Baggin a 49-54 chevy stock frontend! Few pics

[rustypipes]

Just finished baggin the stock frontend on my 54 chevy!

The car fully lays out and teeter-totters on the factory Kmember and tranny crossmember, which will soon to come out and I will fabricate a new one tucked up between the frame rails.

I first tore the frontend down and then measured up and drew a straight line 3” on the spring hat, and then I drew an arc up to 4”, then went all the way around and did the same arc on the backside. I started to draw up about 1/2" aside from the bottom x member rivet. Then I plasma cut on my lines, Make sure you make an arc because straight/angle cuts over time start cracks!!



If you do the math right, This is the maximum amount that you will have to cut in order for the car to rest on the where the lower A arm bumpstops used to be ( A arm to spring hat )

Once its cut the spring hat is made up of 2 layers sandwiched and riveted together , I then welded the 2 layers together all along my entire cut. I later ground down a nice radius’ed lip along the cut, It looks good and will ensure no sharp edges. I also ground down the back side of the inside of the hat.

Since alot of the hat is cut, strength is sacrificed. You need a nice beefy gusset from the frame to the front and back side of the hat. I made these plates out of 1/4” for the front sides and I used a 3 1/2 x 3 1/2 piece of 1/4” for the back sides.



For the A arms I cut out the center spring seat, and replaced with these 1/4” plates.
I also cut out the lip and plate that was originally toward the front of the A arm, Where the Arm bolts on to the upright. This was to ensure bag clearance. There was 3 spot welds originally holding this plate on the inside bottom of the A arm, I just drilled them out so the inside was now completely flat ( the lower bag plate is covering the holes in pic). A reference point where to cut is to remove the bumpstop and draw a straight line across using the top of the square bumpstop hole to guide. I then welded a 1/4” plate in place.





For the cups I used 4 1/2” O.D. I measured up in the spring hat down to my cut line and determined the cups to be cut 3 1/4” in length. then I welded the bag plate offset port hole toward the front so it will be facing the wheels. I welded a piece of 1/2” tubing in the center of the cup with threaded stock in the center welded to the tubing.A total length of 8 3/4"












There it is, I have over 3/4" of clearance all around the bag, You will need the dropped uprights in order for it to lay frame.
Hope all this helps and answers a lot of questions, Phil

[Boones]

nice 'How to', this should be a popular one

[sinner13]

Nice timing Phil, you know what Ill be doing next weekend

Great job on the how to

[PBRmeASAP]

looks good...
been thinking about baggin my 54 and this info helps!

[screwtheman]

Much better than the Lowrider Mag version. I know how hard it is to document this stuff while you're trying to do it. Nice work on providing the measurements too. This is going to be very handy.

Any problems with the dropped spindles? Are you running discs up front by any chance? I've got the ECI kit on the stock uprights. I'm about to bag it (thanks to KustomBuilder!) and I'm thinking I may put the dropped uprights in while I'm under there. I'm just wondering if I'm asking for trouble.

[rustypipes]

Originally Posted by screwtheman

Much better than the Lowrider Mag version. I know how hard it is to document this stuff while you're trying to do it. Nice work on providing the measurements too. This is going to be very handy.

Any problems with the dropped spindles? Are you running discs up front by any chance? I've got the ECI kit on the stock uprights. I'm about to bag it (thanks to KustomBuilder!) and I'm thinking I may put the dropped uprights in while I'm under there. I'm just wondering if I'm asking for trouble.

The uprights are pretty straight foward, My kingpins were in really good condition so I reused them. The only hang up was reinstalling the old kingpin caps back in the spindles. I would recommend getting new ones

[Gambino_Kustoms]

nice job phill

[Rusk]

Nice work Phil...I'm always impressed by your attention to detail and how well you clean everything.

Now brace up that hood 'cause the front suspension can finally handle them porkabetties dancin' on it!!

Bryan

[rustypipes]

Its on Bryan, gettin the porkchop necklace on to lure them in!!

Thanks everyone, sorry bout the pics My girlfriend got me a brand new digi cam for my bday but I lost the charger for it. The cars has been pretty much gutted Im gonna clean everything up after SF rod and custom show, right now Im just tryin to get it together to make it there. But now it will be kissin some pavement for the show!!

