Looking for input on my front suspension

[doug_p]

So as often is the case, you start with a plan and invariably, the plan changes . . . I have a 62 LBFS that I have removed the torsion bar front suspension from. I have a 78 lower crossmember that I have fit, and planned to install some POL upper and lower arms I bought a few years back. The arms designed for bags with removable bag brackets. Fast forward to today, I assumed I could possibly use coils with the same arms - and I may still be able too, but the coils will require modifying. The way the bag bracket sits into the arm, versus the location of the end of the bottom of the spring, would require I cut the spring (not the end of the world as I ordered 2" springs instead of 3"). Difficult to explain without a pic. and I have forgotten how to post them. Anyway - I am now considering ordering a set of PB arms for the 73-87 cross member I have, as PB offers arms with a coil spring insert option. I get the 1" narrow option, but I am curious about the 1" forward option as I am not 100% certain that is needed. Anyone have some input as to whether or not the 1" forward is a necessity?
Ultimately, I would like to be able to autocross the truck, and I am not certain bags will allow me to do that as efficiently as springs - maybe I am wrong? And of course there is the additional expense of the air system, and the controller, and blah, blah, blah . . .
Thoughts?
Thanks,

Doug

[SCOTI]

1" narrowed arms help tucking the wheels on aggressively lowered trucks.

1" forward arms are not needed but they help re-center the front wheels in the opening when trucks are aggressively lowered (more than 5" inch front drop). 1" forward lower arms like PB offers & standard upper arms would increase caster which is an improvement for these trucks as the factory set-up is very limited.

If you already have POL arms for bags, why not just purchase the PB coil spring adapters for the arms you have? If the adapters are meant to bolt into an arm designed for bags, it shouldn't take much to make them work.

An air suspension can be made to work in an Autocross application. It will take extra $$ vs. a factory coil type set-up.

[doug_p]

Thanks for the reply - So with regards to my POL arms, the way they are designed, there is a "donut" welded to the bottom of the arm with a "key, or tab" perpendicular to the donut, so they are not just flat. The key locks the lower bag mount into place, and the donut fits inside the bag mount. At this point, as opposed to modifying what i have, I think I'd rather sell these, and buy something that is already designed. My handiwork is ok, but I am not an engineer, or a welder by trade ; ), more of a weekend warrior if you will. There are many things I am willing to dig into, as long as I can do some research ahead of time, this one has sort of jammed me up. I guess that is what happens when you change your mind after having bought some goodies. The alternative is to go ahead and go with bags, add an air system, at least for the front end, and maybe buy something that is up-gradable for future rear bag use also.
I would love to autocross more, but honestly, I am looking at 2-3 opportunities a year, and I am far from Pro, or Pro-x, so maybe the bags aren't as big a deal as I am thinking . . .

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by doug_p

Thanks for the reply - So with regards to my POL arms, the way they are designed, there is a "donut" welded to the bottom of the arm with a "key, or tab" perpendicular to the donut, so they are not just flat. The key locks the lower bag mount into place, and the donut fits inside the bag mount. At this point, as opposed to modifying what i have, I think I'd rather sell these, and buy something that is already designed. My handiwork is ok, but I am not an engineer, or a welder by trade ; ), more of a weekend warrior if you will. There are many things I am willing to dig into, as long as I can do some research ahead of time, this one has sort of jammed me up. I guess that is what happens when you change your mind after having bought some goodies. The alternative is to go ahead and go with bags, add an air system, at least for the front end, and maybe buy something that is up-gradable for future rear bag use also.
I would love to autocross more, but honestly, I am looking at 2-3 opportunities a year, and I am far from Pro, or Pro-x, so maybe the bags aren't as big a deal as I am thinking . . .

Makes sense then to try something else as far as the arms are concerned.

As far as Auto-crossing.... Either suspension type can be built to get the job done. The coil based (coil-overs included) set-ups far out number air based systems so the parts support might be greater. That being said, if you decide to move on from the air suspension, you want a set-up that has a good to aggressive Camber curve for taking corners & throwing the truck around in a parking lot. Keep that in mind when sourcing your parts.