Helper bags and cal-tracs? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Puglia10 · 04-15-2011, 01:18 PM

Trying to figure out my rear suspension set up as I put the frame back together. I have a Flip kit with 3 leafs, few questions. With the 6.0 I'd like to have cal-tracs for traction, but helper bags for hauling the dirt bikes. Is that possible with a flip kit? And who makes a good helper bag kit?
Thanks!

smashingchuck · 04-15-2011, 05:44 PM

I would think with the helper bags you could preload the suspension and you wouldn't need the cal tracks? Just a thought.
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Puglia10 · 04-15-2011, 08:07 PM

Hmmm never thought of that. Anyone know if that works? Or any other help? Thanks!
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SCOTI · 04-15-2011, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smashingchuck

I would think with the helper bags you could preload the suspension and you wouldn't need the cal tracks? Just a thought.

Not exactly.... He'll need something to counter the minimum qty of leafs. The fewer the leafs in the spring pack, the worse axle hop will be. But.... yes, air bags could help tune an existing set-up by adjusting pre-load.

If it were mine & I was trying to accomplish a quick part-time track truck that can still carry some payload, I'd skip the flipped leafs w/the helper bag & do it right w/a 4-bar.

Puglia10 · 04-16-2011, 01:07 PM

I actually have a 4link from KP that I was planning on selling since I can't find any coilovers that wouldn't kill my budget, but should I rethink that?
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72MARIO · 04-16-2011, 01:38 PM

I have Cal-Tracks and full pack of springs minius the overload. There is no reason you could not put a air over leaf on it. Not fully sure if you would need it either.

Twisted78SS · 04-20-2011, 05:12 PM

I'm running Cal-Tracs with a flipped rear and 3 leafs, but went with what I had at the time, air shocks. Works well enough for a driver that rarely sees anything in the bed.

Puglia10 · 04-20-2011, 06:49 PM

Twisted- how much drop did a flip with 3 leafs get you? How does it ride and handle with that set up? Think helper bags would be overkill? Could you haul two fullsize dirtbikes or one snowmobile okay you think?
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Twisted78SS · 04-21-2011, 12:15 PM

Puglia10,

I am running right at 6.5 inches from the stock height in the rear. Currently I am running a 275/60x15 tire at 28 inches tall, which put the top of the tire nearly even with the top of the wheel well opening. Here is a shot right after I drug it out of the shop.

Depending on the max pressure of the shocks you run, I don't see why it wouldn't be able to handle a decent load.

So far, I have only been running about 8-10 psi in the shocks, and it seems to like it ok. I really need to c-notch the frame as I have maybe an 1.5 inches between the top of the axle and the frame.

Puglia10 · 04-22-2011, 05:46 PM

Thanks for all the info! Much appreciated...any more pics of that truck would be great, i love how it sits. What is the drop on the front?

Twisted78SS · 04-24-2011, 11:23 PM

There are some more pics here http://www.flickr.com/photos/hikingd...7594445283108/ I will get a few more after I decide on some better wheels..

The front has dropped a-arms and a 2 inch lowered spring. I think the dropped a-arms are about 2 inches to give me a total of 4 inches in the front.

04-15-2011, 01:18 PM	#1
Puglia10 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Boston MA Posts: 389	Helper bags and cal-tracs? Trying to figure out my rear suspension set up as I put the frame back together. I have a Flip kit with 3 leafs, few questions. With the 6.0 I'd like to have cal-tracs for traction, but helper bags for hauling the dirt bikes. Is that possible with a flip kit? And who makes a good helper bag kit? Thanks! __________________ 1979 c30 3+3 dually 1946 GMC

04-15-2011, 05:44 PM	#2
smashingchuck It'd be alot cooler if you did Join Date: May 2003 Location: Three Rivers, MI Posts: 2,345	Re: Helper bags and cal-tracs? I would think with the helper bags you could preload the suspension and you wouldn't need the cal tracks? Just a thought. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 78 Build Thread 4Runner Build

04-15-2011, 08:07 PM	#3
Puglia10 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Boston MA Posts: 389	Re: Helper bags and cal-tracs? Hmmm never thought of that. Anyone know if that works? Or any other help? Thanks! Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 1979 c30 3+3 dually 1946 GMC

04-16-2011, 01:07 PM	#5
Puglia10 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Boston MA Posts: 389	Re: Helper bags and cal-tracs? I actually have a 4link from KP that I was planning on selling since I can't find any coilovers that wouldn't kill my budget, but should I rethink that? Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 1979 c30 3+3 dually 1946 GMC

04-16-2011, 01:38 PM	#6
72MARIO Registered User Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Huntsville Ontario Canada Posts: 4,051	Re: Helper bags and cal-tracs? I have Cal-Tracks and full pack of springs minius the overload. There is no reason you could not put a air over leaf on it. Not fully sure if you would need it either. __________________ 1968 Suburban numbers matching all original truck now equipped with 6.0/4L80 on Accuair http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=625017 1967 C/20 6.0/4L80 Roofing Truck 1990 V2500 Suburban "Plow Truck" 2005 TAHOE DD

04-20-2011, 05:12 PM	#7
Twisted78SS Wide n'Low Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: La Center, WA Posts: 1,511	Re: Helper bags and cal-tracs? I'm running Cal-Tracs with a flipped rear and 3 leafs, but went with what I had at the time, air shocks. Works well enough for a driver that rarely sees anything in the bed. __________________ Trippin Hazard.. 67 swb, Gold Member.. 68 Suburban Air Force Retired

04-20-2011, 06:49 PM	#8
Puglia10 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Boston MA Posts: 389	Re: Helper bags and cal-tracs? Twisted- how much drop did a flip with 3 leafs get you? How does it ride and handle with that set up? Think helper bags would be overkill? Could you haul two fullsize dirtbikes or one snowmobile okay you think? Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 1979 c30 3+3 dually 1946 GMC

04-21-2011, 12:15 PM	#9
Twisted78SS Wide n'Low Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: La Center, WA Posts: 1,511	Re: Helper bags and cal-tracs? Puglia10, I am running right at 6.5 inches from the stock height in the rear. Currently I am running a 275/60x15 tire at 28 inches tall, which put the top of the tire nearly even with the top of the wheel well opening. Here is a shot right after I drug it out of the shop. Depending on the max pressure of the shocks you run, I don't see why it wouldn't be able to handle a decent load. So far, I have only been running about 8-10 psi in the shocks, and it seems to like it ok. I really need to c-notch the frame as I have maybe an 1.5 inches between the top of the axle and the frame. __________________ Trippin Hazard.. 67 swb, Gold Member.. 68 Suburban Air Force Retired

04-22-2011, 05:46 PM	#10
Puglia10 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Boston MA Posts: 389	Re: Helper bags and cal-tracs? Thanks for all the info! Much appreciated...any more pics of that truck would be great, i love how it sits. What is the drop on the front? __________________ 1979 c30 3+3 dually 1946 GMC

04-24-2011, 11:23 PM	#11
Twisted78SS Wide n'Low Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: La Center, WA Posts: 1,511	Re: Helper bags and cal-tracs? There are some more pics here http://www.flickr.com/photos/hikingd...7594445283108/ I will get a few more after I decide on some better wheels.. The front has dropped a-arms and a 2 inch lowered spring. I think the dropped a-arms are about 2 inches to give me a total of 4 inches in the front. __________________ Trippin Hazard.. 67 swb, Gold Member.. 68 Suburban Air Force Retired



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