About a decade ago I swapped my power steering out for a s-10 manual gearbox out of a 4 banger. Great video! Its nice that gm has so many models and years that jive. I've already bought rear lowering springs and shocks (beltech) and beltech 2" drop spindles. At the time, didnt realize I could have used 3rd gen camaro spindles, especially the 1le package . 2 +2, Sweet car dude!My first car was an 81 lemans, and my 78 malibu was literally purchased just so everything I got for the lemans bolted over. However, I'd sell it to buy that lemans again, waaay less common, and meaner looking
Nice Grand Prix 2+2! Thanks for this info I have 2 of these cars including a Grand National and a 84 Cutlass Supreme grandma car that was a one owner car. I also have a 77 Cutlass Supreme that I plan on swapping an LS motor into and building up to be everything it could’ve been from the factory
Had lowered a monte ss front with heating springs and cut slightly new moog sway bar links for 30.00. Keeping the swaybar level to ground. Worked great. Car ran nice . No issues. Bought springs to lower the rear.
Oops! Already spent money on two different three-letter control arm kits (front set and rear set). I did cop the Blazer spindles and calipers from the junkyard and replaced the hubs and rotors. Thanks for the info!
Great video. I used a late 80s g body Monte Carlo as steering box. I wonder how much different your steering box is. Mine was definitely a upgrade because I was basically doing the Midwest swang turning the wheel 14 times around a corner.
Awesome video really great info,thank you. You mention that your car could do with a little bit heavier spring in the front I have the same engine in my 82 El Camino. Do you think I should go with the same front spring as yours #5660 or maybe moog #5662 and the #5409’s in the rear? Oh I forget to mention it has 17 inch wheels on it.
Hey I was wanting to ask will a 1984 Pontiac Firebird front sway bar work as well? Great video by the way you just got a new subscriber👍🏽. That Pontiac 2+2 you have is something special indeed, have two G-Bodies I'm working on 85 Cutlass 442 and 79 El Camino.
Great video, do you have recommendations for springs and shocks ? I have a 2 door 1980 Malibu with a SBC 350, idk if I can go with the same you have, thank you
Rag joints do not have play in them unless they are worn or broken. How does that steering shaft allow for linear change when the frame is moving in relation to the body?
Awesome video! Thanks for breaking things down so clearly. Any thoughts on what rear spring rates to run for el camino owners who are going to use their cars mostly as cruisers but would like to occasionally use the bed for parts runs and other truck stuff?
They make a set of cargo springs that might be a good option for occasional loading. I am on Moog 5409 currently. Moog 5413 would probably be a better option on your heavier rear end elco. It's a 68-72 a body spring that gives a slight lowering but still has a good load rating.
Full size late 70's early to mid 80's station wagons some have progressive rate rear springs. To handle a load. Like if you put an engine in the back. If it's to tall when installed you can cut a 1/2 coil at a time to get your desired ride hight. Just remember NOT to cut the progressive side of the spring. Tightly wound side of the spring. You'll see. Happy motoring
Brake up grade, use 2000 Bravada, S10, or Blazer 2 wheel drive front knuckles (spindles) . This gives you a larger diameter rotors, dual piston calipers and sealed bearings. Bolts onto your stock ball joints. This is pretty cheap for around $100 and will give you better stopping power. May be an issue with 14” rims though, I went with 17 and 18” rims so I don’t know if that is a problem, but during the build I used S10 rims and tires with no interference.
Hey Murphy, I just sent this because it's a cheap way to do this it cost me less than 200 bucks for everything and that was new bearings and everything rotors We're new as well.
My man... I'm an interpreter, building my childhood car, 85 Limited Regal. Your explanations are phenomenal. I've never been a gear head, but quickly learned paying others gets expensive, quick. I have a question, I put 20 inch 100 spoke wheels on my car. She's a V6. I cant go over 45-50 mph without rubbing while hitting bumps or transitions in the road due to the boat float. I know I need shocks, they're next, but any suggestions for keeping it stiff enough to put the family in it and go grab dinner and even more so, get on the highway?
your wheels are too big. i run a square body s10 blazer. we share alot of the same parts. including wheel size these guys only came with 14 and 15 inch rims and the sidewalls werent huge. i run 18's as its the biggest rim to safely run 17 inch is really all u should run. my 18's have 265/40/r18 tires on them. smallest sidewall id run where i live 45 for the sidewall is my favorite. but 40 kept me just over stock tire height. my fronts just touch the mud flaps on sharp turns but i dont touch the wheel wells front or back and my wheels stick out a good few inches past the wheel wells so it would be catastrophic if it did so.
