Finally! My Cheyenne is back on the road.

[texasfunk]

those air tanks make me happy!

[lolife99]

subscribing,...

[Joesjunk]

That is one good looking truck!

[sjreno]

Wow, that truck looks sick!

[N2TRUX]

I personally didn't get much done this week besides a lot of research. There are several things I am considering as upgrades on my 77 that needed to be looked in to. Still looking for answers there.

On the other hand my buddies Keith and Roger where a blur of progress on my truck. By mid day on Friday they had the front suspension changed out. They moved so quickly, I didn't get a progress report until the wheels were back on.

What you don't see is the stock A-arms have been replaced with a complete set of ART Strong Arms and an ART heavy duty Musclebar kit.

Before and after-

[N2TRUX]

On Saturday they moved to the rear. The bed came off and tear down began. The frame rails were stripped of the leaf spring hangers in preparation for the ART Airbar 4 link system.

[N2TRUX]

The front 4 link brackets mounted in the existing holes. The restr of the assembly bolted to the axle. Unfortunately the original C-Notch with boxing plates had to be removed. That required 18 holes to be drilled to install the new C-notch.

[N2TRUX]

The existing mounting points for the tank rack were saved. The exhaust system will probably need to be modified. The wrong panhard bar bracket was sent with the kit so the panhard bar couldn't be installed to check for clearance.

While I didn't get a lot done Keith and Roger had a very active weekend. Thanks to my buddies for moving forward. Special thanks to Roger at RPL Customs for making room in his very hectic schedule to take this project on.

[72BlckButy]

Moving right along Ken, thanks for the progress pics!

[f.monroe]

That is progress ! Looks like it will be nice when completed . I am interested in the final product and the comparison in ride and handling as compared to the old setup . I cant wait to hear your evaluation . And at the speed they are moving , I might not have to wait long .
Frank

[menace121978]

hey Ken, looking good... this might be a real winner of a question but what are the benefits of the 4 link system and the upgrades your doing? i'm just not familiar with the setup.

and 1 more it looks like the emblem is backwards in the 1st pic?? post 55

thanks, Dennis

[JohnC]

It's looking good Ken!

Good eye Dennis. I think it is just the photo. I'm assuming the pic just got flipped when it was posted. Would make a unique conversation piece though.

[rodstored-72]

i had noticed that as well. i was going to ask when i read all posts & then saw yo uguys had already mentioned it.... it seems kinda cool too

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by f.monroe

.... I am interested in the final product and the comparison in ride and handling as compared to the old setup . I cant wait to hear your evaluation . And at the speed they are moving , I might not have to wait long....

If we can get the parts they need, it may be ready this weekend. I'll give a full report on the improvements once it's back on the road.

Originally Posted by menace121978

... this might be a real winner of a question but what are the benefits of the 4 link system and the upgrades your doing? i'm just not familiar with the setup.....and 1 more it looks like the emblem is backwards in the 1st pic?? post 55..

You are correct, the pic is reversed. The only "before" pic I had was going the wrong way. To get a proper "before & after" comparison I edited and reversed to first pic.

To answer your question about the upgrades let me direct you to an article written by Doc Frohmader located here LINK and another by Rob Fortier -LINK
Essentially the Strong Arms have a built in ball joint angle that prevents any binding through out the suspension travel. The also add 2 degree of Caster angle.Combine that with the larger "Musclebar" sway bar and I should see improved handling.

That covers the front suspension. Let me find the articles regarding the Airbar 4 link.

[tvblazer78]

Very cool set up, I just wish they made one for a blazer..

[70k52wd]

Subscribed to watch this beauty come together.

[menace121978]

very sweet set-up Ken. thank you for the links... but there is a down-side for me... looks like i may not be done w/ my suspension after all!! i'm very curious on your review when you get her back. do you have any idea on the weight savings alone? seems to me at least a couple hundred pounds. the more i think about the article the more amazing the kit is and how its all just bolt on. i now understand why your doing so much research on your brake kit... (theres so many different options and some are better than others!) very nice choice buddy.