Rear Spring pocket kits? (recommendations)

[56-210Sedan]

I recently was involved in a conversation on relocating the rear springs on a 55, the person wanting to do the work was wanting to use Ecklers/CCI http://www.classicchevy.com/chevy-re...1955-1957.html and even though i have never done this job i went and recommended who i thought would have a better setup http://williamsclassic.com . Now i may of went and opened my mouth first without doing my research first which could be the case, but upon thinking on this more i thought i would post a question on it and ask (who would you use if you were to do this job) even if it is making your own setup.

I know for once the Ecklers/CCI set up is cheaper then Williams, rare to say the least IMO but on the other hand Williams work is top notch and the items i have bought from him are great quality, anyway what are your thoughts, recommendations??

[Rick_L]

Here's the way I think about it.

The Williams kit was the first one and is the one the rest copy or emulate. EW used to sell his kit to Danchuk and CCI but others have no doubt undercut his price to them so he doesn't get the business any more.

On the other hand, these pieces aren't rocket science. The biggest potential problem is quality. So you may have extra cost or trouble to either fit it or return it for a good one.

[OLKY55]

We're installing a pocket kit in my 57 with one piece frame. The CCI kit we bought was supposed to be for a one piece frame. The frame inserts for the front spring eye did not fit the inside of the frame very well. So, we had some thicker boxes made.

When we went to install the bars, we found one of the tubes was bent. It looks like the raw tubing was probably bent and they just cut it and threaded both ends. We could thread the rod ends into it, but couldn't turn it for adjustment as there is no flex in the poly rod ends.

I can't say I would recommend the CCI kit.

[markm]

I have to admitt that I dont even remember the brand of kit I bought, It came from a local 55-72 resto parts dealer I have done business with for almost 30 years, like Rick has stated these parts are not that complex. While they did not fit my two piece frame well they worked.

[NickP]

I would build my own. In looking at Ecklers kit, in the "application" tab, they do not designat a different part number for a one piece or a two piece frame.

[Maddog]

Here's the way I think about it.

The Williams kit was the first one and is the one the rest copy or emulate. EW used to sell his kit to Danchuk and CCI but others have no doubt undercut his price to them so he doesn't get the business any more.

On the other hand, these pieces aren't rocket science. The biggest potential problem is quality. So you may have extra cost or trouble to either fit it or return it for a good one.

Who told you Williams was first, Earl? TCI was first 1989.
I installed TCI they had made a boo boo but since I lived a few miles away got it rectified easily. I would check their pricing

If you're not doing a minitub also I would not bother with the relocation

[NickP]

Who told you that TCI was first? For that matter, what does it matter. I did find an interesting article in a 2004 Super Chevy touting that TCI's NEW (not NEW AND IMPROVED) pocket kit was available. http://www.superchevy.com/technical/...e_leaf_spring/ But, as I mentioned "WHAT DOES IT MATTER" - Oh, sorry, I didn't mean to quote Hillary.

[Maddog]

Just goes to show you you can't believe what you read on the net, especially from a rag like stupid chevy

[chevynut]

It would not be hard to build your own, but finding the right bushings and cutting out the parts would take some time, especially if you didn't have the proper equipment. If I'm not mistaken, I think I remember that Robert (MP&C) did an article once on his own pocket kit installation.

[Maddog]

Most would buy a kit first then copy it.