How do I figure out what I' ve got and will it handle

[56 F100]

I am pretty sure that my frame has a camaro front clip welded in (I foolishly took over someones project), but I wanted to be sure before I proceeded with ordering is there a surefire way to find out. Is there usually a serial number somewhere. Also if it is a ' 79 Camaro will I be able to just bolt in a set of shockwaves or will I need new A-arms in order to get it to handle the way I like. It is a truck but I live on a curvy hill and I really enjoy throwing it at the corners with little mercy. When I ask people about air-ride I usually hear the words " Cadillac" or " Lincoln" and " rides like" none of this to me conotes a corner carver which is what I would like my project to lean towards. As to the rear I believe it is out of a chevelle and is held in place by the stock leaf springs. I see that for the most part you advocate the weld in four link, is the parallel setup superior to the triangular in terms of handling performance. Sorry, I am not really that knowledgeable when it comes to suspension. Will I still be able to use my no limit sway bar in the rear with a four-link. Ultimately I want the vehicle to wear a number of hats I want it to handle, get up my driveway, and be reliable can I rely on air-ride to satisfy these requirements? Can it handle these requirements and sit in the weeds when I park? What other additions can I make to guarantee that it comes close to my handling expectations? Also as a sidenote if I have a programmable alarm system do you recommend against programming the alarm to slam the car when parked? Thank you for all your help?

[darren@ridetech.com]

So many questions.....where to start. OK regardless of what type of front suspension it has you will probably want to use the Shockwaves up front for the better handling characteristics of the QA1 shocks. I really don' t know how to tell the if it is in fact a Camaro clip, but if you can give me some measurement I can tell you which Shockwave will fit best. With the lower control arm at ride height, measure the distance from the top of the lower control arm (where the trunion will sit) to the upper shock stud hole in the frame.

On the rear you will have to use the parallel 4 link with the GM rear end. The center section is cast and cannot be welded to accept the upper triangulated 4 link mount.

[56 F100]

Thanks for your help Darren, I appreciate all your input. I have the whole truck apart right now. I have a completely bare frame in my driveway. If I cannot set it to ride height is there another way to work out what size shockwaves will work? Should I just take a gamble and assume that it is in fact a Camaro front clip and try to return them if I am incorrect? Any other suggestions?

Thanks again for your ongoing assistance with this matter. I don' t suppose there is any chance you guys are going to be at the Southern California Truck Jamboree this weekend?

[darren@ridetech.com]

Really there are only two different shocks that will fit. And actually they will both fit, one will just sit lower than the other, so we have a 50/50 shot.
Do you have drop spindles? How low do you want it?

[56 F100]

No I don' t have dropped spindles which was my next question. Do you recommend a dropped spindle? Will air-ride alone get me to the ride height that I want. I do not necessarily have to lay frame I just want it to look good, and handle. It is my understanding that I can expect about six inches of travel with air-ride is this correct? My main goal with air-ride is to be able to get the vehicle up my driveway, so I suppose my main concern is whether I can get it high enough, not low enough.

[darren@ridetech.com]

I would put the Shockwaves on first then if it isn' t low enough go with the spindles. The Shockwaves will have about 4.5 to 5" of travel, which also depends on which shock we use.

[56 F100]

In consulting with a few people I have found out that the original front clip was four inches narrower than what I have now confirmed is a camaro front clip. I was thinking about getting narrower spindles to accomodate, and have found that for the most part these narrower spindles also incorporate a 3" drop. Do you know if getting narrower spindles will affect the steering geometry? Which is to say will I be rubbing my wheels against the inside fenders?

Thanks again.

Shannon

[darren@ridetech.com]

Shannon,
Why are you going to use narrower spindles? Are you having trouble finding a wheel with the right offset?
Either way it will affect the geometry, but I don' t think it will hurt anything. I just changes a few things.
Are you sure they are not narrowed control arms, never heard of narrowed spindles?