Panel and Suburbans -who out there is working on one of these?

I have a '50 Panel truck that I am hot rodding, nothing original underneath (Chevy SB 350, 700r4, Nova rear, power brakes, MustangII IFS). I don't see much talk about panels or suburbans in other threads. Anybody out there working on one of these to share experiences, etc.

With the underneath mostly done, I am now wanting to lower the rear down to get a nicer rake. Mine was hacked into a 4x4 when I got it and I took all that mess out and put in a MustangII IFS with 4" drop from original. The rear leafs were re-arched to get the 4x4's rear up further. I took three leafs out and was ok for awhile, but now sagging on the passenger side and unlevel by about an inch.

See before/after pictures of the major rebuild from hacked 4x4 to hot rod here:

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/fatpanel/album?.dir=/f7a3&.src=ph&.tok=phNNl2FBxaTSMPAX

I want to replace the leafs and have the following options:
1) $100 for a used set at a local salvage yard,
2) new mono leaf,
3) new set such as CP or Brothers sells.

I want the rear tires to set about 1 to 2 " underneath the fender lip to optain a better rake but still support the extra weight, at times when I am on a road trip. Has anybody have insight to helping me in my decision?

How about stabilizer bars for the rear. With my panel I get a lot more sway since I removed the three leafs. I now realize that removing springs was not the way to go and want to fix this one last time. I don't want too a stiff ride, but also don't want the sway either.

Many thanks!

 

Hey FatPanel, that is a sweet ride! I've got a '52 panel rusting away in the "back 40" at my mother's house. I wasn't planning on doing anything with it until I saw how nice yours looks. I may have to street rod my panel if I ever get my PU down. You might want to go to www.stovebolt.com and look through their "panel & burbs" section for ideas too.

 

If it were me I would spend the money and purchase the new ones. That way you know they are both good and no weak springs from the junkyard. If you want it lower then why not use lowering blocks. Easy to install and fairly cheap. I would do the sway bar in the rear and maybe even the front. I just like a truck that turns like a sports car. My two cents for the day. BTW great looking truck.

 

Hey Kevin, you disappoint me! No comeback on the "I think i'll street rod the panel" statement?

 

Sway bars

Hey, where can I see a picture of these sway bars so I will know what you guys are talking about?

 

Hey Ken I knew you would cross over to the darkside eventually. I know it sounds wild but if I had one I would make it into a two seater roadster convertible. Believe it or not I saw one in a magazine with no top on it and only the two front seats. the rest was trunk storage under a fiberglass top. It had a new SSR grill in it. What a cool ride. So Ken, your mom's isn't that far from me, maybe you'll see a roadster panal running around puryear.

 

Hey Kevin, we might be able to strike a deal here. I won't charge you extra for the rust colored paint job!

 

Hey Ken that truck was unbelievable, but for now I have way to many projects right at the moment. But when I get caught up I'll remember I know where a panal is setting. The rust paint I'm sure is custom and cost quite a bit, so I'll throw in a little extra for ya.

 

Hey Gator get a copy of this months custom classic trucks magazine. They do a feature on front and rear sway bar installs with great detail.

 

I Found It I Found It I Found It

Hey Ken I've been looking everywhere for this pic. I'll make a deal. We'll build this truck together and let your mom retire the mustang and step into a convertible panal. You guys may think it's ugly but I think it is definately a work of art. What a gorgeous truck that took A LOT of talent to do. Check out this link.
http://www.customclassictrucks.com/featuredvehicles/0605cct_1948_chevy_suburban_restored/

 

Man, i'm there! I bet i could get some of my Longhorn fans to chip in on that!

 

Trade!!!

BTW. It seems three letters is my max on acronyms. BTW, FYI, POC, I'm all over those, but SWMBO? I feel like a BIMBO! Ken- I'll trade you my 3/4 (Minus engine and cab- minus only the cab if Nate cops out) for your pannel! I ALWAYS wanted one of these 'cause I love camping, and what a way to really set that hook in my daughter???!!! Help dad fix up an awesome ride and then spend quality time rumblin' into camp sites at 2:00AM when all the other campers have gone to bed????? She'd be an AD fan for life! Okay! Go to bed or I'm tellin' mom!!!

 

This is the magazine that I'm gonna trya nd make one othese days. I guess I need to step it up a notch and do something wild with my truck eh!!! I told you it was a beautiful truck.

 

Hey Zig, did i tell you that the panel is painted "RED"?

 

RED OR RUST!!!! Well I guess they could be close to the same.

 

So it's a deal? The truck I got now is red! I knew it had to be mine! Since the person who painted it painted over the moss and bugs that were just catching their breath, I figured what the hey, why not paint on some arrowheads with the KC on them? Maybe I'll throw in the frame I'm workin on too, DEAL? White into yellow flames should get the page in the magazine...

 

A little of both! We bought it from the local "Gordon's Potato Chip" distributor in Paris, TN. It was red, with a silver top and black trim. We also bought a '47 panel from him and turned it to a guy in Florida who drives it daily. Too bad i have more sense than money!

 

Panel quest

Man, do I want a panel or what??? I just aquired a 50 and a 51 as other projects, BUT, I would trade both for your panel.

Ken, you live awful close, I could take it off your hands with VERY little pressure. Don't know if the Boop could picture herself cruzin the square in it, But my SW would sure look good in it and I bet I could get used to it myself. BTW- she would look good on a stick horse (hope she reads this, she says I have my hands on that truck more than on her, maybe this would make her feel better). Anyway, serious business, I'd love to see a panel in my future.

The Boops Dad

 

Thanks all for your replies and input...

Kevin: I think new rear leafs is the way I'll go for the safety aspect as well as I can then adjust height with the blocks. I also like a truck that handles like a sports car so the stablizers front and rear seem to be a good investment. I'll just have to put off the AC for another year. Also thanks for the lonk to Stove Bolt, there is a lot of info there.

Ken: Yes, by all means hot rod that panel. They are a lot of fun and I get so many people checking out mine at car shows since there are fewer of the panels around. A lot of old geezers tell me how they sold something or had a construction service and used a panel. Also comments like my dad taught me to drive in one of these. I like to stories people tell.

I would have more completed on mine panel if I didn't go to so many shows and road trips. Went to Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekender last year, what a party on the roof the of Gold Coast. We didn't even see any bands, just partied on the roof watching others crusie up and down the rows and checking out the vintage dressed babes.

FatPanel

 

Hey there Fatpanel, good luck with the truck, looks great, wish we had a few over here, had a look at your pics and noticed you had a new looking gas tank under yours, any info on where you got it etc much app, looking for one for my pick up as i like the odd cigar whilst crusing and dont want one to be my last due to the gas tank behind my butt,
________
FIND DISPENSARY