Make it handle

[Conundrum]

Originally Posted by Rstone1

I had a 76 1/2 ton short bead at the same time that had the rear flipped and with the 4 wheel drive springs on the blazer I was about 3 to 4 inches lower than the truck.

I just picked up a set of truck leafs yesterday that I was going to use on my truck. But when I sat them down next to some I have off of a K5, i'm not so sure anymore. The 2wd truck springs definitely have more arch to them, it looks to me that the 4wd springs will give you about a 2" drop. This is going off of them lying side by side on the ground, and I intend to test them both and find out for sure the difference.

[Scot_Douglas]

Getting closer...

[Grimee]

Originally Posted by Scot_Douglas

Getting closer...

NICE RACK & pinion! Whats it out of ?

[Scot_Douglas]

Originally Posted by Grimee

NICE RACK & pinion! Whats it out of ?

1987 T-bird. Same dimensions as a MII rack, but far cheaper at Rock Auto.

[Rstone1]

Well Budget is still a problem for me unfortunately. I was thinking of building my own A arms and mounts. I don’t have any aftermarket parts at all for the truck. I have always just modified the stock stuff to make it work for what I needed. As for detailing, the motor with just be a small block with a 700r4. I still have to be able to smog it since I’m in CA. and don’t have a budget for a LS motor. I will probably be sticking with 15” wheels with some Nitto 325 50 15 in the rear and 275 50 15 in the front. Either I spend the money on the suspension or I buy 18” wheels. I think the suspension is a better investment at this point. I know the 15” wheels are going to be an issue suspension layout wise but hay they make it work in Nascar. So where I’m at now is figuring out what spindle to use and how to lay out my pick up points to work the best. I need to invest in some suspension layout software because laying it out the old way by hand takes too long to make changes. What software do you use? Any suggestions on spindles?

Thanks again for your help. And thank you for all your work on this thread.

[robnolimit]

Rstone1 I'd guess the answer has some to do with budget concerns, and what you have. A complete IFS will run you about $2800 bucks. For that you will get a power R&P, big brakes, tube arms and coil-overs and sway bars. If you have some drop spindles, or some aftermarket arms you may be ahead of the game to use the stock layout. We raised the crossmember in the J.T. 1 1/2", 3" drop spindle, and 1 1/2" spring to get 6" static drop. If the steering is remounted to the lower side of the steering arm there is no need to notch the frame. Sounds like a good build, how about some more info? wheel/tire size? motor? trans?....

[robnolimit]

I use a program called front suspension design pro, from autoware. When it comes to spindles for a custom design, there are a few I like. Both Fatman and Hiedt's have a tall, dropped, 'A' body spindle. These use a bolt on steering arm, so you can set the acreman and turn radius, based on steering arm length. The late '80s to early 90s Impala is good, match that with a '98 to '05 chev 1/2 ton rack & pinion. The droped, modular style '55 - '57 chevy spindle is very adaptable with many brake choices, also, the C-4 & C-5 Vette.

[Rstone1]

Thanks for the info on the software. I just remembered i do have a complete suspension cradle out of an 84 Corvette. those spindles would be a good palce to start.

[robnolimit]

Chassis Pictures
You have asked about chassis bracing, so here are some picts of a chassis we are prepping to go to Ireland. Attatching the swaybar link to the upper arm gives you a longer link, and that allows for more suspension travel without binding. Most of the bracing was done 'below' the chassis. setting the bottom edge of the tubing even with the bottom of the running board mounts, or, the lowest part of the body. This makes the frame think it's taller.

[robnolimit]

Frame Bracing. The tubing used is 1 1/2" x .120 wall steel. The front boxing plated were extended back to the cab mounts and tubing tie-in points.

[robnolimit]

4-Bar Bracing. Rear sections of the bracing tie into the four bar mounts, and back to the lower side of the step notch. At each tubing intersection, a riser ties the sub-structure in to the main rail of the chassis.

[robnolimit]

Step Notch. The notches were fabbed from 2 x 4 x .120 wall tubing. The bottom of the new notch is just above ( 1/8") the top of the old frame. Provides for 4" of additional clearance. the front sean is diamond plated for strength, the rear is not, no real load after the Shockwave mount, and the crossbar adds strength to the joint.

