85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett"

[N2TRUX]

With the perimeters measured the process of "Scarlett gets a spring in her step" by RideTech begins, but first a little background. Several of the staff at RideTech follow my media feed and have been following the adventures of Scarlett. While developing the 73-87 C10 Coilover System they were looking for the best way to reach their target market. They decided to use a RideTech shop truck as an R&D test mule and JohnJ@RideTech posted the build thread here "Ridetech 4-Link Coil-Over Install"

Chase Mundy from the sales team reached out to me and asked if I would document the install of the kit on Scarlett. The plan at that time was to have it installed and ready to display at C10s in the Park. Despite everyone's best effort the kit was not ready to be released in time, so the decision was made to hold it till it was ready.

This week the green light was given and the decision was made to install the kit and have Scarlett on display in the RideTech booth at the Goodguys Lonestar Nationals. Follow along as I document the install and put put a spring in Scarletts step.

[UKNOWME]

Wow that's a quick deadline! Can't wait to see the installation process and the end result.

[aggie91]

This is going to be fun to watch. I know how you and Chris are with deadlines, but this one is tight just 7 days from today!

If the kit is like the others you have done and as John's tread showed, you should be able to knock this out with time to spare.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by UKNOWME

Wow that's a quick deadline! Can't wait to see the installation process and the end result.

Me too

Originally Posted by aggie91

This is going to be fun to watch. I know how you and Chris are with deadlines, but this one is tight just 7 days from today!
If the kit is like the others you have done and as John's tread showed, you should be able to knock this out with time to spare.

Its going to be interesting. I had already committed to RideTech that I could make it happen as several deadlines came and went. I know this is going to be a tough one to pull off, but I WILL make it happen.

[N2TRUX]

Removing the core of the front suspension components is straight forward. Its just a matter of unbolting as you go. I prefer to remove the ball joint castle nuts and flip them over to protect the thread before trying to pop the ball joints free from the spindles. The one thing I forget is unbolt the shocks before trying to pop the ball joints free. I beat them for a while before remembering to pull the shocks and they popped free on their own.

With the spindle and brake assembly removed I dropped the lower arms and set them aside. I loosened the upper arms and removed the alignment shims. The shims were wrapped in tape and marked for location so they can go back in place. A proper alignement will be required, but replacing those shims will be a good starting point.

[N2TRUX]

Up to this point all that required is a good assortment of hand tools. I didnt even bother to break out the air tools. My DeWalt 20v did the job on everything it could reach. Thats all about to change for the next step.

The upper A arm mounting bracket must be removed to make room for the new HQ Series coilover bracket. There are four bolts that hold it to the frame. All but one came out with minimal difficulty. The bottom one on the passenger side was very difficult to access, so plan on testing your patience on this one. Be sure to lube the exposed threads to help ease the process.

With the bolts out of the way a whole new game begins. The stock brackets are secured to the crossmember with rivets. There are several ways to remove these rivets, none are what can be called easy.
A common way is to use a cut off wheel and cut an X in the head, then use a air chisel to cut the head off. If you use the process you will need a very good quality air chisel. Mine did not make the grade, and Harbor Freights best wont do it either.

In the end, I resorted to a more tedious method of grind the head off, top and bottom. I followed this up with drilling the rivet out. It was slow, but less stressful than a weak air chisel that would have taken much longer.

[gringoloco]

Nice and clean in there!

[N2TRUX]

The anticipation is finally over. Well, sort of. Chase at RideTech shipped me a total of nine boxes. The first batch was signature required, which makes sense considering the value of the shipment. Unfortunately FedEx made it beyond difficult to be present to sign, or pick the packages up at the terminal. The good news is I got most of my shipment. The bad news is I still have a box undelivered.

With a bed full of Ridetech boxes, I knew exactly how I was going to spend my Friday night. Chris was coming over and my good buddy Keith Stephens was coming to stay for the weekend. Not only was @n2billet bring a vast amount of knowledge with him, he was bring a bucket full of tools to make the job easier. He has a bad @ss Snap On air chisel that we were about to abuse.

Friday night was spent unpacking boxes and sorting parts. We did a full inventory of everything that Chase had shipped and discovered we had one box missing and had gained a box in the process. It turns out the box missing contained the upper control arms and coil over mounts along with all the related bolts and nuts.

[TKCR]

Looks like Christmas came early!!

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by 1957 Chief

Looks awesome! I can't wait to get my stack of boxes too!Bubba

Originally Posted by TKCR

Looks like Christmas came early!!

No doubt the excitement is huge. Especially when you have known about this for 2 months, but couldnt say anything.

Originally Posted by 85/Silverado

It must be nice to have friends... And not live in the middle of nowhere so you can get help when you need it.
Can't wait to see the work in progress in case I want to try it.

Fortunately my nephew Chris lives nearby. He has bailed me out several times and is a fantastic assistant.

Originally Posted by Custom.Chevy

Are you going to mount the 4 link inboard of the frame or out side, inside allows for massive tires but outside is more stable. Do you have to cut out the factory coil pockets or cut a large hole to accommodate the coil over , and Lastly how much uptravel are you going to have on the coil over when sitting at ride height? Is the coil over going to limit the up travel or will the truck bottom out via cross member ,exhaust , ext ext.

The RideTech 4-Link is a 100% bolt-on design with minimal cutting and no welding required. C-Notch brackets tie in directly with the upper crossmember, while link bar mounts use factory bolt holes in front along with factory axle pad mounting points.
This kit mounts outside the frame in the factory leaf spring position. There is plenty of room for clearance of 12" wide rims and tires.