I have 79 Malibu 4dr lower milage, literally old lady's car. In great shape. 305 auto. Going with aluminum headed single turbo 331ci auto (500-650 hp) . Street driving #1. Drag racing #2. No auto-cross. No curvy roads were I live. Looked through you videos 1st. Can you recommend someone else's bugget videos . Thanks . I'm a machinest/ fabricator / welder. Plan on 9"swap , already have it.
Any recommendations for the rear springs part number wise? I see you gave us recommendations for front springs from moog. I have a 1986 Monte Carlo I'm putting the bilsteins on, but I'm okay dropping one inch if my springs are stiffer all around.
@@hackjobhotrodshop5075 5379 is what I was looking at. I'm trying to achieve the same ride height "almost" but with stiffer springs. By same rise height I mean the height I have now with 35 year old stock springs.
Great video! Very helpful. Maybe someone can clarify for me. I have an 82elco and was unable to find the brace for the rear sway bar that he clearly has. Am I an idiot or do I just not have it?
The 'brace' for the rear sway bar, are you speaking about the bracket it attaches the end links to the frame or the bracket that attaches to the rear end?
@@mayfairauto2431 if you are putting a stock g body rear sway bar on the car it attaches to 2 holes in the lower control arms on both sides. My sway bar off the blazer mounts to the axle itself not the control arms and the end links connect to the frame.
It's one I made, it's 2 #6 90 degree hydraulic fittings with about 8 inches of hose and uses the Saginaw to JIC 37 degree hydraulic fitting adapters in the pump and steering box.
The stock lower control arms are C shaped and flex when you put a sticky tire and decent power in the car. Welding in a strip of metal to make it a full box helps reinforce them.
Do you have a recommendation on front springs? I've got a turbo regal with the ac deleted so it's quite a bit lighter in the front. I'm not trying to lower the car beyond what the ball joints get me
5658 is probably the best goto. I just put 5660's in my turbo Buick swap cutlass with aluminum core support and front bumper and had to cut 3/4 coil to get the height right
Afternoon you were talking about how some of the 7.5 8.5 rear ends are a bit offset.. I'm running a Quick performance 9inch,BMR non adjustable controls arms and my rear seems to be 3/8of an inch off from the driver side. I have a 255/60/15 tire and it runs the frame. Just on the driverside. Could those arms be bad. I've measured the frame to the body they're the same.
@@hackjobhotrodshop5075 ok I'll switch those out for adjustable ones. I built it as a replacement for the 7.5. this all behind a turbo LS setup for street duty.
It would be worth doing a V6 f body 30mm if you find one almost free, it's pretty close in size if not identical to a stock f41 hd one that came in a MCSS or 442. The stock g body v6 bar is insanely small.
What long lower ball joints did you buy and can I use the stock upper control arm or should I go aftermarket like you. I put a 5.3 in my 84 Monte Carlo by myself
They are proforged ones that you can get from summit or any typical aftermarket supplier. I'd drive the car and see how you like it before you go to an aftermarket arm. I found i couldn't get enough caster in my front end to center the tires like I wanted and was camber limited by the header hitting the stock arm
It will fit, just make sure it measures 34mm or so and is hollow. Some of the early F bodies have smaller solid bars that are the same as the stock G body f41 swaybars. An Iroc should be big but I'd check.
245/45/17 front on 8" wheel and 275/40 on 9" wheel rear. I swap to 275 drag radial on a 10" wheel for drag race. I have 165r15 skinnies for the front but the car is too heavy for them and it road hunts bad so I rarely run them
@@hackjobhotrodshop5075 Would you mind dropping a part number in here? I’ve seen several ask and like them I’m also having trouble finding a taller LOWER ball joint. Summits website only shows uppers under proforge when I add my vehicle. What’s the trick? Thanks!
@@hackjobhotrodshop5075 Dude, this is the best video I’ve seen explaining the suspension and budget. You usually have them spending thousands on suspension kits. Can I have your email adress? If it isn’t too much trouble I would like a list of what you have purchased. If you are happy I am sure I will be.
