Balancing

[ryansiki]

Hi,so I'm looking at buying a Longbox c10(64),and was wondering what I should do to try and add some weight to the rear for better handling.Heres what I got so far:

1. Moving the gas tank to the rear
2.Using fibre glass in the front
3. Moving the engine back

So ya I would appreciate feedback and ideas.Thanks

[Slow Build]

The trucks that I've had in the past were newer models. I have found that I like the ride a little better with about 200lbs in back. In my case I used hard tonneau covers that weigh a little over that. It lowered the back of the truck very slightly and rode smoother.

[62gmc910]

Move the battery to the back
fuel tank back
Softer rear springs

[2tons of fun]

you will need to put the dist next to your butt cheak to make any real differance.

diamond plate bed floor
gas tank
battery
sparetire carrier
heavy bumper.......

[TwoFiftyShifter]

Dude just put some weight in the bed.... could be free if your creative or have enough crap laying around.... Gas tank will do almost nothing being as stock location is in the middle of the truck. Relocating the battery gives you 50 or so pounds.... Moving the engine back.... Honestly without completely altering the design of the truck I think you would spend moeny and time and have little benefits.

[65gmc930]

movin the battery back to the rear is like movin the engine back 10 inches

[ryansiki]

How hard would it be to say move the engine back a few inches?

[62gmc910]

what engine / trans combo are you using?

[2tons of fun]

Originally Posted by ryansiki

How hard would it be to say move the engine back a few inches?

how well can you fabricate?

[Rich 5150 69]

If your running a v8 you`re already in the rear most holes in the front crossmember/motor mounts, to go any further, you`ll have to cut and build new fire wall, move transmission mount , fab new motor mounts off of frame, shorten drive shaft, cut new hole in floor for shifter, longer radiator hoses, new fan shroud, and a host of things I haven`t even thought of....

[SSWfleetside]

Do you still have your spare tire under the bed? try adding that and see if it makes a noticeable difference.
A rear mounted Blazer style gas tank, when full, probably weighs double what the spare tire weighed. I notice the difference between empty and full in mine.

[Wrightbrothers]

I drove my '65 SWB for years in sub zero weather... frozen roads, etc... I kept ten 100 pound bags of cement in the bed, up next to the front panel and it handled find with street tires. I had to keep the rear air bags up to level the truck, but that is what it took to keep from sliding around.... (By spring they had cured!!)

You'd have to put the engine in the bed before it had any impact on weight distribution. Tank and battery would add some, but not likely enough to offset the effort to move 'em back there.

[62 mark]

i plan to mount my spare under the bed... i got one of those winder upper brackets off a newer model pickup. othe rthan that i would say less stiff rear springs is the easiest remedy

[Heater63]

62GMC is right, MOVE or REMOVE your weight, don't ADD weight.

Besides, your safer with the fuel out of the cab, and the battery will live longer away from underhood heat.

I've heard nothing but bad reports on fiberglass parts for our trucks..hoods mainly.

[monolith]

Pour or affix lead to the inside of your rear bumper, it's compact, invisible and it will put the weight behind the rear axle.

A buddy of mine did it with his El Camino in the 80's in Flagstaff, Az to help with winter traction- he swore it worked.

[lakeroadster]

Add some weight to see what difference it makes. Back when I drove a 2 wheel drive positraction daily driver I built a wooden storage crate that sat behind the rear wheel inner fenders and the tail gate. Then I added sandbags for weight.

Using this method you can approximate how much weight helps. I used (3) 80 lb bags, made a world of difference. In my case I removed the entire deal during non-winter months.

Hope this helps.