Need some schooling on bags for my application

[DaBigKahuna]

I'm a newbie when it comes to these trucks.
I've been static dropping my cars since the late 70s.

Kinda had in the back of my mind that I'd like to bag my truck but I was going to static drop it first. The truck was lowered by the previous owner but it's a hack job at best and has ride issues that need to dealt with. I was literally ready to pull the trigger on a static drop at the CPP show on Saturday when fate stepped in.

I won the grand prize in the raffle which was a Scott's Hot Rods bolt-in IFS airbag set-up.

The Truck: '71 Short-Wide PS/PB 350/700R4. Wheels are 15" rallys. Not sure of the width on them. Running 235/60s on the front and 295/50s on the rear. I'd like to swap out the front tires out for something a little taller.

What I want from the truck:
I'm looking to make it a nice driver. Certainly not a show piece. I don't want to lay frame with it. I don't want to pull the inner fenders nor modify the floor of the bed. I am ok with C-notching it. Not interested in making it hop or dance anything... just simple ride height adjustment. My wife would like to drive the truck but she's never driven lowered cars. I'd like to be able to tell her "Just pull these switches up until these gauges read XXpsi and you're good to go." i.e. maximum ride height and simple enough for her to use.

Questions:
1. What would the rear suspension set up be like? Do I need to go 4-link?
2. What about pluming, tanks, compressor?
3. I noticed that this set up is a "front steer." How does ackerman angle work with this configuration?
4. What else will I need to make all of this work?

I'm sure I'll have a ton of other questions

Thanks

Rick

[andrewmp6]

I would sell the ifs kit and use the money to bag your truck.The front can be bagged easy with just a set of bag brackets,The rear as long as your truck has trailing arms now can be done just as simple.Tank size and compressor depends how much play time you want with it.If your looking for just a easy up and down a smaller tank like 3 gallon would be fine.Controlling it can be as simple as just some switches to something computerized with ride height sensors.

[Watts]

Congrats on winning the Grand Prize!

Broey and N2TRUX gave me a good starting point on my suspension upgrades here is a link the the thread I had started which they had answered in.

Selling the Prize to fund the entire air ride set up doesn't sound like a bad idea unless your dead set on using it sounds viable to me.

Hope the link helps it will atleast give you something to read while you wait on replies.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=510618

[edflores]

Dont sell it, You can go with a porterbuilt rear. He has one that uses a small notch,

http://www.porterbuiltfabrication.co...-Basic-Kit-799

[Cole Trickle]

Tough call.....

Its gonna be a big job and cost you alot more than a static drop to pull it off.

motor will have to come out and you will have to re work the steering to work with the rack and pinion.

Probably cost you another $800-1000 to do it on the cheap if you have trailing arms.

Honestly I'm not sure what else you will have to change with the scotts package (maybe wheels if the rotors are too big?)


A simple bag set up should cost you around $1000-1200 (+ install) if you peice it together with some of the forum deals.You could sell the scotts deal (msrp $3000) and probably bag it and get close to adding new wheels and tires if that intrested you.

Bags
brackets
compressor
tank
line
quad padle deal

If it were me I would keep it and go all out and purchase a stage 1 porter built rear set up and drop it until the pumpkin hits the bed floor......I don't think Scotts has a rear drop? (If they did I would use theres as it matches and they donated the prize)

I also would completely go through my trucks frame at this point and I could see it snoballing fast....haha

[tubbedII]

That is a tough one, and I'd lean more towards selling the IFS too even though it's such a nice piece that you scored. Maybe even contact Scotts (PM them on the board) to tell them your goal of your truck to see if they'll work something out for you instead of the IFS since it's really not necessary in your situation.

[DaBigKahuna]

Originally Posted by edflores

Dont sell it, You can go with a porterbuilt rear. He has one that uses a small notch,

http://www.porterbuiltfabrication.co...-Basic-Kit-799

I've picked up that Nate's the man when it comes to this stuff and I'm gonna be in Phoenix next weekend too!

