85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett"

[N2TRUX]

We set her on the ground and did a check list one last time. Chris packed supplies and we deemed her as ready as she would get.
I decided to make sure she would start since it had been a couple of weeks since she last ran. No real reason to think she would not, but my intuition played well.
The battery we had just bought two weeks earlier was dead. Not just low, dead. I went to my 77 and tested it. It fired right up so we were good. I put Scarlett on a charger and sent Chris home.
I went in and took a shower, then laid down to get a nap. I couldn't sleep thinking about the battery so I got back up and swapped them. Once I was sure Scarlett would start I laid down for an hour to rest.

[N2TRUX]

With an hours rest my wife and I loaded the trailer and I went to pick Chris up. We headed for Ft Worth worn out, running on caffeine and adrenaline.
All was good till about half way there. It started raining and wasn't letting up. So much for our paint and detail effort. We would have to wipe it down as best we could if the rain ever stopped.

[N2TRUX]

We arrived in Ft Worth a bit behind schedule but we made it. Totally untested with no more than the trailer ride to seat the suspension in place we unloaded.

She rolled in the Goodguys Lonestar Nationals in style but it was clear the front needed an alignment and the ride was very firm.
We were created by the RideTech staff and given a place of prominence next to the booth. It was time to clean her up but the rain persisted.
Mid day the weather broke a bit and we started the cleaning process.

[N2TRUX]

We made it! With no time to spare we honored our commitment to install the latest offering from RideTech and get to the event on time.
It would not have happened without the professional dedication of Chase Mundy from RideTech sales. This team effort was supported by John J from sales, and Johnny M from service.
Special thanks to Steve from marketing, and Brett for his awesome product.

At home, I have to thank my wife for support and pushing forward. Chris for being there through it all, and Keith Stephens for coming to my rescue with tools, knowledge, and getting us over the hump.

You guys rock!

[85/Silverado]

She sure looks good, congrats on a job well done.

[1957 Chief]

Looks good Ken. Glad it worked out.

Bubba

[rustytruck50]

I never doubted you would make it there...Scarlett looks great sitting there!!!
Is it my imagination or did the height drop a bit?

[smpoulin01]

Great job as always guys! Cant wait for the review!

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by smpoulin01

Great job as always guys! Cant wait for the review!

Originally Posted by 1957 Chief

Looks good Ken. Glad it worked out.Bubba

Originally Posted by 85/Silverado

She sure looks good, congrats on a job well done.

I appreciate your kind words and support

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by rustytruck50

I never doubted you would make it there...Scarlett looks great sitting there!!!
Is it my imagination or did the height drop a bit?

Chris and Johnny M made some adjustments at the show. It's possible it is lower from one pic to the next.

[N2TRUX]

Last night I focused on adjusting the coil preload. Initially we had dialed in an inch of preload to ensure clearence. We made changes at the show on the rear taking off 1/4" with no change to the front.

I adjusted both ends another 1/4" to see what happens. This lowered both ends a bit more, but keep in mind the change to preload is not a 1:1 ratio. Your changing spring rate not ride height specifically.

I also set the air pressure to 35 in fron and 30 rear cold. Fender height is 27 1/8th +/- a 1/16" all around.

After a few short runs I can feel the difference. She is firm but not harsh. I didn't press it much since the front alignment is still way out. I may play with that to improve feel till I get it professionally aligned.

Short term analysis is I really like it so far. I still have not change shock settings. Once I lock down preload I will focus and rebound damping.

[N2TRUX]

Cool surprise came via email yesterday. If you subscribe to the RideTech newsletter Scarlett gets a spring in her step is featured this week.

[gringoloco]

Did you start in the middle on preload? I've had mine on "soft" for mockup and they already fight me a lot more than the bilsteins I removed

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by gringoloco

Did you start in the middle on preload? I've had mine on "soft" for mockup and they already fight me a lot more than the bilsteins I removed

The initial set up suggests cranking the adjusters till the are snug against the coil. Chase at RideTech recommended we measure the threads then tighten another inch to preload.
After brief testing I knew that was too firm and I wanted more drop. I have since adjusted twice taking a 1/4" off each time. I am now where I want to be height wise, and the ride has improved significantly. I plan to start dropping the shock pressure next. We started at center which was +/- 12 clicks. Chris adjusted to 9. I'm going to drop 1 more to see what it gives me.
I will report the results.

