Project Nightmare Porterbuilt Install

[njackso1024]

So I ve never joined a forum before but I thought I would try and help out. I bought my 1970 C10 long bed last summer. I've always wanted one and i finally pulled the trigger. the body and frame were in good shape but everything else was either shot or just broken. the suspension was for sure the first thing that needed replacing. it drove like a boat on the water. but anyway i drove it for a while and noticed the engine was making some noise. never a good thing. so i parked it for the winter and did a bunch of research and going back and forth over what it was i wanted to do. The name Porterbuilt kept coming up over and over again. So i decided to take a look at their system. i was instantly convinced that this was the way this project needed to go. However, up til a couple months ago I didn't even know what a ball joint was. I also couldn't find well laid out instructions as to the way to do this. That is until I ran across a thread on here called "My Porterbuilt Experience" by Mac808. he really laid out the install for the stage 2 front kit and the stage 2 rear basic very well. so i thought i would contribute to the community as well with my experience with this kit. the Guys from porterbuilt really laid out this kit well so even someone like me could figure it out. they are also awesome to work with and I would recommend them to anyone looking to bag their ride. So anyway let's get started with day 1. There she is.

[njackso1024]

Here she is coming apart

[njackso1024]

Be warned this kit comes in a lot of pieces and looks very confusing to an idiot such as myself.

[njackso1024]

so Here s some pictures of the bag and the mounting plate. I also took one of the bottom of the cup where it mounts to and it mounted up.

[njackso1024]

Up next are the shock mounts. they have a locator tab on the that slips right into the old shock mount bolt. just drill the holes and mount it up.

[njackso1024]

Here is the lower control arm mounted to the crossmember and the bag. The cross shaft of the control arm has a locating hole in one of the sides. this locates the control arm right where it needs to be in those mounts. then just slide in the u bolts and tighten em up. the bag just uses one bolt on the bottom in the long slot on the bottom control arm plate. this confused me at first cuz there are two holes that don t line up to the bag right below the long slot. they don t get used.

[njackso1024]

Here s what i got done today. Worked on the passenger side C notch. All i can really say is make sure you test fit these before you paint or powdercoat them. They may require a little manipulation. There are 4 holes that locate the two pieces of the notch. Two for the top piece and two for the bottom. Make sure these are tight as possible before you start drilling or your holes may be off when you go to line the two pieces together. I drilled for the top piece first to make sure it was tight against the frame and that brought the holes on the side more in line with each other

[Ram-Man]

From a fellow Minnesotan very nice. Porterbuilt is the only way to go. Did a similar install on mine in my signature.

[njackso1024]

Thanks Ram-Man. I checked out your truck. Boy that kit slid right into didn t it. Very cool and original.

[andrewmp6]

Looking good so far,But a safety tip wear steel toe boots just in case you drop something heavy on your foot.

[njackso1024]

Lol. Good idea. Don t worry i was wearing boots before i took that picture. Good catch though.

[njackso1024]

Got the upper shock cross member fitted up today. it sits level however there is a 1/8 variance in the notches as you can see by the third picture. i emailed dave and nate got back to me and said that was within tolerance. i just wanted to make sure before i cut the notch out on the drivers side. i ll get to that within the next couple days.

[CG]

When I read the title to your thread I thought it meant you were having a nightmare of a time installing the PB stuff. Looks like its coming a long fine though.

[njackso1024]

Lol. No the nightmare is all the parts that need replacing and my credit card debt now

[njackso1024]

So this what i got done today. The C notches are drilled out and fully bolted in. The upper and lower shock crossmembers are in place and the shocks are mounted. Tomorrow i ll throw the bags in and get the panhard bar mount in place. Then i just gotta drop it down and check the travel and see if anything is hitting. Then itvs all back apart and off to paint.

[njackso1024]

More pics

[tinydb84]

Moving right along!

[njackso1024]

Ok. I m stuck here. I just shot an e mail to dave. I don t get how these upper bag plates mount up. And the treaded rod shown that came with the rear upper bag cup hardware doesn t fit in the holes. What am i missing? Is there supposed to be a nut welded on to that center hole. Can someone chime in on this?

[PBFAB.COM]

Originally Posted by njackso1024

Ok. I m stuck here. I just shot an e mail to dave. I don t get how these upper bag plates mount up. And the treaded rod shown that came with the rear upper bag cup hardware doesn t fit in the holes. What am i missing? Is there supposed to be a nut welded on to that center hole. Can someone chime in on this?

There IS supposed to be a welded not on the top of the cup plate so that the threaded stud can be installed.

We will get a new set sent out to exchange and have those come back. I can't apologize more for the inconvenience.

Nate

[njackso1024]

Ahhhh. Thanks man

[njackso1024]

Got the panhard bar mount on today. Can someone tell me how to set it up properly. I m not sure how. I see there is 3 different mounting locations on the bottom bracket. I m a bit confused as to how to set it up right. Thanks.

[tinydb84]

I'd be worried people would mess with it or steal it.

[njackso1024]

Lol. Good point. Let s just hope that doesn t happen. I ll probably end up getting an automatic start and alarm on it at some point.

[mac808]

Wow! Awesome write up and how-to! Looks like your project is moving right along!

One of the great things about sharing and posting as you go is that you got the actual PB team right there along with ya! Awesome support and customer service!

[njackso1024]

Thanks MAC. You re build tread has been a great help to me so like you I thought I d share the process. I got the bags in the rear today. but i do have some questions. First does the pan hard bar mount on the rear end there thread in or is it pressed in and how in the world do you get it out. Second, did I put the lower bag plate in the right place or does it mount under the trailing arm. thanks for everyone s help.