Hmm I think I need to at least swing by his shop.

[DaBigKahuna]

Originally Posted by andrewmp6

I would sell the ifs kit and use the money to bag your truck.The front can be bagged easy with just a set of bag brackets,The rear as long as your truck has trailing arms now can be done just as simple.Tank size and compressor depends how much play time you want with it.If your looking for just a easy up and down a smaller tank like 3 gallon would be fine.Controlling it can be as simple as just some switches to something computerized with ride height sensors.

Flipping the kit has been suggested and that may be the way to go.

[DaBigKahuna]

Originally Posted by Watts

Congrats on winning the Grand Prize!

Broey and N2TRUX gave me a good starting point on my suspension upgrades here is a link the the thread I had started which they had answered in.

Selling the Prize to fund the entire air ride set up doesn't sound like a bad idea unless your dead set on using it sounds viable to me.

Hope the link helps it will atleast give you something to read while you wait on replies.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=510618

Thanks... great thread. Got some ideas going.

[DaBigKahuna]

Originally Posted by Cole Trickle

Tough call.....

Its gonna be a big job and cost you alot more than a static drop to pull it off.

motor will have to come out and you will have to re work the steering to work with the rack and pinion.

Probably cost you another $800-1000 to do it on the cheap if you have trailing arms.

Honestly I'm not sure what else you will have to change with the scotts package (maybe wheels if the rotors are too big?)


A simple bag set up should cost you around $1000-1200 (+ install) if you peice it together with some of the forum deals.You could sell the scotts deal (msrp $3000) and probably bag it and get close to adding new wheels and tires if that intrested you.

Bags
brackets
compressor
tank
line
quad padle deal

If it were me I would keep it and go all out and purchase a stage 1 porter built rear set up and drop it until the pumpkin hits the bed floor......I don't think Scotts has a rear drop? (If they did I would use theres as it matches and they donated the prize)

I also would completely go through my trucks frame at this point and I could see it snoballing fast....haha

I'm trying to find out if the wheels will work with the discs. They are the 11" rotors.

I've thought about changing the wheels at some point.. maybe going to 18s or 20s. I know which wheel I'd like to run on it.

I couldn't find a rear kit on the Scott's web site.

I think I do need to have someone who knows these trucks throw mine up on a rack and make sure the frame is ok and not bent or anything. The truck seems to have been "assembled" by someone other than GM as some of the parts are from different years and don't match what's on the SPID.

[DaBigKahuna]

This seems like it would be a bigger job than I may want to take on right now.

I've got 2 cars apart right now and I actually bought the truck to be a "support" vehicle for those projects. I may want to try and wrap up these projects so I can have the truck in the garage and apart for enough time to do this right. If I do choose to do this on my own.

I may want to see if I can get some used drop spindles and front springs to throw under the truck to fix the immediate problem. It's really no fun to drive when you hit large dips at freeway speeds.

Does anyone have any recommendations for suspension shops in Orange County or the LA area? I

[andrewmp6]

I would run this in the rear http://www.porterbuiltfabrication.co...eluxe-Kit-1650 the front you can just add bags to it if you really want rack and pinion that can be done nolimit has a kit but it won't work on stock a arms.But there is aftermarket a arms from porterbuilt or few others out there i trust.

[DaBigKahuna]

Originally Posted by andrewmp6

I would run this in the rear http://www.porterbuiltfabrication.co...eluxe-Kit-1650 the front you can just add bags to it if you really want rack and pinion that can be done nolimit has a kit but it won't work on stock a arms.But there is aftermarket a arms from porterbuilt or few others out there i trust.

