New suspension for K20

[California gold 68]

This week I'll finally have the money to start my project. The truck consists of 1968 C20 Custom Cab sheet metal resting on a 1977 3/4T 4x4 chassis. The first thing that will be going is the old suspension. New greaseable bushings for the front and rear, 4'' lift springs for the front with HD shackles and a steering box reinforcement kit all from ORD. My question is...... do I go with a shackle flip in the back or get new lift springs? I'm concerned I might lose the weight carrying capacity if I go with new springs. Cons or Pros??? Thanks in advance!

[Big-Blue]

I had the same concern with my 71 3/4 ton so I put the standard Rough Country springs (1/2 ton) on the front and had a custom set made for the back. The rears with hardware were around +/-$500 which is a little pricey but I wanted the capacity. I actually bumped it up a little over stock 3/4 ton.. She's going to ride rough!

Suspension King in PA...shipping was in that $500 too.

Company in Colorado can make a cusom set too..I forget the name but they are well known in the rock crawler world..

[California gold 68]

Thanks for the advice. Decided to go with the ORD shackle flip in the rear. I'll keep my old springs for now. As I said earlier, 4'' TC up front and greasable bushings all the way around. Parts should be here by this coming Thursday!!!! Also getting my headers and hydraulic clutch assist from Novak. I'll be busy this weekend!

[70 beast]

sounds like a great start.
what are your plans for the trucks? what size tires are you going to run?

[Burt4x4]

Sounds cool! get some pics up!
I grew up in Auburn 70s & 80s, we would party on the underside of the foresthill bridge..before they put up all the fencing and removed the parking area..anyway
Keep us posted
Burt

[Yukon Jack]

Did you order a set of the Zero-Rates by chance? When you do the shackle flip on our trucks it moves the axle even closer to the front of the wheel well. You can offset that a bit with their Zero-Rates.

This old picture of my truck kind of shows what I'm talking about



Didn't really matter to me since I was going to go with a flatbed anyway. This was when my truck had 4" Tuff Country front springs and ORD's 4" shackle flip with 35"s

[California gold 68]

I went with a 315 75R Yokohama. Actually a friend of my brother had them on his CJ-5. All the tires, which still have the nubs on and a nice spare for $300! Mounted them on Pacer? 16x8 Black powder coated rims. Concerning the Foresthill Bridge, which is the highest of any bridge in CA at 730 feet, it's getting a $70 million facelift!!!!!!!! Just think, in 1973 it cost a feeble $13 million!...... can you say inflation! Yukon Jack- a while back you sent me photos on your BBC build, if I didn't say thanks..thanks! Anyway, I'm keeping my rear springs for budgetary purposes and maybe down the road I'll buy replacements. I have the front clip and cab only. Like I said earlier, it's a 1968 custom cab and I'll be going with a flat bed. We have the metal, but CM Truck sells a nice flatbed for around $2000 and it's very nice. My engine is a 396 and at present I'm mocking up everything. My suspension parts are on the way. My son is helping this weekend with the work. Looking forward to the time we have... he's heading to the Army in June...Really proud of him! It's tough not having any $$$$ for this build, but work in my field has been really slow. This has left me doing a lot of clean up and painting with POR-15, which I really think is a great product. At this time no pictures. Still having problems posting...VERY FRUSTRATING!!!!

[California gold 68]

Well thought I would add a update. Spent a few hours after work and installed front greasable bushings in the eyes of the 4'' HD TC springs and also the front rear shackle. Springs are in and things went together alright. On the passenger side spring, bottom of the shackle, the bushing doesn't set flush against the edge of the spring eye. I tightened down the bolt as required, but the bushing didn't drawn tight. Is the bushing too long! Anyone have this problem? Probably not a big deal. Also received my hydraulic slave cylinder from Novak... really top notch! Heddman headers are bolted on to check the fit and was pleased to find the clearance is good. I'll have to do a little work on the bell housing so the slave cylinder can clear, but nothing major. Tomorrow shackle flip will be going on as will the new greasable bushings and steering box brace kit. Anyone in need of quality parts to upgrade your suspension, do yourself a favor and check out ORD.... they make some kick --- stuff!!!! By the way, I've got ton's of photos, but need some help from someone familiar with iPhoto and Macs.

