / fabrication talent (and balls) I think I would opt for an aftermarket A-arm solution. Your truck looks great though. How would you characterize the difference in ride from stock? With my bags in back I noticed a bit more "jigglyness" without a load but a drastic improvement over stock with a load.

Does anyone out there have any input on the best front-end airbag set-ups for a '72 C10?

Many thanks.

[jamis]

@Slammed67

Cant the ECE panhard bracket be mounted under the traillering arm? Between the trailering arm and the shock bracket.
Or maybe I have seen someone else make a diffrent bracket the puts it in the same area as your mod.

[gbkwork]

I took a look at that. The bar needs to be about 2" - 3" longer for the ECE set-up to work in that configuration.

If you have any plans to use a reasonable ride height for towing / carrying a load, it will swing the axle to the driver's side too far.

I think if you were planning on driving around with the rearend up in a big c-notch it might work with the "as purchased" length and mounted on the bottom of the trailing arm.

[Slammed67]

Jamis: Here is a pic of the ECE bracket (before I added bags). The bracket wouldn't fit below the trialing arm. The part of the bracket that the bar mounts to would interfere with the trailing arm. You might be able to modify it to make it work though.

[Slammed67]

Also, I'm not happy with the ride with the rear bags. The front rides nice, but the rear rides pretty harsh with no load in the bed (which is how it'll be 99% of the time). I'm planning on getting some different bags for the rear, just not sure which ones to get yet.

[Bowtiefreak]

I have something to add here,not really related but one thing I have found out is that ECE's bracket shown above will not clear a gurdled cover on a rear end. I know because I found this out after I bought a DTS gurdled cover, so what I ended up doing was extending the bracket 3 inches. Not real hard to do.

The TRUCKS Copperhead had to do the same thing with that Dana 60 rearend that he had. I called Dave at ECE about this and he said (yea we had to do that with his too)
Just some info I thought I would share if you are planning on putting a gurdled cover on.

Bowtiefreak

[jamis]

I see what you mean Slammed.
Tell me, what did you use to paint your frame. I like the matt/semi gloss finish.

[BigChevMan]

Originally posted by jamis
I see what you mean Slammed.
Tell me, what did you use to paint your frame. I like the matt/semi gloss finish.

I'd be curious as well. It looks awesome