Re: "Elwood" the 77_remix
 

so are we getting close to the "good stuff"......just sayin! LOL

Re: "Elwood" the 77_remix
 

Be patient, you got the sneak peek last night.

Re: "Elwood" the 77_remix
 

With the HQ shocks in place I could hoist the brake assembly on to the bottom ball joint. The Wilwood calipers and rotors are lighter than stock, but that modular spindle is a solid piece. With the bottom bolt secured, I tilted the assembly in place and pulled the upper Strong Arm down to meet.

Re: "Elwood" the 77_remix
 

Now that the brake assembly was secured, I determined what fittings were needed to go from the 6 piston caliper to the braided stainless line. a quick trip to www.summitracing.com and my parts are on the way.

Until they arrive, I will continue to press forward. I removed the drag link assembly to prep and paint. While it was drying I started hanging the RideTech Muscle Bar. This new version is larger yet lighter due to tubing being used rather than bar stock. It came with bushing stand to improve end link angle as well.

Re: "Elwood" the 77_remix
 

The bushing stands use existing holes on the frame. Be sure to note the orientation of the bracket. It is possible to mount them backwards and not know it till the entire job is done. (So I'm told ;) ) I find it easiest to hang everything and get the nuts slightly started before tightening anything down.

Re: "Elwood" the 77_remix
 

Once the end links are attached to the Muscle Bar they can be connected to the Strong Arms. I found it easier to tighten them first as the nut on the inside is hard to access if the angle is to extreme. With the end links tight, I moved on to the bushing bolts, and bushing stands. I ensure the the alignment was correct and tightened to specs.

Re: "Elwood" the 77_remix
 

You make this look easy...

Re: "Elwood" the 77_remix
 

Ken,... do you see any advantage of the new MuscleBar design vs the old MuscleBar design?
Any insight from Ridetech?

Re: "Elwood" the 77_remix
 

Looking great!

Re: "Elwood" the 77_remix
 

It cant be too hard if I'm making it look easy ;)

Thanks Mike.

Keith I have been told that

Re: "Elwood" the 77_remix
 

Glad you asked, we actually get this question pretty often.

The new bars are 1.25" in diameter and constructed out of .188" wall DOM tubing. These are slightly more rigid than the solid design and show significant weight savings over the older bar.
"Hollow" bars and their related components are now standard equipment in both C10 coilover and air suspension kits.

Re: "Elwood" the 77_remix
 

Thanks for the answer.
I knew it had to be more than the shape of the end of the bar.
I also wondered if the frame bushings need to be mounted to the "stands" you provide,... or if they can be bolted directly to the frame like you had them?

Re: "Elwood" the 77_remix
 

Keith thats the way I had the previous Muscle Bar mounted. I know this is a common method for mounting stock GM bars. Unfortunately it doesnt work as well on the RideTech Muscle bar. I had issues with excessive fatigue and failure on the end links with the bar mounted directly to the frame. The clamps stands were designed to resolve that issue.

Re: "Elwood" the 77_remix
 

I got the last pair of fittings needed to finish the Wilwood install yesterday. I put those on and adjusted the strain reliefs holding the stainless lines in place. This weekend I will install the Wilwood adjustable proportioning valve and the braking system should be complete.

Re: "Elwood" the 77_remix
 

Love how detailed your threads are, I get out in the garage and start thrashing and then remember that i didn't take any pics....... My threads are start......done! lol

Re: "Elwood" the 77_remix
 

I'm really anal about working in clutter. I usually take pics as I put up tools between rounds. Its just something you get used to.

Re: "Elwood" the 77_remix
 

Friday night I worked on my exhaust system again. I realized that I was not going to have time to take it to New Star and have it ran the way I did on Scarlett so I opted for plan "B".

The V bands that Kevin from Deeds Engineering sent would have to wait. Till then, I used parts off the previous system and added the new components. It's not what I wanted, but it gets the job done for now. I will add Deeds billet hangers to hold it in place.

Re: "Elwood" the 77_remix
 

Looks pretty good to me!

Re: "Elwood" the 77_remix
 

Thanks. I had hoped to run it out the back like I did on Scarlett. Unfortunately there's just not enough room. Eventually I will route it out the wheel well opening. For now, this will do.

Re: "Elwood" the 77_remix
 

I can,t find the upper shock mounts on the ridetech web page, all that comes up is a 3 sided box type

Re: "Elwood" the 77_remix
 

I looked and couldn't locate them either. I sent a text to John so we should have an answer soon.

Re: "Elwood" the 77_remix
 

This weekend I focused on getting the wiring corrected on the RideTech system. I have an older version of the Big Red valves (ARV 7000) that was connected to a Ride Pro E3 management system. The Big Red valves have had some updates including changing from 4 two pin connectors to 2 four pin connectors.

I was able to get the system running using an adapter harness that was on my Ride Pro E3. Unfortunately it was too short to route inside so it had to be under the cab. I decided to clean things up and convert the valve harness to 4 pin connectors. I had the pin extractor tool and 4 pin connectors, but had to chase down new pins locally. Just so you know, Oriellys Auto Parts does carry them.

Re: "Elwood" the 77_remix
 

I was forced to tape rather than use loom, but they look so much better now. Everything is working correctly and I eliminated the jumper harness. Time to move on to the next item on the list.

Re: "Elwood" the 77_remix
 

We sell the brackets with our shock relocation kit for CoolRide setups. Sorry for the confusion on the website. They are a component that is included in the kit listed below. They do not appear in the stock photo. Check out the link and let me know what you think.

http://www.ridetech.com/products/coo...th-stock-arms/

Re: "Elwood" the 77_remix
 

Thanks for sharing JohnJ.