1985 Chevy Silverado, customer truck

[MattM1683]

Tony and Darren:

I finally got my truck posted in the " Customer Car" section of your website. Here' s the project # for anyone that wants quick access to it, 12328. I promised Tony a burned CD of all the installation pics and final product (which will be sent shortly to ART). But for now....goto customer cars and check her out. Thanks Darren and Tony for all your help with my questions. I' m sure I' ll be posting from time to time with some questions. Not to mention that I love this forum and love reading all the posts and replys. ART is the best! Thanks again
-Matt M-

[darren@ridetech.com]

Matt the truck looks bitchin, awesome work.

[clynt11]

sweet....so does your gas tank touch on the rear before anything else. I noticed your control arms touching, Does any of your frame lay?

[MattM1683]

My gas tank is even with the frame, so when the frame goes down the gas tank isnt in the way. In the front it lays hard on the ground, but in the rear not so much. When I deflate the rear bags to about 3 inches tall, it gets pretty damn close, I can' t say the rear " lays frame" , cause it technically doesnt. But very very close!
-Matt M-

[clynt11]

I thought that 73-87 were the same but i guess not.... I have a 76 and my gas tank is lower than the frame?? Even though its only by maybe two inches it still is going to screw me when i go to bag it out.

[MattM1683]

They are very similar trucks, but my gas tank seems to be even with my frame. once you bag your 76' take a good look at the gas tank, it shouldnt be that hard to relocate it or even move it up 2 inches to make it even with your frame. It' s only bolted to the frame and has a metal strap that goes around it. I' m getting rid of my tank soon and going with a fuel cell mounted underneath the bed. When you gonna bag your 76' ? Let me know how it turns out, I' de like to see some pics when your all done. Good luck with the gas tank
-Matt M-

[clynt11]

Well im a student at wyotech and am currently in refinishing classes now but after it, i will be in streetrod and custom fab for three months, and then chassis fab for three months. I plan on bagging it out in chassis fab. I will post some pics when i get it done.

[clynt11]

Did you install everything yourself? If so, how did it go and did you run into any problems with the coolride kit up front? Im really wanting to go with the coolride kit but some people have told me that if i want to lay frame w/ 20s then the cups are to tall and will need to install shorter ones along with doing some cutting and trimming.

[MattM1683]

yes, me and my brother did all of the installation. It went very well. Took us 3 full days to complete. No real problems with the front coolride kit. The only time consuming part was drilling the 8 holes in the upper a-arms for the upper bag plate (you' ll need a right angle drill). Other then that, the coolride kit was a snap. Not sure about laying frame with 20' s yet, I only have 17' s. I guess I' ll deal with that problem when I purchase 20' s one day soon.
-Matt M-

[clynt11]

Hey matt, on the pics you have here on the art site, i noticed the control arms sitting on the ground, but are any of the pics of the side view of the truck laying also. It kinda looks as though its aired up to a level stance. I was just wanting to see a full pic of the truck all the way aired out. Thanks

[MattM1683]

Not really sure how flat the bags are in those pics I have posted. My brother took the pics and I' m not sure where he had the bags at and at what psi. I' ll take a picture today of it fully layed out and post it on MONDAY. Not a problem.
-Matt M-

Thanks for the post about " allignment" . Do you recommend any shops in the Chicago land area?

[clynt11]

Sweet , thanks. And about the chicago area sorry but i have not the closest idea and wont be much help>

[MattM1683]

the sun was causing me a problem this weekend for a good picture of the truck. I' m going to try again in a few different locations and have it posted as soon as possible, sorry for the daley
-matt m-

[clynt11]

Cool, anxious to see it. Thanks

[clynt11]

Hey matt, Got any pics????

[MattM1683]

clynt,

i totally forgot to post my new pics. give me a day to download them and post some new ones. check tomorrow (thursday).

-matt m-

[clynt11]

??? Its friday.....hey i have a question on your front setup. I started installing my coolride kit and it isnt going so good. I got my coil spring out but i dont have enough room to get my drill in there to drill the holes for the top bracket. Did you take off your lower a arm or what? Its starting to really tick me off....if you could let me know asap i would appreciate it. Thanks

[MattM1683]

Me and my brother came across that exact same problem. We had to go out and rent a " right angle drill" for the upper holes. Did you think of a better way? Sorry about the pics.....I' m trying to find some good ones, possible take some new ones.
-Matt M-

[clynt11]

All my a arm bushings are pretty much gone so i am just going to have the tire place im having them replaced at drill the rear holes. I figured that since i am having them replaced anyways, they can drill a couple holes while its tore apart.