I got a whole IFS from Scotts. Should have all I need for that end

[broey]

I completely disagree with the idea to sell that front end. are you 100% sure you don't ever want to lay frame? even so, keep and install that front end. here are my reasons

1. its going to center your wheels in the fenders.
2. its going to raise your crossmember and l.c.a. ground clearance.
3. its going to resolve bump steer issues
4. its going to narrow the front end and help with steering at your new lowered stance
5. its going to update your steering to a safer and more responsive rack and pinion.
6. its got upper and lower tubular control arms.
7. its already got drop spindles and a sway bar.
8. its got the shocks relocated already.

you can install bump stops at your desired lowest point if you want to keep your inner fenders. and you will have the safest and smoothest ride possible.
Its 1000% more desirable if you plan to sell at some point down the road. oh yeah, it also keeps the camber correct at all ride heights. those are all things you will never get by just bagging your stock control arms.

[DaBigKahuna]

Originally Posted by broey

I completely disagree with the idea to sell that front end. are you 100% sure you don't ever want to lay frame? even so, keep and install that front end. here are my reasons

1. its going to center your wheels in the fenders.
2. its going to raise your crossmember and l.c.a. ground clearance.
3. its going to resolve bump steer issues
4. its going to narrow the front end and help with steering at your new lowered stance
5. its going to update your steering to a safer and more responsive rack and pinion.
6. its got upper and lower tubular control arms.
7. its already got drop spindles and a sway bar.
8. its got the shocks relocated already.

you can install bump stops at your desired lowest point if you want to keep your inner fenders. and you will have the safest and smoothest ride possible.
Its 1000% more desirable if you plan to sell at some point down the road. oh yeah, it also keeps the camber correct at all ride heights. those are all things you will never get by just bagging your stock control arms.

All good points.

I'm not 100% sure that I wouldn't want to lay frame but I'm about as sure as I can be. Laying frame looks cool and I dig trucks set up like that but the trade offs that it takes to set up a truck like that are not something I'm willing to do in this truck at this time.

[andrewmp6]

Only thing i don't like about that ifs is it don't use stock spindles so brakes are aftermarket only on it.I like to keep oem brakes on something i drive daily just in case its easy to get parts for at a auto parts store.Laying frame could happen with 15s depending tire sire with a little cutting.You could use the ifs and see how low it will go before the tires hit the inter fenders then rig up bump stops so it won't hit them in case you lose air worse case.

[DaBigKahuna]

Got some info from Justin at Scott's

GOOD: It does have the proper rack for power steering and my rallys should clear the rotors.

BAD: The rotors are 4.5 on 5 and 4.75 on 5 so I'll need to change them to fit the 5 on 5 rallys.

[Cole Trickle]

Originally Posted by DaBigKahuna

Got some info from Justin at Scott's

GOOD: It does have the proper rack for power steering and my rallys should clear the rotors.

BAD: The rotors are 4.5 on 5 and 4.75 on 5 so I'll need to change them to fit the 5 on 5 rallys.

Sell it....

It would be bad ass if your plan is to go full show. If its a driver go simple and enjoy

Your truck is nice and complete as it is. Unless your ready for a tear down (time = $$$) sell it and static drop it with new wheels and a trip to vegas

Someone will love a fair deal on that set up.

[chevy_mike]

Hey Kahuna, I was the guy parked behind you at the show.

As for the delema you're in, it's a tough question. I really think the biggest question you need to ask is, do you want another huge project? A front end swap like that, plus doing the rear so they work well together is not only a big undertaking but you are going to get some $$$ tied up into it. From what it sounds like, you have two other projects that need attention.

A lesson learned long ago... free doesn't always mean good. Heck, I had gotten a free '64 C10 but when I started figuring out what I was going to need to do to it, to get it on the road, my money was better spent elseware.

[DaBigKahuna]

Good point Mike. I think I'm going to sit on everything for a while and keep doing my research. It's certainly not going to lose value while I'm deciding.

I'm going to grab some spindles and coils for the front and get that done and hopefully that will be enough to fix the ride issues.