Originally Posted by -hooch- (Post 6606992)

Thanks Kim. Well guys, I have questions... I have figured out some about the bags I've got, but I still don't know much. I'm looking for some schooling...

The bags that I got are Ridetech and they are shock waves I believe. They came off a really fancy '40 Ford, but the front ones are taller and the rears are the shorter fatter ones I always see on trucks. So if anyone could tell me if these will work on my set up? (just for reference I've got the '75 el camino front sub frame and not sure about the rear end).

Next question, is there any problem with reusing the entire system or parts of the system? I didn't think there would be with reusing the tank and compressors, but the bags?

Next question, any information on how to make the bag setup work on the front? I have been hearing some applications are bolt in for cars from the 60s, so I was assuming someone makes a bolt in kit for a '75 el camino. Any word on this or anything that would be better?

Next question...questions actually. I have been looking at a lot of trucks around here trying to figure out how to set up the rear end. Obviously there's the porterbuilt rear and others I'm assuming, but are there any systems where I can keep the leaf springs?
Is it just best to do a three or four link? I would like it be as simple as possible (and hopefully somewhat inexpensive).
I would like to keep as much of the bed as possible, so what do you all recommend for this?


I'm sure I have a ton more, but hopefully this will be a good start. My goal is to lay it low, but I don't necessarily care about laying frame. I suppose the end goal would be as low as possible while keeping as much of the bed as possible and maybe keeping the leaf springs? Just help me fellas...

Originally Posted by -hooch- (Post 6610044)

Thought of another question... How low can I go on the front without having to change the inner fenders? I plan on running 20" centerline smoothies.

Originally Posted by Spblack (Post 6651677)

post some pics of the shockwaves. I have some for mine up front. they were really easy to fit in. I just had to cut into the subframe to make some room. bolted them to the top of the lower control arm and I was done. if you have the model number, its best to contact ridetech as they sell the adapters.

Originally Posted by Spblack (Post 6651684)

and you can use the air shocks in the rear if you take out some leafs, the will act like helper bags. I would notch the rear though to get the lowered look, other wise your gonna hit the axle. just raise your bed floor some. inner fenders will need to be trimmed around the control arms.

Originally Posted by Spblack (Post 6661074)

i don't see why these wouldn't work. The rear looks like its already set up for leaf springs (I could be wrong) but id would attempt to take some leafs out and bolt these up and the front should bolt right up. Ride tech sells adapters that should slide into the bottom mount to bolt to the shock mount of the lower control arm. look at the 70-81 Camaro oem shockwaves. you will see what I am talking about.

Originally Posted by JakeDW (Post 6784789)

You can use a parallel 4 link with a wats link in the rear that would keep the best pinion angle and keep the wheels centered in the wheel wells.Or a triangulated 4 link would be less work if you do it that way try to make the bars long and about or the same length.

Just wondering if you are going to lay the truck on the frame if you made sure the bottom of the cross was level or higher than the frame.

Cool truck to do.

Jake

Originally Posted by made2drag (Post 6789178)

awesome work...love the detailed pics!

Originally Posted by ChuckDriver (Post 6813635)

I was looking through your build again today, and noticed Pic #7 in Post 9. It looks like you cut out a lot of the forward cab mount below the floor. Just thinking you might want to rebuild or replace it.

Looking forward to more progress pic's!

Originally Posted by JakeDW (Post 6842016)

I like your notch concept.What wheels you going with.

Jake

Originally Posted by Kim57 (Post 6842116)

Coming along real nicely.
Kim

Originally Posted by JML55 (Post 6843624)

Cool truck