1960 Chevy Panel Front Suspension Help

[iowarust]

Hello all. I came across this 1960 panel wagon, and was hoping maybe some one could provide me with some insight. With this truck I would like to put it on air ride, and change it over to five bolt hubs. Ive researched and it seems like the easy way is to change it over to 67-87 suspension. From what I can tell, if you were to put that suspension on there, when you go to air ride, you change out most everything but the cross member. At least that seems like the route i would like to go. but if the 67-87 suspension is a fairly straight forward install, would i be better off getting an aftermarket crossmember, and is there a kit that would include that, and also include the rack and pinion style steering?

I guess the plan is to put the whole panel on air ride, and just get it as low as possible with only doing a small notch in the rear, as in just the half moon notch and plate the frame around it, i dont want to cut up the floor in any way, so that if i ever do sell it, whoever were to buy it could go back to stock suspension if thats what they chose to do.

I will provide pictures in the next post, but the things I would like to put on this truck is power steering, power brakes, one of the aftermarket fuel injection systems that resembles a carb, 20" steel wheels, air ride, and safe seats for me, my wife, and my boys who are only six months as of now, but will be riding in this when we go cruise. the plan would be to have all of this done by good guys in Des Moines by the next show there, which will be right around the fourth of july.

The link to the best info I've gotten so far will be at the end, as long as it will allow. Any comments or constructive critism welcome!!

This is the link that I have that makes this seems doable... http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=366828

[iowarust]

pics!!

[Jeffh]

Hey! Remember me? I bought the cobbled in rear seat out of this from you after you outbid me on the whole thing.....

[Captainfab]

The '71-'87 suspension will have disc brakes and be 5 lug.

[iowarust]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

The '71-'87 suspension will have disc brakes and be 5 lug.

Yeah that’s what I’ve come to find out, seems straightforward, but my question is do I even need to buy and install the stock suspension, or can I just buy it all aftermarket and save myself some time...
Posted via Mobile Device

[Captainfab]

The one thing you can not buy aftermarket is the crossmember, unless you go with a completely different aftermarket suspension such as the Porterbilt

Originally Posted by iowarust

Yeah that’s what I’ve come to find out, seems straightforward, but my question is do I even need to buy and install the stock suspension, or can I just buy it all aftermarket and save myself some time...
Posted via Mobile Device

[iowarust]

Originally Posted by Jeffh

Hey! Remember me? I bought the cobbled in rear seat out of this from you after you outbid me on the whole thing.....

Haha, no, that wasn’t me, I’m going to guess that was they guy I bought it from, him and his wife are both awesome people!!
Posted via Mobile Device

[Jeffh]

Originally Posted by iowarust

Haha, no, that wasn’t me, I’m going to guess that was they guy I bought it from, him and his wife are both awesome people!!
Posted via Mobile Device

I'm kinda surprised they sold it, the lady was pretty hyped about it. Those extra holes in the cargo area held a '57 Chevy 2 door seat that is now in my hardtop. Heres some of your panels provenance:

https://siouxcityjournal.com/lifesty...b00c937b2.html

https://www.girardbid.com/servlet/Li...humbNails=true

[iowarust]

Originally Posted by Jeffh

I'm kinda surprised they sold it, the lady was pretty hyped about it. Those extra holes in the cargo area held a '57 Chevy 2 door seat that is now in my hardtop. Heres some of your panels provenance:

https://siouxcityjournal.com/lifesty...b00c937b2.html

https://www.girardbid.com/servlet/Li...humbNails=true

This is great information, they told me they bought it as a grad present for their granddaughter, and plans changed.

[SkinnyG]

That's something only you can decide.

Time vs Money.

Used and/or rebuilt vs. new

[iowarust]

Originally Posted by SkinnyG

That's something only you can decide.

Time vs Money.

Used and/or rebuilt vs. new

I would argue that time is always more important than money, as we have an expiration date. So any kit for 63-87 should work, as long as it replaces most everything but frame rails is kind of what I’ve come to believe. Even though it may not be a simple bolt in deal. Would anyone have any recommendations on an air ride kit for the front? This site is the best
Posted via Mobile Device

[LVPhotos]

I saved and parted together on a budget for my '62....Porterbuilt

[iowarust]

Originally Posted by LVPhotos

I saved and parted together on a budget for my '62....Porterbuilt

That’s looking good, what’s the plan for exhaust? And was the steering pretty easy to deal with?
Posted via Mobile Device

[LVPhotos]

Click on the build page.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=560081
The rack is 3:1 manual. Would not suggest for most people, I like it just like a go kart. The exhaust was from Pypes X pipe kit.

[iowarust]

Originally Posted by LVPhotos

Click on the build page.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=560081
The rack is 3:1 manual. Would not suggest for most people, I like it just like a go kart. The exhaust was from Pypes X pipe kit.

Sorry I was on my phone and didn't realize that there was a build page...