Should I use a torsion bar suspension? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

revedup57truck · 04-12-2006, 03:43 PM

Hey guys! I read somewhere that if you didnt want to replace your front end with a "clip" that you could use the torsion bar system for suspension, like the didnt on the 70's Plymouths.
Has anyone heard of this or tried it or know if it works and how hard it is. I am very new at this restore thing and this sounds appealing over the thought of cutting my truck frame and clipping it. Any advice would be great! thanks!

dwcsr · 04-12-2006, 07:50 PM

It has been done but its an ugly hack. There are far better suspensioins with far less effort to install. Fatman MII weld on kit or bolt on kit or RBsobsolete.com has a bolt on clip that uses impala parts.

qksilver · 04-13-2006, 11:17 PM

I remember, barely, during one of those all night google searches that there was a kit for that swap. Gibbons fiberglass in SC comes to mind........I would look for you but once I start I can't stop.
Just say NO!
You have a lot of options depending on time, money, skills and money

revedup57truck · 04-14-2006, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by qksilver

I remember, barely, during one of those all night google searches that there was a kit for that swap. Gibbons fiberglass in SC comes to mind........I would look for you but once I start I can't stop.
Just say NO!
You have a lot of options depending on time, money, skills and money

well,qksilver, as ususal I have little of all 3. I just thought it would be alot simplier,less time consuming and cheaper to put a torsion bar suspension system rather than cutting and clipping the front end. Got any tips? Thanks1

qksilver · 04-15-2006, 01:50 AM

gibbonfiberglass.com
My memory wasn't as bad as I thought. I checked the site out and they have all the brackets to do what you want. I didn't see a price list, check it out.

Kabwe · 04-18-2006, 05:24 PM

I have done volare clips in the past and they do not have to look like hack jobs. That is just someone that does not have any fab skills if you make them look like hack jobs.
Pros- it is one of the easiest install to do, you do not have to cut your frame in two, the ride is nice, and you don't have to worry raditator support and sheetmetal relocation
Cons-you can not airbag, parts (harder to find), you have to offset your engine to the passenger side a little bit to clear the bulky power steering unit.

If were you I would go with a Mustang II of some sort it just is a more flexable unit and gives you more options. A GM clip will do that also but its a hell of a lot more work.

Plus to really drop it in the weeds you need to buy the expensive drop spindles to maintain the nice ride.

Here is a pic of a volare I did before I decided to give it to a friend and go with a mustang II (I might want to airbag somebay) I like having options.

revedup57truck · 04-20-2006, 04:28 PM

Hey Kabwe, thanks but I could open your link?

Kabwe · 04-20-2006, 05:21 PM

Go here its done on a ford truck but its the same concept. http://www.clubfte.com/users/jniolon...ip/volare.html

04-12-2006, 03:43 PM	#1
revedup57truck Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Panama City, FL. Posts: 13	Should I use a torsion bar suspension? Hey guys! I read somewhere that if you didnt want to replace your front end with a "clip" that you could use the torsion bar system for suspension, like the didnt on the 70's Plymouths. Has anyone heard of this or tried it or know if it works and how hard it is. I am very new at this restore thing and this sounds appealing over the thought of cutting my truck frame and clipping it. Any advice would be great! thanks!

04-12-2006, 07:50 PM	#2
dwcsr Hollister Road Co. Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Houston Posts: 6,134	Re: Should I use a torsion bar suspension? It has been done but its an ugly hack. There are far better suspensioins with far less effort to install. Fatman MII weld on kit or bolt on kit or RBsobsolete.com has a bolt on clip that uses impala parts.

04-13-2006, 11:17 PM	#3
qksilver Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Southern Pines NC Posts: 3,853	Re: Should I use a torsion bar suspension? I remember, barely, during one of those all night google searches that there was a kit for that swap. Gibbons fiberglass in SC comes to mind........I would look for you but once I start I can't stop. Just say NO! You have a lot of options depending on time, money, skills and money

04-15-2006, 01:50 AM	#5
qksilver Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Southern Pines NC Posts: 3,853	Re: Should I use a torsion bar suspension? gibbonfiberglass.com My memory wasn't as bad as I thought. I checked the site out and they have all the brackets to do what you want. I didn't see a price list, check it out.

04-18-2006, 05:24 PM	#6
Kabwe Certified Car Nut Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Inglewood, California Posts: 3,118	Re: Should I use a torsion bar suspension? I have done volare clips in the past and they do not have to look like hack jobs. That is just someone that does not have any fab skills if you make them look like hack jobs. Pros- it is one of the easiest install to do, you do not have to cut your frame in two, the ride is nice, and you don't have to worry raditator support and sheetmetal relocation Cons-you can not airbag, parts (harder to find), you have to offset your engine to the passenger side a little bit to clear the bulky power steering unit. If were you I would go with a Mustang II of some sort it just is a more flexable unit and gives you more options. A GM clip will do that also but its a hell of a lot more work. Plus to really drop it in the weeds you need to buy the expensive drop spindles to maintain the nice ride. Here is a pic of a volare I did before I decided to give it to a friend and go with a mustang II (I might want to airbag somebay) I like having options. Last edited by Kabwe; 04-18-2006 at 05:32 PM.

04-20-2006, 04:28 PM	#7
revedup57truck Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Panama City, FL. Posts: 13	Re: Should I use a torsion bar suspension? Hey Kabwe, thanks but I could open your link?

04-20-2006, 05:21 PM	#8
Kabwe Certified Car Nut Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Inglewood, California Posts: 3,118	Re: Should I use a torsion bar suspension? Go here its done on a ford truck but its the same concept. http://www.clubfte.com/users/jniolon...ip/volare.html



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