The Apache

[-hooch-]

Originally Posted by -hooch-

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-

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.

Any input for these questions? Any sponsors want to chime in either?

[Spblack]

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.

[Spblack]

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.

[-hooch-]

Originally Posted by Spblack

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

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.

Thanks for the response. As soon as things wind down this next week, I'll be back on this project. This is the best picture I have of my bags right now. Let me know what you all think.

[-hooch-]

There we go...

[Spblack]

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.

[-hooch-]

Originally Posted by Spblack

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.

Thanks man! I'll see what I can figure out. I think I was just really over thinking it at first. I'm still going to do some more research, but I think I'm getting the basics figured out.

As far as leaf springs, we've already taken some out and it sits low the way it is. I just need to figure out how tall of a notch I need now. How deep was your notch to get it to sit as low as it is?

Then I just need to figure the bed floor situation...

[-hooch-]

Talked to a guy this weekend, and I got some (what sounds like) solid information. Trucks that have some sort of trailing arm suspension can go lower than a leaf spring equipped rear end. Can anyone confirm this, and if so, what triangulated rears do people around here recommend? Or other setups?

[JakeDW]

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

[-hooch-]

Originally Posted by JakeDW

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

hey jake!

I will have to take a look at the crossmember.

Sorry for the lack of pics lately, it has been slow. We're down to the bare frame. Right now we are working on the notches, and we have decided on a parallel four link with panhard bar. We figured if we're going to bag it, we might as well put it on the ground.

I have also nailed down a color - velvet green from Volkswagen.

I also finished a really good drawing I hope to turn into a rendering... so get ready! Here's a sneak peek...

[made2drag]

awesome work...love the detailed pics!

[-hooch-]

Originally Posted by made2drag

awesome work...love the detailed pics!

Thanks man! I'll try to get some more up, but first I've got to get some stuff done

[-hooch-]

Alright guys I have more questions:

1) what parallel four links are you guys running?

2) Is there a good place or better brand to get? Possibly a package that comes with all the hardware and panhard bar?

Sponsors you want to chime in?

Also, here's the start of our notch. Any ideas? Criticism? Tips?

[Kim57]

Looks like it should work to me.
I used a TCI in my build.
Purchased years ago through Currie when I had them narrow my rear end.
Kim

[-hooch-]

Updates: We got a triangulated four link from airbagit.com. Looks like good stuff!

Got one notch almost completely done, and the other one to come. Moving slow now that school has started. Pics to come soon.

[ChuckDriver]

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!

[-hooch-]

Originally Posted by ChuckDriver

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!

I went back and found what you were talking about. I can't remember exactly, but I want to say we beefed that up when we fixed the floor. I will have to look again though. Thanks Chuck!

[-hooch-]

About time for some updates...

1) we sold the blue 64, so that will get some money coming through for this build. Set of wheels and hopefully most of the paint and body.

2) found a guy locally that seems to know everything about bags, so hopefully he'll come out soon and we'll see if we can get the suspension finished up

3) the rear notches are completely finished thank goodness. Grind and clean them up a little, and then it will be time for the rear end and triangulated four link to turn in.

Without further ado... here's some pics of the notches!

[JakeDW]

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

Jake

[Kim57]

Coming along real nicely.
Kim

[-hooch-]

Originally Posted by JakeDW

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

Jake

Centerline smoothies, or maybe if I can swing it the delmo specials.

[-hooch-]

Originally Posted by Kim57

Coming along real nicely.
Kim

Thanks! Can't wait to see them cleaned up and painted.

[JML55]

Cool truck

[-hooch-]

Originally Posted by JML55

Cool truck

Thanks JML55.

Ground on the notches, got the rear end set under the frame, and set the bed on top of it all. Pictures to come soon.

Also changed the name of the truck to Geronimo. He was an Apache, so I thought it was pretty fitting. Geronimo means one who yawns, and this will be a cruiser so it fits there too.

[-hooch-]

Pics as promised

















Ride height?



Close to aired out?



The notches will definitely let me go as low as I want. Now just need to figure out triangulated rear and crossmember. Then it's time for bags. Just one step at a time...