73 Squarebody Suspension Recommendations
 

Looking for some input how to get maximum handling performance out of the 73 C10 suspension. I think I've landed on replacing the front crossmember and suspension with a unit from TCI, Heidts, PB, etc. Does anyone have any experience or recommendations in this area? Any better or worse than others.

For the rear end I'm going to keep the 12 bolt but thinking about going with the QA1 torque arm setup. Any thoughts or recommendations on this?

Am I way off base or headed in the right direction?

Thanks

Re: 73 Squarebody Suspension Recommendations
 

Don't forget one of the original outfits that designed components to help move these trucks around corners faster.... No Limits Engineering. Before TCI, Qa1, or Heidts made 'kits' for these trucks, if 'maximum handling' was your goal, No Limits was a go-to.

Another option you might not know about is Detroit Speed. They now make front & rear bolt-in set-ups for C10's.

Re: 73 Squarebody Suspension Recommendations
 

Appreciate the input. I will give them some consideration.

Re: 73 Squarebody Suspension Recommendations
 

There's a wide range in 'difference' regarding these trucks ability to handle.

Are you planning/building for some Track Time or Cone-Killing?

Re: 73 Squarebody Suspension Recommendations
 

Plan is to run an LS and daily drive but also want to be able to do some track days/autocross.

Re: 73 Squarebody Suspension Recommendations
 

I would also look into a full frame set up if that is your plan. Many now make direct bolt in set ups. No Limit, Roadster Shop, ACME, GSI, Porter Built and others. If you look at the cost of the front kit and rear kit along with all the work required. I full frame set up starts to make sense if you look at the overall big picture and complete costs.

Re: 73 Squarebody Suspension Recommendations
 

First set a budget that is good with you, and or the wife. Or ask for forgiveness afterwards. That's up to you there.

Then set goals, and be honest with yourself. Do you want this truck to hang with sports cars? Or handle very nicely, and still make homedepot runs? Is towing in your future? All of these things will effect other things negatively to some extent, and in there is a happy medium that YOU can live with. Then look at the budget to confirm.

QA1 for instance makes a damn fine bolt on kit. As do Detroit speed, and something like 10 other companies. All from $4000-15000 all in.

Myself I am poor. So I am sectioning a crossmember, and relocating the A-arms to get more action out of them. Like the Gulstrand or Shelby mods.

The biggest gains in the handling department are shocks, and tires. It doesn't matter if the suspension is improved or not. The suspension upgrades make a vehicle more predictable especially at the edge of performance thus allowing you to push your tires harder.

Re: 73 Squarebody Suspension Recommendations
 

Have you plotted out what benefits there will be from doing the "Gulstrand/Shelby" mods? I'm curious of what gains are achieved.

Re: 73 Squarebody Suspension Recommendations
 

No I don't know how to do that, but I measured against the new improved version of a F body Gulstrand modded sub frame I had access too. Then took the spindle height vs A-arm positions on center in the vertical plane. And did some algebra or something to get a number I was satisfied with. Roughly 3/4-7/8 of a inch.

All in it felt snappier to me, and maybe a touch more planted. Then it did before the truck Gulstrand mod I did. I had relocated the lower A arms previously, but did not have my good drill at that point. Friend had borrowed it for a month. Plus being in a hurry I just did it later.

The truck was a freshened up 1973 C20 with C10 springs, and removed leafs in the back with a drop shackle to level it off. I was running PYO rims with 265-70r16 front, and 285-70r16 rears. The tires were E rated AT tires.

All in all I will do it again to my sub frame I am modding now. My knee is feeling better, and after chores I may spend sometime working on it again today.

Re: 73 Squarebody Suspension Recommendations
 

After seeing how flexible these frames are.
Be more concerned about that 1st then the rest will come.

Re: 73 Squarebody Suspension Recommendations
 

It's not as big a deal as it sounds. Of course you can add a full x-member, and box the frame. This will make it stiffer then a new truck. They can flex quite a bit too depending on how they are measured.

But you can add a few hundred pounds of weight, and fairly big complications for the home builder. Or add greatly to one's debt. Don't forget the roll bar set up.

If I had a forklift, and motivation. I would do a basic X-member if I wanted to track it often enough. Then consider a basic 6 point cage depending on track rules. Or terminal velocity on the high end.

These days you can spend more money then you have the skills to drive. Which is cool if you have that kind of cash.