Having a shop bag my '67, but need help.

[The Big Green]

I wanted to do this myself, but lack of a shop, or warm, dry place to work is forceing me to have to dish out cash for a shop to do it. This shop wants $1500, I have dealt with them for years, and I know it will be done right. I wanted to save, and do it myself with a couple buddies, but I'd really rather have a shop, with a lift, make sure everything is correct, and all air lines are outta the way, with a lift it should be simple. Is this the going price? I have a simple setup with bags in place of coils. I have a 7 gal tank, step notch, 8 valves, 1/2 lines, 1 Viair 480C, and a AVS switchbox. I'll do it simple for now, and move up later. He will do everything, all mounted nicely under the bed, and outta site, along with putting the notch together, and welding the crossbars of course. I don't think its a bad price, another wants $2500, but air bags can be very time consuming I guess.


I just need info on price, and maybe other things. He talked me out of a panhard being they can be adjusted for laying out, or kinda in between. I want a 4-link, but not sure what kind is the best. A 4-link will have to wait.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by The Big Green

I just need info on price, and maybe other things. He talked me out of a panhard being they can be adjusted for laying out, or kinda in between. I want a 4-link, but not sure what kind is the best. A 4-link will have to wait.

I'm not understanding what you mean by he "talked you out of a panhard bar". Panhard bar vs. what? What does he intend to use to keep the rear centered?

[kizer]

Is he fabbing up a Watts link or something?

[The Big Green]

We don't know, thats totally up to me. I would rather not mess with that now, my truck is lowered, possibly 5 inches, or more. I can only get 2 more, maybe, with my bag setup, and its fine for now.


Whats a watts link?

Most important question I need now, is that price ok? $1500. Second, what kinda setup is best for safety, and well as ride, and going lower?

[The Big Green]

Isn't an adjustable panhard bar only centered at a certain level, and everything lower or higher, makes it shift? Thats why he talked me outta it. Thats how I thought it was.

[Shane]

Not mess with that now? So when exactly do you plan on "messing" with it?

[LowSmoothCool]

If a pan hard bar is installed properly you should only get a 1/8 to a 1/4" of movement

[The Big Green]

Originally Posted by Shane

Not mess with that now? So when exactly do you plan on "messing" with it?

Oh, maybe a few months. I can't afford that kind of green just yet. I need to decide before it gets in the shop, because it will be in and out in about 4 days.

[The Big Green]

Originally Posted by LowSmoothCool

If a pan hard bar is installed properly you should only get a 1/8 to a 1/4" of movement

Ok, well that helped a lot, I'll try,and get one in. I will still go with a 4-link or whatever later.

[The Big Green]

Well, now all I need is the panhard, and get this thing in the shop. He said 3 weeks, and he can get it in.

[protrash64]

If I understand correctly, the shop will provide all components and install them for $1500? If thats the case I say it kicks ass price-wise. If you are supplying the parts and thats just labor I would lay in mud and do it myself.

You'll be waiting for awhile for that compressor to fill that tank; add a second compressor.......Im impatient though.

[bdydrp97s10]

you dont need a panhard bar if you set up the reaer end with a trangulated four link or a trangulated three link..

but if hes wanting to keep the stock trailing arms then yes you will need to keep the panhard bar..

and yes $1500 is a good price if your providing him with those parts

[scotts62]

Yeah i agree to it is a reasonable price

[PBFAB.COM]

Price sounds pretty good.

Just one piece of advice: You and your shop/friend should sit down and make an itemized/detailed list of what exactly you're getting done and for exactly how much. I may be reading some of the post incorrectly, but it sounds like there are still a few variables undecided.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by porterbuilt

Price sounds pretty good.

Just one piece of advice: You and your shop/friend should sit down and make an itemized/detailed list of what exactly you're getting done and for exactly how much. I may be reading some of the post incorrectly, but it sounds like there are still a few variables undecided.

You're not the only one . . ....

