how low can i go?

[dec010974]

Hello boys n girls. I'm on my quest to bag a 1971 c10 and I'm looking to go low as possible. Here are a few pics of my set up. This what I've done so far. The spring will be switched out for the air bags. I clueless to my next step. what's the next step? the trailing arms seem to be in the way. I won't able to use the full step notch to get rear super low. I know some one has done this b4. I know I may need new trac bar and lowering blocks, but what else? Do I remove the trailing arms and switch to a 4 bar set up? Where will the bags mounts. I have questions for days . it seems the low, lay the frame low, is very costly. I'm lost and need help. Thanks in advance. Clark.

[tinydb84]

Great start!! Look at Porterbuilt dropmember and trailing arms... or if you can weld then Z!

[dec010974]

hey tinydb84. ive seen the porterbuilt trailing arms. will i need anything else? also, how low will this truck go? do i need to buy to center piece to attach to the trailing arms?

[tinydb84]

Originally Posted by dec010974

hey tinydb84. ive seen the porterbuilt trailing arms. will i need anything else? also, how low will this truck go? do i need to buy to center piece to attach to the trailing arms?

I believe the arms will clear the notch and let the rear lay out. You dont NEED the trailing arm crossmember but it does give you better geometry (you could flip the mounting point upside down though). You will hit the lower control arms in the front without a Z/dropmember though. (Just a disclaimer 67-72 isnt my expertise, I have a 66 and 75).

Like everything else on the truck it depends on your fab skills and wallet. You can lay frame with no porterbuilt parts if you can weld/fab or you can lay frame with little fab skills if you can afford porterbuilt.

I would call them and discuss your options. I have talked with them and they are very helpful and nice.

[jmedero]

I went with a 4 link on my Burb. You can see it done in my build thread that's in my signature. Blocks in the rear with bags placed either on the rear end or behind/infront of will give you more drop since the bag won't be sandwiched between your fram and trailing arm.
On the front several options. I have done and so have many others a sectioned front crossmember. Drops the front 1 1/4 inch is about the sweet spot. It raises the xmember then add bags, drop spindles and a little lower a arm mod and you will be really low up front. Or pony up some cash and do what I did and others have done and get a front kit. I did the Scott's super slam and love it. You have choices man it's up to time, money and skill. My tatto artist has a sign on the wall that says good, fast, cheap.... Pick two. That's about the same here.

Nice truck and a good start.
Juan
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[tinydb84]

Originally Posted by jmedero

I went with a 4 link on my Burb. You can see it done in my build thread that's in my signature. Blocks in the rear with bags placed either on the rear end or behind/infront of will give you more drop since the bag won't be sandwiched between your fram and trailing arm.
On the front several options. I have done and so have many others a sectioned front crossmember. Drops the front 1 1/4 inch is about the sweet spot. It raises the xmember then add bags, drop spindles and a little lower a arm mod and you will be really low up front. Or pony up some cash and do what I did and others have done and get a front kit. I did the Scott's super slam and love it. You have choices man it's up to time, money and skill. My tatto artist has a sign on the wall that says good, fast, cheap.... Pick two. That's about the same here.

Nice truck and a good start.
Juan
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My 66 has a sectioned crossmember and raised steering up front

[dec010974]

so let me see if I got this right. if I install the air bag on the trailing arms, the rear will only go so low. if I switch out the trailing for porterbuilt arms I will go lower? at some point, I see the bottom of the frame notch and the trailing arms sandwiching the bags and keeping me from going super low. im trying to buy the right parts to spend money wisely. I don't want to do things twice. that's why I keep asking questions. please help m e understand. for the front I may buy porterbuilt. he's done all the home works.

[tinydb84]

Originally Posted by dec010974

so let me see if I got this right. if I install the air bag on the trailing arms, the rear will only go so low. if I switch out the trailing for porterbuilt arms I will go lower? at some point, I see the bottom of the frame notch and the trailing arms sandwiching the bags and keeping me from going super low. im trying to buy the right parts to spend money wisely. I don't want to do things twice. that's why I keep asking questions. please help m e understand. for the front I may buy porterbuilt. he's done all the home works.

How low do you really want to go? Frame, pinch, rocker, door?

You can do porterbuilt arms and a sleeve bag out back. That will get you as low on the trailing arms as possible.

