Air Ride Install - '69 Chevrolet SWB Stepside

[tcb-1]

Originally Posted by rondog4416

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

I've seen some slammed 3/4 tonners, so it can be done.

however, do you have a leaf spring rearend though? and I haven't seen 3/4 ton drop spindles, so you may have to deal with that issue as well.

[tcb-1]

Originally Posted by crakarjax

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?

crakar,
the original stamped steel a arms were preventing me from getting that low. remember though, I never cupped them. if I would have done so, I could have easily got where I'm at now........... easily.

[triplejiib]

My friend your truck is sweet. I stumbled across it the other day and have spent the past few days reading it. I have been wanting to bag my truck but have been intimidated by people talking of z'ing the frame and fabricating rear c-notches and all that. Your build, however, has given this poor, unskilled person some hope that it can be done, and not cost an arm and a leg. What kind of setup are you using on the front end (drop spindles, etc.)? Do you have a link to another post or did I miss it in the beginning of this build? I read it kind of fast it was such good reading. Anyways truck looks great and thanks again.

[tcb-1]

triplejiib,
the frontend is composed of McGaughy's 2.5" drop spindles, Airlift Dominator D2600 bags, Control Freak upper and lower control arms, 1.125" diameter sway bar, ECC dropped sway bar mounts, and Energy Suspension urethane bushings.

and yes, I built this system for the bolt on guys. except for a few items, I did not use a welder, tig/mig, or plasma. this system could and can be built with fairly common hand tools. and I built this without using air tools and in a small suburban neighborhood garage. I bought many of the parts via Ebay, this message board, and CL.

I sincerely wanted this build to show that it can be done on the cheap by the regular guy....... simple and clean.

[62panel]

where did you get your Control Freak uppers and lowers from and do you happen to remember the p/n. Thanks

[tcb-1]

actually, the arms were one of the pieces to the puzzle that I purchased from a board member. they were used, so I was able to save some moolah. however, I think I have seen them on Ebay. iirc, they are produced in a small shop. you may search for them on Ebay. and I don't think there was an actual pn# on them, but I will look........

[bguild]

Nice work man.. I just bought a 67 step last week.. We might need to meet up since I plan to air ride mine.. I will most likely see you at one of the shows in the coming weeks. Great work..

[tcb-1]

bguild, I'll be @ Goodguys this weekend and the All Truck Nats next weekend. stop and say hello! if you need any help with your setup, contact me anytime!

[72BlckButy]

Originally Posted by bguild

Nice work man.. I just bought a 67 step last week.. We might need to meet up since I plan to air ride mine.. I will most likely see you at one of the shows in the coming weeks. Great work..

Glad to see you back on here... congrats on finding a new truck. (Knew you wouldn't be gone forever)

[bguild]

Originally Posted by 72BlckButy

Glad to see you back on here... congrats on finding a new truck. (Knew you wouldn't be gone forever)

Yes I even said I was never going to buy another one.. well that didnt last long.. I think since my first truck when I was 16 was a 68 shortbed I am just drawn to them.. I did learn alot with the first one i bought to fix up.. This one is in alot better shape just needs some TLC.. I hope I get to meet most of you either at the goodguys or the truck nationals..

[72BlckButy]

Bringing the truck out to either show?

GG's is great for seeing a lot of everything.
The Nat's is great for meeting board members and looking at 3-400 trucks, blazer, durangos, etc.

I think I still have your number.

[bguild]

Uhm I dont think I am bringing the truck.. I have a trans leak that I have not had time to look at.. Plus its been sitting for 2 years so I need to change all the fluids and give it all a once over.. I have it tagged but no insurance on it currently but hopefully soon I will be out cruising in it.. I hope to get out to do more to this coming Monday.. Its not stored at the house so it makes it harder to get some stuff done. I have been to both shows a few years ago.. They both are great.

[BGRAFX]

Hey Man did you sell your truck at GoodGuys today? I took these pix and 20minutes later your truck was gone. I want the red suburban and the owner said you sold your truck. Congrats if you did.

[OARNGESI]

So if you did didyou keep the mower

[crakarjax]

The silence is ominous...

[tcb-1]

yep, she's gone.... but on the bright side, my 1949 Johnston mower is safe in my garage. that's me behind the truck in the straw cowboy hat. ain't I ridiculous looking??!!

don't worry gang, I'm sticking around..... like it or not!!

you may see a burb, k5, or GM wagon in my avatar soon. and of course it will be on air and scraping the floor!

[kev2809]

wow, i had to read it a few times! sucks that you sold it, but im sure the next one will be at least just as clean!

sure would like to see a burb in that avatar!

[GRIMSS]

I was there Sat and only got to see it drive by once. So I didn't even get to see the airride in person.

[88JRFAN]

See how you are. Wouldn't let us have a chance of seeing the truck this weekend. Looking forward to what you do next.

[BGRAFX]

Doug I didn't mean to let the cat out of the bag, I didn't even see you back there in the straw hat when I took the picture. I went to the show friday becuz I had to go to a wedding in salina on saturday. So I tried to take as many pix as I could. Who knew it was going to be the last shot of your truck. Lol I loved the red burb next to it and it was perfect angle to take the trucks with the nascar tree in the back ground. I'm gonna miss the all truck nats next weekend becuz I have a booth at the Ks state fair in hutchison selling my decals and signs. Can't wait to see what you get next.
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[tommyd241]

Oh wow. They must have definitely made it worth your while. That is an awesome truck. Can't wait to see what you have up your sleeve next.
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[sourkraut]

awe man, why did you sell it? hopefully you can find a clean new platform/project for what i am sure will be as cool.

[bguild]

Originally Posted by tcb-1

yep, she's gone.... but on the bright side, my 1949 Johnston mower is safe in my garage. that's me behind the truck in the straw cowboy hat. ain't I ridiculous looking??!!

don't worry gang, I'm sticking around..... like it or not!!

you may see a burb, k5, or GM wagon in my avatar soon. and of course it will be on air and scraping the floor!

If you get a new project and need helping hands doing the air ride let me know I would love to learn some stuff before i get mine on air.

[Jeffs70]

Ok I have to say I have read this thread a thousand times and now It has inspired me to do this with my 70. great write up for sure thanks again for all the helpful tips.

The only thing I will not have is a c-notched frame so that means for a bit of a rake but that is ok with me

[Jeffs70]

I was wondering about the front sway bar with this install.

When Looking at it on my truck it looks as if its going to be in the way of the drop and hold me up from droping it 2 more inches. my other concerns are about the sway of the truck if i do not place the bar back on it.? or is there another type of sway bar that would be a better setup for this style application?


well Forget about the previous question I tested my truck out by removing the springs and lowering it down as low as I can go. and It happens to lay frame even with the sway bar attached. only problem is the sway bar maybe in the way of the bags so it still may need to be changed or upgraded.

btw sure is sad to see you sold it. was one sweet truck there.