Air ride tech 4-link and other Q's

[RockHQ]

hi everyone!

Last nite i spent looking for upgrades for my recently acquired 1979 C-10 fleetside. Now you must understand that i've from the beginning viewed the vehicle as a pure project basis, meaning no stock components will be retained unless neccessary and if better components are available aftermarket they will be utilized. Street driveability isn't the greatest concern (though i will want to keep my truck street legal)

Okay on to the actual questions and problems:

I really, really want a parallel 4-link rear setup in my truck, along with an olds 455 BB, TH400, a f*rd 9 inch rear and 4-way independent bags front and rear.

1. First the parallel four link. Our government requires a certificate from the manufacturer to prove that a piece of equipment is designed for a certain application, ie. an air ride tech parallel four link setup must have the mfg's letter of approval for a 73-87 C-10 Chevy pick-ups. Without this approval i will have to apply for a vehicle-specific permit that costs $280 regardless of whether or not our Deparment of Motor Vehicles approves or denies it. After browsing the ART website i found no specific parallel 4-link kit for the 73-87, meaning i will either have to contact ART for the letter of approval or choose another manufacturer. Am i on the right track here?

2. Panhard bar mounting: what is the ideal mounting point of the panhard bar upper mount? I would assume as close as possible to horizontal compared to the rear axle, however this will never be possible. What about dual panhard bars with pivoting center support on the rear end?

3. Front air bags, UCAs and LCAs. With bags up front, will i need lowered spindles/tubular LCAs/UCAs/other equipment to lay low without having ridiculous wheel alignment and unbearable handling?

4. Air valves, air line plumbing, compressor etc. Will ID 3/8 hose do, assuming i have no intention of lifting or lowering the truck in a hurry (no show, just GO)? I prefer reliable operation and ease of installation. How much CFM will the compressor need to pump, and at what backpressure? What kind of gauges will i need to monitor air spring pressure?


5. What is the lift range of a typical 4-link parallel light truck rear with air bags? Is a C-notched rear frame absolutely needed to be able to attain proper susp. travel?

6. What about the front?

Note that i've already read the posts regarding bagged 73-87 trucks but found them to not be informative enough. Now i do understand this is a fairly frequent question asked but please bear in mind i don't have the luxury of buying parts and sending them back to be replaced by another part for free. No sir, i will pay handsomely for any mistakes i make which makes me cautious.

Finally, i would like anyone possibly answering my questions to think if he/she were building his/her truck, and what would be done to it (money non-permitting).

A million thanks in advance,

-Axle

[Izzy]

IMO you should either call ART or go post this question on the forum on thier website. I bought a 4 link kit from them for my 83 and it was model specific but the panhard was universal so it's not totally specific.

http://www.ridetech.com/forum/defaul...heck=789351194

[phantom dually]

Sounds like some tough rules!!

[BaggedC10]

1. Yep! You are on the right track.

2. My panhard bar is mounted inboard of the driver side frame rail and extends 3-5" past the differential (Passenger side). It is very close to being perfect (Horizontal) at ride height. I don't see the need for a custom "dual" panhard bar setup.

3. Most people use 3" spindles (DJM, Belltech, or Western Chassis). Spindles maintain proper suspension geometry.

4. If you don't plan to raise/lower the truck very often, 3/8" line will be fine. There are several other factors involved though. What size valves, tank(s), and compressor(s)? I would recommend 1/2" line, 3/8" valves, one 5-gallon tank, and one Viar 400 compressor. I prefer dual needle analog gauges myself.

5. This depends on what kind of bags are used. I get roughly 6" of lift with Firestone 2600# bags located over-the-axle. F9000's get more lift and offer a better ride.

A C-notch is not necessary but I would recommend one. The additional suspension travel and ability to lay-out that much more will be worth it.

6. I'm not sure what the exact advertised lift of a 2600# bag is but that is a "rough" idea.

Here's the setup on my 87' C10. It's exactly what I wanted.....

Front:

ART Cool-Ride kit

PST front-end rebuild kit

DJM 3" spindles

Hellwig anti-sway bar

Rear:

ART parallel 4-link

FBI 10" step notch

Custom bridge, bag mounts, and driveshaft crossmember.

I also have ART's ARC4800 BIGRed Max compressor system.

The only thing I would change is the shock absorbers. I'm upgrading to HAL billet aluminum adjustable shock absorbers.