Ok guys... got a 49 2 dr chev. I need some suggestions on suspension. of course I want it as low as possible, disc brakes and all. what would be the easiest way to get it sitting right? we were thinking of putting it on an s10 ch***is or something similar, or should I just buy a heidts front end? Anyone had experience with this ****?
i've been asking all around since I decided to do my 53, the info that i got is that the s-10 is the right width, but 3 inches too long, the caprice is the right length but too wide, If you're buying a mII weld or bolt in, and you want to go really low, look at the fatman, It comes with dropped spindels. I don't know if anyone elses does?
In my opinion, I would stay away from the S10 route. If you want to do a disc brake front, I would go with a Mustang II of some sorts. Lots of em out there. For the rear I would go with a step notch and 4 link. In my 52 I am wrapping up the frame right now. I kept the stock front, modified for bags w/ dropped uprights. In the rear I did step notch with 4 link. I set the ride height up to be at 3" off the ground. I can set it on its frame,or raise it to 6" up off of the ground.
add disc brakes and then R&P steering. if it's not low enough add dropped spindles. the aftermarket M2 is over rated and over priced. just remember your probably not going to put many miles on your car at one time anyway so why not channel the money into a interior upgrade or ?.
fatman fabrications mustang II. get the ultra low crossmember. they have tubular stainless steel A arms now at no extra cost, and the same arms accept bags or springs with a change of the plate should you decide to add bags later. to the best of my knowledge they do not come with dropped spindles, but I don't have the latest catalog. the ultra low crossmember drops another 2" or so. add dropped spindles to that and it will give another 2". for a non bagged car that would be crazy low. especially if you dropped the rear a like amount. stay away from frame swaps, camaro clips ond other nonsense. none of these options are better, they may be cheaper if you do the swap with the old junkyard parts that came with your clip/frame... but at the expense of WAY more work, and then you have old suspension VS brand new.
I did an S10 clip on my frame and a custom tri-bar rear with large C-notch. My suspension is all bagged and lays the frame on the ground and raises 6". I would clip the car if you have the skills to do so. S10 are perfect for this era of car and parts are cheep too! Add 2" drop spinals and this will help get you even lower! Good luck and feel free to ask me questions. Pics of some werk found here:
to modify the original front end would not be a good way to go in my opinion. been there, done that. disc brakes, cut coils, and a few hundred on rebuild parts. wasn't as low as I would have liked, and bottomed out over bumps. if I added the dropped spindle uprights it would have been low enough for me, but still would have had the old style slow speed steering and still would have rode poorly. as for rack and pinion on the OG suspension... people have done it, but if it were a good way to go, fatman would be doing it and raking in the big bucks.
1 coil cut from the stock springs. 4" blocks out back. these are pretty tall tires, like 27-28 inches. sat better with my 14" astros and 24" tall tires. my 49 coupe I'm doing will be a good 3" lower with the ultra low MII and ride and steer real nice. no bags for me.
chopt49 .... god damn, you arent kidding. good job man, looks awesome. 49ratfink.... im not cutting coils and rolling stock setup. I got a 400hp motor and I will need to actually steer and stop the car.
the must11 is the only way to go here get a slam c/m and your car will be plenty low. dont need droped spingles. if you do you didn,t do the install right.
I'm getting ready to start on my 50 and I'll go with the pinto/must 2 if you do it wright you can set what ever hight you want it to be then weld her in place I put on in my 47 aero rides great and stears even better on the 50 i' ll have to push the frame over 1/2 inch or build spacers to make it fit if you need more info e me Good luck and you will love it.
The S10 frame swap is somethingI would only do if your frame is bad and you have to change it anyways. Otherwise a set of springs in the back with blocks and a Mustang II setup is the way to go.
youll still have ****y steering and as far as the over priced part its got alot to do with who you buy from if you go mII fatman ultra low is the way to go
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