My Project 56Chevy1300

[71'tahoe]

I agree with watahyahknow. Ilike the white roof and lettering but tying in the bumper,grille, head light trim rings would make it complete....and look more like the work truck than the chrome would. The wood strips I like them either way.

On my project 58 im going white the white roof,bumper,trim rings and lettering....but mine will be blue.

Your truck looks so good!

Howd the cruise work out for you?

[nuke1]

just checked in with the build, and wow, the truck looks amazing, i am impressed with it. i love the looks of the way it is but also dig the idea of the ranch name. drive it for a bit and then decide. but either way it is cool. one hot truck. when i am in edmonton i will have to take a look at her.

later james

[56chevy1300]

So I've had my truck on the road now for several weeks and put 800 kms (thats 480 miles) and have most everything dialed in but the only problem I have is the ride is quite rough...I feel every crack in the road. I am running 215/45/17's in the front and 245/45/17's in the rear. How can I improve ride quality...larger tires, better shocks?

[CAL 58 GMC]

Cool, I like it!

[57ToyBox]

Originally Posted by 56chevy1300

The only problem I have is the ride is quite rough...I feel every crack in the road. I am running 215/45/17's in the front and 245/45/17's in the rear. How can I improve ride quality...larger tires, better shocks?

Hey Edm Alb.
Not sure if this will be any help to yeah...
I just recently bought an 05 V70R Volvo.. Crazy fast car
This thing is loaded with features I have never seen in a car.

But anyways. One of the features the 3 on board computers does is controls the feel of the ride. It does this through my adjustable shocks.
If it is set in SPORT mode, I can feel every crack in the road.
If it's set on PERFORMANCE It's like there is no suspension at all. It's enough to knock your fillings out.
If it's in COMFORT mode It's as smooth as a Cadillac.
I'm riding on 245 45R 17
My suggestion would be. Keep your sweet Tires and Rims, Tweak your suspension.

[watahyahknow]

koni makes adjustable shocks there ajustable bij a knob on the side of it or on the older versions bij compressing the shock and twisting it for looser or tighter .

allso switshing the firestones out for slams will definetely help the firestone bags are known for there harsh ride

[56chevy1300]

Originally Posted by watahyahknow

koni makes adjustable shocks there ajustable bij a knob on the side of it or on the older versions bij compressing the shock and twisting it for looser or tighter .

allso switshing the firestones out for slams will definetely help the firestone bags are known for there harsh ride

I think I have Slams in the front...I feel it most in the front

[56chevy1300]

Originally Posted by Diesel

Hey Edm Alb.
Not sure if this will be any help to yeah...
I just recently bought an 05 V70R Volvo.. Crazy fast car
This thing is loaded with features I have never seen in a car.

But anyways. One of the features the 3 on board computers does is controls the feel of the ride. It does this through my adjustable shocks.
If it is set in SPORT mode, I can feel every crack in the road.
If it's set on PERFORMANCE It's like there is no suspension at all. It's enough to knock your fillings out.
If it's in COMFORT mode It's as smooth as a Cadillac.
I'm riding on 245 45R 17
My suggestion would be. Keep your sweet Tires and Rims, Tweak your suspension.

Computer controlled shocks...???

[57ToyBox]

Originally Posted by 56chevy1300

Computer controlled shocks...???

Yeap The computer is constantly adjusting the ride. It prevents any body roll.
A neat feature is when you brake hard at a red light, the car doesn't dive.
The shocks receiving the most load will receive more pressure to keep the car level.


http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k1...nman/V70R5.jpg
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k1...nman/V70R4.jpg
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k1...nman/V70R3.jpg

[Bigblue29]

Originally Posted by Diesel

Yeap The computer is constantly adjusting the ride. It prevents any body roll.
A neat feature is when you brake hard at a red light, the car doesn't dive.
The shocks receiving the most load will receive more pressure to keep the car level.


http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k1...nman/V70R5.jpg
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k1...nman/V70R4.jpg
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k1...nman/V70R3.jpg

Thats ALMOST the craziest thing I have ever heard! I love it!

[OrrieG]

I was reading an article on the electromagnetic shocks and engine mounts. Essentially iron in put in the fluid and electromagnets are used to "solidify" the mixture. Porsche is adding em engine mounts so the engine says in the same place relative to the frame during hard cornering so the engine movement does not affect the suspension. Cool technology....

