Trick road handeling suspension.

[rust!!whatrust?]

Has any one ever tried to make one of these trucks handel? I like curvey roads and would like to auto cross my old truck ocassionally. I am aware of the cool parts from CCP. But I am curious about other peoples experiences even with salavge yard parts swapping.
Ricers hate it when they can't shake a farm truck. I am sure this probably isn't on most people's mind when they build their truck though.

[Rokcrln]

You need to go to the suspention section and check out PorterBuilt and his suspention's that he is working on for our trucks. Can you say C4 and C5!

Kevin
LFD Inc.

[SCOTI]

Porter has a soild starting point for a 'touring' based truck. One board member is well on his way w/his 77. Look for posts by member '7T7'.

[LUV2XCLR8]

Agree w/ the above, at the very least you can add front and rear swaybars

[RACINJASON22]

I'm still trying to figure out which route my build is going but, if I stay 2wd this is also what I'm thinking. Nothing like a truck that can handle a curve like a sportscar. Dare to be different.

[see ten]

You have to be careful with a rear bar if you have a lot of suspension drop. The guys I have talked to that run them say that they make the rear a little to unforgiving. You combine the stiffness of drop springs with a swaybar tieing both sides of the truck together you don't have much room for travel. Supposedly they want to break loose when encountering bumps in corners at speed. I have a front bar from a 1 ton and no bar at all out back. I know I'm far from being a G machine but it's a massive improvement over stock. If you like curvy roads you should go with us to Deal's Gap sometime!

[rust!!whatrust?]

What diameter is that 3/4 ton sway bar? My truck actually has a sway bar from the factory. I just stripped a 75 chevy school bus. The front sway bar was the same as mine. I think mine is about 1". Very good point about the rear I don't want to break lose when I am practicing my apexs. Deals Gap is definitely on my list of places to spend a day.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by rust!!whatrust?

What diameter is that 3/4 ton sway bar?

H.D. sway bars on 3/4 & 1-ton trucks are solid 1.25" bars.

[rauto13]

I had the CPP front & rear sway bars, 1/3 lowering springs & a close ratio steering box on my 72 longbed and it was a blast to drive around corners. It handled better than my stock 70 Camaro. The only issue with the rear end trying to pass the front end in a curve was after adding a posi and a little to much right foot action.

Other than that, the truck handled very well.

This website is for 2nd Gen Camaros, but has lots of good info on balancing spring rates and sway bars

http://www.nastyz28.com/pthandle.html

[LUV2XCLR8]

Originally Posted by rust!!whatrust?

Deals Gap is definitely on my list of places to spend a day.

May 5, 2007 a bunch of us will be there

[neonlarry]

Another site to check out is:
http://www.hotrodstohell.net/

[see ten]

Originally Posted by rauto13

I had the CPP front & rear sway bars, 1/3 lowering springs & a close ratio steering box on my 72 longbed and it was a blast to drive around corners. It handled better than my stock 70 Camaro. The only issue with the rear end trying to pass the front end in a curve was after adding a posi and a little to much right foot action.

Other than that, the truck handled very well.

This website is for 2nd Gen Camaros, but has lots of good info on balancing spring rates and sway bars

http://www.nastyz28.com/pthandle.html

Having only 3" of drop out back probably made the difference for you. My truck has 6" of drop out back and doesn't have a lot of lean to it. Call Early Classic and ask them about adding a rear bar. Those guys get all but Irate when you bring it up. I also have an ECE quick ratio box. It makes it a different truck.

[Musclerodz]

All the help is needed up front. The truck arm suspension will handle but needs to be tuned for ride height. Same thing NASCAR car's run. Rear mostly just needs a LONG panhard bar level at ride height, and GOOD shock, and GOOD tires. The front is a different story but itcan be made to work as well as long as it is planned out.

Mike

[rust!!whatrust?]

Thanks guys keep it comeing I'm listening. We'll see if my engine is in by May 400sbc and 700r4. Stock suspension and 4 wheel manuel drums for now. I have a hydra boost that I snatched from the bus I got my engine out of. Plan on converting to disc up front, rear (we'll see), I love the idea of a 1 ton sway bar up front that's where i'll start my suspension upgrades. The issue of how much to lower a vehicle is interesting because most people lower their vehicle primarily for looks. I started out with the same frame of mind but pragamtism is moveing me away from that idea. Please forgive me for useing the word pragmatism and probably butchering the spelling.

[RACINJASON22]

I don't know how to spell either but you might have got it right on one of your tries. pragamtism pragmatism now we need the definition. lol

[rust!!whatrust?]

"pragmatism: a practical approach to problems and affairs." The New Meridian-Webster Dictionary.

It's when I am dreaming of a turboed big block in a protouring tuned rusty old truck. Then my wife walks in and I say "Honey I think I'll return this noisy cam kit and exhaust. It upsets the neighbors and we need milk and diapers too."

[speedracer]

I have a 4-6 drop front and rear sway bars from cpp. A quick ratio box from cpp and 275 40 18 tires from a c5 vette. With the posi you have to be careful if you can get the tires to stick it will handle like a c5. I have autocrossed and its great, if you get too much momentum it starts to drift which is a blast because of the long wheelbase its really easy to control.

[Orange]

I've been watching this thread, and I've about just decided to call ECE and tell them what I want and dish out the dough.

BTW rust - I just noticed you were from Chattanooga.
There are a few of us from that area on here.

DLB

[Frizzle Fry]

I've got a 1.25 front bar and Camaro rear bar with about a 4/6 drop on the Burb. Tires are 255/45/17 and 275/40/17. Also running KYB's. I'm taking it auto crossing this weekend with a Porsche club. Should be a good laugh, but I'm secretly hoping to be at least a little competitive

[rust!!whatrust?]

you local guys should see me this summer around at local cruise-ins, the drag strip and such. Provided I get this thing back on the road. This has really helped me in my thoughts about suspension. I am definitely scoping yards for a 1 ton truck that I will be able to strip. CHEAP.

[dan42]

Does anyone know if that sway bar was stock on the one-tons?

[see ten]

Originally Posted by dan42

Does anyone know if that sway bar was stock on the one-tons?

If you find a 1 ton with a bar, it's the big one!

[jimmydean]

I was looking at Porterbuilt's C4 front/rear and I decided I will use the standard Dropmember with Strong Arms instead of the C4 arms for the front.

My truck will be a mix of work/fun because I love driving my truck, but I miss driving a car sometimes. The article in Hot Rod a few months back where they tested air ride setups was very good. I think if you take it a step further than just air, you will make a truck rail.

[Frizzle Fry]

Originally Posted by dan42

Does anyone know if that sway bar was stock on the one-tons?

I got my 1.25" bar off a 78 3/4 ton. The 73-87 bars are the same as the 67-72.

[Frizzle Fry]

More sway bar info here including links to how to install a Camaro rear bar in post #8