[Rusk]

Cool...can't wait to see that car in person!

Bryan

[LDNFAST]

man youv'e been busy........good job as always phil.......i so need to find some drop spindles for the poncho she's close to the ground but of i came down another 1 1/2" she'd hit cement...

[A32Flathead]

Looking good Phil, hows the teeth??

[rustypipes]

Thanks dave, All teeth are where they should be, back in my mouth!!!

[ian]

that came out great!! i'm sure the chevy guys will get a kick out of this for sure.

[50chevy]

nice job

[cfish50chevy]

Damn good job and I love the pics! I might have to print those out as references. Very clean too, I like that!

[evil1]

Kick Ass Job Phil!!!

[happy hoppy]

looks clean, very nice work man !

[rockabillyjoe]

Nice job!

[playinsafe44]

Great post! this is what i like to see!

[Bazooka]

Very nice work as always Phil.

[Saoutlaws_Gotti]

man i love it

this is exactely how i want my 53 to lay out but i dont quite understand the first part about the line and arch and all that maybe its cause i never really have been under my 53 enough to understand exactely what we are talking about

anyone able to explain me

[sinner13]

Saouthlaws Gotti, I think once you get under there and sit and look it ..it will be pretty obvious. Hold up the cup and you'll see what will need to be cut out.

Hell, Im a moron and I got it done with no problems

[Yaril]

thanks! i was looking for something like this. i am going to bag my friends 51 fleetline, but was unclear on how to do the front. thanks!

we are first going to install the uprights and cut a coil up front and bag the rear cause its a bit easier. i will print this and use it a few months from now when we are ready to do the front.

Thanks agian,
Yaril

[bobx]

good post. thanks.

[Big Tony]

Damn i and so do my buddies wished my front end was that clean... Nice ass work man and it looks killer. If your ever in looserville and want something to do look me up hehehehe

[Saoutlaws_Gotti]

sinner, yeah ur probabely right
i mean shit, i can build model a's and other rods all day long with eyes close, custom frames and all so i should be able to figure out this lil tech article on how to bag my 53 right

[rustypipes]

Originally Posted by Saoutlaws_Gotti

man i love it

this is exactely how i want my 53 to lay out but i dont quite understand the first part about the line and arch and all that maybe its cause i never really have been under my 53 enough to understand exactely what we are talking about

anyone able to explain me

The Stock uncut front crosss member looks like this (yellow line).



Essentially you cut spring pocket all the way up to 4 inches, then at 4" you cut straight across to fit the bag and cup in there. Rather then making straight cuts that will eventually start cracks and also are unable to smooth out which creates edges that can pop a bag. Making the cut at a round arch towards the top will elimate all these possibilitys and plus it looks clean, good rather then a hack.

Once you get under there it will make sense.

I'll be glad to help with any probs you might run into, Phil

[happy hoppy]

great job on you crossmember !

[Saoutlaws_Gotti]

yeah i got you know rustypipes i appreciate the break down

hell if i coulda seen a before arch cut pic in the first place then id be right there following fro the get go, hey like i said i appreciate it

now can someone explain me how to print this out so i got it for "the bottum drawer of the tool box shop archives"


awe nevermind i think i figured it out all on my own---hahaha

[sinner13]

Originally Posted by Saoutlaws_Gotti

now can someone explain me how to print this out so i got it for "the bottum drawer of the tool box shop archives"

Funny, I printed the pics too, when I did mine

[Saoutlaws_Gotti]

hell you cant go wrong that way he done told us all how to do it and im definately gonna take advantage of it

even thou im not gonna bag mine until after the first of the year (income tax refund)

[rustypipes]

printing this thread for personal use will cost ya, Ill direct you to my paypal account

[sinner13]

Originally Posted by rustypipes

printing this thread for personal use will cost ya, Ill direct you to my paypal account

Some how I always take it in the ass

[HoldFast]

props to phil for not only figuring this isht out but on sharing it.

[slow64]

yep, this goes in the file.

[55bomba]

Phil
Nice job!!! Did you weld that with a MIG or TIG?
and what size welder? Thanks

[Custom54]

Very nice work, and nice ride too.