Originally Posted by aggie91

I have all the confidence in you, Chris and Keith that you will get this job done in plenty of time! Nice work so far.

Thank you sir. I couldnt ask for a more patient assistant than Chris is. Keith drove 4 hours to bring serious tools and a wealth of experience and knowledge.
Assuming I make it, the task would have been close to impossible without their help.

[aggie91]

I have all the confidence in you, Chris and Keith that you will get this job done in plenty of time! Nice work so far.

[1957 Chief]

Looks awesome! I can't wait to get my stack of boxes too!

Bubba

[Custom.Chevy]

Are you going to mount the 4 link inboard of the frame or out side, inside allows for massive tires but outside is more stable. Do you have to cut out the factory coil pockets or cut a large hole to accommodate the coil over , and Lastly how much uptravel are you going to have on the coil over when sitting at ride height? Is the coil over going to limit the up travel or will the truck bottom out via cross member ,exhaust , ext ext.

[85/Silverado]

It must be nice to have friends... And not live in the middle of nowhere so you can get help when you need it.
Can't wait to see the work in progress in case I want to try it.

[N2TRUX]

Saturday was a huge day on the "Scarlett gets a spring in her step" project. Keith and I got going early while Chris chased supplies. We unbolted the bed and removed the bumper and tailgate. We lifted the bed off to expose the stock suspension and went straight to work.

I'm sure a lessor quality air chisel might remove the rivets that hold the spring mounting brackets on, but it would be so much slower. Keith fired up his Snap-On and went in to beast mode. He popped the heads of quickly and the springs were on the floor on a short time.

With the springs and brackets out of the way we could focus on the C-notch. Templates are provided with a hole in the frame for a reference point. We used magnets to hold the template in place and punched or corner points. These were drilled out and the notch was marked. We used a Sawz-All with fresh blades to cut the notch out. All went well till I failed to double check for clearance behind the cut.

Chris and Keith had moved the brake line to clear for my cutting, but I failed to double check and didnt see that it had fallen back in place. When smoke rolled up while I was cutting, I know something was amiss. Be sure to double check before you make your cuts.

[N2TRUX]

Now that the stock leaf springs and hangers are gone, Keith cleaned up a couple of other rivets still intact from exhaust and E brake brackets. As mentioned, we hung the templates for the C-notch and made the cuts. I dressed the cuts with a flapper disc to ensure no potential for fatigue cracks to get started.

We drilled bolted each end of the C-notch to cinch it in place, then used the 7/16" bit as a starter point for a 1/4" pilot hole. With all the holes frilled we filled them with the supplied 7/16" bolts, washers, and lock nuts. A bump stop was added and all bolts were double checked for torque.

While I cut the second side, Keith hung the front 4 link mount. We switched sides and I bolted it down while he hung the other one. With Chris drilling holes, chasing tools, and tightening down bolts, we had a pretty efficient tag team working.

[JohnJ@RideTech]

Looking good!

[aggie91]

Very nice. Glad to see you three working on it. That's how hot rodding should be!

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by JohnJ@RideTech

Looking good!

Thanks John.

Originally Posted by aggie91

Very nice. Glad to see you three working on it. That's how hot rodding should be!

I usually work alone, but Chris has been a blessing on these recent builds. Keith is a freaking machine and jumps right in with both hands.

[daddyjeep]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

Thanks John.
I usually work alone, but Chris has been a blessing on these recent builds. Keith is a freaking machine and jumps right in with both hands.

I have had a buddy of mine and his kid helping me out in the shop lately. it is amazing how much gets done with a few more hands.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by 1957 Chief

I noticed you had the floor jack positioned near the front spring hangars while doing the c-notch. Was the frame flexing? Putting the blade in a bind while cutting? Or were you just being cautious? Thanks, Bubba

When your cutting a C-notch the frame is very vulnerable to bending until the notch is bolted in place. This is just a precautionary measure to prevent stress while installing the kit.

Originally Posted by mcbassin

Awesome progress! Keep up the good work Ken!

Thanks Michael

Originally Posted by daddyjeep

I have had a buddy of mine and his kid helping me out in the shop lately. it is amazing how much gets done with a few more hands.

It really makes a difference when they get in tune with your work style and know where tools are at. Its so much more effective when you work as a team.

[82streetshow]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

When your cutting a C-notch the frame is very vulnerable to bending until the notch is bolted in place. This is just a precautionary measure to prevent stress while installing the kit.
Thanks Michael It really makes a difference when they get in tune with your work style and know where tools are at. Its so much more effective when you work as a team.

I also live in cypress and would like to check out the system on the rear one day if thats a possibility?

[1957 Chief]

I noticed you had the floor jack positioned near the front spring hangars while doing the c-notch. Was the frame flexing? Putting the blade in a bind while cutting? Or were you just being cautious?

Thanks,

Bubba

[mcbassin]

Awesome progress! Keep up the good work Ken!

[N2TRUX]

With the C-notch and bar mounts in place we bolted in the bridge. This ties the C-notch and frame together to give strength to the upper coil over mounting points.

Keith measured each bar to verify they were all equal in length. We will start with equal lengths and determine if any change to pinion angle is needed after its on the ground and has been cycled a few times.

With the hardware all in place we assembled the coil overs and adjusted the a neutral setting. The preload on the coils is set to -0- and the shock settings are dropped to their lowest point. This will change later, but for install everything is set to minimum. resistance