Boat, I think you are confusing a G body with an impala, 70's Chrysler, Dodge, Plymouth or maybe an old LTD, G body's such as an 83 to 88 Monte carlo SS when they were new handled second to NONE!!!! and would kill any Corvette of the same or older era. It is not by accident that most racers in the country STILL use these on the dirt tracks today. These cars were way ahead of their time and highly sought after to this day.
About a decade ago I swapped my power steering out for a s-10 manual gearbox out of a 4 banger. Great video! Its nice that gm has so many models and years that jive. I've already bought rear lowering springs and shocks (beltech) and beltech 2" drop spindles. At the time, didnt realize I could have used 3rd gen camaro spindles, especially the 1le package . 2 +2, Sweet car dude!My first car was an 81 lemans, and my 78 malibu was literally purchased just so everything I got for the lemans bolted over. However, I'd sell it to buy that lemans again, waaay less common, and meaner looking
Excellent video and great info.
Great information you’ve shared.
I totally agree with you on not purchasing 4k suspension kit.
Thanks for sharing….
Nice Grand Prix 2+2! Thanks for this info I have 2 of these cars including a Grand National and a 84 Cutlass Supreme grandma car that was a one owner car. I also have a 77 Cutlass Supreme that I plan on swapping an LS motor into and building up to be everything it could’ve been from the factory
Had lowered a monte ss front with heating springs and cut slightly new moog sway bar links for 30.00. Keeping the swaybar level to ground. Worked great. Car ran nice . No issues. Bought springs to lower the rear.
Being 20 and getting my first G body I needed this 😂
We in the same boat gng😂😂😂
@@MEZI1K not many of us like the old schools fr
@@k9dave967 no frl I’m in the Malibu today what’s yo ig fam I’m trying to see your progress.
Great video! Thanks man!!
Oops! Already spent money on two different three-letter control arm kits (front set and rear set). I did cop the Blazer spindles and calipers from the junkyard and replaced the hubs and rotors. Thanks for the info!
Great video. I used a late 80s g body Monte Carlo as steering box. I wonder how much different your steering box is. Mine was definitely a upgrade because I was basically doing the Midwest swang turning the wheel 14 times around a corner.
Awesome video really great info,thank you. You mention that your car could do with a little bit heavier spring in the front I have the same engine in my 82 El Camino. Do you think I should go with the same front spring as yours #5660 or maybe moog #5662 and the #5409’s in the rear? Oh I forget to mention it has 17 inch wheels on it.
Hey I was wanting to ask will a 1984 Pontiac Firebird front sway bar work as well? Great video by the way you just got a new subscriber👍🏽. That Pontiac 2+2 you have is something special indeed, have two G-Bodies I'm working on 85 Cutlass 442 and 79 El Camino.
Great video, do you have recommendations for springs and shocks ? I have a 2 door 1980 Malibu with a SBC 350, idk if I can go with the same you have, thank you
I'm glad I have a 91 ws-6 formula firebird doner car with stick shift
What lower ball joints? I never heard you say a part number or chasis type to look for
Rag joints do not have play in them unless they are worn or broken.
How does that steering shaft allow for linear change when the frame is moving in relation to the body?
Awesome video! Thanks for breaking things down so clearly. Any thoughts on what rear spring rates to run for el camino owners who are going to use their cars mostly as cruisers but would like to occasionally use the bed for parts runs and other truck stuff?
They make a set of cargo springs that might be a good option for occasional loading. I am on Moog 5409 currently. Moog 5413 would probably be a better option on your heavier rear end elco. It's a 68-72 a body spring that gives a slight lowering but still has a good load rating.
Full size late 70's early to mid 80's station wagons some have progressive rate rear springs. To handle a load. Like if you put an engine in the back. If it's to tall when installed you can cut a 1/2 coil at a time to get your desired ride hight. Just remember NOT to cut the progressive side of the spring. Tightly wound side of the spring. You'll see. Happy motoring
how did you get the Camaro front sway bar to fit...the bushings are bigger
Wanted to know what if I was to put a taller upper ball aswell ??
Brake up grade, use 2000 Bravada, S10, or Blazer 2 wheel drive front knuckles (spindles) . This gives you a larger diameter rotors, dual piston calipers and sealed bearings. Bolts onto your stock ball joints. This is pretty cheap for around $100 and will give you better stopping power. May be an issue with 14” rims though, I went with 17 and 18” rims so I don’t know if that is a problem, but during the build I used S10 rims and tires with no interference.