[Low 66]

what happend to the pics?

[Lil' Billy]

Originally Posted by Low 66

what happend to the pics?

Werd. I can't see a damn thing.

[poorboy]

Originally Posted by Low 66

what happend to the pics?

old thread

[EnVoloNosFides]

Could you cut that notch in the hat with oxyacetylene rather than plasma? Would it warp it? I can't afford plasma right now....

[MEDDLER1]

Originally Posted by EnVoloNosFides

Could you cut that notch in the hat with oxyacetylene rather than plasma? Would it warp it? I can't afford plasma right now....

yes you can,you could even do it with a grinder with a thin cutoff wheel.

[Mcdoogin52]

Man, this is sweeeet!! I was looking into running a mustang II front end because I didn't think I could bag a stock front end. This is just what I needed. You're the man!!!

[SLAMIT]

I think this is the 1 billionth time I have looked at this thread. Oh so soon will I have mine in my Garage to do the same treatment. I will be using stepped a arms though instead of dropped uprights.

Eric

[fender lizard]

Sorry to resurrect this old thread, but how where the air lines plumbed? Are your valve mounted on the tank or in the engine bay?

[troy5118]

And what size a bag was used? Will a 7" O.D. fit ok?

[troy5118]

Bump for anyone that's done this before..

[clinthull]

I used the universal air bags AIR HOUSE 2. If you look up their web site its got dimensions. It gets really good lift with those. It locks up on the stops. The shock is a little bit of a challenge. Ill try and get some good pics and get them to you.

[chevrolayd]

a 6 inch bag is the biggest bag you can go in the front and i would recommend a slam specialties bag it doesnt balloon out and has more lift than any other 6 inch bag

[Zoo York]

how did you end up attaching the shock?

[chevrolayd]

behind the a arms

[troy5118]

Thank you! I'm ordering the whole kit from Slam specialities. Got the car C-notched this weekend so I'm exited to start putting it together.

[usmile4]

I've had this thread bookmarked and look at it from time to time. I'm getting ready to start the project but I want to do something a little different, so I need some suggestions and advice.

I have a 49 Chevy 4 door that I bought when I didn't know anything about working on these projects (some would say I still don't know jack!) but it has been my learning project and I have definitely learned lots and had a good time while doing it. Now I am keeping my eyes open for a solid roller 2 door that I can take my rebuilt 235 engine, T5 and all the other things I've done to the 49 put them on the 2 door and have a nice driver.

so now about the bagging...I have rebuilt the front end, dropped uprights, disc brakes on the 49, so I want to do the cutting and gusseting but i want to be able to take the front end and put it into the 2 door when I find one. So I want to make the reinforcing gussets and not weld them to the frame. I've thought about putting some plates on the lip of the frame and weld some angle on the gussets and then bolt them together. What I'm asking is for suggestions and advice.

Thanks for the help, Bill

[Smokey2]

Repentin'.......I Mean Repeatin' everone elsie's comment, Great Job!,
Good description, measurements an ALL! Thanks 4 Sharon (Remember her?).

Nice Ride!!!

"How Low can you GO! ??"

Smoke, on tha Mountain.

[Suicide-D]

Originally Posted by usmile4

So I want to make the reinforcing gussets and not weld them to the frame. I've thought about putting some plates on the lip of the frame and weld some angle on the gussets and then bolt them together.

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=72871

Looks like he did that in this thread.

[troy5118]

I'm making good progress on my front end but am wondering how did you guys run the airline to the bag? Which way did you run the port in the hat?

[clinthull]

I made a brace from the suspension to the frame that acts like a tunnel to hide the air line in the frame.

[usmile4]

Originally Posted by clinthull

I made a brace from the suspension to the frame that acts like a tunnel to hide the air line in the frame.

School me in running the lines. I'm going to weld the pipe onto the bag plate like this:




The port will be on the frame side of the spring hat. Do I drill through the top of the hat and drop it down through the pipe?

[Jroc0801]

I like this thread lol

[Gabriel Howard]

thanks for sharing

[robleticia]

Reminds me of a girl I used to know

[yetiskustoms]

you make it look too easy!