[watahyahknow]

yup seen it on discovery a while back think it was some weapons series , the magnetic oil was invented for the militairy by some american company

those konies i was talking about allso have some electronic controlled shocks but these work more on the valving inside the shock and use normal oil

http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

[56chevy1300]

To be honest I'm not interested in going that route...I am interested in adjustable shocks or something made specifically for my application. Any comments about Bilstein, Belltech, DJM, etc.?

Thanks

[57ToyBox]

Originally Posted by 56chevy1300

To be honest I'm not interested in going that route...I am interested in adjustable shocks or something made specifically for my application. Any comments about Bilstein, Belltech, DJM, etc.?

Thanks

I don't blame ya. All this tachnical mumbo jumbo is to complicated for me.. See !!! I can't even spell it.
The only reason I brought up my computerized ride was to reaffirm
the fact that shocks can quickly change your ride comfort than changing your tires.
Good luck in your search for those perfect shocks or coil overs

[watahyahknow]

the konie stuff is basicly the knob put in the dashboard instead of on the shocks wish saves you groveling under youre car to adjust them .
i wanted to put a link on my last reply but goofed up i try again ;
http://www.corvettegarage.com/produc...-corvette.html

[56chevy1300]

Originally Posted by Diesel

I don't blame ya. All this tachnical mumbo jumbo is to complicated for me.. See !!! I can't even spell it.
The only reason I brought up my computerized ride was to reaffirm
the fact that shocks can quickly change your ride comfort than changing your tires.
Good luck in your search for those perfect shocks or coil overs

Good to know that the technology is there but I'm looking for something more simple, cheap and easy to install.

[bobinbc]

Start with the basics, what pressures are you running in your bags and your tires?

[56chevy1300]

Slam RE7's in the front with 60 psi and firestones in the rear with 50-60 psi.

Tires are probably 35 psi

[GRIMSS]

To me that sounds like too much psi. May do a search over on the suspension side and see what they have to say.

[bobinbc]

I'm still pretty new to the airbag stuff but I think that may be a little high also.
Tires can make a big difference too. I recently bought a car with 18" wheels on it and it rode AWFUL, very hard and rough. I thought it was because of the wheels and lo-pro tires. Checked the pressures and lowered to 29 lbs (they were at 38!) and it made a night and day difference.....

[56chevy1300]

The problem is that 60psi front/rear seems to be the minimum before I my exhaust starts scraping the pavement....might have to change the exhaust.

[bobinbc]

I believe the solution there is taller cups on the top of the bags. This will give you the same ride height at a lower pressure. Unfortunately I don't know how much higher you'd need to make them. You need to find out.
I think I would drive the truck onto some 2x10 blocks, enough that the exhaust wouldn't bottom out when you air it right down. Now measure your front ride height. Let all the air out of the front, then start airing it up again. When it starts to lift, push down on the bumper to see how stiff the ride is. Keep lifting 1/2 inch at a time and checking how stiff it is. When you find the sweet spot lower it 1/2 inch and measure. The difference between this measurement and your initial one is the amount you need to add to your cups. Do the same for the rear.

At least that's what I think.....

[57ToyBox]

Originally Posted by 56chevy1300

The problem is that 60psi front/rear seems to be the minimum before I my exhaust starts scraping the pavement....might have to change the exhaust.

Cool !!! LOL I can't wait to see pics of this

[CAL 58 GMC]

Originally Posted by 56chevy1300

The problem is that 60psi front/rear seems to be the minimum before I my exhaust starts scraping the pavement....might have to change the exhaust.

I'm running 100 psi in the front and 32 psi in the rear. Any less up front and my cross member will scrape the road.

[56chevy1300]

Originally Posted by bobinbc

I believe the solution there is taller cups on the top of the bags. This will give you the same ride height at a lower pressure. Unfortunately I don't know how much higher you'd need to make them. You need to find out.
I think I would drive the truck onto some 2x10 blocks, enough that the exhaust wouldn't bottom out when you air it right down. Now measure your front ride height. Let all the air out of the front, then start airing it up again. When it starts to lift, push down on the bumper to see how stiff the ride is. Keep lifting 1/2 inch at a time and checking how stiff it is. When you find the sweet spot lower it 1/2 inch and measure. The difference between this measurement and your initial one is the amount you need to add to your cups. Do the same for the rear.

At least that's what I think.....

Thanks, I'll give it a try.