[Sir-x-Loin]

Hey guys,
I bought a complete TCI suspension package in 2000 for my 57 Chevy Pickup. Well, 11 years later im ready to really slam my truck. I, and my local circle of friends have no experience with air bag set ups. I'd love my truck to have the ability to lay some frame, and drive great on the crappy Maine roads.

I am budget minded and beginning to gather a parts list for a spring time tear down.

I have seen a Speedway retro-fit kit for the front. And I see the "shockwave" coilover replacements, but know nothing about either.

I have a feeling ill have to C-notch my rear frame, and that is not a problem.

Please point me in the right direction.

Any and ALL help is awesome.
Take care.
-Brian

[Tony@AirRideTech]

What crossmember did you get? is it set up for for a coil over upper mount or a coil spring top hat? Is it a OE style lower control arm or a tubular lower arm? How is the rear... still leaf springs ? need a little more info.

[Sir-x-Loin]

Hey Tony, thanks for the reply,
My control arms are tubular and set up for coil spings. The front crossmember is top hat style.

The rear end is TCI four bar w/ panhard and coilovers.

[Tony@AirRideTech]

As low as you are wanting to get it you will need to keep front proper geometry in mind. The just about any MII set up, from proper ride height (lower control arms roughly parallel with the ground) you will have in the neighborhood of 3" you can deflate from there(at the wheel) until you run into ball joint bind. Also from ride height you will be able to inflat up about 1.5-2.5" for a max height until you run into ball joint bind the other way.
Keep in mind it is important to establish the ride height with those lower arms parallel with the ground. If you dont and you try to fudge it, it is very likely you will end up with bumpsteer and gemoetry issues
With that in mind, I would run a Shockwave type airspring/shock combination in the front. On the rear fourbar set up the same type of Shockwave set up will be the cleanest set up especially if you can manage to get the 5 or 6" stroke.

[Sir-x-Loin]

Hey Tony,

Thanks for the reply,

Any reccomendations on equipment. Which shockwaves? Or better yet, any packages?

[Tony@AirRideTech]

what kind of driving are you doing with it? Do you know what your installed rear length is ?

[Sir-x-Loin]

I putt around town. I drive to a few distance car shows. Nothing crazy.

Im not sure what you mean by "installed rear Length."

Thanks