Hello from a new member

[dan van]

I'm currently building a '55 Del Ray street rod and would appreciate any advice I can get on front and rear suspension. I look forward to hearing from members who might be able to help me out.

Thanks,
Dan Van
California

[chevman57]

Dan there are several different ways you could go. What are your plans for the car? Daily driver, good cruiser and a few shows? Are really wanting a great handling car? This will dictate the way, direction to go on rebuilding the suspension.
Terry

[Late 55]

Welcome to Tri-5! That's a pretty broad question....As Tery pointed out.....What are your plans for it's use and your budget restraints?

[55fazzi]

Welcome to Trifive dan van!
Tell us a little more about your plans. Lots of great information here. Tell us how we can help.

Tom

[1957chevy]

Wecome to the site. This place will keep ya workin' :)

[55ls1]

:) Welcome.....see you in Ca....where about? I'm in Northern Ca.....there is alot of help here....

[dan van]

First of all, thanks to all you who responded.

I know the question about suspension is pretty broad and I apologize. I'm aware of many options, I'm just trying to see which will yield the best "bang for the buck".

The car will be used as a street rod and although I've went back and forth on a new engine to replace the 355 small block, I'm leaning toward a big block. With that in mind I need to decide on front and rear suspension. If money was not an issue I'd opt for a Morrison or Meyer frame and suspension assembly, but I can't justify the expense. As a compromise I could go with just the Jim Meyer "bolt on" front end, but I'm also curious about guys in the club who may have just went with tubular top and bottom A arms, with dropped spindles and new springs. Another option would be to go with the Air Ride Technologies Airbar and Shock Wave front suspension. After all that, the bottom line is what you guys think might be the best option leaving me with a car that handles much better and still leaves funds for other parts of the car.

Currently when I drive on the freeway, the car doesn't feel very stable at higher speeds, especially when the front tire finds a groove in the road. Additionally I can feel a lot of side way, so I'm curious how much sway bars might help.

The current rear end is a 9" Ford, narrowed somewhat, but not drastically. I would like to either move the rear leaf springs with a "pocket spring kit" or maybe consider a 4 link approach.

Basically I'm fishing for ideas, so any input is greatly appreciated.

Thanks for your input,
Dan Van

[chevman57]

Dan as far as the sway bars go i`ve been told they make a tremendous difference. I have one on mine but haven`t gotten to try it out first hand yet. Some say front only, and some say the rear one makes them too stiff. I added both figuring if i didn`t like the ride i can easily remove the rear one. As far as air ride stuff it can add up pretty quick from what i`ve priced. So you might want to do some figures and the new frame may not be that much more than adding air ride.
Terry

[NickP]

First of all, thanks to all you who responded.

I know the question about suspension is pretty broad and I apologize. I'm aware of many options, I'm just trying to see which will yield the best "bang for the buck".

The car will be used as a street rod and although I've went back and forth on a new engine to replace the 355 small block, I'm leaning toward a big block. With that in mind I need to decide on front and rear suspension. If money was not an issue I'd opt for a Morrison or Meyer frame and suspension assembly, but I can't justify the expense. As a compromise I could go with just the Jim Meyer "bolt on" front end, but I'm also curious about guys in the club who may have just went with tubular top and bottom A arms, with dropped spindles and new springs. Another option would be to go with the Air Ride Technologies Airbar and Shock Wave front suspension. After all that, the bottom line is what you guys think might be the best option leaving me with a car that handles much better and still leaves funds for other parts of the car.

Currently when I drive on the freeway, the car doesn't feel very stable at higher speeds, especially when the front tire finds a groove in the road. Additionally I can feel a lot of side way, so I'm curious how much sway bars might help.

The current rear end is a 9" Ford, narrowed somewhat, but not drastically. I would like to either move the rear leaf springs with a "pocket spring kit" or maybe consider a 4 link approach.

Basically I'm fishing for ideas, so any input is greatly appreciated.



Dan, you mentioned the KEY item - money - this will be the deciding factor - budget x 3!

Chassis, you might consider a C4 front and keeping your 9" with AME Tri-4 Link.

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1600/2283636/6394656/99300329.jpg

[speed racer]

Welcome dan van-

I put a FAT MAN front clip on mine with dropped spindles and air bags. In the rear I have a C4 set up. I have a crate 502 ready to go in. Still in the production stages so I can't tell you about the ride yet but those are more options for you. I would stick with the 9" rear and go with the 4 link in the rear.

[2Loose]

Dan, My '55 isn't on the road yet, but I've done other rigs of similiar vintage and have had good road manners result. Tubular front setups with coil-overs and dropped spindles have worked well for me, coil-overs easy to adjust height, and springs can be selected for firmness. I like the adjustable QA-1's myself, they work well for me. A front sway bar works wonders also. I generally keep the stock steering and rebuild any worn parts. Leaf springs relocated with pocket kits have also worked ok for me with slapper bars, although I have a set of caltraks to try out on my '55. Next for me would be the triangulated 4 link setup like Morrison has. They seem to work better on the street than a straight 4 bar setup, better articulation in general driving conditions on the street.
Good luck with it, let us know how it goes...
Willy

[dseale4888]

Welcome to the site Danvan!!!

[vander55]

Hey speed racer any chance of seeing some pics of your chassis???? Thanks ken

[dan van]

To 55ls1

I'm located in N. Cal also in the East Bay.

[dan van]

To vander55:

Thanks for the reply and the photo's. If the gray car is yours, I'm jealous. Very nice. The additional photo's were greatly appreciated and I especially liked the red and white lowered '55.

[dan van]

Thanks Willy.

I really appreciate your input. I think your approach may be one of the more economical and practicle solutions. I'm curious what the tubular A arm assemblies gain you in the long run. As I understand it they are engineered to accomodate for more caster angle, but I could be wrong. As an aside, I'm a mechanical engineer and sometimes know just enough to get myself in trouble.

Thanks again,
Dan

[dan van]

Since my last posting, I have decided to install a Jim Meyer 4 link in my '55 Del Ray. As previously mentioned it already has a Ford 9" rear end. The previous owner tells me it was narrowed from 61" to 57" and has 28 spline axles. Here's my question. How wide was the original stock '55 Chevrolet rear end? My goal is to install the 4 link rear end and go with 10" wide rear wheels. At this point I have three concerns:
1. Will I be able to get the wheels on and off without dropping the rear end out to do it?
2. Should the rear end be narrowed even more before welding in the 4 link?
3. If I move forward and build either a 468 or 496 BBC, and stay with the current rear end width of 57", should I change the 28 spline axles to 31?

I would appreciate any input from someone who has already been through this. This will be primarily a street rod, and I don't intend to us "slicks".

Thanks for the help,
Dan Van Buskirk
N. California

[johns 56]

welcome to the place. first of all these guys can spend your money very well.:D :D as to the rear, 31 spline to hold the big block. the stock rear is 60" so you have gained 3" there. to run bigger tires you need to move the rear springs inboard or go to something else. on the front the tubular a arms give you more caster and are stronger, worth the $. disk brakes are an addition that most everybody does also. sway bars are a big yes. power steering is a maybe. i have airride with a fatman front clip with rack and pinon steering. not on the road yet but looks pretty.:D see chevynut on the c4 front end, knows his stuff. rick l is really good for help also. another thing to consider is time. when do you want to be on the road? that equals money to have someone else to do the work chop, chop. good luck:D