Best setup for a daily driver

[Lee H]

I revised my post above to include the shock part numbers from Race Car Dynamics for the Bilsteins I'm running.

[PGSigns]

Lee thanks for the info. I googled the part numbers to learn more about them and what folks thought. The rear shock is also for a 66 to 70 Fairlane and rated pretty good in that application.
Jimmy

[PGSigns]

Got some time to work on the truck this weekend and started to tackle the rear suspension. Pulled and cleaned the truck arms and put urethane bushings in them to replace the old soggy factory ones. Installed the ECE shock mounts and got a set of KYB Excel-G shocks to replace the ones from the CPP kit the PO had installed a couple of years ago. Did find one was dead when I pulled them. Also installed a ECE rear track bar mount and welded up a new track bar to go the full length to the truck arm. Going to drive it some today to see how it does.
Jimmy

[kamikazekyle05]

So how did the drive go?

[PGSigns]

Was pleased with the way the truck drove. With the mods to front from the make it handle and the work to the back I just finished it is an entire different truck than it was two months ago. Drove it down some straight 60 mph runs and down some back roads for about a 30 mile run and It does very good. Next is to do the front shocks and see how that ads to the package.
Jimmy

[KMC3420]

Originally Posted by PGSigns

Was pleased with the way the truck drove. With the mods to front from the make it handle and the work to the back I just finished it is an entire different truck than it was two months ago. Drove it down some straight 60 mph runs and down some back roads for about a 30 mile run and It does very good. Next is to do the front shocks and see how that ads to the package.
Jimmy

So Jimmy, you used the ECE KYB Excel G drop shocks on the rear? That is what I have on the rear of mine as it came with the 4 inch drop shocks in my ECE drop kit. I have the short 1 end adjustable pan hard bar. I am seriously considering the Hotchkis shock relocating bracket and Fox shocks for the front, I agree $450 for front shocks is a lot, but I imagine it would make all the difference in the world. I am unfortunately not to a point of driving mine yet, still doing body work.

[PGSigns]

I'll get the part number off the shocks. Not sure if they are the same as what comes with the ECE kit. My only concern about spending that much on shocks it they are tuned to the Hochkis geometry and spring rates. And if you go that way on the front your going to have to put them on the back to get the full effect. I have been doing some reading on the Ridetech RQ series and for my setup and budget may be a better fit. I can weld up my own upper mounts so it is $200 towards other upgrades.
Jimmy

[KMC3420]

10-4, I think one thing I have picked up on is no matter what shock you go with, it needs to be a stock height shock to get the best ride and handling, hence the shock relocating bracket. I will check out the Ridetech RQ series as well. Budget is a big thing especially this time of year.

[PGSigns]

Budget is always a concern all year long. On a daily drive like mine its all about balance between cost of upgrades and the value of the upgrades. My daily drive is 21 miles to work and has 24 lights between here and work. If I can find a set of shocks that ride nice and handle pretty good thats what I need. Was hoping more folks would chime in on what they have found that works good for a daily driver. I'm 56 and have always been a hot rodder and in the traditional way where a lot of things are from other donors. What we do with the 73 to 87 swap is a good example. I'll tackle the front shocks shortly.
Jimmy

[N2TRUX]

PGSigns- There are many companies that makes a front bracket. Several of them are Forum Vendors and offer special Forum Discounts. As for shocks, get there are so many variables to consider.

I dont see any mention of wheels and tires, but what you are running will matter. If your on a light weight wheel and tire you have much less unsprung weight for the shock to control. A bulky tire and steel rim will require more damping.

I am running the RideTech brackets with a Fox Billet shock on my bagged 77 Cheyenne. It rides good, but quite honestly not that much ($$$) better than the HD gas shock I had at one time.

[PGSigns]

I have the Wheel Vintigues steel rally wheels on it so its a heavy wheel. The shocks I put on the rear my buddy at Carquest got based on mount and length to get me going for work this week when I found the one shock dead. It does surprisingly well on the truck. I don't mind welding up the brackets. We ran drag cars for a long time and built several of them for me and others. I have a bunch of tabs from these guys. http://www.aa-mfg.com/ They make good stuff and for building race cars or trucks its a good resource. I have a nice shop behind the house with the equipment to make most anything and really enjoy building my own stuff when I can. Thats my way of relaxing. Nice looking truck you have there.
Jimmy

[PGSigns]

The rear shocks are KYB 344426. They look like they are a jeep shock. They do ride pretty good.
Jimmy

[SierraMtns]

Originally Posted by PGSigns

Many of us have our trucks with a similar setup as what I have in my truck. It is a 66 long fleet with a crate 350 and a 4L60. Front has 73 to 87 swap with 2" springs, 2 1/2" drop spindles and the 1" sway bar. Rear has 4" springs and a 1" block. Rear has the short adjustable panhard bar. Shocks front and rear are KYB's and no relocators. Power steering and brakes with the master cylinder and proportioning valve from an 88 and up 1500. Now the question is for the suspension guys is where can we make improvements in our daily drivers to make them not only more fun to drive but also improve ride quality since our butts are in them every day. My thoughts are the improvements would be in a longer rear panhard bar and shocks and shock locations. And what about tuning the brake balance to the truck?
Jimmy

Hey Jimmy,

What was your reason behind going with a 4" spring and 1" block in the rear instead of 5" spring?

Thanks

[PGSigns]

The truck came with the springs on it. Adding the block did allow me to machine it at an angle to correct the pinion angle.
Jimmy

[KMC3420]

Jimmy, just FYI, Laid Back Recreations has the Ridetech RQ's for $124 shipped/each. I placed an order for the front ones, just have to fab up a mount since they are stock height and I have 2 inch drop springs. For the rear I do have the ECE shock relocating bracket, but am unsure if the shock is a drop shock or not, I will be doing more digging on that. Its the KYB shock that comes with the ECE rear 4 inch drop kit.

[PGSigns]

Well here is an update on how the truck has been progressing. Had another one of the KYB's go bad this time on the front. These like the rears were put on by the PO. Went to carquest to get a new set and with the take over by Advance no more KYB's. Now they are carrying monroes. So off tot he net to look for shocks. After reading another post here on a truck with a setup close to mine and his experience with belltech I decided to take a closer look at them. Decided to order the full set part number 9547 of the street performance shocks. Entire set can be had to your door for $212 from Summit or Jegs. This is not much more than a set of the KYB's. Put them on the truck and what a big improvement. When you get them you will notice they are huge compared to the KYB's. The fit is close in the front but still clears everything. Been very impressed with the ride and the control on the crappy roads we have. Got about 200 miles on them so far and will update as I get more time on them. So far a very good option for the money.
Jimmy

[bbcmudtruck]

So did you end up relocating the front and rear brackets? I have the ece rear brackets and the shock still has a pretty good angle in it. At this point, I'm guessing I'll be looking at a different shock relocation kit. I have 6" springs in the rear as well as 3" drop spindles up front with 2.5" springs. Any recommendations?

*edit* Forgot to mention that I have 73-87 cross member and arms up front. I'm not sure whether or not that matters, just providing as much info as possible. Thanks!

[PGSigns]

With my drop and the ECE brackets on the rear the angle is close to or a little better than stock. I dont think there is a need to move them more. On the front I left them alone. I was looking into adding a re-location bracket in the front and using a stock length shock. These are shorter than stock and seemed to be valved well for the angle they are at.
Jimmy