DO NOT OPEN- Air Ride Technologies inside

[N2TRUX]

This giant jig-saw puzzle was starting to take shape with all of the perimeter points attached, all that was left to do was fill in the blanks. The shocks were painted and installed, then the panhard bar was put in place. The upper end of the bar is bolted to the cross brace. The lower end of the bar attaches to the rear axle housing.

Rather than design an elaborate steel bracket system, Ridetech chose to simplify things here. They designed a billet bracket that bolts directly to the axle pumpkin. It utilizes the existing bolt holes and is designed to triangulate the mounting points for strength.

[N2TRUX]

The panhard bar was the last of the "hard" parts to be installed. From there it was a matter of bolting in the bags, running the air lines, and testing the system to ensure everything was installed as intended. Even with an experienced and professional crew such as Roger and Keith at RPL are, it always best to double check everything.

[N2TRUX]

I mentioned earlier that this kit might allow the truck to sit lower than it did with the previous system. It did in fact give approximately one more inch of drop in the front and more than an inch in the rear. I prefer a system that will roll when completely aired out. This requirement demanded some extra steps to the install.

Since my truck is running stock front fender liners, I would need a bump stop designed to keep the tires from bottoming out and allow them to roll. Roger accomplished this by designing a raised stop that would bolt on to the Strong Arm steering stop.

[N2TRUX]

With everything back together, the truck was set back on the ground. Even with the raised bumpstop in front and a taller stop in the rear, it was clear the truck set lower.

More important than sitting lower (did I say that) is how much over all improvement was gained with the install of this system. Unfortunately you will have to stay in suspense just a bit longer. My work schedule has not allowed me to thoroughly test the truck out.

In the next edition of this series, I will give a full report of the gains along with a seat of the pants impression. Stay tuned for more updates.

[N2TRUX]

An opportunity finally made itself available to take the project out for some seat time. I had a few details that needed attention, then the rain set in. Last weekend was the first time in 4 weeks that the skies were clear.

I loaded up the digi-cam and a few soft drinks and ventured out in search of photo-op locations. I'll share those with you as I go.

The roads to my first stop were fairly smooth and straight. While cruising at lower speeds, I played with air pressure trying to find the optimum setting. I discovered that I was able to run less pressure in the rear while driving the rural roads. The rear was happy with 52 psi in these conditions.

[N2TRUX]

Leaving my first stop I drove down a bypass road that allowed me to try air pressure at higher speeds. The road was smooth and straight but more pressure was required to keep the system from bottoming out in the dips.

[N2TRUX]

From this location I headed for a stretch of road that would test the roll resistance a little. Its a smooth section of asphalt road that has plenty of sweeping curves.

The truck tracked smoothly with minimal body roll through the turns. The MuscleBar kept the front flat, with controlled deflection when imperfections in the road surface were encountered.

I was curious how the AirBar 4 link would respond since it eliminated the rear leaf springs. I was pleased that it took the road transitions smoothly. The panhard bar kept the axle located where it should be.

[N2TRUX]

My final destination would allow me to run at freeway speeds on a smooth concrete road. I varied the air pressure, and discovered that it needed to ride a little higher to dampen dips in the pavement.

The last stop of the day was reveling at lower speeds. The parking lot had drains that created a surface that tested the shocks at low speeds. I discovered not having bumpstops in place was not a good thing.

[N2TRUX]

In summary I found the Ride Tech Street Challenge kit install to be a success. It is a true bolt in system, but it does benefit from having a well equipped garage to do the installation. It's a job that the average mechanically inclined enthusiast could do in a weekend.

The tubular StrongArms are an improvement over the stamped steel factory pieces. The reduced flex combined with the massive MUSCLEbar and posi-links allow the truck to track flat through sweeping turns.

I do suggest considering the adjustable shock upgrade. In most cases the standard gas shock provided with the kit is effective. I did discover that a succession of dips will quickly push them to their limit.

My apprehension of replacing the stock springs with a 4-link were unwarranted. This upgrade allows a much broader range of tuning. The air over leaf system had a very narrow "sweet spot". Anything lower and you bottomed out. Add a bit too much air and the rear was bouncy over bumps.

The placement of the bags behind the axle center-line is a good design. It offer plenty of articulation at low speeds, and tracks flat in the turns. The standard gas charged shocks provided with the kit seemed adequate for the task intended. I suspect that the shock upgrade Ride Tech offers would not be as beneficial in the rear as it would in the front.

The Ride Tech Street Challenge kit offers the highest level of tubular components available in a "bolt on" system. The package will allow you to get as low as possible with out cutting the trucks bed floor or inner fenders. If you are looking for an extremely well designed system that doesn't require serious fabrication skills, this is the one for you.

[menace121978]

awesome write up Ken. i know its hard to put the handling "feeling" into words but does it feel like your still driving a truck through the turns or is it a friendlier, more car like feeling? and friendlier as in dd, long commuting, car like comfort...

[kev2809]

thats a clean looking truck..in that last pic, is that an old gas station? ive seen a few trucks from humble snap their pics there and i think they said it was a old gas station.

[joe231]

very nice write up Ken!!

do you know the retail price for this set-up?

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by menace121978

....hard to put the handling "feeling" into words but does it feel like your still driving a truck through the turns or is it a friendlier...

I won't compare it to "car like" handling, after all it is still an old truck. With that said, it does track very flat and stable based on the limited amount of seat time I have had.

Originally Posted by kev2809

....in that last pic, is that an old gas station?

Yes, that is the old Humble Oil station in Cypress. It was donated by the Jorgensen and is part of a historical group of buildings in the old town.

Originally Posted by joe231

do you know the retail price for this set-up?

The kit and pricing is located here- LINK

[tvblazer78]

Good Job Ken and the truck looks killer!

[bjcaldwe]

Nice write up, thanks for sharing.

[Tony@AirRideTech]

Ken....... Thanks for the comments and taking the time to post this up. Let me know when you get done with my truck and I will come down and pick it up. One thing you will notice is that after you log some more miles on the truck, the tuning will become smoother as the airsprings break in and gain memory.

[N2TRUX]

Tony- Thank you and all the fine folks at Ride Tech for making this possible. Your generosity is truly appreciated.

Come on down and pick "your" truck up when ever your ready. Just bring a few friends along and we will celebrate...

[GWEE]

i love it i love it i love it.....

[Puropedo]

Just beautiful....

[Tony@AirRideTech]

Heading your way with the trailer!

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by Tony@AirRideTech

Heading your way with the trailer!

You'll need a trailer to haul enough Benjamins if you're wanting the title to that 77 .

[Leedogg]

Any pics in the Sweet spot settings? or at full lift compared to the 'old' setup? Sweet ride!

[J/D/S]

What was the total price to do the truck?

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by J/D/S

What was the total price to do the truck?

What part of it? If your referring to this particular update you will need to price the components from Ride Tech, and the labor at a local shop.

Since Ride Tech supplied the product in exchange for the tech article and photo shoot, I can't offer a price there. The labor was provided at a huge discount by Roger and Keith at RPL in return for the acknowledgement in the publicity from the tech article.

[J/D/S]

just seen you truck in a mag good for you