Custom Rigs’ Pro Tips / April ’09

SLAMMIN’ FRONT

I have a 2004 Classic XL with a 550 cat and want to lower the front end to make it look more custom and aggressive. I would like to know how I can do it the right way or if there is a kit that I can buy? Also how low can I go with it, my truck is a working truck with a 265-inch wheel base. Will doing this cause any damage to my truck? – Mr. Goodkatt, Crawfordville, FL.

 Here is what the CSM crew would do! You could start by removing the ‘spacer blocks’ underneath the leaf springs. To do this it will require you remove the dowel pins that are pressed into the front axle beam and you must re-use the thin tapered shim (don’t remove or discard em’!) that sits on top of the front axle. You will most likely need to order four new shorter u-bolts to accommodate the removal of the spacer blocks. Another cheap trick is to visit a salvage yard and look for some shorter rear spring shackles than the OEM ones. Last option (and the most expensive & involved one) is to order and ‘air bag kit’ from us, remove one leaf from your spring assembly and install the air bag kit or-if you are uneasy about removing an entire leaf, visit a salvage yard or chassis spring shop and locate a spring leaf the same length, but a thinner / weaker one to let the spring ‘relax’ and lower the truck down a lot, then-when you want go truckin’, charge the air bags with about 25-30psi and the truck will raise up a good 2.5-3inches or so to allow for more bumper clearance. If you need more info, give us a shout at 417-624-2900. – Bryan Martin, 4 State Trucks/Chrome Shop Mafia; (417) 624-2900

 “That I know of there is not a lowering kit that exists for semi trucks. The most common way is to remove the spacer blocks from under the spring and installing shorter u-bolts. This would lower your truck’s front end about 2 to 3 inches depending on the height of the original spacer blocks. Keep in mind that because the caster changes a lot when this is done a front axle alignment would be required.  — Anthony Garcia, Triple R Diesel / Texas Chrome Shop; (210) 410-6161

 FLATTOP ULTRA CAB

I’d like to take the Unibilt ultra cab roof off a 379 and put a regular Unibilt top on so i can put a flat top onto the truck.  Is it possible to swap the roof caps without a lot of fabrication? I can’t seem to find any good advice or parts on a project like this. I know you can chop down an ultra sleeper and retain the ultra cab top. But I like the factory look better. Any info on this would be very appreciated thanks.  Seth Dodson, via web

 Hey Seth, There really aren’t any short cuts to turn your ‘Ultra’ cab into a traditional ‘Unibilt’ cab with the standard ‘low height’ roof. You will need to purchase a roof cap, rear cab corner skins, rear cab skin, new sleeper boot, a Unibilt ‘cab opening’ ring and a few small inner structure pieces to swap out with your original ‘Ultra’ panels. Regarding the bunk, you would save some $$ by sourcing a good used Unibilt flat top sleeper, rather than modifying your sleeper. Good used flat top 63″ bunks are plentiful and can be bought at a very reasonable price-far cheaper than you could retrofit your Ultra Bunk. Of course when you get it all put together, it will require painting and most likely the cab will need a different sun visor.

 Before you ‘dive in’ to this project – give the Ultra Flat Top Sleeper Roof Conversion Kit at www.4statetrucks.com another look. It’s around $2500, can be installed fairly quickly, requires NO cab mods, and once you get it installed, I will guaranty you that most folks will not recognize the fact that it is an Ultra Cab rather than a standard flat-top!  Die hard like us will, but your average Joe will glance and swear it’s another cool flattop 379! Good Luck with your project and ‘Keep Us Posted’ as you make progress!  Bryan “BossMan” Martin, Chrome Shop Mafia