[dec010974]

well tinydb84, I read jmedero's build and he layed the frame. he bridge his step notch and placed the bags between the bridge and frame.he also removed the trailing arms and added a 4 link setup. the shocks were mounted to the notch also. tinydb84, im looking for the happy medium were ican use the stuff I have and go from there. I bought front & rear bag mounts for my air bags. im assuming to go lay the frame low or close to it major mods must be done. I dont have a 10,000 grand to spend on a frame and mods. im trying to ball on a budget. Im looking for simple and effective.

[tinydb84]

To lay frame I personally would move the bags over the axle and Z the front 2.5 inches. Cheapest way you can do It.
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[jmedero]

Yup that's right. Your fully compressed bag is still 3-4 inches tall. So if you have room in your rear frame notch and you move your bag then you gaining drop.
Youbdont have to spend $10k on a frame. Find out what you want and execute a GOOD realistic goal for your budget and skill level and you'll be real happy and low.
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[tinydb84]

I'm hoping to be $2500 into my suspension by the time I'm done. That is parts and a mix of my work and a local shop (not including air management).
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[dec010974]

well today I worked on my air bag set up. if I add 2 inch lowering blocks, with the bags mounted on the trailing arms, it will basically put me where the letters are on the tires. this will not do me any justice. im looking for a setup that places the air bags above the rear end. I also need shock mounts and pan hard bar & trailing arms. porterbuilt looks very cheap compared to the mods I may need to make. very cheap.

[dec010974]

I got it now. I can get nice and low by mounting the bag off the step knotch or the rear axle. Mounting the bags in place of the springs won't lay the frame. Sorry tinydb84 and jmedero. I had to see it for myself. With a stock rally wheel, 27 inch tall rim and tire, mount bags near axle or step notch that sucker gets pretty low. Pics are forth coming Tamara. My air system is almost plumb. Thanks Chevy truck family.
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[dec010974]

Does anyone have pics of their air bag suspension that's mounted off the axle or braced off of the trailing arms. Im looking for ideas. My bags will not be mounted where the springs were. I'm trying to lay this sucker out. Lay the frame baby, lay the frame. Thanks in advance. Clark.
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[dec010974]

hello to all. just to update, i'm looking for air suspension pics, with the bags mounted off of the rear axle. my air management systems is almost complete. I need to finish the wiring of my relays. here are the pics I promised. please chime in and leave comments. I have 3 more inches plus lowering blocks to bet the rear lower. again, the bags will be mounted off the axle. "lay the frame baby, lay the frame."

[tinydb84]

You can use the search bar and see some pics. I would probably doing something like one of these:
http://www.avsontheweb.com/product.p...&cat=36&page=2
or
http://www.avsontheweb.com/product.p...cat=564&page=1

[tinydb84]

this would help you get a bit lower too

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...7&postcount=68

[dec010974]

thanks tinydb84. you're the best. I like this one- http://www.avsontheweb.com/product.p...&cat=36&page=2
I have lowering blocks. nuts and u bolts. the stock u bolts are rusted/fused to the rear end. I gotta use my buddys plasma cutter when he is ready to weld in my rear axle bag bracket. What do you think of the air management set up?

[tinydb84]

Since you already have the cross bars on the notch you can really just buy the lower mount and cut your own for the top out of 1/4" plate. Just make sure you have enough room to fit the compressed bag in between the axle and the top of the notch. If your arms hit the frame before laying out you can also Z the rear.
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[tinydb84]

The air management is fine. My brother had those valves on a truck for 10 years before they started sticking. I would recommend a cover or moving it. It will either get stolen or messed with out in the open. The one pump will be a bit slow. Look at a second pump or a sanden if you play a lot.
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[dec010974]

anybody. how low will the front suspension go with 2.5 drop spindles and air bags? I would like to a see a few pics. if its not to my liking ill crack the bank and grab a drop member. thanks in advance.

[PBFAB.COM]

Factory crossmember and control arms; 2.5" drop spindles... with Porterbuilt Stage 1 Front (bags and shocks).

[dec010974]

when will the troubles end? here are a few pics. can you tell me what this means? please, not all my fellow builders answer at once. has anyone ever encountered the problem of the drive shaft hitting the rear cab support brace, the frame brace, where the drive shaft goes thru, and the secondary cab brace? what can be done to solve this mystery? im using 2 inch lowering block for the rear. when I level the front of the 1971 c10 will this disappear? my inquiring minds wants to know thanks for the assistance.

[tinydb84]

You have to clearance for the one piece drive shaft. Make the cross member taller and tunnel the rear of the cab. The other option is to run a two piece drive shaft.