[happy hoppy]

here what I did on my 50 chevy.

[usmile4]

Making some progress on getting my 51 bagged. I have read all the threads and am trying to follow along. I ordered my 4 1/2" pipe from my local steel supplier and got them a while back. I have them tacked onto the plates but now I find that the supplier cut me 4" pipe instead of 4 1/2". They seem to fit up in the spring hat fine, but I'm not sure if I need the 4 1/2 " or not.

Update: I think I have answered my own question. Today I put the tacked together bag plate and the bag together and jacked the lower control arm up to see how it fits. I think the smaller pipe does not allow the bag plate to line up where it needs to be because the bag touches the rear of the spring pocket. I have ordered the 4 1/2" from the steel supplier and have taken off the 4" so I will see how it works.

[usmile4]

Originally Posted by happy hoppy

here what I did on my 50 chevy.

What bags are those you are using?

[Damiensablowit]

Thanks Rustypipes for another great tech! I'm using this one and you're notch tech. Badass, man!

[erock805]

used this thread to bag mine... Thank you, thank you...great help!

[Ballageddon]

Awesome writeup!

[ZombieMike]

Subscribed!

[usmile4]

Any of you guys who have bagged the stock front like this thread, how did you handle the sway bar?

[deto]

I had billet kingpins with bearings instead of bushings on my 49. Definetly woth the investment if you go through the effort of tearing into the front end.

[koolkemp]

Originally Posted by deto

I had billet kingpins with bearings instead of bushings on my 49. Definetly woth the investment if you go through the effort of tearing into the front end.

That sounds interesting...Were they custom made or regular aftermarket stuff? If the latter who makes or carries them?

Thanks!

[usmile4]

I got new kingpins already on the frontend rebuild. I'm trying to figure out how people have adapted the stock sway bar.

[Boones]

Thought I would bring this back up and see who else has done this and what bags everyone is using. I like using the Firestone 2600 on V8 cars but they also ballon and not sure they will fit. has anyone used the 2600 bags on the front. or what other bags are you using (2500 is to small in my opinion for a nice ride).

any pictures of your car in the up position.

[blown240]

I have the tiny Slam Specialties 5" bags with a 350 and I think they ride very well. They lift more than enough and there is a ton of air around them.

[troy5118]

I got 6" slam specialites going in the front of my fleetline. Had to rework it all to make it fit but it should give me a better ride than the 5" bag.

[Boones]

troy, I see you widening the lower arm, did you also widen the upper. I agree the 6" should ride better

[blown240]

I think the 6" would ride better as well. I used to have the small firestone bags, but they rubbed ever so slightly on the arms (stock, non widened). It took 4 years, but they eventually wore thru to the cords. They never blew, but and rubbing is too much.

[troy5118]

Here what my work looks like on the A arms:



And the Crossmember (still needs some clean up)

I actually made templates so both side would match and would be happy to share them with you guys because its alot of work!

[firepilot]

Troy5118 I am just getting ready to do this on my 53 I would love to get the templates from you if thats cool I really like the way you have done this. I"ll send you a PM. Thanks.

[1 KooL "MoFo"]

Real nice job ! I want to do that to my 49 fleetline what about the rear ?

[troy5118]

Here you go fellas. This will mount a 6" Slam Specialties bag in your stock front end.

[troy5118]

And the rest.. The templates are attached as .pdf's on this reply. Don't forget you'll have to brace the crossmember to the frame since you cut all the strength making room for the bag.

[troy5118]

Ignore pdf 3529 and use 3530, it didn't scan right.

[Rynos63]

Troy5118 thanks for the pictures. That is almost the same way I did my 53, but I also did the lower A-arm step to get lower and had to cut the stock bump stop bracket off to allow the lower arm more travel. I have been thinking about the shock relocation and I saw a nice setup at the Pomona swap this last Sunday. Here is a link to there Facebook pictures on a 50 chevy.


http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?s...closeTheater=1

[robleticia]

Damn it Troy! I spent all that money doing it old school "traditional" without bags and now this! Thanks....now I want to change it!

