Air Ride Install - '69 Chevrolet SWB Stepside

[bobbo]

That's why he went with air ride! Adjustable deck mower/truck! AWESOME DOUG!

[tcb-1]

MISSION COMPLETE.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...74#post4003874

[SCOTI]

Still haven't seen that raised bed floor so it's not done yet .

[tcb-1]

yep, that's definitely next on the agenda. my first couple of plans never materialized. they were going to built of a tubular skeleton. but I was HEAVY and repairs and upkeep of the valve rack would have been a nightmare.

so...... I'm now thinking of a completely removable bed floor. I have the design on ProE, but it hasn't come to fruition yet.

I'll get there, I PROMISE!!!

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by tcb-1

yep, that's definitely next on the agenda. my first couple of plans never materialized. they were going to built of a tubular skeleton. but I was HEAVY and repairs and upkeep of the valve rack would have been a nightmare.

so...... I'm now thinking of a completely removable bed floor. I have the design on ProE, but it hasn't come to fruition yet.

I'll get there, I PROMISE!!!

Build a floor like a trunk/deck-lid or a tonnaue (sp?) cover. It can pivot on a piano hinge on one end & have lots of access to everything.

[tcb-1]

yep, that's my thoughts too. just trying to come up with a configuration so I can use the original bed wood and strips.

[smbrouss70]

I saw this at Cruisin' the Coast last year... maybe you can get some ideas from him.

[tcb-1]

WOWWEEE! now that's what I've had in my head! thanks a bunch Steven!!

[rustSpot]

Great to see another step! Looks great!

[cstm68]

looks great man, what are you doing for rear shocks??

[tcb-1]

rear shocks are for an early Toyota pickup.

[sourkraut]

have you made any progress? i was wondering how you are making out?

[tcb-1]

kraut,
how are you, buddy?? Have you sold your HD yet? I loooove that bike!

really haven't done anything on the truck for a few months. did a few short roadtrips to shows and start it up now and then. the show and cruise season for us in the Midwest is September and October, so I will be out in full force in a few weeks!! I'll definitely be at the Goodguys in Kansas City and The All Truck Nationals in Riverside MO.

[sourkraut]

Cool! I might have? A guy is very interested and has made two 1.5hr road trips to look it over. He said he will let me know when he gets back from sturgis? So don't know if he is thinking about it or shopping around? Anyways you know the saying money talks BS walks! So till then no.

Originally Posted by tcb-1

kraut,
how are you, buddy?? Have you sold your HD yet? I loooove that bike!

really haven't done anything on the truck for a few months. did a few short roadtrips to shows and start it up now and then. the show and cruise season for us in the Midwest is September and October, so I will be out in full force in a few weeks!! I'll definitely be at the Goodguys in Kansas City and The All Truck Nationals in Riverside MO.

[tcb-1]

well, if I win the lotto........ I'm Pennsy bound!

[jlaird]

I love this truck...has a real nice vintage feel. What is the color name and code of the green? I was thinking the same with the white roof and green body, only I want to put the body trim on. Looks awesome!

[tcb-1]

thanks jlaird!

the paint is the original 504 Yellow Green Poly. here's a link to the original paint swatch:

http://www.tcpglobal.com/autocolorli...truck-pg01.jpg

[tubbedII]

It's been said many times, but I have to say it again...your truck is AWESOME!

Couple questions:
1. What brand lca's are you runnin? (sorry if i missed it, but I looked in both threads and came up empty)
2. When you air out in the rear, does the axle bottom out on the notch before the bag bottoms out?
-I was wondering if the axle would hit the notch with just a 2" block since that's what I have right now. But if so, a 3" block would be nice too since it would still be low with a decent pressure in the bag for a good ride.
3. Where'd you get your 3" blocks? (haven't seen them advertised anywhere)

[tcb-1]

thanks for the compliment tubbedII. as for your questions:
1. I'm running Control Freak upper and lower control arms
2. yes, the rear axle does lay touch the notch before I get to the bottom of the bag. I'm running a CPP bolt in unit right now. I'll be going with a deeper weld-in notch this winter
3. I made my own blocks, but you can get the same effect with a combination of (1) 2" and (1) 1" block.

[keanevann]

Not to beat a dead horse but BEAUTIFUL truck....Thanks for doing this write up!!! Saved me a lot of headaches!!! Im gonna be doing the same EXACT setup.... I was wondering if you could tell me the distance from the bottom of the frame rail to the ground aired out (right under the front of the cab..... I need to know whether or not I have to re-design my whole exhaust setup before i put all these parts that are sitting in my living room on the truck!!!!

[tcb-1]

keanevann,
just measured. the frame is 2-5/8" from floor. if your using big diameter tubes for your exhaust, you may need to do a bit of a redesign. if you don't cut the exhaust off under the cab, you may need to go through the cross member. no biggy, though. I am with you, I will need to tuck the exhaust a bit better this winter.

right now, when I'm aired out, I'm sitting on the lower a arms. I could lay the frame if I removed the inner fenders, but until I have a good plan of action on replacing them, I guess I'll stay at this height.

if you need any more info, feel free to post or pm me.

[keanevann]

Thanks!!!! I have an LT1 with longtube headers that sit about 4 inches below the frame..... I'm hoping that without taking 5/8 out of the front lower cup and not running tubular control arms that I might be able to keep my longtube setup.... Do you remember if your truck sat much higher with the stock LCA's??

[tcb-1]

before the tubular a arms I was sitting approx. 2" higher. Sounds like you be close, but okay.

[rondog4416]

great work ! i have a 3/4 ton gmc could i bag it and still keep it 3/4 ton ? i

[crakarjax]

Originally Posted by tcb-1

before the tubular a arms I was sitting approx. 2" higher. Sounds like you be close, but okay.

Are you saying that your stock arms were preventing you from getting as low as you are now, or was you setup just 2" higher before you switched to tubular? Also, where di you pick up your arms and what kind did you go with?