[California gold 68]

Hopefully this works for me the original computer dummy Here are some goodies that came a few weeks ago. In our shop I've had a lot of free time,so I have made some progress on my build. Lifted the front of the truck with our forklift..... really makes it nice! Last picture shows Tuff Country 4'' HD lift springs.

[California gold 68]

Thought I'd share a picture of the rear end.
Big Blue ,I took our idea and got springs from The Suspension King.... good price. Right around $125 each + shipping. This alone saved me $75 over buying local. I then added ORD shackle flip. This gave me the 4'' lift and won't compromise my ability to handle a heavy load. Also added ORD correction/disconnect with new poly bushing for the front swaybar. I'm sure of one thing,it won't ride like a Cadillac!!

[Chevymaniac]

Boy are you off to a good start on the truck. What did you do to the motor?

My truck is very similar to yours, i'am hoping to get a 396 BBC from my friend, just have to convince him he be better off giving it to me.

[California gold 68]

Thanks for asking. In the 4x4 projects forum I noted that the engine is now a 408 cu. in. The engine I believe is a 1966 396. My brother Craig and I pulled it from my 72 K20. He has a good friend that has a engine shop and the guy does super quality work. We were surprised to find a nice forged crank when we did the tear down, just needed some honing. I went with Speed Pro forged pistons, an RV cam,everything else is new less the heads and block. It has already been test fired. Finishing touches will be new valve covers and serpentine belt driven accessories. Best of luck to you on your build!

[California gold 68]

Who out there can tell me the size of the largest drum brake GM offered with the 3/4 and 1 ton trucks. My drum measured 13" and the shoes are 2" wide. Any pictures? Thanks!!

[1985-GMC]

As far as I know the 13" drums are the biggest they made for 1 tons http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/de...1269&ppt=C0062

[California gold 68]

Thanks, 1985-GMC. When I found the rolling chassis the owner said he thought the truck came with a HD brake system. All I know is that those drums are damn heavy!! I'm not going to swap in discs because I'll be installing a hydroboost. Reading other posts, I get the feeling, that set up is more than enough. Where is Canyon Lake?

[Mr-Jack]

Alcan is the spring company in CO...pricey but really good springs and they are made for spring rate and load rating you want. But it looks like you got it under control

[1985-GMC]

Originally Posted by California gold 68

Thanks, 1985-GMC. When I found the rolling chassis the owner said he thought the truck came with a HD brake system. All I know is that those drums are damn heavy!! I'm not going to swap in discs because I'll be installing a hydroboost. Reading other posts, I get the feeling, that set up is more than enough. Where is Canyon Lake?

I thought about converting my gmc to discs but after reading all about them and having to use caddie calipers for a parking brake, I decided to go back with drums because I read you have to readjust the e brake every couple weeks. After all, the drums have worked fine for 25 years so why fix what isn't broke. Oh and we're in between San Antone and Austin, here ill show you a map http://maps.google.com/maps?q=canyon...ed=0CB8Q8gEwAA , if you ever decide to move away from California its a great place down here. One more chevy owner couldn't hurt anything.

[California gold 68]

I had a 2002 Z71 Silverado with 4 wheel disc brakes. I put 190,000 on that truck in six years and in that time frame I never did like the brakes. Now I believe a lot of new GM trucks went back to drums in the rear... go figure!

[Mr-Jack]

there are always options...drive line locks those are pretty decent for ebrakes...not sure if they put much stress on the transfer case/tranny, but it's an option. i personally loved havin 4 wheel disc!

[USSkoval]

Originally Posted by California gold 68

I had a 2002 Z71 Silverado with 4 wheel disc brakes. I put 190,000 on that truck in six years and in that time frame I never did like the brakes. Now I believe a lot of new GM trucks went back to drums in the rear... go figure!

That was probably because of some other design flaw. '88-'98 brakes (non hydro-boost only) generally suck, and they had rear drums too