Your correct only 15" wheels or bigger will fit this setup 👍🏽
1998-05 2wd blazer, bravada, jimmy will work. S10 pickup will not
I put c5 rotors and calibers on mine with a fabbed up bracket
Hey Murphy, I just sent this because it's a cheap way to do this it cost me less than 200 bucks for everything and that was new bearings and everything rotors We're new as well.
I agree it's a super cheap way to get good brakes im just giving everyone a little info that if they want to upgrade further it can be easily achieved
My man... I'm an interpreter, building my childhood car, 85 Limited Regal. Your explanations are phenomenal. I've never been a gear head, but quickly learned paying others gets expensive, quick.
I have a question, I put 20 inch 100 spoke wheels on my car. She's a V6. I cant go over 45-50 mph without rubbing while hitting bumps or transitions in the road due to the boat float. I know I need shocks, they're next, but any suggestions for keeping it stiff enough to put the family in it and go grab dinner and even more so, get on the highway?
your wheels are too big.
i run a square body s10 blazer. we share alot of the same parts. including wheel size these guys only came with 14 and 15 inch rims and the sidewalls werent huge. i run 18's as its the biggest rim to safely run 17 inch is really all u should run. my 18's have 265/40/r18 tires on them. smallest sidewall id run where i live 45 for the sidewall is my favorite. but 40 kept me just over stock tire height. my fronts just touch the mud flaps on sharp turns but i dont touch the wheel wells front or back and my wheels stick out a good few inches past the wheel wells so it would be catastrophic if it did so.
My 1979 el Camino does not have that rear frame brace. Lost money on a rear sway bar. I should have checked first.
I have 79 Malibu 4dr lower milage, literally old lady's car. In great shape. 305 auto. Going with aluminum headed single turbo 331ci auto (500-650 hp) . Street driving #1. Drag racing #2. No auto-cross. No curvy roads were I live. Looked through you videos 1st. Can you recommend someone else's bugget videos . Thanks . I'm a machinest/ fabricator / welder. Plan on 9"swap , already have it.
Any recommendations for the rear springs part number wise? I see you gave us recommendations for front springs from moog. I have a 1986 Monte Carlo I'm putting the bilsteins on, but I'm okay dropping one inch if my springs are stiffer all around.
5409 for a lighter car and 5413 if it's heavier
@@hackjobhotrodshop5075 5379 is what I was looking at. I'm trying to achieve the same ride height "almost" but with stiffer springs. By same rise height I mean the height I have now with 35 year old stock springs.
Great video! Very helpful. Maybe someone can clarify for me. I have an 82elco and was unable to find the brace for the rear sway bar that he clearly has. Am I an idiot or do I just not have it?
The 'brace' for the rear sway bar, are you speaking about the bracket it attaches the end links to the frame or the bracket that attaches to the rear end?
@@hackjobhotrodshop5075 Where does the rear sway connect if the car didn't come with a rear sway at all?
@@mayfairauto2431 if you are putting a stock g body rear sway bar on the car it attaches to 2 holes in the lower control arms on both sides. My sway bar off the blazer mounts to the axle itself not the control arms and the end links connect to the frame.
Terrific video!!! What hose is on the high pressure side on the power steering line ?
Thank you
It's one I made, it's 2 #6 90 degree hydraulic fittings with about 8 inches of hose and uses the Saginaw to JIC 37 degree hydraulic fitting adapters in the pump and steering box.
@@hackjobhotrodshop5075 that’s what I was thinking. I’m in need of one for my Camaro. I thing a g body factory works
You earned a sub from me the second you mocked the 79 owners 😂
Could you elaborate a little more on the "boxing of rear control arm"?
The stock lower control arms are C shaped and flex when you put a sticky tire and decent power in the car. Welding in a strip of metal to make it a full box helps reinforce them.
Do you have a recommendation on front springs? I've got a turbo regal with the ac deleted so it's quite a bit lighter in the front. I'm not trying to lower the car beyond what the ball joints get me
5658 is probably the best goto. I just put 5660's in my turbo Buick swap cutlass with aluminum core support and front bumper and had to cut 3/4 coil to get the height right
Thanks man!
Afternoon you were talking about how some of the 7.5 8.5 rear ends are a bit offset.. I'm running a Quick performance 9inch,BMR non adjustable controls arms and my rear seems to be 3/8of an inch off from the driver side. I have a 255/60/15 tire and it runs the frame. Just on the driverside. Could those arms be bad. I've measured the frame to the body they're the same.
