LWB performance limits

[BIGBLU 72]

Someone please tell me that I can get similar performance out of my long bed compared to a short bed in terms of handling. Plan is front/rear sway bar, good shocks, lowered (2.5/4).
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[hugger6933]

You might give up a little bit of hadling going to a longer wheelbase length but not very much, prbably not enough to feel you would need electronic measuring devices to tell the diferences.

[68Stepbed]

Exactly what kind of "handling" are you referring to? Are you talking spirited driving on back country roads or extreme stuff like autocrossing and road racing?

If you're just talking spirited driving, then you won't be much comparable difference. If you start autocrossing or road racing, then yes, the longer wheelbase can start making a difference. A long bed chassis will tend to twist and flex more than a short bed chassis, and the longer wheelbase will make it harder to weave through cones.

[CC69Rat]

why 2.5/4 ? Can you go down a little more ? I understand you can get them too low for handling performance .. but I'd do maybe 4.5/6 ?

Trailing arms or leafs?

[GASoline71]

The words "truck" and "handling" don't go well together. Short or long bed. If you're lookin' for a corner carver... you'll have to sink some cash into it.

Gary

[BIGBLU 72]

It's a leaf spring truck and no autocrossing but blasting down back roads, btw these will be Eastern Ky back roads. I didn't want to go too low bc our roads are rough, real rough. I don't want to do any serious modifications frame wise either. The truck is done now in just addin bolt on stuff.
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[68Stepbed]

Originally Posted by BIGBLU 72

It's a leaf spring truck and no autocrossing but blasting down back roads, btw these will be Eastern Ky back roads. I didn't want to go too low bc our roads are rough, real rough. I don't want to do any serious modifications frame wise either. The truck is done now in just addin bolt on stuff.
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It'll be fine for that and there won't be any major advantages of a shortbed for that use, other than looks.

Just an FYI, even with a 4/6 drop, it still sits higher than most modern FWD cars today, so rough roads still won't be a major issue, unless these roads you mention are too rough for a FWD car.

[BIGBLU 72]

Coil spring srry!
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[CC69Rat]

No frame mods required for 4/6 drop.
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[jocko]

Originally Posted by GASoline71

The words "truck" and "handling" don't go well together. Short or long bed. If you're lookin' for a corner carver... you'll have to sink some cash into it.

Gary

what he said. It can be done, but if you want serious handling, it's a full suspension re-do. If you want a slightly more smoothe truck, then that's not very hard to do at all - sway bar(s), better shocks, lower (cg), etc.

[68Stepbed]

Originally Posted by GASoline71

The words "truck" and "handling" don't go well together. Short or long bed. If you're lookin' for a corner carver... you'll have to sink some cash into it.

Gary

Originally Posted by jocko

what he said. It can be done, but if you want serious handling, it's a full suspension re-do. If you want a slightly more smoothe truck, then that's not very hard to do at all - sway bar(s), better shocks, lower (cg), etc.

Not necessarily. Alot of guys at the GG autocrosses are doing very well, with only simple drop kits and sway bars. The coil spring rear setup on 63-72 trucks is actually highly capable. Keep in mind that NASCAR chassis' use almost the exact same setup. Of course with autocrossing becoming more and more serious, the 50 yr old suspension design it's showing it shortcomings. This is mainly in the front setup, though. There are improvements to be made in the rear, like stronger tubular trailing arms, better angles, better swaybar geometry and such, but for the most part, the stock stuff can hold it's own.

The biggest drawback to the coil spring rear suspension is it's lack in being able to haul as heavy loads as a leaf spring setup.

[steelhorse]

Hey didn't a truck baisically win muscle car of the year in Hot Rodding magazine?