51' 3100 build in PA New to Site

[oldman3]

99, pulling for you in all ways, shop, trucks, etc. Hang in there (I know your will)...Jim

[99 to Life]

thanks jim, I will be posting some progress soon. I hope to have the suspension done by fall so I can drive a bit bf winter. Need to save up for tank, compressors and the 4play manifold, gauges and shocks. I also need some end links to slide into my tubing, was going to buy these from thorbros.

The rear link kit is going to be fabbed up, so it may come in handy for some s10 frame guys on here. It will cost a fraction of what any kit you buy costs.

I also have to switch out my brakes since I'm putting disc in the rear. I also have to relocate the gas tank, might just put a fuel cell in the back.

[99 to Life]

8-1-17

nothing crazy but some progress. Got front clip off. For one, I want to recoat some things under here, 2. will make it easier working on suspension, 3. I wanted to put different heads on engine (not doing this year) so that is why I decide to take the clip off. and.....all the bolts were rusted, I had to cut most of them. Word to the wise, buy stainless bolts when you can. That is the route I'll be taking. These were brand new nuts and bolts and they were a waste of money after 6yrs of driving.

got bag cups started. need to clean them up and get my bolt welded on the top cup.

tore the fuel tank and exhaust out. Redoing all that and will be recoating this frame. Most of my problem was using the thinner silver chassis saver and coating the frame when it wasn't warm enough years ago. It held up considering the elements I put it through, but its time for some thicker chassis saver and a top coat of enamel.

[99 to Life]

8-22

nothing too exciting visually, but I am making progress on the front end. Got everything tore down. Got a bag in DS front. have to still finalize the lower bag cups. I'm aiming to not dehump the arms. I have a video of airing up and down but its not worth posting till I get all front or even all 4 corners done.

I'v wanted to do this for years and never got around to it, I'm so busy with everything else but I made the decision to sacrifice some or all of a driving season so I can finally bag this truck. after driving my 49' I bagged, that put me over the edge. I could have just as good of a truck if I just put the same amount of time into this one. Plus being a first build I see alot I don't want others to see and alot of stuff is getting weathered already. So I'll be putting full stainless exhaust, all stainless hardware, new steering linkage, list keeps growing. and fully done interior also!

[99 to Life]

air ride 1951 chevy truck - YouTube

[99 to Life]

8-24 few pics of the front progress. still need to trim my lower cups a tad and finalize the cup to the LCA. as you can see I'm most likely not dehumping the arms. I should be dang near touching or about an 1" off ground when aired out. I'm not terribly worried about slamming but I won't settle for higher than an inch. This photo is max height, obviously won't be driving it like that. Ride height should be around 4.5" I'm thinking.

Everything is getting recoated and alot of new parts will slowly make its way back on the truck. Moving onto rear suspension soon. Gotta pay bills bf I can spend any money on this thing.

[oldman3]

99, looks good and nice video...Jim

[nickp51chevy]

That's awesome!!

[gigamanx]

Originally Posted by 99 to Life

8-24 few pics of the front progress. still need to trim my lower cups a tad and finalize the cup to the LCA. as you can see I'm most likely not dehumping the arms. I should be dang near touching or about an 1" off ground when aired out. I'm not terribly worried about slamming but I won't settle for higher than an inch. This photo is max height, obviously won't be driving it like that. Ride height should be around 4.5" I'm thinking.

Everything is getting recoated and alot of new parts will slowly make its way back on the truck. Moving onto rear suspension soon. Gotta pay bills bf I can spend any money on this thing.

Great video. What made you decide to switch out the upper arms? As far as bag placement goes, did you just have to trim the frame so the bag didn't contact? I believe you mentioned before the bags are slightly bigger than the springs that used to sit in there.

