Suspension, Brakes, & Rearend

When I bought the car the suspension was stock with the exception of cut springs.  As you can see from the pictures on the main page, the springs were cut quite a bit.  The rear suspension sat on the bump stops and the ride was terrible.  The front end was really loose due to worn out bushings.  The car had 4 wheel drum brakes which is totally inadequate for a car this heavy, especially with the new motor.  In addition, the car had a 2.73 open 10-bolt, which was wasting the new engine's power.

Here's the plan to get the suspension, brakes, and rearend up to par:

• New springs (3" below stock in the front, 2" below stock in the rear)
• New shocks (KYB Gas-A-Just front and rear)
• PST poly-graphite bushing kit for the front
• New control arms for the rear (SSM lift bars and adjustable tubular upper arms)
• Stainless Steel Brakes front disc conversion (heavy-duty kit with 12" rotors and Corvette calipers)
• Chevy 12-bolt housing with a new Eaton posi and 4.10 Richmond gears

This plan would be implemented in three stages so that there will not be any long periods of down time.  First, the rear suspension will receive all upgrades (springs, shocks and control arms), then the front will get the bushings, springs, shocks, and brakes all at once.  Last, the rearend will be built and swapped into place.  I'll be postings pics and comments as I go.

Old rear control arms vs. New rear control arms

Rear suspension with the new springs, shocks, and control arms

Front suspension with new springs, shocks, and bushings

Front Brakes with 12" slotted rotors and aluminum calipers on original drum spindles

Here's the 12-bolt housing after cleaning and ready for the parts

MORE TO COME!!!

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