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Classic Performance Products |
1963-72 Chevy Truck Tubular Suspension Install |
By Bob Ryder |
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Classic Performance Products in Anaheim, California, was established
in 1991 by Jim Ries and has been an innovator in manufacturing classic truck
and automotive custom suspension components, both hard suspension parts
and pneumatic bag systems. CPP also specializes in disc brake conversions,
master cylinders, power boosters, custom aluminum gas tanks, and power steering
units, tilt steering columns, and other cool custom stuff. |
Part I:
This will be the first of three suspension upgrade tech install articles
for '63-72 Chevy trucks. Part I will consist of installing a CPP rear suspension
with a redesigned "flat" center crossmember with an optional driveshaft
support bearing. All crossmem- bers come with larger 4x5-inch exhaust openings.
The rear trailing arm mounts have been relocated 4 inches up to achieve
the correct pinion angle. A pair of beefy, 2-inch DOM tubular trailing arms
will replace the wimpy stock units. The tubular trailing arm bushings are
made of a newly patented, D-Spec, heat-resistant, self-lubricating material
that offers long life and an amazingly quiet, comfortable ride. A pair of
shorter progressive coil springs and CPP gas-filled shocks allow another
2 inches of drop in the rear ride height. To eliminate any lateral movement
of the rearend housing, a CPP track bar will be installed. All this will
allow the rear suspension to sit 6 inches lower than the stock ride height. |
Part II:
Here we will feature the installation of Classic
Performance Products' front suspension, consisting of tubular upper and
lower control arms with a pair of 2-inch drop spindles and shorter coil
springs, allowing the nose to be dropped 4 inches. |
Part III:
The third tech article will upgrade the original
drum brakes to a much more efficient CPP front and rear disc brake system
with E-brake. The kit features large rotors and dual-piston calipers at
all four corners. We will be capturing all the critical moves as fabricator/installation
technician Jeff Wise and engineer/designer Danny Nix flex their talents
and skills as they install the CPP tubular rear suspension kit. |
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1...A newly designed 1/4-inch-thick, laser-cut, steel plate,
dropped center crossmember features a larger driveshalt opening (also available
with a driveshalt support bearing). larger 4x5-inch oval exhaust openings
relocate the trailing arm pickup points up 4 inches and correct the factory
pinion angle. The crossmember main plate's notched sides allow clearance
space for the brake line, fuel line, and large diameter air lines. There
are also new 1-inch-diameter tubular trailing arms with a coil spring mounting
pad. |
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2...The remainder of the CPP rear suspension C-notch 6-inch
drop kit includes replacement U-bolts, 2-inch lowering blocks, 4-inch shorter
coil springs, shock remounting brackets, CPP shocks, and a pair offramerail
C-notch reinforcing plates. |
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3-4...The well-worn shocks were unbolted and removed from
the framerails and original trailing arms. |
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5...To separate the rear axle housing from the rear trailing
arms, an air impact gun is used to remove the U-bolt nuts. |
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6...The original '72 rear suspension track bar was unbolted
from the factory rear axle housing; notice the rear axle-housing track bar
mounting bar built into the axle housing. With the CPP track bar, it will
bolt up to the right rear tubular trailing arm and left framerail. |
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7...With all the securing fasteners removed, the rear end
axle housing was removed from the factory trailing arms and frame. |
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8-9...A cheater bar was used to remove the rusty old bolts
from the coil spring framerail mount. The rear factory coil spring was removed
from the framerail mount. |
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10-11...An ol' skool cutting torch was used to blaze off the
factory rear bump stop mounting bracket. |
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12...After drilling out the stubborn factory rivets securing
the factory center crossmember, it is removed. |
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Go
To Part Two |
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