Front end freshen up. - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

eightbanger · 07-27-2010, 03:01 PM

I've been dreaming of the day I could finally post that I'd redone the front end on my Truck...So here it is!! my 71 has never been the best handling since I got her, so this was a job long overdue. The PO had given it a cheap 2" drop all round by heating up the coils, so annoyingly the distance between the top of the wheel arch and pavement has always been 1" lower on the DS than on the PS and regardless of alignment it has always pulled to the left. Not to mention that it has always looked really bad under there, 40 years of road dirt and grease that has leaked from every boot, I mean it was caked.

Parts roll call....Didn't do the trailing arm bushings, i'll get them next time when I fit new rear coils.
Engine Mounts
2" Drop Coils
Inner/Outer Tie Rods
Upper/Lower Ball Joints
A Arm Shafts & Bushings

And look at this pile of worn out c**p

And now after cleaning, painting and new parts fitted.

cdowns · 07-27-2010, 03:08 PM

great job// i love seeing it done the right way. you'll feel the difference bigtiime

marks1972 · 07-27-2010, 03:11 PM

could you throw in some old and new pics in for the stance when you are done. i still have the factory springs in mine with smaller tires and was wonder what it would look like with 2" drop added to it.
thanks

eightbanger · 07-27-2010, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marks1972

could you throw in some old and new pics in for the stance when you are done. i still have the factory springs in mine with smaller tires and was wonder what it would look like with 2" drop added to it.
thanks

It was already 2" lower than factory Mark before I started as it had the springs sagged by the PO, when I added the new 2" drop coils I was basically just keeping the same drop.

But here is an old pic with the Truck with 2" drop all round 32 rear 30 front, factory was 34 rear 32 front.

eightbanger · 07-27-2010, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdowns

great job// i love seeing it done the right way. you'll feel the difference bigtiime

Thanks C, the response in the steering is really sharp, it's gonna take me time to get used to.

marks1972 · 07-27-2010, 03:37 PM

Yea that is about the same stance as mine. My suspension has never been messed with though. She is probably just showing her age.

oldblue1968chevy · 07-27-2010, 09:33 PM

nice man, I did alot of that a year ago and didnt clean it up wish I did you did it right!

Whered you get your control arm bushigns at? Moog brand?? Lookin' GREAT

ps why didnt you paint the outer frame?

Sinister · 07-27-2010, 10:39 PM

Nice work.

petey-pablo · 07-28-2010, 09:20 AM

Wow looks good and clean now nice.. Where did you get the parts from I want to do the same some day and want some good quality parts I have fairly new drop springs.
Inner/Outer Tie Rods
Upper/Lower Ball Joints
A Arm Shafts & Bushings

eightbanger · 07-28-2010, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldblue1968chevy

nice man, I did alot of that a year ago and didnt clean it up wish I did you did it right!

ps why didnt you paint the outer frame?

I got lazy and was itching to get it put back together and go for a drive.

Quote:

Originally Posted by petey-pablo

Wow looks good and clean now nice.. Where did you get the parts from I want to do the same some day and want some good quality parts I have fairly new drop springs.
Inner/Outer Tie Rods
Upper/Lower Ball Joints
A Arm Shafts & Bushings

All the parts came from "Classic Parts" with the exception of the coils which were CPP, Tie Rods & Ball Joints were Raybestos the Shafts were in plain unmarked boxes so no idea of the manufacturer they had a good quality feel about them as did all the parts, I had no fitment issues at all and time will tell with durability. I'd have to say that of all the big parts vendors I get the best value at Classic Parts.

cam.man67 · 07-28-2010, 01:53 PM

Haha, nice old springs! :P

Oh, and nice work, too.

**leddzepp** · 07-28-2010, 02:11 PM

Great job! Stopping and steering are the 2 most important things. You will feel a huge improvement in your handling. Too bad a lot of people go with bling before basics.

gcburdic · 07-29-2010, 09:55 AM

Nice Nigel...now get out there and drive the he!! out of it

eightbanger · 07-29-2010, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sinister

Nice work.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cam.man67

Haha, nice old springs! :P

Oh, and nice work, too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by leddzepp

Great job! Stopping and steering are the 2 most important things. You will feel a huge improvement in your handling. Too bad a lot of people go with bling before basics.

Quote:

Originally Posted by gcburdic

Nice Nigel...now get out there and drive the he!! out of it

Cheers guys!! I appreciate it.

VA72C10 · 07-29-2010, 01:12 PM

Nice work. I'm sure it's a great improvement in the driving experience and it looks much better under there!

tqlspec · 07-29-2010, 01:15 PM

ain't nothing like a fresh front end.

07-27-2010, 03:01 PM	#1
eightbanger 454 MAKES IT ROAR Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Essex, U.K Posts: 2,701	Front end freshen up. I've been dreaming of the day I could finally post that I'd redone the front end on my Truck...So here it is!! my 71 has never been the best handling since I got her, so this was a job long overdue. The PO had given it a cheap 2" drop all round by heating up the coils, so annoyingly the distance between the top of the wheel arch and pavement has always been 1" lower on the DS than on the PS and regardless of alignment it has always pulled to the left. Not to mention that it has always looked really bad under there, 40 years of road dirt and grease that has leaked from every boot, I mean it was caked. Parts roll call....Didn't do the trailing arm bushings, i'll get them next time when I fit new rear coils. Engine Mounts 2" Drop Coils Inner/Outer Tie Rods Upper/Lower Ball Joints A Arm Shafts & Bushings And look at this pile of worn out c*p And now after cleaning, painting and new parts fitted. __________________ Nigel. An American living in a British body. 1971 Chevy Cheyenne 10 454 "In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act." - George Orwell "When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty" - Thomas Jefferson No more pain. 03.12.60 -- 12.28.10 http://www.youtube.com/Eightbanger Last edited by eightbanger; 07-27-2010 at 03:02 PM.*

