1989 Chevy Short Bed Step Side 4-6 drop and Chassis Overhaul

This is the truck, complete unmolested, with toasted paint, it's a bucket seat truck with all factory options, body is straight, absolutely rust free, and the bed is perfect, I am the third owner. The drop and chassis overhaul will be completed in December/January when I have a month of vacation. I am currently working on deferred maintenance issues and fabricating parts.



I am doing a 4/6 inch drop with a under bed c notch of my own design, the boxing plates are not shown. The reason for the custom notch is peace of mind while towing and when I find some horsepower bracket racing.



The rear suspension will be the stock spring pack, Air Lift Slam Air overload bag kit, and CalTracs #3304 traction bars for flipped applications.





This is a mock-up on a McGaughys notch (not used) to show the Jeep CJ bump stop and the Air Lift upper bag bracket, worth noting the Air Lift Slam Air (P/N 59106 BT) bag bracket is a bolt on if you are using a McGaughys notch.



The shock relocation is handled by Belltech upper frame brackets.



The compressor for the bags and utility air for general stuff (motorcycle racing), is a Viair high flow 200 psi compressor which will live behind the drivers seat (yes it fits), regulators, solenoids, gauges and related stuff will live in the forward portion of the stock console. Utility air QD's will live in the cab corners behind the seat belts.



Shocks are Bilstein for lowered applications.



Moving to the front suspension 2 inch dropped spindles and 2 inch dropped springs are McGaughys.



Suspension and steering is all new Moog, new upper and lower control arms (not shown) are Napa Gold.



Rag joint eliminated with a nice Borgeson steering shaft.



Front brakes are Stop Tech as are the calipers, the pads are EBC Yellow Stuff, rear brakes are getting overhauled with Raybestos PG Plus parts including a new master cylinder. This upgrades the brakes to a reasonable equivalent of the F44 option.



And nice stiff Goodridge brake hoses.



More to follow as it happens.
: Mike

Because I will be running fairly wide front tires along with the Borgeson steering shaft and towing on bad pavement, a steering damper was something on my list. I have looked at a bunch of these kits for the 2 wheel drive GMT400's, what I found lacking was really stout mounting brackets. The Fabtech P/N FTS8102 kit was the best quality for the best price. The brackets are 1/4" steel with welded corner gussets, really nice quality. The damper has a 9/16" shaft and a 1 3/8" shim stack style piston, it does not disappoint.