[Dayzedandkonfuzed]

Originally Posted by Mcdoogin52

Man, this is sweeeet!! I was looking into running a mustang II front end because I didn't think I could bag a stock front end. This is just what I needed. You're the man!!!

X2!

sorry for resurrecting this thread again, but what better thread to resurrect?

[gotit]

I did this on my 54 chevy and i am 5" from laying frame with dropped uprights. I do have large tires but not anything I can lose 5" from. I have 7.50-15 on the front. I measured the front fron the ground to the center of the axle nut and I measure 14.5". The bag is all the way down and the control arm is touching the crossmember.

that gives me 2" for sidewall. Something is not right.

Any ideas?

[88to52]

reading up on this for my 52, question if any of you guys have any input, I plan on bagging and swapping a v8 in it as well.

Do you think I should go this route, or go with Mustang II IFS because of the v8?

[john~N~dallas]

how is the ride quality compared to stock with this setup? can you cruise comfortably down the hwy at 75mph? thanks john

[53chevtrev]

just curious, but how do you bolt the top of the bag to the mount as the top of the coil buldge is closed?

[john~N~dallas]

Bump for these 2 questions^^^^^^ thanks John

[usmile4]

Originally Posted by 53chevtrev

just curious, but how do you bolt the top of the bag to the mount as the top of the coil buldge is closed?

You bolt the bag to the bag mount that has the 4" pipe welded to it with the rod in the center. Then the rod goes up in the spring hat and the rod goes where the shock was mounted. You mount the bag before you put it in the crossmember.

[gotit]

You drill the hole for the air line and run it also before you mount the bag plate

[53chevtrev]

Originally Posted by usmile4

You bolt the bag to the bag mount that has the 4" pipe welded to it with the rod in the center. Then the rod goes up in the spring hat and the rod goes where the shock was mounted. You mount the bag before you put it in the crossmember.

this wont work with troy5118's design. The top bag plate has been completely welded so that it is part of the front frame section. you can see by the pictures above that you will have to bolt the bag to the upper steel but you cant without cutting a massive hole in the top to reach in with socket... maybe troy5118 can enlighten us on how to bolt the bags up to his front.

[usmile4]

Oh I see how Troy5118 did his. I was talking about how it is done with the original design in the beginning of this thread. I followed those steps when I did my 51.

[john~N~dallas]

i asked iTROY in a PM he said he opened the shock hole to 1" and in post #84 the first pick there is a second hole you can look through to bolt the bags.. i am very interested in this setup as it looks like the way i will be going... Does anyone know how this setup rides compared to stock?

[Boones]

gotit, how tall are your airbag mounts that go up into the spring pockets. are they similar to first posts pictures when installed (just barely any extra mount)?

[gotit]

My bag mount is 3" of 4" .250 wall pipe. I can't remember the length of the steel rod I used for the bolt to secure the plate. I used 5/16 rod i believe and threaded it. I did some stupid stuff at first on the bottom control arm that limited my drop. I actually cut the bottom out of the control arm and lowered it by 3/4. I now have the rockers on the ground.

[53chevtrev]

Has anyone on here thought of raising the front sub-frame up so that your lower control arm bolts are not the first thing to sit on the ground. Letting you frame sit first??

[erock805]

Originally Posted by john~N~dallas

i asked iTROY in a PM he said he opened the shock hole to 1" and in post #84 the first pick there is a second hole you can look through to bolt the bags.. i am very interested in this setup as it looks like the way i will be going... Does anyone know how this setup rides compared to stock?

Used this thread to bag mine. Bags will not give you a stock feeling. Its a different spring. Further, because you cant goto a bigger bag, it doesnt doesnt have the best ride. I used bigger bags in my trucks and they give you less bounce. This bag set up, however, rides and looks better than stock to me. When I got mine they had cut or heated the springs so there was maybe an inch of travel...so that is my comparison for you.

With bags you can change the ride quality by increasing or decreasing pressure. Low pressure = a better ride (softer). Some say its not better just different.....but yes if you can do it with a coil spring you can roll 80 down the road comfortably.

[john~N~dallas]

Ok thanks that what I was wanting to know..I should be doing mine pretty soon.. Also do you have pics of your setup? Thanks again John

[slowlane]

what if you don't have a plasma cutter??