07-27-2010, 03:08 PM	#2
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: Front end freshen up. great job// i love seeing it done the right way. you'll feel the difference bigtiime __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

07-27-2010, 03:11 PM	#3
marks1972 Registered User Join Date: May 2010 Location: Atoka, TN Posts: 240	Re: Front end freshen up. could you throw in some old and new pics in for the stance when you are done. i still have the factory springs in mine with smaller tires and was wonder what it would look like with 2" drop added to it. thanks __________________ Mark 1968 C-10 SWB 307/munci 4spd/411possi 1986-1990 1972 Cheyenne-10 LWB 350/TH350 IF SHE WHOULD HAVE KEEPT THE SHIRT ON THEY WOULDNT HAVE BROKEN UP THANKS ADAM SANDLER U. S. Navy Seabee "CAN DO", "The difficult we do at once. The impossible may take a little bit longer.","We Build We Fight", "Work Hard Play Hard"

07-27-2010, 03:37 PM	#6
marks1972 Registered User Join Date: May 2010 Location: Atoka, TN Posts: 240	Re: Front end freshen up. Yea that is about the same stance as mine. My suspension has never been messed with though. She is probably just showing her age. __________________ Mark 1968 C-10 SWB 307/munci 4spd/411possi 1986-1990 1972 Cheyenne-10 LWB 350/TH350 IF SHE WHOULD HAVE KEEPT THE SHIRT ON THEY WOULDNT HAVE BROKEN UP THANKS ADAM SANDLER U. S. Navy Seabee "CAN DO", "The difficult we do at once. The impossible may take a little bit longer.","We Build We Fight", "Work Hard Play Hard"

07-27-2010, 09:33 PM	#7
oldblue1968chevy Grandpa in the rustmobile... Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Spokane WA/Viola TN Posts: 11,422	Re: Front end freshen up. nice man, I did alot of that a year ago and didnt clean it up wish I did you did it right! Whered you get your control arm bushigns at? Moog brand?? Lookin' GREAT ps why didnt you paint the outer frame? __________________ John Goose-1968 C10 355,9.32-1CR, Vortec Heads ,262 voodoo, 3.73:1 3OTT (HS ride/beater/farm truck) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=317684 Grams 53-1953 Chevrolet Belair http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post4327784 1969 Chevy C10 Shortbed 4.5/6?" Frame off resto http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=548136 1999 Toyota Tacoma 4x4

07-27-2010, 10:39 PM	#8
Sinister Between Trucks... Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA. Posts: 3,830	Re: Front end freshen up. Nice work. __________________ Beat it to fit, Paint it to match...

07-28-2010, 09:20 AM	#9
petey-pablo "THE GREEN GOBLIN" Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Fremont Ca. Posts: 1,025	Re: Front end freshen up. Wow looks good and clean now nice.. Where did you get the parts from I want to do the same some day and want some good quality parts I have fairly new drop springs. Inner/Outer Tie Rods Upper/Lower Ball Joints A Arm Shafts & Bushings __________________ Petey-pablo "THE GREEN GOBLIN" 1972 Cheyenne 10 Short Fleet Side Front 2.5inch Spindles with 2inch Springs Rear 4inch drop Springs. 454BBC TH400,Posi 1971 Cheyenne 10 Long Fleet Side 454BBC TH350,Posi Sold Drive it like you stole it! Petey-pablo@sbcglobal.net

07-28-2010, 01:53 PM	#11
cam.man67 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Jefferson, MD Posts: 2,397	Re: Front end freshen up. Haha, nice old springs! :P Oh, and nice work, too. __________________ '68 Dodge Dart 270, 225, 904, 2.76--"Lucy" 1996 Gmc 1500 Z71, 350, 4l60e, 3.73s 1995 Jeep Wrangler Rio Grande 2.5, AX5, 4.10s 1989 Toyota Pickup 22re, auto, 3.73

07-28-2010, 02:11 PM	#12
leddzepp Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Southern Cal Posts: 20,018	Re: Front end freshen up. Great job! Stopping and steering are the 2 most important things. You will feel a huge improvement in your handling. Too bad a lot of people go with bling before basics. __________________ 1972 C/10 Cheyenne Super SWB. Restored, loaded, slammed. 1968 C/10 50th Anniversary LWB. Unrestored, stock, daily driver/work truck. RIP ElJay RIP 67ChevyRedneck RIP Grumpy Old Man RIP FleetsidePaul

07-29-2010, 09:55 AM	#13
gcburdic Restoration Virgin! Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Huntersville, NC Posts: 8,298	Re: Front end freshen up. Nice Nigel...now get out there and drive the he!! out of it __________________ Geoff with a G 1968 Chevy C10 SWB The Mistress 1972 Custom Deluxe C20 Suburban A Suburban Named Isabella 1966 Ford Mustang Mama's High School Graduation Present

07-29-2010, 01:12 PM	#15
VA72C10 VA72C10 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Midlothian, VA Posts: 25,269	Re: Front end freshen up. Nice work. I'm sure it's a great improvement in the driving experience and it looks much better under there! __________________ Looking for a 67-72 swb or blazer project in or around VA.

07-29-2010, 01:15 PM	#16
tqlspec Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Jackson, TN Posts: 99	Re: Front end freshen up. ain't nothing like a fresh front end. __________________ Retired Navy 1972 C10 Cheyenne fleetside 350 sbc, 700r4, 3.42 rear



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