We've been teasing you for some time with various installations on our resident red '67 Chevy longbed, all the while never really showing an overall shot of the truck. We began by swapping the tired small-block with a Goodwrench 350 from GM Performance Parts and quickly followed it up with a complete air conditioning unit from Classic Auto Air. Soon after, we replaced all of the front trim with the help of LMC Truck, added new gauges and a billet panel from Dolphin, and added power windows from Electric Life. Not a bad list at all, but we're happy to report that we just may have saved the best for last.
This truck has all the while been running around with the four stock drums and worn 31-inch tires--not exactly our standard fare. We wanted to perform some simple yet extremely important upgrades in the safety, performance, and looks department, and McGaughys Supension Parts in Fresno, California, had exactly what we were looking for.
Mike McGaughy officially opened shop in 1988 when his power steering conversion kit for Tri-Five Chevys began to sell like hot cakes. Since then, the product line has grown to include brake and suspension and steering upgrades for many common '60-and-later Chevy musclecars and trucks. The company also designs and produces its signature Classic Drop spindles in-house. We ordered up McGaughys' six-lug front disc brake conversion kit complete with its 9-inch booster and master cylinder, and a lowering kit in the form of 2 1/2-inch Classic Drop spindles, 2-inch drop coils up front, and 4-inch drop coils out back. McGaughys even supplied new tie-rod ends and new front and rear shocks. Our new stance necessitated new wheels and tires, so we did some searching and settled on the Torq-Thrust VI wheel from American Racing and mounted them inside new rubber from Hankook.
Follow along as Jason "IJ" Scudellari of the Primedia Tech Center performs the install. As always, use the information in the source box to further inquire about McGaughys products. And take a good look at the after photo. In one weekend of installs and heavy detailing, this truck went from seemingly invisible to collecting thumbs-ups every time it hits the road. We've been patting ourselves on the back ever since.
After |
Before |
 Shown here is everything that...  Shown here is everything that McGaughys supplies to completely transform the frontend of your '67-72. The disc brake conversion kit comes with rotors, calipers, pads, and all of the necessary hardware. We also ordered up a set of McGaughys 2 1/2-inch Classic Drop spindles, 2-inch drop coils, and shocks. |
 To get the rear of the truck...  To get the rear of the truck down to match, we used 4-inch drop coils and matching shocks. |
 We are also adding power assist...  We are also adding power assist to the system using a McGaughys 9-inch booster and a Vette-style master cylinder. Also included is a McGaughys adjustable proportioning valve. |
 IJ starts the process by securing...  IJ starts the process by securing the truck on the lift and removing the severely outdated "saw-blade" modular wheels and worn 31-inch tires. |
 The first item to be removed...  The first item to be removed was the stock tie-rod end. |
 Next came the upper and lower...  Next came the upper and lower ball joint nuts. |
 The mini-sledge was used to...  The mini-sledge was used to break the ball joints loose from the spindle. |
 The truck was lowered down...  The truck was lowered down with a floorjack under the lower control arm so the complete drum and spindle assembly could be pulled off. |
 But first, the brake line...  But first, the brake line was unhooked and capped. |
 With the control arms hangin'...  With the control arms hangin' loose, the old shock was removed. Then we cleaned up the area a bit to prepare for the installation. |
 The new 2-inch drop coil was...  The new 2-inch drop coil was set into the pocket, and the jack was placed back under the lower control arm and slowly jacked up. |
 Then the McGaughys 2 1/2-inch...  Then the McGaughys 2 1/2-inch drop spindle was fit over the ball-joint shafts and secured so the jack could be removed. |
 Up on the bench, the new bearings...  Up on the bench, the new bearings were packed and the inner one was installed into the rotor followed by the retaining seal. |
 At this point, the rotor,...  At this point, the rotor, along with the outer bearing, were installed onto the spindle. |
 The washer, nut, and cotter...  The washer, nut, and cotter pin followed, and they were topped with the cap. |