RideTech or QA1

[Mr.Rogers]

Hello All! So I m in the final stages of making my mind up on a suspension setup but could use some input. I have a 1978 2wd LWB C10 that currently has 1/2 ton springs in front and 3/4 ton leafs out back with ride assist air bags. After purchasing the truck I immediately put dropped shackles on it to level the ride height. I am nearing the start of my ls swap and want to address the suspension and braking (which I already have figured out).

I am on the fence about installing the RideTech Street Grip kit for the truck. Or I am considering going with QA1's new tubular control arms for standard shocks and springs not the coil over setup as they still offer up to a 7 degree gain in caster. The RideTech Street Grip kit is a complete system. If I go with the QA1 control arms my thoughts are to add a QA1 sway bar, RideTech HQ shocks, RideTech lowering springs, and CPP modular spindle. I would also replace the leaf spring bushings with poly, remove 4 or 5 leaf springs from the pack and have the remaining leaf springs dearched.

I should mention that the truck is gaining an LS3 and 4l80e. Although there is plenty of power on tap I am not building a drag or an auto cross truck. Just building something I can hop in and simply drive the wheels off of, be super comfortable in, and that handles well. Also not looking to have a truck that is laid out. Any input/feedback you all may have is greatly appreciated.

[RADustin]

I would use the entire ride tech kit as its all planned to work well together. If you piece meal it you run the risk of buying things twice or not having the performance or comfort you want.

[cruizin01]

I have the street grip installed on my truck. Nice parts. Straight forward install. I can't comment on the ride as the truck hasn't been driven yet but I would recommend RideTech. They are good to deal with.

[slowcpe]

The StreetGrip kit is awfully hard to beat for the money. I've driven their '72 and it rode and drove great. Piecing a kit together will more than likely cost more. I considered doing that for my truck since I don't really want to spend that much on my driver but once I added everything up individually it came out to over $500 more than the kit.

[Mr.Rogers]

Originally Posted by cruizin01

I have the street grip installed on my truck. Nice parts. Straight forward install. I can't comment on the ride as the truck hasn't been driven yet but I would recommend RideTech. They are good to deal with.

I just scrolled through and read your entire build thread. Great work so far! How was the install of the StreetGrip kit? Did you find drilling the control arms for the placement of the sway bar end links hard at all?

[Mr.Rogers]

Originally Posted by slowcpe

The StreetGrip kit is awfully hard to beat for the money. I've driven their '72 and it rode and drove great. Piecing a kit together will more than likely cost more. I considered doing that for my truck since I don't really want to spend that much on my driver but once I added everything up individually it came out to over $500 more than the kit.

That's my fear when it comes to piecing a kit together. I have talked to a couple of guys that have the kit installed but there haven't been many that have had the ability to offer feedback regarding how it actually drives. So thank you for the input regarding your experience with driving the ridetech truck.

[cruizin01]

Originally Posted by Mr.Rogers

I just scrolled through and read your entire build thread. Great work so far! How was the install of the StreetGrip kit? Did you find drilling the control arms for the placement of the sway bar end links hard at all?

Thanks!

Like I said the StreetGrip was all pretty easy. I had to swap out the front shocks because of a difference in length on my particular setup but RT did so with no problem.

Drilling the arms and the front frame area for the sway bar is all easy and straight forward. Same with the rear leaf brackets. The most challenging thing is probably swapping the new control arm bushings. Especially if you've never done that before. I bought there install kit which helped but still needed to use my press at work for some of it.