[robnolimit]

R.H.D. Pedals. Yes, RHD, Ireland you know. We made thesespecial for this project, - so - don't ask. lol. Clutch - inboard, Brakes - outboard, throorle on the far right. All pedals are bearing mounted. We are using a flaming river RHD rack. That puts the air tank on the left side, as well as fuel lines. - Look behind the pedals, and you can see that the lower bracing ties into the rear mount for the lower A-arrm.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by robnolimit

R.H.D. Pedals

I new something didn't look 'right' w/the placement of the master cyl/booster in the pics .

[Conundrum]

Originally Posted by scoti

i new something didn't look 'right' w/the placement of the master cyl/booster in the pics .

x2

[robnolimit]

Race Report - Nashville : as of friday, here are the standings from the Good Guys autocross in Nashville. In the truck class, Mark turner is in the lead with a 37.356 fast lap. I saw this truck (c10) in Tx and it handles good. Dan Barnett is in second with a 41.014 fast lap. Greg from RideTech is running his C10 in the vendor class with a fast lap of 36.758 sec. - pretty quick. Vendor class leader Kyle Tucker of Detroit speed with a 36.092. The fast guys are now in the street machine class, Kevin Miller leads with a 34.372, and Fast Brian Finch second with a 34.740. The RideTech 48 hr Camaro is making some impressive runs in the 36.7 range. I'm sure saturdays runs will shake up the order, I'll post more up as I get it. The trucks are lookin pretty fast!

[Grimee]

Rob sent you a P.M.

[Custom 68]

What is Kyle Tucker driving, I know he is a first gen Cararo guy didnt know he had some truck stuff.
Thanks
Dave

[robnolimit]

Kyle was in one of the cars, I'd guess the 2nd gen camaro, he won the vendor class. Brain Finch won the street machine class, and I hear Mark Turner won the truck class. He has a nice dark green C10. I'll post times as soon as I get them.

[robnolimit]

This friday is the Truckin Throwdown. To get live updates, picts and video during the event, check in at our facebook page. at No LImit Engineering. log in and freind us to get the action.

[Grimee]

Originally Posted by robnolimit

This friday is the Truckin Throwdown. To get live updates, picts and video during the event, check in at our facebook page. at No LImit Engineering. log in and freind us to get the action.

Ill see you there ! Thanks again for your help today Rob with out it we would not be able to make it to the throwdown
Grimee

[Tony@AirRideTech]

Originally Posted by robnolimit

This friday is the Truckin Throwdown. To get live updates, picts and video during the event, check in at our facebook page. at No LImit Engineering. log in and freind us to get the action.

Where's the updates ????

[michaelnolimit]

you should have shocks and springs today., I didn't have a good pair of 500 lb springs, so I sent the 550's, yesterday we recieved another shipment of springs late in the day, I'll take some 500's with me to El-Toro, if you need them I'll have some.

[michaelnolimit]

NASHVILLE RESULTS here's how it all shook out. Mark Turner won the Truck class with a fast lap of 35.573 sec. in his Finch built 70 C10. Kevin Bapst took 2nd with a 35.911 in his blue/rust 68 C10, and Da Barnett third with a 36.756 in his blue 72 C10. Greg Schnieder of Ridetech ran in the vendor class with his 67 C10 for a 35.804. So, hats off to mark Turner for beating Greg as he is a tough competitor. Brian Finch won the Street Machine class in his 71 Camaro, and fast lap overall with a 33.142. Kyle tucker won the Vendor class in the Detroit Speed 70 Camaro with a 33.178 - thats .036 sec between the top two - Lowell Grooms won the Street Rod class in his black 32 ford with a 37.406. In other news, RideTech's 48 hour Camaro ran a best lap of 34.313 on it's first outing with minimal tuning. Good job guys.

[Conundrum]

I have a some questions....
I am putting together a 74 GMC and am about to put my front suspension back together after Zing my frame 2" up & 1" forward and putting in a sectioned crossmember. I plan to move the engine rearward at least the 1" from moving that portion of frame forward, more if I can if I have adequate clearance and maybe down some if at all possible. I am going to use a Pontiac engine, I currently have a 400 and I know they weigh less than a bib block chevy. So my question is what springs should I use? Springs for a small block or big block truck? I have both. With my Z, sectioned crossmember and drop spindles, i'm looking at 6-6.5" of drop. If I were to use the big block springs for the higher spring rate, should I cut a coil off?