Total newbie but have Air Bag lowering questions.

[Vertical Smile]

My late father left me this truck, it's a '79 C10 with just 52k on the clock....his pride and joy.
It's absolutely mint being it was garaged it's whole life.
Before Lou Gehrig's Disease took my dads life he shared many dreams he wanted to do to it.
One of the many things he wished he could of done was to lower it & put disk brakes on all four corners, as well as a new 350.
I recently bought a new 355 Edelbrock crate motor and TH-350 tranny so that part has been checked off the list. 8)
Here's a pic of it as it sits now.



Next is the brakes and to lower it and I've been thinking of getting really extreme. (Even though it kills me to cut the frame).
I'd like to drop it really low like the truck in this pic.



I have no idea how to go about this but I want to do it right & professional.

What kind of parts and cost am I looking at?
How reputable is Air Ride Technologies?
They have what's called an Chevy C10 73-87 -Street Challenge Kit, it's a hefty $6,890.00 but looks to have everything one would need to lower this truck the right way.
Or is there better alternatives?

Thanks in advance, this should be a fun project.

-Mark

[GMBowtie79]

I'd go with the Porterbuilt Dropmember kit. There are alot of board members that have used his products with great results. Heres a link to a 78 that he did that has his front Dropmember and a KP Componants rear cantalever set-up. There was a write up on this truck in January 2008 issue of Street Trucks.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=276276
And heres another to a full front and rear Porterbuilt set-up.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=274729
Read through them both. you'll get a good idea of the quality and cost of his products. That and you can PM Nathan with any questions and he will give you a straight answer instead of a sales pitch.

[Riveted1]

The truck you posted just looks like it has spindles/cups & brackets/bags up front w/a notch, bags and maybe some blocks in back. At least you could get that low w/that setup. Wouldn't cost you anywhere near $6900 either.

And if you wanna go lower the Porterbuilt stuff is the way to go....

[CrazyJesster]

that pick up you got man the white one is clean clean. very sharp nice rims too.

[68GMC454]

nice truck.. if i ever get the money im going with porterbuilt.. hopefully in the next couple of years....

[ostncoln]

first off nice looking truck
you wouldnt have to get a dropmember to get to look like that. that truck has spindles and air ride tech's stuff on the front and air ride's parallel air bar set up on the rear. those are also some 22" wheels it rolls on

it was built byJASON HILL

[VerticalSmile]

Originally Posted by GMBowtie79

I'd go with the Porterbuilt Dropmember kit. There are alot of board members that have used his products with great results. Heres a link to a 78 that he did that has his front Dropmember and a KP Componants rear cantalever set-up. There was a write up on this truck in January 2008 issue of Street Trucks.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=276276
And heres another to a full front and rear Porterbuilt set-up.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=274729
Read through them both. you'll get a good idea of the quality and cost of his products. That and you can PM Nathan with any questions and he will give you a straight answer instead of a sales pitch.

WOW thanks for the info, very helpful.
Looks like the "Cadillac version" Porterbuilt sells for both the front and rear set-up sells for $4,500!
Not bad for an everything you need kit and a hell of a lot cheaper than the Street Challenge Kit from Air Ride.

[VerticalSmile]

Originally Posted by ostncoln

first off nice looking truck
you wouldnt have to get a dropmember to get to look like that. that truck has spindles and air ride tech's stuff on the front and air ride's parallel air bar set up on the rear. those are also some 22" wheels it rolls on

it was built byJASON HILL

First off thanks everybody, already you guys have been helpful.


This seems like another great option.

Anymore details or a link to this trucks build?

[VerticalSmile]

One more question.
Can I achieve the low look in the pic I posted without cutting up the Bed and the inner front wheel wells?
If so please direct me to the parts needed to accomplish this.

Sorry to be so newbish but my spaceship just landed last week.

[Riveted1]

Call these guys. They can help you put together a system.

[VerticalSmile]

Originally Posted by Riveted1

Call these guys. They can help you put together a system.

Thanks for the link Riveted!

I took a few more pics today, I'll call these before photo's.

It's heading to Xplicit Racing next week to start the build...can't wait!!

[CrazyJesster]

the hight you got it right now is the hight i whould like mine. verticle is there thing done to it?

i know my front of mine when the motor is in it sets the same as yours. but my rear is lot higher

sharp pick up man thats the highth i want mine

[Riveted1]

Good lookin truck! I've always had a soft spot for square bodies. Gonna have to get myself another one one of these days. (My first truck was a '82 GMC)

And to answer your question about cutting the bed and front wheel wells, it all depends on the wheel/tire combo you go with. Most likely you are going to hit on the front fender wells before your bags are fully deflated, but plenty of people leave the wells in and just don't go quite so low.

Look at N2TRUX's ride. IIRC, he didn't cut into his bed or wheel wells.

Good luck w/the build!

[andresco50]

Nice truck post some pics of the process too !

[VerticalSmile]

Originally Posted by CrazyJesster

the hight you got it right now is the hight i whould like mine. verticle is there thing done to it?

i know my front of mine when the motor is in it sets the same as yours. but my rear is lot higher

sharp pick up man thats the highth i want mine

Hey Crazy!
Right now it has a BellTech hanger/shackle kit which gives me a 4" rear drop, the front sits down 2".

[VerticalSmile]

Originally Posted by Riveted1

Good lookin truck! I've always had a soft spot for square bodies. Gonna have to get myself another one one of these days. (My first truck was a '82 GMC)

And to answer your question about cutting the bed and front wheel wells, it all depends on the wheel/tire combo you go with. Most likely you are going to hit on the front fender wells before your bags are fully deflated, but plenty of people leave the wells in and just don't go quite so low.

Look at N2TRUX's ride. IIRC, he didn't cut into his bed or wheel wells.

Good luck w/the build!

Thanks bud!
I IM'd N2TRUX and he was very helpful. I love the way his sits and he didn't have to cut the bed nor remove the wheel wells to do it.
I'm really thinking this is the best route to take, my dad might roll over in his grave if I cut the bed he so Meticulously cleaned and kept factory new.

I'm thinking of going with a 20" rim, not sure the width of the tires...but as wide as I can go.

[454HO]

Originally Posted by VerticalSmile

my dad might roll over in his grave if I cut the bed he so Meticulously cleaned and kept factory new.

Six rows of louvers in the hood and your worried about cutting the bed?

Seriously, that's a NICE truck. Don't get too caught up trying to follow your dad's plan to the T. Just do it the way you want and enjoy the truck. I'm sure that's why he left it to you.

[spr85gmc]

Originally Posted by 454HO

Six rows of louvers in the hood and your worried about cutting the bed?

Seriously, that's a NICE truck. Don't get too caught up trying to follow your dad's plan to the T. Just do it the way you want and enjoy the truck. I'm sure that's why he left it to you.

yeah ^ what he said , he entrusted YOU with the truck for a reason so as long as you dont leave it to rot or rust away i think t will be ok.

[gafiredog]

hey vertical, what kind of seat is that ? very nice truck.

[Vertical Smile]

Originally Posted by 454HO

Six rows of louvers in the hood and your worried about cutting the bed?

Seriously, that's a NICE truck. Don't get too caught up trying to follow your dad's plan to the T. Just do it the way you want and enjoy the truck. I'm sure that's why he left it to you.

Great point...Thanks!


gafiredog,
I have no idea, my dad had those put in a few years before he died.
I tried looking for a label or a tag but I couldn't find one.

[rod86]

thats a sweet ride you got there, im sure it will turn out great however you lower it...

[CUZICAN_RYDA]

G/L on the build. It's gonna be a beauty. Keep us posted.