[john~N~dallas]

Originally Posted by slowlane

what if you don't have a plasma cutter??

use an angle grinder with a cut of wheel.. draw a line get close and then put a flapper disk on and smooth it down to the line.. thats what i did... im neck deep in this project right now.. john

[usmile4]

you could also use a torch and then grind them smooth.

[slowlane]

thanx a lot fellas!

[john~N~dallas]

Doing mine the way rusty pipes did his.. With 4 1/2 inch pipe and bag plate.. Which i got done but now need to widen the A arm, and add gussets to the back, and smooth out the rest of the top hat and reweld it back together..

[BIG REDD]

awesome, I may try this when the time comes as opposed to spending 2k on a mustang II front end.

[alteredpilot]

anyone give any thought to gussets or braces that don't permanently weld the suspension to the frame?

as in maybe just plating the beans out of the top hat or making a gusset that welds to the top hat and bolts to the frame...

thoughts?

[Zigged, should've Zagged]

Yeah! This is the Meat and Potatoes of the Hamb. Nice Work

[john~N~dallas]

Originally Posted by alteredpilot

anyone give any thought to gussets or braces that don't permanently weld the suspension to the frame?

as in maybe just plating the beans out of the top hat or making a gusset that welds to the top hat and bolts to the frame...

thoughts?

I thought I saw some place that someone bolted theres to the frame. may have been the JAG thread. I wouldnt see why doing exactly what you described wouldnt work. they make bolt on M2's so shouldnt be a problem. I may go this route still undecided.. john

[clinthull]

I made a bolt in brace. Not sure if you really need it but it makes me feel a little better and I ran the air lines through them so you don't see them.

[greasebandit0801]

Good info thanks

[usmile4]

I did not weld mine to the frame. I put some 1/4" plate on the top hat. I figured if the bolt in MII was not welded to the frame I would try making mine like those.

[MEDDLER1]

That looks pretty nice! It looks like it will just rest against the rails? I was thinking of something like this too but bolting it to the rails with sleeves through the frame. I like clint hulls set up too looks really clean as well.

[duke666]

What bag are you guys using? Plan on doing this too very soon but still doubting between slam specialties SS-5 or SS-6. Less cutting with the SS-5 but would this compromise the ride quality too much?

[MEDDLER1]

Iam going to use the six on mine. The biggest bag you can get the better.So Im told, A little extra cutting now will pay off later.

[john~N~dallas]

Yes I'm have slam specialty 6 as well they are a pretty close fit.. I am going to cut the A arm and arc the side of it so the bag fits .. Should get it done this weekend.. I'll post up a pic after I do.. John


"The less you know, the more you think you know... The more you know, the less you think you know"

[slowlane]

hey there john~N~dallas how far up did you go up on that cup to sit in

[john~N~dallas]

not sure I understand the question but hope this helps.. I drew a line like pic1 with an arc, pic 2 I used the rivet on the left and the lip on top right of the hat as a guide on how far up to cut, pic 3 the cup measures 3 1/2 inches, but what I did was after i cut like pic 2 I put a 12 inch pipe inside the hat and drew a line about 1/4 of an inch past the cut area, the pipe rests on th the lip that I pointed to in pic 4. hope this helps. john

[StayGold54]

This has to be my favorite thread! Just want to give big props to people like Phil, Troy, John, and the rest the people that contribute to make the HAMB so awesome!

So, I'm getting ready to do this to my ride, and wanted to ask a question about the choosing bag size..
I see some of you opted to go with the 6" instead of the 5" (actually 5 1/2") slam bag...does anybody know for a fact that the 5" bag does NOT ride as well as the 6" bag? I guess the only real way is to have 2 identical vehicles with the same setups, but with the 2 different bags to compare..
I'm just asking cause it just seems like a lot more fab work for just 1/2" difference for clearance issues?
(I'm also aware that you get about 2" of more extention in the 6" bag..).
I'm also a fat guy..not sure if it matters as far as weight capacities..probably does! Haha -story of my life.

[usmile4]

I used Slam bags from Alex Gambino. Just give him a call and he can answer all of your questions.

