53 3100 suspension - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

mick53 · 10-28-2018, 12:22 PM

I have a 53 3100 stock suspension. I have put well over 100 k miles on it since I bought it in 1980. I'm doing a frame off restoration. I really want to keep my leaf springs and straight front axle. For the rear I have a Frankland quick change rear end with Gleason locker and Bicknell Adj. torque arm with associated hardware and cross member. Wilwood 12.88" 4 piston disk brakes. Shock relocation kit and upgraded shackles. Rear sway bar. I plan on a 4" drop leaf springs. On the front I have new stock leaf springs, front sway bar, 2" drop spindles and Wilwood 12.88" 6 piston disk brakes. I plan to run a 2" drop axle. I have EPAS electric power steering. Some have told me to throw away everything including my chassis and get aftermarket. I'm running a blown 292 in about the 450 hp range, not huge by today's standards. I see no IFS front ends without rack and pinion and have no room for a pump and don't want one. although my truck is not stock I wanted to keep my chassis and straight axle. I will not be road racing and may stop at the local drag strip just for fun. Some say I will die but I'm pretty old anyway. Any thoughts and advice would be greatly appreciated. Please keep the name calling to a minimum unless you have something new. Sorry for the long post just wanted to get all my info on here. Thank you.

**mongocanfly** · 10-28-2018, 03:25 PM

sounds like you've already decided what you want...its your truck...do it like you want it..not how some have told you...
how bout some pics of that thang?

**Advanced Design** · 10-28-2018, 07:41 PM

Sounds like a cool truck! If you like the direction you are going great. You’ve put a bunch of miles on a stock suspension so you shouldn’t have many surprises. And if you decide later you are not thrilled with it, you can change it.

Like Mongo said, we would like to see your truck if you can share some pictures.

Enjoy the build!

mick53 · 10-29-2018, 05:23 PM

Thanks guys. I'm in Iowa now building a dry ice manufacturing plant in Iowa right now. Should be done in December and have a few months to work on it. I'll send pics then.

**Advanced Design** · 10-29-2018, 06:02 PM

Nice looking rear set up! Looking forward to the pics. Good luck in IA.

10-28-2018, 12:22 PM	#1
mick53 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Warsaw IN Posts: 882	53 3100 suspension I have a 53 3100 stock suspension. I have put well over 100 k miles on it since I bought it in 1980. I'm doing a frame off restoration. I really want to keep my leaf springs and straight front axle. For the rear I have a Frankland quick change rear end with Gleason locker and Bicknell Adj. torque arm with associated hardware and cross member. Wilwood 12.88" 4 piston disk brakes. Shock relocation kit and upgraded shackles. Rear sway bar. I plan on a 4" drop leaf springs. On the front I have new stock leaf springs, front sway bar, 2" drop spindles and Wilwood 12.88" 6 piston disk brakes. I plan to run a 2" drop axle. I have EPAS electric power steering. Some have told me to throw away everything including my chassis and get aftermarket. I'm running a blown 292 in about the 450 hp range, not huge by today's standards. I see no IFS front ends without rack and pinion and have no room for a pump and don't want one. although my truck is not stock I wanted to keep my chassis and straight axle. I will not be road racing and may stop at the local drag strip just for fun. Some say I will die but I'm pretty old anyway. Any thoughts and advice would be greatly appreciated. Please keep the name calling to a minimum unless you have something new. Sorry for the long post just wanted to get all my info on here. Thank you.

10-28-2018, 03:25 PM	#2
mongocanfly Post Whore Join Date: May 2015 Location: Alabama Posts: 14,579	Re: 53 3100 suspension sounds like you've already decided what you want...its your truck...do it like you want it..not how some have told you... how bout some pics of that thang? __________________ Mongo...aka Greg RIP Dad RIP Jesse 1981 C30 LQ9 NV4500..http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=753598 Mongos AD- LS3 TR6060...http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...34#post8522334 Columbus..the 1957 IH 4x4...http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...63#post8082563 2023 Chevy Z71..daily driver

10-28-2018, 07:41 PM	#3
Advanced Design Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Oblong, Illinois Posts: 7,017	Re: 53 3100 suspension Sounds like a cool truck! If you like the direction you are going great. You’ve put a bunch of miles on a stock suspension so you shouldn’t have many surprises. And if you decide later you are not thrilled with it, you can change it. Like Mongo said, we would like to see your truck if you can share some pictures. Enjoy the build! __________________ Doug Advanced Design’s 1977 Blazer Build Advanced Design's '48 'Burb Build Mrs Advanced Design's '72 Suburban Advanced Design's 56 BelAir LS swap

10-29-2018, 05:23 PM	#4
mick53 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Warsaw IN Posts: 882	Re: 53 3100 suspension Thanks guys. I'm in Iowa now building a dry ice manufacturing plant in Iowa right now. Should be done in December and have a few months to work on it. I'll send pics then. Attached Images Last edited by mick53; 10-29-2018 at 05:25 PM. Reason: forgot

10-29-2018, 06:02 PM	#5
Advanced Design Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Oblong, Illinois Posts: 7,017	Re: 53 3100 suspension Nice looking rear set up! Looking forward to the pics. Good luck in IA. __________________ Doug Advanced Design’s 1977 Blazer Build Advanced Design's '48 'Burb Build Mrs Advanced Design's '72 Suburban Advanced Design's 56 BelAir LS swap

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