The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network







Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Go Back   The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network > 47 - Current classic GM Trucks > The 1947 - 1959 Chevrolet & GMC Pickups Message Board

Web 67-72chevytrucks.com


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 08-23-2016, 10:02 AM   #1
nineteen51chevy
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: OH
Posts: 2
1951 Flat-Out Engineering suspension

Hello, new to the forum and in need of advice/help.

Project is a 1951 Chevy Truck. I have the suspension kit from Flat-Out Engineering installed to utilize the C4 suspension from the 84-87 Corvette.

I installed the provided rear Aldan coil overs but I am concerned with the amount of positive camber I now have. During the install, I put in a piece of bar stock the 11-1/2 from center to center hole. This was to simulate the coil over at ride height. Everything was good with that. But now that the coil over is in things seems all askew. The coil over was an Aldan AS654 with a 400# spring.

Will the weight the bed, fuel tank, and everything else settle the rear back down? I am hoping there are some more that have used this kit.


.

.

.
nineteen51chevy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-23-2016, 10:22 AM   #2
mongocanfly
Post Whore

 
mongocanfly's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Alabama
Posts: 14,588
Re: 1951 Flat-Out Engineering suspension

I have a flatout front end going in mine now..im not using the rear...but yes..without the engine , trans and body on the frame there is no load on your suspension so your coilovers are unloaded...I'm not sure of the rear spring rate..might holler at Don and double check rear spring rates ..my fronts are 450# springs..there are several guys here using full vette suspension...I'm sure they'll chime in

Last edited by mongocanfly; 08-23-2016 at 10:32 AM.
mongocanfly is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-23-2016, 11:02 AM   #3
nineteen51chevy
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: OH
Posts: 2
Re: 1951 Flat-Out Engineering suspension

Yes, the fronts have the 450# spring rate (white/red mark on the coil). The rear coils are marked blue/red, and according to Aldan that is the 400# spring.

My father-in law and I both stood on the rear crossmember (about 425 lbs.)and could get the rear to squat. But I know flat-out designed the kit and they know what components to use.

Yes Don @ Flat-out is great to work with. Just wanted get an end-users perspective.

But my front suspension does not look the rear when unloaded.

nineteen51chevy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-23-2016, 11:12 AM   #4
mongocanfly
Post Whore

 
mongocanfly's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Alabama
Posts: 14,588
Re: 1951 Flat-Out Engineering suspension

It might change some when you get a 4 wheel alignment...also double check all your bracket measurements..
mongocanfly is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-23-2016, 02:03 PM   #5
mongocanfly
Post Whore

 
mongocanfly's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Alabama
Posts: 14,588
Re: 1951 Flat-Out Engineering suspension

Another thing that'll add some weight and change camber is a full tank of gas..also curious about what size front tires your running..I havnt got that far but I'm gathering info..I want to run a 28" tire as wide as I can get up front..
mongocanfly is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-23-2016, 05:05 PM   #6
HUSSEY
Registered User
 
HUSSEY's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Kansas City
Posts: 572
Re: 1951 Flat-Out Engineering suspension

If you're confident you have everything installed correctly I wouldn't worry much about it as of now. Wait till you have all the weight on the chassis and get the coil over ride height set then see how it's looking. Either way, in the end, I would get it aligned.
__________________
My 49 AD Build / S10 Chassis -- Thread -- Pictures -- S10 Conversion Mounts
HUSSEY is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-23-2016, 05:30 PM   #7
mr48chev
Registered User
 
mr48chev's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Toppenish, WA
Posts: 15,306
Re: 1951 Flat-Out Engineering suspension

Yep it should settle out pretty close to right when you get all the weight on the truck. Out side of maybe tape measuring the toe in it's pretty much of a waste of time to try to align it until it is all together with all of the weight there.
__________________
Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club.

My ongoing truck projects:
48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six.
71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant.
77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.
mr48chev is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-23-2016, 06:43 PM   #8
OrrieG
Registered User
 
OrrieG's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Idaho
Posts: 8,800
Re: 1951 Flat-Out Engineering suspension

Also may need to get a few miles on it to let the springs settle in and compress.
__________________
1959 Chevy Short Fleetside w/ 74 4WD drive train (current project) OrrieG Build Thread
1964 Chevelle Malibu w/ 355-350TH (daily driver)
Helpful AD and TF Manual Site Old Car Manual Project
OrrieG is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-24-2016, 09:45 AM   #9
booney
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Oklahoma city, ok
Posts: 7
Re: 1951 Flat-Out Engineering suspension

Can everyone see those pics? I'm getting the black x. Most likely on my end but, thought I'd ask.
booney is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-24-2016, 11:13 AM   #10
OrrieG
Registered User
 
OrrieG's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Idaho
Posts: 8,800
Re: 1951 Flat-Out Engineering suspension

Quote:
Originally Posted by booney View Post
Can everyone see those pics? I'm getting the black x. Most likely on my end but, thought I'd ask.
No X here.
__________________
1959 Chevy Short Fleetside w/ 74 4WD drive train (current project) OrrieG Build Thread
1964 Chevelle Malibu w/ 355-350TH (daily driver)
Helpful AD and TF Manual Site Old Car Manual Project
OrrieG is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-24-2016, 01:30 PM   #11
mongocanfly
Post Whore

 
mongocanfly's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Alabama
Posts: 14,588
Re: 1951 Flat-Out Engineering suspension

Nope...no x...but his pics are huge..
mongocanfly is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-24-2016, 06:35 PM   #12
solidaxel
Registered User
 
solidaxel's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Cactus Patch So. Az
Posts: 4,749
Re: 1951 Flat-Out Engineering suspension

I would not put too much into the way it sets until you have driven the truck and had it aliened
__________________
53 TuTone Extended Cab 350 4-Spd 3:08 (SOLD)
53 Chevy Moldy pearl green ZZ-4 4L60E 9" 3:25
55 GMC 1st Black Mll (ZZ4) ZZ6 TKO 600 5 sp 3:73
62 Solidaxle Corvette Roman Red (327
340hp 4spd 3:36) C4 & C5 suspension tube chassis
LS 3 4L70E
65 Corvette Coupe 327 350hp 4spd 4:11
78 Black Silverado SWB (350/350) 5.3 & 4L60E 3:42
2000 S-Type 3.0 (wife cruiser)
2003 GMC SCSB 5.3 4L60E 3:42
solidaxel is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-24-2016, 08:35 PM   #13
4544speed
Registered User
 
4544speed's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: League City, TX
Posts: 83
Re: 1951 Flat-Out Engineering suspension

I can't say what the end result will be for you, but mine did the same thing. I used a 11 -3/4 in bar for shock height. I took about two inches from the coil adjustment but did not like that. I changed my upper mount to remove another inch. Like others- I would wait until you have more weight on it to decide. It seems the design for the rear is high but on the front ,where a majority of the weight will be, fits fine without adjustment. The rear was jacked up sky high on mine and I could not get the shocks on without adjusting the spring height.
4544speed is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-27-2016, 12:05 PM   #14
smittster
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Oklahoma City
Posts: 96
Re: 1951 Flat-Out Engineering suspension

This was mine before alignment if it helps.
Attached Images
  
smittster is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 04:14 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright 1997-2022 67-72chevytrucks.com