[updated:LAST EDITED ON Jan-30-04 AT 05:14 PM (CST)]Hi folks! My name is Benjamin Bennett. I live in Roseland Va. I'm an alcoho....(just kidding) I'm 15 years old and my first/only vehicle is a 64 C10 Fleetside Shortbed with a SB 350. I'm trying to be different with my truck other than restore it. I'm into lowering trucks (I prefer older trucks) so I've installed a full airbag suspension, I will soon C notch the frame and it will be going into the bodyshop once I can move it (damn snow) for bodywork and paint. It will be painted a 2 tone burnished silver metallic with crimson red metallic. It's my first project truck so I'm making progress and doing what I can with such limited income. We also have a 53 C10 stepside that recently came out of the bodyshop with a SB 283 that's my parents' "sunday drive truck". I'm here to learn and maybe help if anyone has airbag suspension questions. I'd also like to reccomend a site for Va motorists that like to work on their vehicles and customize them. Like a big family that take cruises and what not. www.vacustoms.com thanks edit- I almost forgot, you can view pics of our trucks at http://photos.yahoo.com/tcad22967
Hello Ben ! Welcome to the Forum ! Nice looking ride Bud ! I'm into the rodding side of this hobby as well. Mine is lowered 3 1/2 in front with spindles and springs and 4 in the rear with just springs. There are all kinds of folks in here. Restorers, 4x4'ers and us street rodders. You can learn from their experience and learn to appreciate their version of our trucks. Dennis
Hey man, Nice truck ya got there! You're making me jealous! Welcome to the forum, it seems like more and more people are joining every week. I'd sure like to see our trucks become more and more popular as show trucks/hotrods/customs and the like: as it is there's not much to look at in the way of 60-66 trucks around my neck of the woods unless you like the tri-tone primer and gun rack look. Jeez for being fifteen, you've got one helluva ride(--for being any age you've got one helluva ride). I've been working on mine for four years now(I'm nineteen) and it still isn't the way I want it. I was thinking about going the airbagged route and was wondering just how involved it really is. I've read numerous articles on the subject but am still leery of actually reaching in to my pockets to fork out the dollars. Any first hand experience would be greatly appreciated! --Russ
trusty- It depends on your income. Since I only have a learners and I don't need a daily driver I did all of the instalation myself (except removing the stock coils). That way I know how my system works and how to fix any problems. Plus I don't have to pay a customs shop for labor and what not. Or if you have some $$$ and can't wait as long (if the truck is your daily driver) plus you get a little more peace of mind that professionals installed it. Labor aside you can get a basic airbag kit (which you or a shop can install) with adjustable front and rear independant height for around $1000. I used the kit from these folks and have been very pleased- https://erato.safe-order.net/cgi-diaxiscustoms/store/commerce.cgi?pid=10&cart_id=8297545.743&ppi=PID Keep in mind that doesn't include brackets to mount the bags because vehicles are all different. Brackets I reccomend www.suicidedoors.com as well as their C notches for the frame if you really wanna get low. It's all really simple and you can get plumbing and wiring guides for these kits just about anywhere. ( I know they give you good pics and diagrams for the install for "Project Old School" in the latest Classic Trucks mag) (you could email me if you had any questions too) If you can manage it bagging a vehicle is well worth it. I couldn't just lower mine because I live in a very mountain/dirt/gravel/crappy road area so I had to be able to give my truck some ground clearance when I needed it. Don't be intimidated by all the tubes and crap. It's pretty simple. If you need any other help just ask.
Hey, thanks for the input! I had been looking at complete kits up until this point and, as is to be expected, they cost considerably more than piecing one together. Your sources were a big help! I hope to tear my front end entirely apart down to the frame and suspension tommorrow and pull the engine for new heads and exhaust(and some much needed cleaning)so I'll be in a good position to start taking everything apart. Hopefully my truck will be a lot closer to ground by spring. Thanks Again! --Russ