[leftcoast66]

Originally Posted by porterbuilt

Price sounds pretty good.

Just one piece of advice: You and your shop/friend should sit down and make an itemized/detailed list of what exactly you're getting done and for exactly how much. I may be reading some of the post incorrectly, but it sounds like there are still a few variables undecided.

Totally agree. Will save lot of headaches in the end with it not being the way you wanted and money not working out. Honestly though, if you have to wait 3 weeks just for it to get in. I'd honestly suck it up and wait a few more months just to do it yourself. Personally though, doing it myself twice and learning a ton(keeping it safe for sure though) is worth the time and the wait. In that time you could get dialed in exactly what you need, plus would have the extra 1500 sitting around to put towards other stuff/ the truck. That's just me though.

[lyrikz]

If 1500 dollars is parts AND labor, hell ya. I would of paid that to have mine done.

[The Big Green]

Originally Posted by porterbuilt

it sounds like there are still a few variables undecided.

There is, but more or less just the 4-link part, but I'm waiting on that part. The other was the Panhard bar, but I'll be getting one heading this way.

Very good advice, I trust the guy, but I'll be sure to sit down. I'll probably be there every day he has it.

[The Big Green]

I wrote that all wrong in my first post, sorry for the misunderstanding, but its $1500 LABOR.

I'd love to do it myself, but lack of the shop poses a little problem for me. Plus all the fabbing, for the tank, notch needs welded up, and the cross bars. Doesn't the lower arms need cutting for the lower bag brakets to sit down in them? Oh, and I never got any valve brakets, but he was going to fab them up on something.

I hate spending the $1500 that can go towards a 4-link, and whatever else. I'll throw 2 projects out here, '87 blazer, done 7 or 8 years ago by this shop, and nothing has failed, except air lines going bad. Second is a '94 Caprice, down by the owner, and owner of the blazer, and he had a back bag braket break, lines snap, and wiring mess up. Both are my buddies, but blazer was done by this shop, and the Caprice done with jacks, and no lift, so lines are zip tied, I guess. I'm still thinking, but....

[ENHANCED AIR RIDE]

Yeah I agree thats not a bad price for labor and some supplies. But you need to take into account line, fittings and wire if I missed that and make sure whos supplying that.

[The Big Green]

Originally Posted by ENHANCED AIR RIDE

Yeah I agree thats not a bad price for labor and some supplies. But you need to take into account line, fittings and wire if I missed that and make sure whos supplying that.

I have the complete bag kit. He's not supplying anything except the cross bars for my step notch, and the valve, bag, and compressor brackets.

[ENHANCED AIR RIDE]

Yeah that sounds like a good deal if its quality work

[The Big Green]

Well, I talked to a good buddy of mine last weekend, that I use to be in a car club with. He recomended I talk to a guy that bags trucks in his spare time. I messaged him on Myspace, and he gave me his cell number. He bags most of the trucks around where I live, and none have had any problems. My buddy is in a new car club, and there is a guy with a little Sonoma thats back halfed, very good work. He said a $1000, and it would take him 2 weekends. He makes his own links, and he told me he would Z my frame, in front.


If I Z my frame, what would I need to lay? 3 inch Z, and 3 inch spindles? What does a Z on the front normally cost?

[Bazooka]

I was quoted $800 - $1500 by the shops in my area to Z the frame on my 63. That was just for the Z not counting the labor to bag the truck. I decided to go with the SD raised crossmember instead. I couldn't pass up the introductory offer that was available during the month of Oct.

Best quote I got for the bag install was $1,500 LABOR only

I was also quoted by a guy who does it out of his garage and he only wanted $1,500 to bag my truck with a Z included. I supply the parts. He was to far away and just wouldnt work out for me...

[scotts62]

Originally Posted by ENHANCED AIR RIDE

Yeah that sounds like a good deal if its quality work

Thats the scary part because after parts there is not much there for labor and that could equal out the the quality at the end i would think..