This is the second of two stories discussing how the California Hauler got a new stance. The last article (Nov. '07, KC) highlighted the new rear parallel springs from Detroit Eaton Spring, while this installment covers the new front coil springs from AIM Industries. AIM Industries sells six different coil springs for the '82-and-up S-10s, depending on whether your truck is a four- or six-cylinder, and if you want it lowered 1, 2, or 3 inches. The cost is around $80 for a pair of coils, but shipping and handling is brutal (possibly due to their weight).
We had taken the California Hauler (the 'glass '41 Willys body from Auto Classics mounted to a stock Chevy S-10 chassis) to Dagel's Street Rods in Orange, California, to have them fabricate both engine and trans mounts and add the new suspension components. We could have gone with an airbag suspension, but we thought we'd try the old-school method with modified parts. Our before and after measurements show we were able to lower the truck a full inch, and that amount will probably grow once the springs settle in and we go through a few dips in the road with it.
The next step in the Hauler's buildup will be installing the 347 Ford V-8 that was assembled and dyno'd at Smeding Performance in Rancho Cordova, California. We'll also take a look at the Ford AODE transmission from TCI Automotive in Ashland, Mississippi. From there, it's on to the nose and fenders assembly. Hey! It'll look like a real truck soon!