frame and suspension questions

[67ss&99ss]

I am about to start taking my truck apart for a frame off resto and I have some questions.

I plan to restore the frame first, so I'm going to have it blasted, and powder coated. I guess my questions start here. I want to lower the truck, but I don't know how much. I am going to upgrade the brakes from drums to discs so dropped spindles are an option for me. I don't want it slammed on the ground, but I don't want to put a kit on it that still looks stock. I have a new set of 275/60/15s on 10" rims on all four corners that I want to keep, so I'm sure that affects my choices. What do you recommend? I know that I will have to get shocks and a trackbar to correct for the new ride height, but is there anything else? I have seen crossmembers and slip driveshafts that are made for lowered trucks too. Would this be necessary? I want to do it right while everything is apart.

I will be upgrading the engine as well, from a stock 350/turbo 350 to a LT1/4L60E. The LT1 will have a set of headers and possibly a cam, so it will be making a good bit more power than the engine in it now. Do I need to upgrade the trailing arms and/or driveshaft for the power? The driveshaft is a 2 piece design. Would a one piece be better? I've rode in trucks like this before with a built motor, lowering springs and stock suspension and they had very bad wheel hop. So, that's something I want to prevent, if I can, before the truck hits the road for the first time.

As it currently sits.

[seafoam68]

Hey Andy, first of all, good luck on your project. What i did on my '68 was 2-1/2" drop spindals with 2" drop springs for 4-1/2' on front and 5" drop spring on back. I used the "delux trac bar kit" from CPP that has the adjustable trac bar and the relocated shock brackets. Very easy, bolt in kit. Since you will have the bare frame, I would suggest grinding (cutting) off the rivets that hold the original shock brackets in place BEFORE you take it to be powder coated. The new brackets just bolt back into the rivet holes. I like this amount of drop, it is low enough to look really good, but not that "dragging" look. Sorry you air bag guys, I just don't like the whole "laying frame" thing. I also added shock support brackets on front. And last but not least, drop shocks. You can talk to a tech guy about the right shock to get for the right ammount of drop. Again, best of luck...

[72BlckButy]

Just contact ECE (Early Classic Enterprises) and they will hook you up. I'm running a 4.5/6" drop from ECE and didn't require any slip yokes or anything crazy like that. Everything else is stock and works flawlessly.

Also, you should have any issues with your tire/wheel combo as my FIL is currently running 15x10's on all four corners and runs/rides well. I can't recall his tire height (I believe 50 series) but runs well. 15x10's will work with the right tire combo.

ECE will have a complete kit... no questions, no searching for parts, excellent customer service; wouldn't go anywhere else.

Here's what a 4.5/6" will get you:

[seafoam68]

I forgot, I also did away with old two piece drive shaft. I don't know why the short beds had them anyway. As for the trailing arms, unless you are gonna be making over 450 or so HP, and as long as yours are in good shape, I'd say use them. There are "beefing-up" kits to add to your stock ones, or if you have deep pockets, CPP makes a very nice lowered crossmember and tube-type trailing arms. But once again, if you are only on moderate horsepower, I'd try the stock set-up.

[seafoam68]

Hey 72BLCKBUTY, like that stance and really like that color !!

[72BlckButy]

Thanks buddy!

Sounds like we are pretty similar in our stances; yours should turnout pretty nice when you have it completed.

67ss&99ss, one thing to remember is that many people can become overwhelmed or run into money issues when they start rebuilding a truck from the frame up. Make sure you have a plan and try to stick to it as much as possible. Take it in smaller steps if needed as most get tired of not having a truck to drive and end up selling the project for less than what's in it because they are burnt out.

Also, check out my build thread in my signature (click on Blank Slate) for a complete install of the 4.5/6" drop kit and disc brake upgrade.

[67ss&99ss]

Originally Posted by 72BlckButy

Thanks buddy!

Sounds like we are pretty similar in our stances; yours should turnout pretty nice when you have it completed.

67ss&99ss, one thing to remember is that many people can become overwhelmed or run into money issues when they start rebuilding a truck from the frame up. Make sure you have a plan and try to stick to it as much as possible. Take it in smaller steps if needed as most get tired of not having a truck to drive and end up selling the project for less than what's in it because they are burnt out.

Also, check out my build thread in my signature (click on Blank Slate) for a complete install of the 4.5/6" drop kit and disc brake upgrade.

Thanks for the advice. I've had the truck since 2000, so its been on the back burner for a while. I started working on it a fair amount within the past year, just getting it drivable. I have been spoiled by my LS1 Camaro's handling and after driving the truck for a few weeks, some changes definitely need to be made. I want to fix it up to be a nice driver. I plan to drive it to work a few days a week, and it is about a 60 mile round trip through some curvy mountain roads, so I want it to handle well and have power. I have access to other trucks anyway if I need to haul/tow something.

I just graduated from school a few months ago, so I went from being a part time employee at the parts store/engineering intern to a full time process engineer. My car fund has improved drastically, lol. What has taken me 5-6 years to do in the past should only take a year or so now. I'm glad I decided to stick with it and get my degree. Very challenging along the way, but rewarding.

[67ss&99ss]

Originally Posted by seafoam68

I forgot, I also did away with old two piece drive shaft. I don't know why the short beds had them anyway. As for the trailing arms, unless you are gonna be making over 450 or so HP, and as long as yours are in good shape, I'd say use them. There are "beefing-up" kits to add to your stock ones, or if you have deep pockets, CPP makes a very nice lowered crossmember and tube-type trailing arms. But once again, if you are only on moderate horsepower, I'd try the stock set-up.

Thanks for the tips. Where did you get your driveshaft? I ordered one from denny's driveshafts for my 67 Camaro and it has been a good one.

[72BlckButy]

Congrats with accomplishing your schooling and best of luck with the project. To be honest I was truly surprised on the handling of my drop kit and the addition of a front sway bar, smooth, cool and controlled.

Keep us posted on your progress, and be sure to start a build thread.

[seafoam68]

Hey, I ditto that congrats on the schooling. My driveshaft was just one I had laying around, it was a stock shaft, I just don't know what it came out of. When you hold onto stuff like I do, you tend to forget its origin ! It just so happened to be the right size for my big block/turbo 400 combo. All you will have to do is measure for one when you get your engine/trans combo installed and truck sitting at ride height. Or maybe someone on here knows of a stock shaft that will work and what it came out of.