Hows this for a setup for my 69? And shock help

[Ezzz]

After reading how to make it handle until my head hurt I'm gunna try to do some basic things on a budget to make my truck handle a little better. Have an idea of the parts I want, but wanna run it by everyone to see what you guys think.

Also as far as shocks go I have no idea what I should get.

For a baseline, my trucks currently on cut springs and the cheapest shocks they have at O'Reilys with no sway bars so anything I do should be a big improvement.

I bought Hotchkis springs on sale @ $325 because of the spring rates.

For sway bars I'm thinking to go cheap and buy the POL set on ebay for $260
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1963-72-CHEV...RSaFaf&vxp=mtr

Early Classics for the panhard bar @ $129

DIY rear shock locators via
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=451200

Front shock relocators from bro speed on ebay @ $35 (is the necessary?)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/63-72-CHEVY-...tVcIRK&vxp=mtr

PF lower control arms. Seem solid and only buying the lowers gets you 7°

So what do you guys think? Am I going too cheap anywhere? Are shock relocators up front necessary? And am I forgetting anything?

Most importantly if everything else looks good, what shocks should I go with?

[PGSigns]

For a front sway bar you can get all you need from the pick n pull. I used the ECE rear shock mounts and they worked well. I like the ECE long track bar. On the lowers just do the caster mod on yous and you will be fine. Anywhere around 5 degrees is all you need. I am running the Belltech street performance shocks on my 66 and they do a very good job.
Jimmy

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by Ezzz

After reading how to make it handle until my head hurt I'm gunna try to do some basic things on a budget to make my truck handle a little better. Have an idea of the parts I want, but wanna run it by everyone to see what you guys think.

Also as far as shocks go I have no idea what I should get.

For a baseline, my trucks currently on cut springs and the cheapest shocks they have at O'Reilys with no sway bars so anything I do should be a big improvement.

I bought Hotchkis springs on sale @ $325 because of the spring rates.

For sway bars I'm thinking to go cheap and buy the POL set on ebay for $260
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1963-72-CHEV...RSaFaf&vxp=mtr

Early Classics for the panhard bar @ $129

DIY rear shock locators via
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=451200

Front shock relocators from bro speed on ebay @ $35 (is the necessary?)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/63-72-CHEVY-...tVcIRK&vxp=mtr

PF lower control arms. Seem solid and only buying the lowers gets you 7°

So what do you guys think? Am I going too cheap anywhere? Are shock relocators up front necessary? And am I forgetting anything?

Most importantly if everything else looks good, what shocks should I go with?

I like the spring choice.
I don't buy into the POL hype of 'a better bar' but it's made of similar material/construction yet smaller. A junkyard bar off a 3/4 or 1-ton get's it done cheaper or find a good deal on the Hotchkis piece to match the front springs.
I like ECE's Panhard bar but better parts are now available. A double adjustable bar is much easier to tweak (Porterbuits unit).
I like Lakeroadsters rear DIY relocators. I feel it set's the shocks @ a better angle vs other DIY units or ECE's relocators (both based off of OE geometry). My aftermarket choice would be No Limits relocator kit.
Front shock relocators are good. You want as much shock travel as possible. But, they might be unnecessary w/the right front shock & spring combo.
I agree w/PGSigns that the caster mod to OE arms is the budget approach that works, but I really like the Delrin bushing arrangement on Porterbuilts arms if they're within budget. One thing to note is PB's arms do not accept factory replacement sway bars (they use a spec built Addco unit or Ride Techs MuscleBar). PB is creating a 'new' bar that's an improvement but I'm not sure where he's @ for production.

As for shocks..... Ride Techs, Bilsteins, or the Hotchkis 'tuned' shocks for your performance needs.

[Ezzz]

Thanks for the input.

If I go with the 3/4 ton bar up front, do I still go aftermarket for the rear?

As far as shocks go, what length do I need? If I go with relocators do I buy shocks for a stock height truck?

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by Ezzz

Thanks for the input.

If I go with the 3/4 ton bar up front, do I still go aftermarket for the rear?

As far as shocks go, what length do I need? If I go with relocators do I buy shocks for a stock height truck?

Honestly..... I wouldn't worry about a rear sway bar. On these trucks, the ass end will come loose in a corner w/no bar. Adding one only makes that worse. The time to add one is after everything else is upgraded & you find the need for one.

I'm sure there is an engineered science to shock lengths. I don't know how they calculate them specifically so I take the simple approach.....

Extend the suspension to its limit & measure the distance for the upper/lower mounts.
Repeat @ full compression.
Again for planned ride height.

Compare those lengths to factory spec'd shocks & work from that starting point.

[Ezzz]

Makes sense. Thanks

As far as the front goes are 67-72 the only ones that will work? I haven't seen one at my local yard so if other years work that'd make it a lot easier

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by Ezzz

Makes sense. Thanks

As far as the front goes are 67-72 the only ones that will work? I haven't seen one at my local yard so if other years work that'd make it a lot easier

For sway bars? No.... 73-87 HD trucks would be what you look under (they're easier to find).