[john~N~dallas]

I have heard and read that the bigger the bag the better the ride. So I want to fit the biggest bag that would fit. And since I am doing all the fab work widening the the A arm doesn't seem like that much more work to me. John



"The less you know, the more you think you know... The more you know, the less you think you know"

[john~N~dallas]

Here's how much room I have on the A arm with a 6 inch slam specialty .. May not have to cut it after all.. I'll take some more pics when I get it in place and see how everything clears.. John


"The less you know, the more you think you know... The more you know, the less you think you know"

[Rynos63]

this is not a very good picture, but here is how I had to do my arms for a 6 inch slam bag.

[StayGold54]

Thanks for the pics guys!
John: It looks like it fits but fully deflated is probably why you got to notch the sides..
Rynos: that is not a bad idea man..so you just notched one side and moved the bag a pinch over to clear all sides.
It's not much more fab work now that I look at it.

[slowlane]

Originally Posted by john~N~dallas

not sure I understand the question but hope this helps.. I drew a line like pic1 with an arc, pic 2 I used the rivet on the left and the lip on top right of the hat as a guide on how far up to cut, pic 3 the cup measures 3 1/2 inches, but what I did was after i cut like pic 2 I put a 12 inch pipe inside the hat and drew a line about 1/4 of an inch past the cut area, the pipe rests on th the lip that I pointed to in pic 4. hope this helps. john

How do you run the air line?

[greasebandit0801]

Originally Posted by Rynos63

this is not a very good picture, but here is how I had to do my arms for a 6 inch slam bag.

Will you be drilling holes on that plate to secure the bag to the lower control arm

[Rynos63]

Originally Posted by greasebandit0801

Will you be drilling holes on that plate to secure the bag to the lower control arm

Yea I did drill the hole and cleaned up the welds. This is an old picture. My front end is back together and done for now...

[erock805]

is the top of the bag touching the spring pearch? Looks like it from that angle...

[Rynos63]

Originally Posted by erock805

is the top of the bag touching the spring pearch? Looks like it from that angle...

No its not. just looks that way.

[john~N~dallas]

How does it ride? Should be finishing mine up soon.. Then it's on to the rear..John



"The less you know, the more you think you know... The more you know, the less you think you know"

[nek635]

came out clean, bad ass

[yetiskustoms]

Refered to this thread on many occasions. Thanks for all the info.

[StayGold54]

X2 on Dallas's question...how does it ride rynos?

[Rynos63]

Originally Posted by StayGold54

X2 on Dallas's question...how does it ride rynos?

Sorry guys... My car has been sitting for over a year now and not even close to being drivable. Been too busy on other people's stuff. Hope to have it drivable by October...

[max210]

Found the thread. Thanks.

[SANGRE-INDIO]

great thread i will be knocking mine out in about a week or so great info

[Colddna]

my question is people are saying you have to put a shock in there due to unstable ride but when i look at everyones bag set up they dont have a shock at all, im planning on doing this same setup on my 1953 chevy 210 with a 235. my other question is what bag did you use because on this forum people say slam bags suck and leak and firestone bubble and so on and so fourth im just trying to figure out what is the best application for this setup.

[john~N~dallas]

I am using slam specialty 6 on mine, have have not read that they suck, but maybe they do, I just haven't read it. The reason in going with slam is because they do not balloon out and in the 53-54 front end it's a tight fit. I think it is very important to run a shock I am making a mount on the outside of the a arm to the outside of the top hat.

[krooser]

Originally Posted by Colddna

my question is people are saying you have to put a shock in there due to unstable ride but when i look at everyones bag set up they dont have a shock at all, im planning on doing this same setup on my 1953 chevy 210 with a 235. my other question is what bag did you use because on this forum people say slam bags suck and leak and firestone bubble and so on and so fourth im just trying to figure out what is the best application for this setup.

The shock absorbers job is to keep the tire contact patch planted on the pavement. Without a shock the tire will bounce up and down off of the pavement (on bad roads) or simply allow the suspension to bounce like a pogo stick....bad... very bad.

You need shocks... period.

[bonez]

Originally Posted by krooser

...

You need shocks... period.

x1000. No need to explain why, you just need them.

