1974 SWB "Clifford" goes to Oklahoma

[frog210]

This is them on my truck, had to trim the long shallow shell tube, like 1/4 or a little more... because of the angles

[SCOTI]

'Clifford' never had an OE front sway bar.

The HD bar that was installed was mounted just like Lolife described. The ends of the bar were secured to each a-arm & that dicatated where to drill the holes in the frame for those mounts.

[baclay9]

Ok, I think I got it all put on correct. Flipped it right way up, set the truck at ride height and marked the new location for the mounts. Only had to move the mounting holes forward 1/2" or so. Getting new front tires tomorrow and an alignment on Friday.
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[lolife99]

frog210,... Im pretty sure that bolt isn't tight enough to do any good.
Those bushings need to "sandwich" the end hole of the sway bar and the hole in the lower control arm.
I assume you didn't leave it like that.

[baclay9]

I still don't completely get this. I set mine all up at ride height. The end link bolts sit basically straight up and down. When you jack the tires up off the ground it actually bends the bolts do to the angle of the sway bar end holes when jacked up.
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[baclay9]

Got the front end all tied up. I am taking it in for an alignment Friday. I wonder if I can just drive it up there? What do y'all think. It looks pretty darn close but I don't know how close it has to be to not seriously screw up tires. I would have about 17 miles to drive it. What do y'all think?

Here is a pic, I decided to set the front up 1" higher than it previously was when static dropped. the fender lip is 26.5" from the ground now.

[67c10rustbuket]

Looking good! I guess the alignment went well, where did you take it? I like Merles frame and alignment on Shields. Did you notice some dork in a silverado taking your pic on I240.....

[baclay9]

Haha! I did take it to Merele's. they were able to get me fixed up.
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[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by baclay9

What do y'all think?

Here is a pic, I decided to set the front up 1" higher than it previously was when static dropped. the fender lip is 26.5" from the ground now.

Looks great!

I recall N2TRUX's 77 sat a little over 1" higher @ ride height vs the 74 w/the Ride Tech set-up (arms, muscle bar, bags, shocks).

Place your Porterbuilt order yet for the rear?

[baclay9]

I haven't placed my order yet. I have been talking with Travis @ Pro Performance and will be ordering an E-Level setup at the same time. Going to have to recoup some money before I can move forward. Getting the front suspension replaced was the main goal for the time being anyway.

I am going to piddle with the interior and get it finished up for the time being. I am also going to attempt to modify my stock inner fenders so the front will lay on the crossmember when aired down.

[RPOZ11]

Truck is looking great!

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by RPOZ11

Truck is looking great!

x2

[84hernandezc10]

Nice truck. Wheels look good. What backspacing on the back

[baclay9]

Thanks man. They are 5" BS.

I placed my order for rear suspension yesterday. Porterbuilt trailing arm rear with Accuair E-Level.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by baclay9

Thanks man. They are 5" BS.

I placed my order for rear suspension yesterday. Porterbuilt trailing arm rear with Accuair E-Level.

Excellent!

[bluex]

Originally Posted by baclay9

Thanks man. They are 5" BS.

I placed my order for rear suspension yesterday. Porterbuilt trailing arm rear with Accuair E-Level.

Sweet! Take lots of pictures, I hope to order that kit early next year for mine. Interested to see the quality and how it goes in. I havent really seen anyone thats installed one yet...

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by baclay9

Thanks man. They are 5" BS.

I placed my order for rear suspension yesterday. Porterbuilt trailing arm rear with Accuair E-Level.

Are you getting the full rear T/A kit c-notches & all?

[Jonboy]

Originally Posted by baclay9

Thanks man. They are 5" BS.

I placed my order for rear suspension yesterday. Porterbuilt trailing arm rear with Accuair E-Level.

I am ready to see this.

[baclay9]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

Are you getting the full rear T/A kit c-notches & all?

The whole shabang...

[N2TRUX]

I may have missed it , but what is your ultimate goal with the suspension? I skimmed the pages but didn't see if you decided to go lower up front when you add the T/A rear.

[baclay9]

My original intent was to get a good ride and have the adjustability I want to make it a convenient vehicle to drive. With the 5/7 drop I was unable to get a floor jack under the crossmember. I couldn't even drive it over a pit to get my oil changed. The ride was just awful as well IMO.

My plan is to leave the front as is for now. If I didn't have inner fenders it would lay out on the crossmember. Once I get the T/A rear installed we will build bump stops that make the front sit proportional to where the rear sits. I may have to mod my inner fenders to do so but will cross that bridge when I get there.

My plan is to set it up where I have about 1/2" of clearance on the inner fenders when aired out. I just need to see how low the back is going to sit before I set the front up.

[N2TRUX]

It should sit just like my 77 does now with the Ride Tech System. I dont think there is much difference between the depth of the notch on the R/T vs the PB T/A system. The notch depth, bump stop, and bottom of your bed will determine how low the rear can go. Of course you have to factor in tire size when it comes to height, but you get what I am saying.

I know its a bad angle, but this is where my rear is at its lowest. Its actually lower than the front, so most of my other pics are taken with the rear raised up a bit.

For reference, my tire/wheel info is below. I see you have 245/45/18s up front. What are you running in the rear?
Front-
BFG KDW 245/40/20
VinTec 20 x 8.5
Back space 5.5”

Rear-
BFG KDW 295/40/20
VinTec 20 x 9.5
Back space 5.5”

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by baclay9

The whole shabang...

I apologize in advance then.... The Western Chassis c-notches are also welded in in spots. Shouldn't be too bad to buzz the areas (if I remember correctly, I just did like 1.5" beads in various spots).

[baclay9]

My rear tires are 295/45/18

I've already been up under there looking at the current notches. I think I can get the welds cut nicely and should be able to salvage the whole setup to sell to someone else wanting 7" drop with AOL spring helpers. It is really a nice setup if you want a low static drop and still be able to haul about anything you want

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by baclay9

My rear tires are 295/45/18

I've already been up under there looking at the current notches. I think I can get the welds cut nicely and should be able to salvage the whole setup to sell to someone else wanting 7" drop with AOL spring helpers. It is really a nice setup if you want a low static drop and still be able to haul about anything you want

That was my intent. I was wanting to do a T/A conversion before CPP had theirs (which was before PB's as well). I don't like CPP's arms so once they came out w/the swap kit, I was going to just use their x-member w/some stock arms. Wasn't sure what placement would be needed for the bags so I wanted to easily be able to remove what was there.

I usually add the welds as insurance for safety (I use bolts on weld-in stuff too ).