Probably not the arms being bad, just tolerance in the frame hole locations. Adjustable upper arms can bring in into alignment
@@hackjobhotrodshop5075 ok I'll switch those out for adjustable ones. I built it as a replacement for the 7.5. this all behind a turbo LS setup for street duty.
@@hackjobhotrodshop5075 thank you for the intuitive information on the mapping for ac. I will have that too.
Think a 30mm 3rd Gen Camaro front sway bar is better than than a stock v6 g-body sway bar? I can't find 34mm or 36mm to save my life around me
It would be worth doing a V6 f body 30mm if you find one almost free, it's pretty close in size if not identical to a stock f41 hd one that came in a MCSS or 442. The stock g body v6 bar is insanely small.
Hey great video. How much did that super charger run you and what did you use to make it fit ???
The blower was $200. It has a magnusson truck lower kit intake manifold and an adapter plate I machined.
What long lower ball joints did you buy and can I use the stock upper control arm or should I go aftermarket like you. I put a 5.3 in my 84 Monte Carlo by myself
They are proforged ones that you can get from summit or any typical aftermarket supplier. I'd drive the car and see how you like it before you go to an aftermarket arm. I found i couldn't get enough caster in my front end to center the tires like I wanted and was camber limited by the header hitting the stock arm
This guy is the bomb think this is a oneG car for $700 that’s just amazing.
What are the drop rates for the springs you listed?
It's tough to say. It got me 1" over saggy stock springs. Very dependent on your engine weight, how saggy your existing stock springs are, ect.
I found one but it's in a 1986 Camaro iroc z will this fit the gbody
It will fit, just make sure it measures 34mm or so and is hollow. Some of the early F bodies have smaller solid bars that are the same as the stock G body f41 swaybars. An Iroc should be big but I'd check.
@@hackjobhotrodshop5075 thanks bro
Is that a rear facing or forward facing S-10 Blazer rear sway bars
I believe it is rear facing.
@hackjobhotrodshop5075 It is a front facing bar but, in an S10 it sits on top of the differential.
Can you tell me what size wheels and tires you are running? Donyou run different wheels and tires drag racing vs the street and autocross
245/45/17 front on 8" wheel and 275/40 on 9" wheel rear. I swap to 275 drag radial on a 10" wheel for drag race. I have 165r15 skinnies for the front but the car is too heavy for them and it road hunts bad so I rarely run them
@@hackjobhotrodshop5075 thank you. Can you tell me the offset and or backspacing of the wheels you are using
@@jamiewooldridge4670 whatever year 1 lists for their 17*8 and 9 rally 2's. They only offer that one size.
@@hackjobhotrodshop5075 Thank you
You lucked out and found a 8.5 Grand National rear
Where do you get the taller lower ball joint you're talking about?
Summit has them they are Proforged brand.
@@hackjobhotrodshop5075 thanks
@@hackjobhotrodshop5075 Would you mind dropping a part number in here? I’ve seen several ask and like them I’m also having trouble finding a taller LOWER ball joint. Summits website only shows uppers under proforge when I add my vehicle. What’s the trick? Thanks!
What aftermarket uppers are you running, and do you recommend them?
Actually purchased them from a guy who makes them in Michigan. If you are interested I can get you his contact info
@@hackjobhotrodshop5075 of they're somewhat budget friendly I'll definitely take his info, they look pretty nice
@@patrickkirby5003 mpcowan9396@gmail.com
@@hackjobhotrodshop5075 Dude, this is the best video I’ve seen explaining the suspension and budget. You usually have them spending thousands on suspension kits. Can I have your email adress? If it isn’t too much trouble I would like a list of what you have purchased. If you are happy I am sure I will be.
Did you have to modify the sway bar to get it to fit?
Nope! Both work fine as is!
@@hackjobhotrodshop5075 thanks
Where to buy bump stops
eBay is where I grabbed mine.
Boat, I think you are confusing a G body with an impala, 70's Chrysler, Dodge, Plymouth or maybe an old LTD, G body's such as an 83 to 88 Monte carlo SS when they were new handled second to NONE!!!! and would kill any Corvette of the same or older era. It is not by accident that most racers in the country STILL use these on the dirt tracks today. These cars were way ahead of their time and highly sought after to this day.