[99 to Life]

The upper arms is a no brainer for several reasons. 1. tubular just looks way cooler! 2. it woulda cost almost as much to rebush these stock crappy arms, not to mention the nightmare it is doing that. 3. these are already powdercoated and work really well. They are a needle bearing design, so you do have to grease them.

yes you have to clearance that spring pocket area, I cut about an inch outta the front, then hammer it out a bit. The bag actually wants to sit or hit more toward the back of frame so you gotta clearance all that out. its easy takes 15-20 min per side. I use 2600lb bags so I think they are 7" diameter, just a bit bigger than a 2500lb bag. the idea behind a larger bag is, 1. the v8 is heavy and 2. you can run less pressure at about the same height as a 2500lb bag, so.....smoother ride!

[gigamanx]

Originally Posted by 99 to Life

The upper arms is a no brainer for several reasons. 1. tubular just looks way cooler! 2. it woulda cost almost as much to rebush these stock crappy arms, not to mention the nightmare it is doing that. 3. these are already powdercoated and work really well. They are a needle bearing design, so you do have to grease them.

yes you have to clearance that spring pocket area, I cut about an inch outta the front, then hammer it out a bit. The bag actually wants to sit or hit more toward the back of frame so you gotta clearance all that out. its easy takes 15-20 min per side. I use 2600lb bags so I think they are 7" diameter, just a bit bigger than a 2500lb bag. the idea behind a larger bag is, 1. the v8 is heavy and 2. you can run less pressure at about the same height as a 2500lb bag, so.....smoother ride!

Haha, I need to rebush my stock crappy arms and I'm trying to wait until I have time to put the bags in the front. Which arms are they? Looks like I'll need a set

[joedoh]

nice work as usual henry, thanks for the vid! I have an old school set of manual MIC air valves and that is about their speed haha.

[99 to Life]

yah honestly poly bushings for lower arms are like 75$ tops are prolly 50 or more. Why not just get these and save alot of work and overall look. Get two RIGHT sides that are 8" which is same as stock s10 arms
http://www.speedwaymotors.com/IMCA-S...ross,7241.html

[99 to Life]

8-28-17

Got all the leaf springs ripped out. Friggin nightmare had to cut ubolts and the front spring bolts. Got rear suspension started. I'll post pics soon.

[99 to Life]

crappy pics and still not done with the setup but its working out as planned. I have very little money in the rear link setup. I still need to box frame and make gussets for the upper bag mounts. also need to do shocks. I'll take a pic of the whole unit outside of truck once I tear it back out.

Still also need to get my zr2 rear end in there I'm suppose to get. then I'll weld up the upper arms.

I'm most likely going to a 1 piece DS, so I'll have to tunnel my cab a bit. Which is ok bc I planned on taking seat out anyway to have re upholstered. Going to paint interior too.

[gigamanx]

Originally Posted by 99 to Life

crappy pics and still not done with the setup but its working out as planned. I have very little money in the rear link setup. I still need to box frame and make gussets for the upper bag mounts. also need to do shocks. I'll take a pic of the whole unit outside of truck once I tear it back out.

Still also need to get my zr2 rear end in there I'm suppose to get. then I'll weld up the upper arms.

I'm most likely going to a 1 piece DS, so I'll have to tunnel my cab a bit. Which is ok bc I planned on taking seat out anyway to have re upholstered. Going to paint interior too.

Any thoughts on body roll with the bags being further in on the frame? I'm guessing those sleeve bags will give you more range for lowering the rear end too!

[99 to Life]

not sure on body roll, there will be shocks too. however I dunno why I went in that far. I know the ridetech one goes a 6 3/8" off outside of frame. Maybe I'll move them. But sleeve bags def are the way to go if you don't want to notch the rear.

Iv seen bodies as high as 6" off s10 frame with a bag setup, but lotta notch and lower control arms and camber start factoring in. So since I initially set the truck up around 4" off frame, maybe 3.5" can't remember, the more notch in rear and or axle bridge etc makes for way less bed depth.

[joedoh]

looking good man, I love sleeve rear bags and I know you do too.

[gigamanx]

Originally Posted by 99 to Life

not sure on body roll, there will be shocks too. however I dunno why I went in that far. I know the ridetech one goes a 6 3/8" off outside of frame. Maybe I'll move them. But sleeve bags def are the way to go if you don't want to notch the rear.

