Front suspension for street/drag

[BULLITT65]

Hey I really like where this idea is heading. I have a 64 C/10 short/fleet, and have been looking at numerous front end bolt in kits from no limit, scotts, Heidts, and besides being a bit bulky (heavy) are very pricey . Just to crunch some numbers the lightest weighed in at 196lbs, a bolt in that is hub to hub (disc) with manual rack and Qa1 coil overs on Mustang II spindles.

I agree with super 73 on the Mustang II spindle, seems like they get regular abuse from other segments and continue to perform. I only mention this because of the weight vs strength argument. I also think some tube steel cross member or chromoly cross member may shave weight if engineered and done right.

I am in Temecula just up the road from you guys, if your looking for a sample truck for test fitting and test driving, I can drive the 15 minutes to you when your ready!

[Kyle@FTP]

Thanks for the phone call and the post. Its sounds like this idea has some following. We will try and get some parts in metal soon.

I know I am using wilwoods dynalite drag brake set up on my truck. they are rated at 2800lbs. I will will be a little over that but not by much. That should save quite a bit of weight over the standard set up.

[skeeterbug]

Kyle do you have the wilwood dynalite drag brake setup on your truck now? If so any pic's....I already have wilwood d52's on all four corners but need some light weight rotors and don't know which I should get.

[Super73]

I have dynalites also but on a MII spindle. I have a thread regarding the conversion for the front. I went Dynalites when I did the 9" as well. Next time the wheels are off I can share some pics.

[Kyle@FTP]

Nope, they are in a box still. This is a fresh build for us. Depending on the weight of your truck you may want something more substantial in the braking department. The 4 piston Dynalite are only good for 2800lbs and thats if you have disc in the rear. Its something like 22-2400lbs if its drum.

Super, how does it stop at the end of the track? I would imagine its fine but would like some real world feedback. I know wilwood would not be a fan of what we are doing. haha

[Super73]

Kyle,

I can't honestly answer that questions just yet. I just got the truck back together and 4/18 will be it's first time at the track with the following changes:

MII with Dynalites
9" with Dynalites
Was running a brake booster, but no vacuum to it
4.56 to 3.90 gear

Previously I had stock 67+ disks in the front and was running a 4th gen caliper with Caprice rotor in the rear. I had a bracket made locally for that to work.

First impressions, they seem to stop pretty good on the street. Pulled it up to about 6,400rpm in high gear and had to get on them a bit for up coming traffic. By my math and factoring in 10% verter slip, that's 130ish mph.

[71Dragtruck]

I have the Wilwoods on all 4 corners and their master, they work really well, drag brakes on the back and the drilled and slotted street rotors on the front, the street version only adds 6lbs total to the setup 3 each side.

[BULLITT65]

Kyle any updates? I just got the wheels for my 64, and did a mock up with them. Looks killer, hoping your bolt in kit is coming along so I can actually "bolt" on my wheels. Only thing I can do right now is lower the body with a floor jack over the wheels....

[BULLITT65]

I will probably change the tire size to show more sidewall, but they came with the wheels so...

[Kyle@FTP]

Progress is being made.........slowly. For some reason people have been coming out of the woods and wanting me to build trucks for them so customer stuff is coming first. All the design work will hopefully be done in the next week or 2 and we can get stuff into metal.

Wheels look great!

here is the new rendering of the truck.

[BULLITT65]

Hey Kyle I am looking forward to seeing your prototypes in metal. I like the rendering of your truck, although I figured your truck would have a small back window like your logo.

The wheels on my truck will look even better if I can get it on the ground like your pic..

[69trk]

watching this...

[Kyle@FTP]

PROGRESS!!!!!! We have the arms pretty much nailed down as far as all the geometry. Very happy with how its turning out. We are making it extremely safe for shut down and should be great for cruising down the road. I need to get a rack in to place all the steering then bag and shock mounts. Im done speculating when things will be done but Im hoping sooner than later.

Accuair has signed on to help with the air ride control. I am excited to work with them and they are exciting to push the limits of what a air bag can do. On a personal level it is really cool that they believe in our concept and are helping out.

I have video of it cycling, I just dont know how to upload it here. Ill post a link to the newsletter tomorrow when it goes up.

[Super73]

Kyle,

You had asked how my truck brakes with the new 4 piston Willwood set up. I only got one slow pass last month, but it had no problem stopping from 121mph.

Back this weekend and hope things go better and I can put down some high 13x passes. I will let you know how it goes from there.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Kyle@FTP]

Originally Posted by Super73

Kyle,

You had asked how my truck brakes with the new 4 piston Willwood set up. I only got one slow pass last month, but it had no problem stopping from 121mph.

Back this weekend and hope things go better and I can put down some high 13x passes. I will let you know how it goes from there.
Posted via Mobile Device

Some feedback would be great. Im thinking with Discs all the way around and a heavy foot its going to stop. I just may need to maintain parts a little more often.

[softballnrd27]

Is this going to be available for 73-87 trucks?

[Kyle@FTP]

After the initial build is done and tested, Im sure we can adapt it to any year needed pretty easily.

[Hammered 77]

Watching

[Super73]

Btw, truck weighs 3,120 with me in it and stopped well at 139.5mph.

[BAGGEDLB7]

Any updates on this? I just picked up a 72 SWB on bags and this winter it will be recieving a duramax with enough fuel and air for a 1000hp. I would love to keep it on bags but its not going to happen with whats on it.

[Kyle@FTP]

Slowly but surely. Its is a after hours project for me. I just picked up a full customer build plus running day to day at the shop.

I did sit down last night and look over all the CAD work and we have 1 more night of playing with some things then off to the water jet for version 1

[Hollow65]

Are you at your shop on Saturdays?

[Kyle@FTP]

Originally Posted by Hollow65

Are you at your shop on Saturdays?

Yes sir. 8-2ish tomorrow. out for lunch and maybe a bolt or 2.

[Hollow65]

thanks, I'll see ya tomorrow sometime between those hours

[Kyle@FTP]

Its been awhile since I have updated this. Not a lot has changed except work load getting bigger and side projects get less time. Because I like the racing section better ill let this out in here first. haha

Sept. 27th I am hosting a open house at the shop. Details are still being worked out. Free food while it last and my fridge always has adult beverages in it.....while they last. But the current truck I am building should be done, a 65 suburban moved in the shop.

and if all goes well, the front end will be in metal.......just not sure how complete. So it will give you local guys a chance to come look at the work and talk about it. I will post more info as we figure it out.