New Lurker

[Get Down]

[SIZE="4"]Hello guys! I happen to come across this forum doing some research glad I found it. First off you guys have some beautiful trucks! I'm a newbie in the truck world even though I owned a 55 and a 51 five window back in the late 70's when they weren't very popular but they were my everyday drivers tooling around in PA on the back roads.
Anyway I wanted to introduce myself I just purchased a 49 and currently waiting for it's arrival. I've been in here reading all the threads, tons of info. My big dilemma is should I static drop or airbag my truck? I'm curious what the consensus is? I would love to hear your personal opinions based on experience, comfort & handling and if you had to do it again would you change anything!.

I used the search button looking for a sticky called a Reference Library hoping to find answers to all the typical questions us newbie's have. Is there such a thread that contains all that juicy information? If not would the mods consider making a sticky called the Reference Library?

Anyway happy to be in here reading and getting great ideas!

Here's my 49

Regards

[Katrina/10]

That's a nice truck. How much money do you want to spend?

[S10Fan]

Originally Posted by Get Down

[SIZE="4"]Hello guys! I happen to come across this forum doing some research glad I found it. First off you guys have some beautiful trucks! I'm a newbie in the truck world even though I owned a 55 and a 51 five window back in the late 70's when they weren't very popular but they were my everyday drivers tooling around in PA on the back roads.
Anyway I wanted to introduce myself I just purchased a 49 and currently waiting for it's arrival. I've been in here reading all the threads, tons of info. My big dilemma is should I static drop or airbag my truck? I'm curious what the consensus is? I would love to hear your personal opinions based on experience, comfort & handling and if you had to do it again would you change anything!.

I used the search button looking for a sticky called a Reference Library hoping to find answers to all the typical questions us newbie's have. Is there such a thread that contains all that juicy information? If not would the mods consider making a sticky called the Reference Library?

Anyway happy to be in here reading and getting great ideas!

Here's my 49

Regards

Welcome to the forum!

Is your stock frame in good condition? If so, I'd keep it and work from there. The options are many for these trucks. Get her road worthy and start a list!

[Dan in Pasadena]

Welcome!
"Make it stop, make it go, THEN make it cool"!

The rule of thumb we should all follow (but usually don't!)

My vote is static drop. Is IFS in your budget? If not then you needs to know about Sid's dropped axles and Posie's Super Slider springs. Google both.

What are your plans for her, we always like to hear that up front so we know what advice to give. Best, Dan
Posted via Mobile Device

[arturo7]

Welcome!

[GMCGoat]

Bags for sure...sometimes you want it on the ground and sometimes you want it 8" off the ground.

[Get Down]

Originally Posted by Katrina/10

That's a nice truck. How much money do you want to spend?

As much as the wife will let me! I know there's endless possibilities but the chassis for me is first and foremost.

[Get Down]

Originally Posted by S10Fan

Welcome to the forum!

Is your stock frame in good condition? If so, I'd keep it and work from there. The options are many for these trucks. Get her road worthy and start a list!

Thank you for the welcome! The frame is very solid and in great shape. I plan on getting her road worthy and go from there. Can't wait for it to arrive. I'm like a kid waiting for Christmas.

[Get Down]

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

Welcome!
"Make it stop, make it go, THEN make it cool"!

The rule of thumb we should all follow (but usually don't!)

My vote is static drop. Is IFS in your budget? If not then you needs to know about Sid's dropped axles and Posie's Super Slider springs. Google both.

What are your plans for her, we always like to hear that up front so we know what advice to give. Best, Dan
Posted via Mobile Device

Again thank you for the welcome. I'm aware of Sid's thank you, that is one of my considerations. I was not aware of Posie's Super Slider springs so thank you for the heads up on that one. I was considering TCI leafs for the rear but I'm open minded and like to do a lot of home work before I really make a decision. My thoughts are I can probably work in an IFS but not sure if I should keep it old school and go with the drop axle. I like the slammed look but I've never had the pleasure of riding in one to see how they ride and handle. So it's a toss up at this point. I'm putting out my feelers to see what some of the better upgrades if you will are or would be.