Iv seen bodies as high as 6" off s10 frame with a bag setup, but lotta notch and lower control arms and camber start factoring in. So since I initially set the truck up around 4" off frame, maybe 3.5" can't remember, the more notch in rear and or axle bridge etc makes for way less bed depth.

I'd like to be able to tow, so notching is a bit hairy to me. Looks like sleeves it is for the rear

[99 to Life]

9-9 reworked rear suspension a little. Moved bags out a tad more and under the top bar, so I gain 2" more travel. Started boxing frame a bit. Gotta get heat hooked up out here soon so I can work out there in winter which is coming on fast. been getting pretty cold at night here.

hopefully pick up some steam on this soon. I had to pull my welder out of this garage as my other one broke, got alot of house stuff again to work on, daily driver, and geronimo I'm building needs to get on the road bf anything. But I'm am very happy I'v atleast gotten this far, been wanting to tear this truck back down almost from day one!

[gigamanx]

Originally Posted by 99 to Life

9-9 reworked rear suspension a little. Moved bags out a tad more and under the top bar, so I gain 2" more travel. Started boxing frame a bit. Gotta get heat hooked up out here soon so I can work out there in winter which is coming on fast. been getting pretty cold at night here.

hopefully pick up some steam on this soon. I had to pull my welder out of this garage as my other one broke, got alot of house stuff again to work on, daily driver, and geronimo I'm building needs to get on the road bf anything. But I'm am very happy I'v atleast gotten this far, been wanting to tear this truck back down almost from day one!

I'm racing the cold too. Got reminded this past week that summer is almost over. The good news is I'm not sweating like a hog when wearing all the welding protection gear. Rear shocks look awesome! You could borrow my Hobart 190 if we lived closer. It's been doing some real nice work for me on core support and frame mounts. Are you hoping to be driving by winter or just far enough to be inside a warm space by then?

[99 to Life]

I have a hobart 175 which I believe was bf miller bought them. I really it but I think the circuit board quit. When I hit the trigger, I can hear it clicking in there but won't put any wire or gas out. I don't think its the trigger and I'm not buying one to find out it isn't. I'm very close to just putting the 190 on my credit card or I'v been looking for some good deals on CL.

I'm in no hurry to get truck on road now, just way too many other things I'm gonna do to it. I may now even change out my heads and intake like I planned. All in all I get a couple hours here and there I can work on it, which is ok but money is the issue so thats why I can't be in a hurry. as long as I can have it on road by next summer I'll be happy.

[gigamanx]

I told myself I wouldn't use cc for my build but I hit a wall where I knew a small investment would give me the ability to do a lot of projects. So I broke out at tractor supply and got the welder and an air compressor. Got myself way ahead on the truck now where I hope to be driving by spring. Without the welder I would have stared at the same truck all winter.

I spent 2 months hunting a Hobart 190 or 210 on CL. They are few and far between which tells me ppl like them. I called tractor supply and said I haven't gotten coupons in the mail in a long time and they did the order over the phone with 10% off

OH it's still 50 off right now. That's the best price I found new and I really dug out the coupon sites and deals but couldn't uncover better. Unfortunately labor day weekend deals were pretty crappy too

[99 to Life]

hahah, I feel you. been there done all that. I needed a better welder years ago and got the eastwood 175 simply bc of price. Its a good welder but the gas solenoid is extremely unreliable. I sent one welder back, got a new one, gas solenoid went out very first pull of the trigger, they sent me two more gas solenoids. So to say the least I would never buy from them again. I too bought a compressor from tractor supply. Got 100$ off the 80gallon. It does make sense to buy some things on credit as long as you can pay it back (I still owe about 600 on compressor). I just have to be careful with that. I'm still working off the 5k I put down on my garage and my income these days just seems scarce. I pay over $50 a month just in loan and cc interest right now!! so I gotta be careful.

[iowaboynca]

try to pay a little extra each month on that principal...$5-10 dollars each month will help in the long run against the interest...