The Stovebolt Site Forums Project Journals Archived Journals 1970 Chevy C10 - Grandpa’s Rebuild.

Tonight I hit a snag that I was sort of expecting, but still didn't want to deal with. With running the 2.5" pipes through the cross member I knew I was going to be close to the trailing arms with the pipes and mufflers being straight. With everyday sort of driving it would clear and likely be fine, but I just couldn't sit easy without knowing just how close it would be if the truck were to bottom out the rear suspension completely. I had measured but it was difficult to get accurate measurements because of the rear springs and such. So, I blocked the rear frame, I pulled the rear springs out ( rediscovering how much I hate fighting rusted bolts, especially 1/2" buggers that fight the whole way until the VERY end and THEN twist off...), and then I bottomed out the rear end. Of course it hit, not a lot, but I'm not taking any chances. I began to plan out how to do this. I had simply ordered some pre-bent pieces of pipe to build my exhaust and had to figure out how I was going to use what I had left to raise the x member through pipe up about 2". I cut along the parallel in 2 180° pieces I had and then cleaned them up in preparation for welding them together to raise it up.

A few more hours in, but I think I will be in good shape. I am going to build the rest of the exhaust with the suspension compressed.