Classic Performance Products in Anaheim, California, was established in 1991 by Jim Ries and has been an innovator in manufacturing classic truck and automotive custom suspension components, both hard suspension parts and pneumatic bag systems. CPP also specializes in disc brake conversions, master cylinders, power boosters, custom aluminum gas tanks, and power steering units, tilt steering columns, and other cool custom stuff.
Part I
This will be the first of three suspension upgrade tech install articles for '63-72 Chevy trucks. Part I will consist of installing a CPP rear suspension with a redesigned "flat" center crossmember with an optional driveshaft support bearing. All crossmembers come with larger 4x5-inch exhaust openings. The rear trailing arm mounts have been relocated 4 inches up to achieve the correct pinion angle. A pair of beefy, 2-inch DOM tubular trailing arms will replace the wimpy stock units. The tubular trailing arm bushings are made of a newly patented, D-Spec, heat-resistant, self-lubricating material that offers long life and an amazingly quiet, comfortable ride. A pair of shorter progressive coil springs and CPP gas-filled shocks allow another 2 inches of drop in the rear ride height. To eliminate any lateral movement of the rearend housing, a CPP track bar will be installed. All this will allow the rear suspension to sit 6 inches lower than the stock ride height.
Part II:
Here we will feature the installation of Classic Performance Products' front suspension, consisting of tubular upper and lower control arms with a pair of 2-inch drop spindles and shorter coil springs, allowing the nose to be dropped 4 inches.
Part III:
The third tech article will upgrade the original drum brakes to a much more efficient CPP front and rear disc brake system with E-brake. The kit features large rotors and dual-piston calipers at all four corners.
We will be capturing all the critical moves as fabricator/installation technician Jeff Wise and engineer/designer Danny Nix flex their talents and skills as they install the CPP tubular rear suspension kit.
 |  A newly designed 1/4-inch-thick,...  A newly designed 1/4-inch-thick, laser-cut, steel plate, dropped center crossmember features a larger driveshaft opening (also available with a driveshaft support bearing). Larger 4x5-inch oval exhaust openings relocate the trailing arm pickup points up 4 inches and correct the factory pinion angle. The crossmember main plate's notched sides allow clearance space for the brake line, fuel line, and large-diameter air lines. There are also new 1-inch-diameter tubular trailing arms with a coil spring mounting pad. |  The remainder of the CPP rear...  The remainder of the CPP rear suspension C-notch 6-inch drop kit includes replacement U-bolts, 2-inch lowering blocks, 4-inch shorter coil springs, shock remounting brackets, CPP shocks, and a pair of framerail C-notch reinforcing plates. |