[Get Down]

Originally Posted by arturo7

Welcome!

Thank you my friend. Your build is looking good I'm drooling.....

[alaska gasser]

Welcome from the far north.

I would definitely go with a static drop. In mine I will have about 5 1/2 inches ground clearance using a complete Heidts Mustang 2 I picked up on EBAY for $1300.

[Get Down]

Originally Posted by alaska gasser

Welcome from the far north.

I would definitely go with a static drop. In mine I will have about 5 1/2 inches ground clearance using a complete Heidts Mustang 2 I picked up on EBAY for $1300.

Alaska gasser thank you for the welcome and the advice. Your build is off the hook. Your like a resurrecting god, a grave robber if you will that can bring the dead back to life. How did you set up the rear end of your truck, new springs, lowering blocks, disc brakes any info would appreciated. Thanks!

[_Ogre]

depends on your budget and tastes, static drop is a lot cheaper than bags
mine is static, never saw the need for an adjustable ride height
welcome to this forum

[alaska gasser]

Originally Posted by Get Down

How did you set up the rear end of your truck, new springs, lowering blocks, disc brakes any info would appreciated. Thanks!

The "banker" reminded me I paid $1500 for the front end and not $1300. It came with everything to include stock A arms, power rack, dropped spindles, stainless brake lines, sway bar, strut rods, crossmember, drilled and grooved rotors and all the small stuff. If you aren't in a hurry, you can find a good deal. My frame is a stock 3/4 ton, so it is 6" narrower at the rearend than a 1/2 ton frame. I was going to move the springs and use 32" Mickey Thompson tires, but I like the handling of radial tires better. Thus the rear suspension is stock with an S10 rearend mounted above the springs. No lowering blocks necessary.

[Daze57]

welcome aboard the forum from sin city !!!! good lookin project you have there - good luck and ask all the questions you want - we are here to help

[Get Down]

Thank you, and I appreciate all the help offered......

[Get Down]

Originally Posted by alaska gasser

The "banker" reminded me I paid $1500 for the front end and not $1300. It came with everything to include stock A arms, power rack, dropped spindles, stainless brake lines, sway bar, strut rods, crossmember, drilled and grooved rotors and all the small stuff. If you aren't in a hurry, you can find a good deal. My frame is a stock 3/4 ton, so it is 6" narrower at the rearend than a 1/2 ton frame. I was going to move the springs and use 32" Mickey Thompson tires, but I like the handling of radial tires better. Thus the rear suspension is stock with an S10 rearend mounted above the springs. No lowering blocks necessary.

Thank you for the info it surely helps when one is undecided! Da Beast arrived a few days ago from Desoto Texas, so you can imagine I've been in my garage ever since. It had a cow catcher on there that weights about 200-300 lbs. I'll be posting some pictures and asking more questions! I appreciate you all letting me inquire into your builds............Thank you

[Get Down]

Da Beast




A 1950 olds Hood Ornament and one eye brow!

[av8tr33337]

Welcome.

That hood Ornament looks like it should have been on there from the factory. I'm going static drop on mine with an S10 chassis swap. Mine is low budget and just going to be a daily driver.

[fabguy]

Nice looking truck, welcome to the forums.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Ferrofil]

Cool truck and I love the hood ornament...."Da beast" leave me speechless!
Welcome to the forum!

[Katrina/10]

Looks like the grille guard served it's purpose.

[Kurt L]

if it were me i would lift it,about 6'' and put some nice tires and wheels on it and drive the wheels off of it. myself don't like lowered trucks.[see no sense in them.]but everyone is different.thats my .02 worth CLR it and let it go.

[_Ogre]

my first 58 that i bought in 72 had a similar front bumper on it. it was an old service station truck from texas.
i raised hell in high school with that truck, construction barricades and mail boxes were fair game back then