Nomad

[gearys 5600]

here is my 56 nomad that I am fixing to air ride, 20's and 18's,and 4-wheel disc brake.

[lolife99]

Nice!

[fakerwade]

Don't do it man!!! Crappy riding, frame busting, air suspension with big GAUDY wheels?? Yuck!! Looks great the way it sits.

[72BlckButy]

Can't wait to see more..

[gearys 5600]

Well...looks like im gonna have a busted frame, crappy riding, 56 nomad with ugly big gaudy wheels..Since I am destroying this rare car I may go ahead and chop the top and suicide the doors..

[fakerwade]

In 1997 Honda spent a bloody fortune (don't know the exact figure) to determine which type of suspension was the best. All suspensions that have ever been used on factory cars or in the aftermarket were tested. They determined "SLA" with coils and shocks was the best. The 1998 Accord came out with "SLA" suspension. I believe that air ride suspensions and conastoga wagon wheels are just a fad. The 2011 Optima Ultimate Street Car Invitational champion car (RED DEVIL 69 camaro) doesn't have air bags on it, and he beat the crap out of everybody who showed up with air bags. Just something to think about.

[jb1016]

Wow, beautiful car. I like the Torque Thrust D's on it, but I bet you've got something classy in mind for new wheels.

[gearys 5600]

Originally Posted by jb1016

Wow, beautiful car. I like the Torque Thrust D's on it, but I bet you've got something classy in mind for new wheels.

I should have them any day. coys c-5 in gunmetal, 18's and 20's. I also like the torque thrust D's and I am puting those on my el-camino. Thanks for the kind words.

[CAL 58 GMC]

Cool wagon!

[cam.man67]

Love that wagon. Looks real nice as it is.

[jb1016]

Can't go wrong with the coys! Be sure to post up some new pics when it's done.

[jeffg1010]

Don't do it! LOVE IT! Can't you just change to a more modern rim and lower profile tire to change the look?

[Sillyoldman]

Oh boy do I wish I that could own that car!

[gearys 5600]

Thanks for the kind compliments.. I recieved my new wheels and tires yesterday, I need to get them mounted up and I will take a new pic of the nomad to see what you guys think.

BTW: I noticed the last poster was from Washington state. I bought this nomad in Washington state and drove it 2100 miles to Oklahoma without one hiccup.

[Frizzle Fry]

It's gonna look great with staggered C5's on air. Frame busting...? Hydros yes, air not unless you are trying to bounce etc, but not with normal use. Can't wait to see it!
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[k5hart]

Originally Posted by fakerwade

. I believe that air ride suspensions and conastoga wagon wheels are just a fad.

Are you serious about this comment????

I'm sure the nomad will look great with your plans and if done right will have many miles of problem free driving.

[70-Shorty]

Originally Posted by fakerwade

In 1997 Honda spent a bloody fortune (don't know the exact figure) to determine which type of suspension was the best. All suspensions that have ever been used on factory cars or in the aftermarket were tested. They determined "SLA" with coils and shocks was the best. The 1998 Accord came out with "SLA" suspension. I believe that air ride suspensions and conastoga wagon wheels are just a fad. The 2011 Optima Ultimate Street Car Invitational champion car (RED DEVIL 69 camaro) doesn't have air bags on it, and he beat the crap out of everybody who showed up with air bags. Just something to think about.

Just to clarify, that car is a SERIOUS Pro-Touring style car purpose built to kick a$$ and take names on the autocross/road course competitions. It doesn't need air ride, nor big 20" wheels, as most HIGH PERFORMANCE tire and wheel combos are 18's. I don't think OP is going to race the sh!t out of his Nomad...
Tim

PS: using a 1998 Accord as your example? Really? In what universe do people really quantify the '98 Honda Accord as the benchmark of style, ride and handling?

[fakerwade]

Originally Posted by 70-Shorty

Just to clarify, that car is a SERIOUS Pro-Touring style car purpose built to kick a$$ and take names on the autocross/road course competitions. It doesn't need air ride, nor big 20" wheels, as most HIGH PERFORMANCE tire and wheel combos are 18's. I don't think OP is going to race the sh!t out of his Nomad...
Tim

PS: using a 1998 Accord as your example? Really? In what universe do people really quantify the '98 Honda Accord as the benchmark of style, ride and handling?

No,,, I used a "purpose built to kick a$$" 69 Camaro built by a GM engineer that forgot more about the "benchmark of style, ride" then you (and I) will ever know.

My reference to Honda was simply to point out that the definitive "best" suspension has already been researched and the company put it's money where it's research was at.

Personally I don't care If he puts the bags and big wheels on it or not, it's not my car. I thought this site was more about sharing ideas and knowledge, I've only spent 30 years fixing cars, and invested in a degree in the "applied science of auto mechanics". Maybe I have something to add or maybe not, I don't know. However I do know that if I had a nickel for every time I went to a car show and heard "dang that's a real nice car,,,,except for those big wheels" I'd be a very rich man by now. I know there's a lot of guy's that like the big wheels, but I think there is more of us who don't.

[fakerwade]

Besides,,,,,it's already been done. (about 90 million times)

[lolife99]

I googled "bagged '56 nomad" and only found this one.
Geary,... I can't wait to see yours!
With your vision and high quality builds,... I'm sure it will be amazing.

[70-Shorty]

Originally Posted by fakerwade

Besides,,,,,it's already been done. (about 90 million times)

So by your thinking and tastes we should all be running Cragar S/S mags or steelies in 14"/15" with bias ply tires? Just 'cause it's been done before? I'm kinda glad not everybody agrees with u or it'd be a pretty boring hot rod hobby, or we'd all be driving twelve or thirteen year old Hondas around. Yeah, I will agree with you that there are MANY badly done cars with BIG wheels on them (google donk), but again, there are plenty DONE RIGHT....
it's all personal preference, opinion and sometimes location that influences someones' build. JMO.....
Tim
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[k5hart]

Originally Posted by fakerwade

Personally I don't care If he puts the bags and big wheels on it or not, it's not my car. I thought this site was more about sharing ideas and knowledge, I've only spent 30 years fixing cars, and invested in a degree in the "applied science of auto mechanics".

This site is all about letting everyone share their personal ideas and knowledge. Probably one of the best out there in this regard. But with this comment your basically bashing his personal ideas and preferences:

Originally Posted by fakerwade

Don't do it man!!! Crappy riding, frame busting, air suspension with big GAUDY wheels?? Yuck!! Looks great the way it sits.

Plus your giving out false info. Correctly done air ride is not crappy riding or frame busting. That's probably why people have taken so much offense.

[fakerwade]

K5hart, my tongue in cheek response to geary modifying a nice nomad is a normal "car guy" response. I've had at least a dozen people try to talk me out of my current project (you cut up a perfectly good 70 chev pick up? WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU?). I actually appreciate their comments and challenges,,,,makes me think, ya know? I'm actually a fan of geary's work (69 swb). I think we may both be right about the pluses and minuses about air ride suspension. Perhaps I gave you something to think about.

[70-Shorty]

wade, i guess the easiest thing to say is to each his/her own. I admire your guts to cut one up as you are doing...i can design things and make it pretty but can't weld a lick. As i said this hobby would be pretty boring if everyone had the same tastes. I myself can appreciate the air-ride chassis' and the 18" and 20" wheels, as well as the pro-touring vibe. To support my own belief, here is what i think to be one of the BADDEST 55 Nomads on the planet, spyed in the pits at the Winternationals. Anyway, no offense dude...
Tim

[fakerwade]

None taken! And your right,,,,that is one mean and nasty looking nomad.