Rods 57

[Rods57]

Originally Posted by made2drag

nice repairs!

Thanks, i am just finishing up cleaning the insides and getting ready to prime and paint some stuff.

[Wheelie]

I have rust in the same spots on my fenders. Truck is looking good!

[ZR2RICK]

the difference is in spring rate, there is a slight height and diameter difference, but I have found that just cutting the coils for ride height works fine, they get softer (less spring rate) the more you take off, If you only want 2-3" cutting coils will work fine. if you do ,make sure to flatten the coil after cutting so it sits in the spring pocket as before.

[Kim57]

From the pic it doesn't look like the engine is in.
If it isn't the weight of it will lower the front some.
Kim

[Rods57]

Originally Posted by Kim57

From the pic it doesn't look like the engine is in.
If it isn't the weight of it will lower the front some.
Kim

Your right, the engine isn't in in this picture but it was before this shot and it didn't move the front at all, that what worries me it was fully up stiff against the stops. May just be best to get new ones and know for sure what I have.


thanks for the comments

[hammerdog57]

Originally Posted by Rods57

Your right, the engine isn't in in this picture but it was before this shot and it didn't move the front at all, that what worries me it was fully up stiff against the stops. May just be best to get new ones and know for sure what I have.


thanks for the comments

I have new springs also. Mine didnt drop after first installing engine. Drove it around the block a few times and it dropped about 3/4 inch. My problem is front wheels still have about 1/2 inch negative camber with out any shims installed. Front end still needs to come down about 1-1/2-2 inches to get any positive camber. I am thinking about cutting one coil and see what happens. What did your wheel camber look like with engine installed?

[Rods57]

Originally Posted by hammerdog57

I have new springs also. Mine didnt drop after first installing engine. Drove it around the block a few times and it dropped about 3/4 inch. My problem is front wheels still have about 1/2 inch negative camber with out any shims installed. Front end still needs to come down about 1-1/2-2 inches to get any positive camber. I am thinking about cutting one coil and see what happens. What did your wheel camber look like with engine installed?

I had the same problem no shims and positive camber.

[_Ogre]

Originally Posted by Rods57

Your right, the engine isn't in in this picture but it was before this shot and it didn't move the front at all, that what worries me it was fully up stiff against the stops. May just be best to get new ones and know for sure what I have.

motor, trans, interior and glass all add a lot of weight to the truck. my mustII was hard against the upper stops with the cab, motor, trans and 3 big guys standing on the front frame horns. it eventually settled down to where the lower A arm was level

[Rods57]

Originally Posted by _Ogre

motor, trans, interior and glass all add a lot of weight to the truck. my mustII was hard against the upper stops with the cab, motor, trans and 3 big guys standing on the front frame horns. it eventually settled down to where the lower A arm was level

thanks I like the ride height of yours. There is a local spring shop here and I think I will have them look at them before I do anything.

[_Ogre]

put it all together and wait a yr before you do anything
if it really bugs you remove the springs and stick a 2x4 in there cut to the length of your ride height
don't jump the gun and start altering stuff untill all the weight is on your truck
in the picture below the suspension is locked in on the upper stops by the shocks fully extended, a arms are running down hill

[Rods57]

Got the answer back on the springs. there were three different springs they used, with three different rates and sizes. So need to get mine apart and get them checked out or replaced.

In the mean time, got an idea and bought a 70's vette wheel on craigslist, I am going to modify the horn ring off of one of the original wheels from the three trucks I started with and heres what I end up with. total cost, $65...

[Tanman]

Great gob on the truck Rods.

[Rods57]

Originally Posted by BC Toy chest

The only way way I can tell the difference is with a a Moog catalog http://www.moog-suspension-parts.com/ http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,ca...BSpring%2BMOOG

They list the vehicle with engine size and then ask with A/C or without A/C. In some cases they only say 8 CYL / 6 CYL. with A/C or w/o AC. Would you consider dropped spindles or maybe cutting out a half of a coil on each spring. Some remove one whole coil.

Thanks BC toy chest, What I found out is I don't know what I have. I am taking it apart and taking the springs to a spring shop that can tell me what I have before I do anything. Then I can make a better decision.

Originally Posted by Tanman

Great gob on the truck Rods.

Thanks, Tanman. it's been fun project, and I am always amazed at the info I get on this forums, seems like anything I need to know is here.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Tanman]

I have one question for you. By chance do you know the width of the camaro front , from I guess hub to hub? where the rim sits on the hub. I have a 79 front clip and its all torn apart. If you dont its ok.
Thanks

[Rods57]

So from the hub surface that the wheel sits on its 60 5/8 from the outside of the rotor to rotor it's 56 3/4. It that what you needed?
Posted via Mobile Device

[Tanman]

That is what I needed. Thank you very much sir.

[Rods57]

Originally Posted by Tanman

That is what I needed. Thank you very much sir.

No problem, see anything you need.....it here.
Posted via Mobile Device

[apache200]

any new pics or updates

[Rods57]

Originally Posted by apache200

any new pics or updates

Not really, unless sanding dust is an update. I do have a pic of some work I did for my mother in law. I call it practice for my truck...

[apache200]

nice repair on the grille

[Rods57]

got some stuff done. Had my seat frame and springs powder coated 60% gloss black. I know only a few inchs shows but it will never rust. I also got a different steering wheel I only paid $35 for it total, I had the center section already. Also just fitting the doors and getting the springs out decided to go with 1 inch lowered springs up front.

[Kim57]

That's a nice wheel.
Kim

[Rods57]

Originally Posted by apache200

nice repair on the grille

Thanks, I painted this one they are cheap so I didn't repair the broken one just the paint work.

Originally Posted by Kim57

That's a nice wheel.
Kim

I know its pretty nice. Has a few cracks but nothing major. should look great red....

[lowrodderchev]

looking good i'm running the same wheel (56 210) in my truck love it

[Rods57]

Originally Posted by lowrodderchev

looking good i'm running the same wheel (56 210) in my truck love it

I saw rude dude on this site had one of the three spoke type and I loved it, plus I have a 55 as weel as the truck and I have always liked the way it looked.