'72 Chevy SWB, Project Driver

[mcbassin]

Nice machine work Ben. You're gonna have to give me Cliff notes version of how this helps performance? I really don't understand suspension.

[usmcchevy]

Originally Posted by mcbassin

Nice machine work Ben. You're gonna have to give me Cliff notes version of how this helps performance? I really don't understand suspension.

Thanks......Not sure I would consider something done with a cordless drill and a 5/8" bit "machine" work, but I'll take it

Moving the LCA forward causes the top of the spindle to tilt backwards so when you turn the wheels the tire will tilt. This tilt when in a turn forces the outside edge of the inside tire and the inside edge of the outside tire into the ground for better traction and also compensates for body roll. Thats my understanding at least.

Tires are here, props to Tirebuyer.com cheaper than any local place by over $50 a tire and fast free shipping. Now to get them on.

[mcbassin]

Oh yeah! Love the new tires. Late Christmas present eh? Those are gonna look great on there. Mount them up.

[thor]

Ya didn't want to run a shorter sidewall than 60 series? I like 50 series. Stiffens up the tires without making the ride too stiff, like 40 series.

[Average Joe]

I digg those Indy 500's. I run them on my 'Burb. The 255 seems like a good all around width.

[usmcchevy]

Mike, You could say that, hopefully mounted tonight!

Originally Posted by thor

Ya didn't want to run a shorter sidewall than 60 series? I like 50 series. Stiffens up the tires without making the ride too stiff, like 40 series.

I think these are the lowest profile tire I ever owned so no real experience. I didn't want them too short as they will already be about 1.25 shorter than the back. The 255/60R15 front and 275/60/R15 seems to be pretty popular , so I hope I like it. Some day the truck will get 20's and this set of wheels will be turned into my racing set with some drag radials on the back, but thats a lot of money, paint and a turbo from now

Originally Posted by Average Joe

I digg those Indy 500's. I run them on my 'Burb. The 255 seems like a good all around width.

Thanks, Hope I like them.

[usmcchevy]

Little late of an update, but tires are on and its back from the alignment shop. The drivers side worked out great 5.6deg of caster, but on the passengers side they were only able to get 0.4deg. So now I'll be taking the truck to another shop that has a frame rack, hopefully they can figure out what is going on.

[68 TT]

Originally Posted by usmcchevy

Little late of an update, but tires are on and its back from the alignment shop. The drivers side worked out great 5.6deg of caster, but on the passengers side they were only able to get 0.4deg. So now I'll be taking the truck to another shop that has a frame rack, hopefully they can figure out what is going on.

I had a bent upper control arm do that to me. It looked OK but was twisted just a bit from a neighbor backing into my car. The corner of their bumper hit the top of the rim and the weak link was the upper A-arm.

[mcbassin]

New meats look great Ben. I actually like some side wall on my tires. I think they look tough too. Hope you get the alignment figured out.

[wrwelton]

Very impressed. That Roland sure is a good friend. That other cab was a gonner. Keep pics coming. Going to be a nice driver when done.

Here is mine. http://www.flickr.com/photos/waltspr...7628925019747/

[mooseknuckles]

awesome build man!

[fakerwade]

Your truck is looking great, it's come a long way! Hope you get your alignment issues worked out.

[usmcchevy]

Originally Posted by mcbassin

New meats look great Ben. I actually like some side wall on my tires. I think they look tough too. Hope you get the alignment figured out.

Thanks, I think they gave it the stance I was after too. Before the truck was almost perfectly level, now it has a very slight rake again.

Originally Posted by wrwelton

Very impressed. That Roland sure is a good friend. That other cab was a gonner. Keep pics coming. Going to be a nice driver when done.

Here is mine. http://www.flickr.com/photos/waltspr...7628925019747/

Thanks, my whole truck should have been a gonner oh well, sure has been fun!

Originally Posted by mooseknuckles

awesome build man!

Thanks!

Originally Posted by fakerwade

Your truck is looking great, it's come a long way! Hope you get your alignment issues worked out.

Thanks!
I hope so too. I took it to the frame shop yesterday and they said its the frame, but should be no problem to fix. They're having me pull the inner fenders out and then drop it off on Monday.

[chevytruckluver]

Did you get the truck back to the frame shop yet?

[usmcchevy]

Originally Posted by chevytruckluver

Did you get the truck back to the frame shop yet?

Just drove her home, drives awesome........ but still only 3.5 deg of caster. I think my alignment instructions never made it to the alignment tech because there are plenty of shims in all 4 locations. I'm still happy, it drives perfectly straight at 70mph and doesn't fight me in a turn anymore. That and it was only $298 to have the frame straightened and the truck aligned, I think that was a very fair price for this area.

[mcbassin]

Originally Posted by usmcchevy

Just drove her home, drives awesome........ but still only 3.5 deg of caster. I think my alignment instructions never made it to the alignment tech because there are plenty of shims in all 4 locations. I'm still happy, it drives perfectly straight at 70mph and doesn't fight me in a turn anymore. That and it was only $298 to have the frame straightened and the truck aligned, I think that was a very fair price for this area.

Sounds like a good deal to me Ben. Glad to hear you got it straighted out. Keep truckin buddy.

[68 TT]

Glad they were able to straighten it out for you.

That is a very good price for the job. It was $400 to do the same thing for me on my Chevelle 15 years ago up here.

[usmcchevy]

Originally Posted by mcbassin

Sounds like a good deal to me Ben. Glad to hear you got it straighted out. Keep truckin buddy.

Thanks!

Originally Posted by 68 TT

Glad they were able to straighten it out for you.

That is a very good price for the job. It was $400 to do the same thing for me on my Chevelle 15 years ago up here.

I had to have them repeat the price when I picked it up, I was fully expecting a $500+ bill

Other updates, destroyed my air filter by driving the truck to and from the shop with no inner fenders. I guess I should have thrown a zip-tie on it to keep it from bouncing and rubbing on the tire, oops. Also installed the correct lugnuts on the truck. The rims I have use shank type lugs 1" long with a .74" diameter, the ones I originally used were 1" long with .6x diameter(didn't know they made different diameters). This was enough of a difference to let the wheel get off center and cause slight bouncing and vibration. Much better now, hopefully someone learns from my mistakes

[gregory5000]

What ratio are you using and what king mileage are you getting. Very nice truck.

[usmcchevy]

Originally Posted by gregory5000

What ratio are you using and what king mileage are you getting. Very nice truck.

Thanks, 15ish, haven't had her on the highway much and I drive with a pretty heavy foot.

I did a little bit last weekend. Painted the rear brake drums and installed the correct lug nuts on the rear. My son decided to help

[fishingjred73]

He did a good job!!!!

[68 TT]

Those are the kind of pictures he will treasure when he grows up.

I love when my daughter "helps" me out.

[mcbassin]

Cool pictures Ben. Glad to see you have junior out in the shop at a young age.

[peterbuilt]

Very impressed with the depth and breadth of all you have done. No fanfare, just one cool functional modification after another.
On a more practical level for me, could you tell me what model / year Freightliner your seats came from? They look like a good solution for me.
Thanks.
Good luck working forward.

[usmcchevy]

Thanks everyone! Took a bit of a trip yesterday, Odometer hit 1000 miles and got 20.2mpg highway
peterbuilt, Thanks, I have no idea what truck the seats came out of. They are pretty comfy, but they are gone when I find a nice bench. That way the entire family can ride with.