57 front air ride question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

evilways · 01-14-2009, 03:40 AM

My friend just got a 57 truck and wants to air ride it. It is the original strait axle with a leaf. Is it possible to put bags on the front? Or are we talking a front end swap.

1-ton of fun · 01-14-2009, 11:06 AM

it would take some fab work for a link system and a panhard bar, but it is possible. i haven't seen it done on one of these trucks. it may be easier to swap to an ifs, though.

how low does he want to go?

evilways · 01-15-2009, 04:33 AM

That’s what I was thinking too. I am sure he wants to lay the frame on the ground, and guess what BIG rims too. It's not up my alley to do that to this style of truck, but I told him I would get some info from the guys I trust.

CAL 58 GMC · 01-15-2009, 12:19 PM

I would go with a Mustang II IFS or do a Camaro clip. Trying to bag a strait axle, if it could be done will take a lot of fab work and I'm not sure how safe it would be.

mylow53 · 01-15-2009, 07:31 PM

it would be real hard to put in an air bag system on the streight axel. i pulled 3 springs to get mine down. problem is there isn't much room for an air bag near the axel with out some major fabage. i would suggest a drop axel and a disk brake upgrade if he's trying to save some doe. he could weeken the leafs and see if he could drop in some shock wave shocks....
my 2 pennys
GT

evilways · 01-16-2009, 04:09 AM

Great info, thanks everyone. I will let him know his options.

evilways · 01-16-2009, 04:14 AM

Also it has the dent for the spare, that actualy takes away from inner fender space doesn't it, as far as tucking large rims?

If so does anyone make a patch to cut that out and cover it?

evilways · 01-16-2009, 04:17 AM

Oh yeah I just found some pics of a spare dent on this type truck, that is defiantly going to keep from tucking rims.

And sorry for the lack of knowledge on these trucks, I have yet to see this truck; I am trying to get info before getting his hopes up of a low cost build, so much for that so far.

01-14-2009, 03:40 AM	#1
evilways Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Lafayette, IN Posts: 226	57 front air ride question My friend just got a 57 truck and wants to air ride it. It is the original strait axle with a leaf. Is it possible to put bags on the front? Or are we talking a front end swap. __________________ Mark 1967 C/10 stepside lwb daily driver 1968 C/10 fleetside lwb parts truck 1971 Cheyenne Super swb project

01-14-2009, 11:06 AM	#2
1-ton of fun polishing a turd Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: houston, tx Posts: 674	Re: 57 front air ride question it would take some fab work for a link system and a panhard bar, but it is possible. i haven't seen it done on one of these trucks. it may be easier to swap to an ifs, though. how low does he want to go? __________________ 59 chevy apache 31 4x4 - my project: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php?p=8668512 53 buick special - straight 8 sled - blow through turbo 47 gmc - flatbed hot rod build 99 ford econoline e350 - 4x4 converted family roadtrip/overlanding rig AKA 'Monstervan' AKA 'Daddy-Van'

01-15-2009, 04:33 AM	#3
evilways Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Lafayette, IN Posts: 226	Re: 57 front air ride question That’s what I was thinking too. I am sure he wants to lay the frame on the ground, and guess what BIG rims too. It's not up my alley to do that to this style of truck, but I told him I would get some info from the guys I trust. __________________ Mark 1967 C/10 stepside lwb daily driver 1968 C/10 fleetside lwb parts truck 1971 Cheyenne Super swb project Last edited by evilways; 01-15-2009 at 04:35 AM.

01-15-2009, 12:19 PM	#4
CAL 58 GMC Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Clovis Ca. Posts: 3,311	Re: 57 front air ride question I would go with a Mustang II IFS or do a Camaro clip. Trying to bag a strait axle, if it could be done will take a lot of fab work and I'm not sure how safe it would be. __________________ Classic Trucks Link http://www.classictrucks.com/feature...uck/index.html 1958 GMC.Project Build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=162816 1966 Chevelle Build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=443576 Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prrNKo8F7Zw#GU5U2spHI_4 Last edited by CAL 58 GMC; 01-15-2009 at 12:20 PM.

01-15-2009, 07:31 PM	#5
mylow53 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: thousand oaks, California Posts: 732	Re: 57 front air ride question it would be real hard to put in an air bag system on the streight axel. i pulled 3 springs to get mine down. problem is there isn't much room for an air bag near the axel with out some major fabage. i would suggest a drop axel and a disk brake upgrade if he's trying to save some doe. he could weeken the leafs and see if he could drop in some shock wave shocks.... my 2 pennys GT __________________ Greg 1953 chevy 1/2 ton 5 window, chevy 350 330 horse 700r tranz, lowering spindels mustang 2 frount. ford 9", airbags on 4 corners . purchased in 1983 for $325 while in high school http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=215079&page=5

01-16-2009, 04:09 AM	#6
evilways Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Lafayette, IN Posts: 226	Re: 57 front air ride question Great info, thanks everyone. I will let him know his options. __________________ Mark 1967 C/10 stepside lwb daily driver 1968 C/10 fleetside lwb parts truck 1971 Cheyenne Super swb project

01-16-2009, 04:14 AM	#7
evilways Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Lafayette, IN Posts: 226	Re: 57 front air ride question Also it has the dent for the spare, that actualy takes away from inner fender space doesn't it, as far as tucking large rims? If so does anyone make a patch to cut that out and cover it? __________________ Mark 1967 C/10 stepside lwb daily driver 1968 C/10 fleetside lwb parts truck 1971 Cheyenne Super swb project

01-16-2009, 04:17 AM	#8
evilways Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Lafayette, IN Posts: 226	Re: 57 front air ride question Oh yeah I just found some pics of a spare dent on this type truck, that is defiantly going to keep from tucking rims. And sorry for the lack of knowledge on these trucks, I have yet to see this truck; I am trying to get info before getting his hopes up of a low cost build, so much for that so far. __________________ Mark 1967 C/10 stepside lwb daily driver 1968 C/10 fleetside lwb parts truck 1971 Cheyenne Super swb project

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