kp components

[54Caddy]

i was thinking of going with a kp components 6 link kit on my truck, with the bolt in step notch. But i am wondering will this kit work with a step side bed. The reason being is that I'm not sure if i will still run the fleet side or not. The truck is originally step side and I'm beginning to like them more and you don't see them as often. So has anyone seen one of these kits on a step side or what??

[lolife99]

I have seen them on a few fleetside trucks.
With a stepside bed,... I would think the rear cantilever arms would be really noticeable.
(since the stepside bed doesn't hang down as low in the rear, as a fleetside bed).
This is the only thing I don't like about the KP 6-link.
I would suggest the bolt in 4-link from Porterbuilt.
I have installed one of these and they are very nice.
Plus the PB set-up use a Firestone F9000 sleeve bag (for a better ride) where the 6-link uses a double convoluted bag.
(Just my opinion).

[N2TRUX]

I know it's just personal preference, but I think 6 links are rather unattractive. Unless you really need it, go with a 4 link. They are so much cleaner.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by lolife99

I have seen them on a few fleetside trucks.
With a stepside bed,... I would think the rear cantilever arms would be really noticeable.
(since the stepside bed doesn't hang down as low in the rear, as a fleetside bed).
This is the only thing I don't like about the KP 6-link.
I would suggest the bolt in 4-link from Porterbuilt.
I have installed one of these and they are very nice.
Plus the PB set-up use a Firestone F9000 sleeve bag (for a better ride) where the 6-link uses a double convoluted bag.
(Just my opinion).

I believe PB uses the sleeve bag in this configuration because it's similar to mounting it on the axle tube (1:1 ratio?). The 6-link would use dbl convoluted because they're on the link lever & like a 2:1(?) ratio.

I have to agree..... cost being similar & both being bolt-on capable, the 4-link is 'cleaner' in appearance.

[67cheby]

heres a mix of the two, PB 4link KP watts link

[54Caddy]

this will be going on my 79, so i dont know if it pb makes a four link kit for these. I know they do for the 67-72's. Also i like the 6 link just because it has a lot of lift in it and it lays out clean, havent seen a pb truck that has a stepside bed on it either from the 73-87's

[54Caddy]

i see on the pb site that they do it is 1,900. as compared to the 1,600 total for the 6 link and the bolt in notch frop kp components. Also the kp components kit bolts to the location of the leaf spring hanger and shackle locations where as the pb kit you have to take out the saddle bag and mount a tank to the frame which i dont like because you can see it hanging below the rear bumper. also on dino's white truck it has the pb kit in the rear but i dont know what size his rear tires are and has a pb dropmember up front and looks great. the kp components kit seems like it is good, but the disadvantage of seeing the links if i convert to the stepside bed. Maybe Nate can chime in and see if he has some other kit up his sleeve ahaha

[PBFAB.COM]

Originally Posted by 54Caddy

i see on the pb site that they do it is 1,900. as compared to the 1,600 total for the 6 link and the bolt in notch frop kp components. Also the kp components kit bolts to the location of the leaf spring hanger and shackle locations where as the pb kit you have to take out the saddle bag and mount a tank to the frame which i dont like because you can see it hanging below the rear bumper. also on dino's white truck it has the pb kit in the rear but i dont know what size his rear tires are and has a pb dropmember up front and looks great. the kp components kit seems like it is good, but the disadvantage of seeing the links if i convert to the stepside bed. Maybe Nate can chime in and see if he has some other kit up his sleeve ahaha

We are running a special on the bolt-in rear for $1700. That includes a bridge assembly to tie the notch together and add rigidity to the chassis.

True, our four-link makes it so you have to remove the saddle tanks... which is something you will need to do if laying frame... the factory saddles hang below the frame rails making it DANGEROUS to keep them if you are laying frame. We intentionally designed the kit this way, for this particular safety concern... we don't want our customers burning their trucks to the ground.

Our notch is big enough to lay frame with a 31" tall tire.

If you want to wait another 6-8 weeks we will have our trailing arm kit done for the squares.

Until then, this is what we offer:

[Inverter]

Nathan,this is what you've been doing?...

[Sammy]

Ohhhh Santa, boy do I have a wish list coming your way! Did I mention I've been a very, very good boy this year?

[54Caddy]

okay nate the bridge does make it stronger compare to the kp components kit, at the time dont have the money but im getting all my ideas on paper so i can start buying it all, also nate do you have any pictures where they mounted the tank, the thing is is that i might run a stepside bed and dont want to move the wood up so what options would i have, and on the trailing arm kit, is it going to be similar to what my 68 has on it factory or whats going on with that and do you have a price rang on it yet??

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by 54Caddy

okay nate the bridge does make it stronger compare to the kp components kit, at the time dont have the money but im getting all my ideas on paper so i can start buying it all, also nate do you have any pictures where they mounted the tank, the thing is is that i might run a stepside bed and dont want to move the wood up so what options would i have, and on the trailing arm kit, is it going to be similar to what my 68 has on it factory or whats going on with that and do you have a price rang on it yet??

Regardless of manufacturer, a step notch = raising (moving) the floor up.

[edflores]

Originally Posted by porterbuilt

We are running a special on the bolt-in rear for $1700. That includes a bridge assembly to tie the notch together and add rigidity to the chassis.

True, our four-link makes it so you have to remove the saddle tanks... which is something you will need to do if laying frame... the factory saddles hang below the frame rails making it DANGEROUS to keep them if you are laying frame. We intentionally designed the kit this way, for this particular safety concern... we don't want our customers burning their trucks to the ground.

Our notch is big enough to lay frame with a 31" tall tire.

If you want to wait another 6-8 weeks we will have our trailing arm kit done for the squares.

Until then, this is what we offer:

Make a bolt in rear for my K5 damn it.
Looks great.
I never liked the look of those extra rear bars. No point on these trucks really since you could have just run them on the forward mounted bars

[JNJchev77]

I think your only option would be to mount the tank in the bed... Not very practical if you plan on using the bed. And probably not the safest option out there!

[Inverter]

Originally Posted by 54Caddy

on the trailing arm kit, is it going to be similar to what my 68 has on it factory or whats going on with that?

This is my '68 chassis.
B/A Sphon bearings. Nothing like the oem t-arms setup.

I am wanting to use a watts,w/this setup,instead of a pan.Im wondering if a KP watts will work w/these arms w/o binding?

[SCOTI]

Using the same type of bushings for the link arms would definitely make it possible.

[54Caddy]

well not really the step notch you can just cut the hole in the bed and call it good but will the notch interfere with the bed sides on a step side, so many problems with step sides wonder if that's why you hardly see them bagged. It looks like the notch on the pb kit will hit the bedsides on a step side.

[N2TRUX]

Here's a couple of 67-72 pics to give you an idea of what your up against. These pics are from this post- 22's on a stepside laid out.

[54Caddy]

did not realize how much a step side would be. Looks like if i land up doing it i will have a big project ahead of me. I dont like the raised fender and if i run 15s they will be 245/60/15's and if 18s they will be 245/45/18 and with 20s 245/35/20's which all sit just under 27 inches tall for tire and rim mounted. The step sides look real nice layed out but is it worth putting the truck back to the original bed. Ideas ideas what to do..........

[AceX]

Up to you Brandon. I'm personally waiting for the trailing arm kit from Nate right now. Trying to save up for it after I do the BitOne in the '05.

That'll be rear suspension done lol, THen just "two more weeks" and he'll have the front end that I want too lol

[54Caddy]

the bitone in the 05 must be nice ahahaha. I havent even seen any pictures of his plans on the trailing arm kit yet will have to wait and see.