55.2-59 1955 GMC Big Window Step Side Build; LSx, IFS, IRS, etc.

[dsraven]

check it at what you will running for ride height, actually driving height. the pic shown will have the rockers on the ground almost by the look of it. at ride height the wheel may be a bit forward for my liking, but it ain't my truck. if you like it then thats where it should be.

[slammed57]

There you go! its in its rough stage but mine was really rough , i had to put new floors ,cab corners bottom of front fenders etc... but inch by inch ,it gets there. If i see you in a certain stage your in I would shout out what worked for me at the time and where i made mistakes so you wont make them , I'll be watchin , enjoy the build bud!

[AHenry014]

Originally Posted by dsraven

check it at what you will running for ride height, actually driving height. the pic shown will have the rockers on the ground almost by the look of it. at ride height the wheel may be a bit forward for my liking, but it ain't my truck. if you like it then thats where it should be.

The third photo up is theoretical ride height. I believe i measured the rocker at around 6 or 7" off the ground, so it should be plenty high. However, i havent committed to anything but the extended shock ends. I mocked up the theoretical ride height and stuffed height for each extended eye (1" longer than stock or 2" longer). I think the 1" extended eye is going to be just about right. It leaves the control arms parallel with the ground and in line with the subframe at ride height, which is ideal. The 2" eye was too tall for my liking, both ride height and stuffed.

I have not nailed down the position in the wheel well. It is currently clamped in place. I want to get it together a bit more and make a final decision after considering all factors, or most haha.

Originally Posted by slammed57

There you go! its in its rough stage but mine was really rough , i had to put new floors ,cab corners bottom of front fenders etc... but inch by inch ,it gets there. If i see you in a certain stage your in I would shout out what worked for me at the time and where i made mistakes so you wont make them , I'll be watchin , enjoy the build bud!

Thank you!! This cab is actually in really nice shape. I need to rebuild one corner on the passenger side (can be seen in pics) and one hinge pocket on the drivers door.

[joedoh]

looks really really great!

shockwaves dont make great bags for ultra slammed trucks because they only have about 5" of usable stroke, even with the geometry of the a arms that will only work out to about 7-8 inches of lift total. make sure that your 6-7" ride height isnt topping out or close to topping out your shockwave, its usually closer to 4" for half travel on a shockwave (with the front end geometry added) so most setups either set the truck up to lay out OFF the ground to get more ride height, or move to a different bag type. if you try to ride around topped out the shockwave shock will break. I have seen it happen in person.

those lincolns are 5 on 4.25 stock but you can make them 5 on 4.5 with cobra IRS parts if I remember right. you can also use the cobra center section to get a LSD, the mark viii used electronic limited slip, applied the brake on the spinning wheel to make the other spin.

good luck, great start! thanks for all the high res pictures!

[AHenry014]

Originally Posted by joedoh

looks really really great!

shockwaves dont make great bags for ultra slammed trucks because they only have about 5" of usable stroke, even with the geometry of the a arms that will only work out to about 7-8 inches of lift total. make sure that your 6-7" ride height isnt topping out or close to topping out your shockwave, its usually closer to 4" for half travel on a shockwave (with the front end geometry added) so most setups either set the truck up to lay out OFF the ground to get more ride height, or move to a different bag type. if you try to ride around topped out the shockwave shock will break. I have seen it happen in person.

those lincolns are 5 on 4.25 stock but you can make them 5 on 4.5 with cobra IRS parts if I remember right. you can also use the cobra center section to get a LSD, the mark viii used electronic limited slip, applied the brake on the spinning wheel to make the other spin.

good luck, great start! thanks for all the high res pictures!

Thank you for your thoughts! Ridetech lists "extended length" and "ride height" in the specs, with ride height being 1.5" shorter than extended length. I have considered this so i am not rolling around fully extended. I do (now) recognize the limitations of the shockwaves, even though i have the longest stroke model. I measure within 1-2" of rocker on ground when laid out, but that will all depend on the tire i choose, which is tentatively 28". I can always buy longer ends if they dont work out. It was comforting that even after deciding on the 1" extended shock eye (after extensive repeated measurements and visuals), that it aligned with Team321/Dave's recommendation for his crossmember/crown vic suspension.

I tossed around the idea of going with the cobra hubs, but from a cost and simplicity standpoint, I ultimately went with a redrilling jig. It will redrill the factory lincoln hubs and rotors for 5x4.5. Seeing as how ONE cobra hub is to the tune of 167 dollars, a $140 jig seemed like a better idea. The drilling jig came from Hells Gate Hot Rods, a very popular option on the Mark VIII forum for guys wanting to use mustang wheels. As a bonus, i just need the jig to redrill new rotors, I dont need adapters for the calipers, and i can run smaller rear wheels.

[joedoh]

redrilling sounds like a great option.

as long as you are realistic about the lift, shockwaves ride and handle great. usually a separate bag and shock combo will lift more, but rolling 3 inches off the ground is a damn lot of fun too.

[jaws61]

That's one sweet looking build, what do your wheels width look in the wheels wheels because I've heard the Crown Vic stuff is a bit wide for our truck.. I'm thinking of putting one in mine why I'm looking for a idea.. what wheels and back spacing you running??