Never heard a bad thing about Slams really, and to those that have negative things to say about Firestone bags i'd like to know why.
Firestones are really nice bags, really well constructed. Maybe is because theyre not as fancy as the Slams that they get little respect. and they dont ballon either.

[happy hoppy]

Originally Posted by krooser

The shock absorbers job is to keep the tire contact patch planted on the pavement. Without a shock the tire will bounce up and down off of the pavement (on bad roads) or simply allow the suspension to bounce like a pogo stick....bad... very bad.

You need shocks... period.

amen.
all cars need good steering, good brakes, good shocks.

[happy hoppy]

Originally Posted by bonez

x1000. No need to explain why, you just need them.

Never heard a bad thing about Slams really, and to those that have negative things to say about Firestone bags i'd like to know why.
Firestones are really nice bags, really well constructed. Maybe is because theyre not as fancy as the Slams that they get little respect. and they dont ballon either.

firestones in my chevy for over 6 years, no problems.

[krooser]

Firestones on my Peterbilt... almost two million miles... replaced one.

[xmb63]

I have firestones on the front of my car I don't have any complaints about them. I prefer slam bags that's what I have on my truck, I like that they are stiff and don't balloon.

[51fordor]

Are you guys using stock uprights doing stepped lower control arms as well to get more drop?

[john~N~dallas]

*****Question ***** I have slam specialty ss6 bags for the front .. Their website says 2.7inches min - 11 inches max tall is what the bag will travel.. My lower arm maxed height to the top bag mount is 7 inches that is the most distance it can travel.. And all the way aired out is 3 inches .. To put the ride height where I want it with the lower arm and upper arm parallel.. Puts the bag at 5 Inches tall.. Distance from bottom arm bag mount to upper bag mount at ride height.. Is this enough extension for the bag to ride comfortably??? Thanks John


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[sweeden]

heres my 2 cents... 1st things 1st... awesome post very help full need more like it for sure. Now to tackel the issue of what bag to run and which sucks and which is the best. There is no such thing as the right bag. Its a prefrence thing. Im running 2500lb firestones on the front of my 210. Ive had 10 bagged cars/trucks and firestone seems to be the bag for me. Slam bags are to stiff for me and i dont like the ride quality... conitech bags are way to sloppy in my oinion... firstone just gives me the best ride. I see people say shocks are a must... i agree... on the back. the front is once again a prefrence issue. if u want that cadillac float u dont need to run shocks. Ive had 2 that i ended up takin the shocks of the front because i found it to be a much better ride. So dont go by what others say just live and learn and form ur own opinion. If there is one thing i will say is a must its running a 4 link out back... mono leafing the back is sketchy and ive seen way to many leaf springs snap in my day lol my words of wisdom for the day.

[SANGRE-INDIO]

It's definitely drive able with no shocks I drove it like that for months, but it's much more enjoyable with with shocks. For bags I just went basic with the dominator 6" bags

[HoldFast]

Man I can't wait until Rustypipes does a write up on this car again...

[SoCalChevy54]

Here's my ride done the exact same way and has been driving just fine since 06'. I'm sure there's many ways to do the same thing but this thread is pretty dead on, bitch N' work buddy...

Sent from my DROID device using the TJJ mobile app

[john~N~dallas]

Socalchevy54 your chop is awesome.. Can't wait to chop mine.. Glad you kept the stock front and bagged it .. Car looks great! John


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[bcumbie]

Anybody got pics of their front shock setups?

[firepilot]

Originally Posted by bcumbie

Anybody got pics of their front shock setups?

go to post #52

[firepilot]

Can you see the picture?

[Gambino_Kustoms]

Originally Posted by bonez

x1000. No need to explain why, you just need them.

Never heard a bad thing about Slams really, and to those that have negative things to say about Firestone bags i'd like to know why.
Firestones are really nice bags, really well constructed. Maybe is because theyre not as fancy as the Slams that they get little respect. and they dont ballon either.

nothing wrong with firestones , IMO slams and coni tecs are better ...ive ran all 3 types and thats with plenty of road miles under my car to even have an opion ...

[bcumbie]

Yea I see the pic. Thanks..