[N2TRUX]

Scarlett gets exhausted. Friday night I played with the coil over settings. Saturday morning a loaded her up on the trailer and headed over to my Relaxed Atmosphere brother Jeff house. Jeff has a fully equipped shop in his back yard, complete with a 4 post lift.
We put Scarlett on the lift and mocked up the rear sway bar brackets. As previously mentioned, this is the only part of the kit that requires welding. I prepped the area with an angle grinder and bolted the links in place. Jeff tacked them and we removed the links to prevent damage to the bushings. Jeff laid some healthy beads down and we cleaned up after.

I will dress the welds and repaint the axle when I paint the exhaust. Till then, we have a functional rear sway bar. I cant wait to get a front alignment so I can test her cornering ability.

[N2TRUX]

Once again she went back on the trailer and we headed for New Star Muffler in Spring.
I worked with Alex previously and he was patient with all my requests. I had to wait till he wrapped up another customer, but he got right on it when done.

At first glance we didnt see a route that would allow us to run full length tail pipes. After a bit of measuring he determined that a reduction from 2.5 to 2.125 pipe would let us space to get to the back like I wanted.

He raised the mufflers to fit tighter under the bed, and started the tail pipe process. It required some creative bends and flairs to clear all the obstacles, but he diligently worked each piece till he was satisfied with the results.

They pipes now run up, over, and through the suspension with adequate clearance all around. They run to the rear cross brace and turn down. The end result is a full length exhaust that sounds great but doesn't drone inside the cab.

If you need custom exhaust work in the Spring Texas area be sure to check them out. Great work at a fair price is rare these days.

[daddyjeep]

For some reason I can see you bent over shooting the picture upside down between your legs. Maybe because the pics are upside down, I don't know.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by daddyjeep

For some reason I can see you bent over shooting the picture upside down between your legs. Maybe because the pics are upside down, I don't know.

I fixed them. I do get creative in my picture taking, but these were just a case of my phone being upside down.

[N2TRUX]

Moving back to the front, it was time to install the front sway bar correctly. Keep in mind that this was the first "kit" to roll out the door, so some parts were missing. With my input, to the RideTech staff adjustments are being made. As an example, they changed the style of the front bar and added stands for the bushing clamps to mount to very similar to what the factory offers. So much so that the stand actually mounts in the factory holes.

Previously I had mounted the bushing clamps directly to the frame and this created a dramatic angle on the end links. Chase noted the issue when inspecting it at Goodguys and shipped the brackets out right away.

In typical guys fashion a glanced at the instructions and "assumed" I knew what was what. After mocking it up I still had a issue with the angle of the end links. I looked closer at the instructions and determined I had them backwards. Once they were mounted correctly everything fell in to place.

[1957 Chief]

Ken, did you cut your stock shock mounts off your rearend? I don't see em.
I cut mine tonight and just noticed that you posted pics.

Truck looks great too.

Bubba

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by 1957 Chief

Ken, did you cut your stock shock mounts off your rearend? I don't see em. I cut mine tonight and just noticed that you posted pics. Truck looks great too. Bubba

Good eye Bubba. I cut the factory lower shock mounts off of the axle and ground it smooth. I dont know if its mandatory, but I wanted to make room for the lower sway bar mounts and clean things up a bit.

[82streetshow]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

Moving back to the front, it was time to install the front sway bar correctly. Keep in mind that this was the first "kit" to roll out the door, so some parts were missing. With my input, to the RideTech staff adjustments are being made. As an example, they changed the style of the front bar and added stands for the bushing clamps to mount to very similar to what the factory offers. So much so that the stand actually mounts in the factory holes.

Previously I had mounted the bushing clamps directly to the frame and this created a dramatic angle on the end links. Chase noted the issue when inspecting it at Goodguys and shipped the brackets out right away.

In typical guys fashion a glanced at the instructions and "assumed" I knew what was what. After mocking it up I still had a issue with the angle of the end links. I looked closer at the instructions and determined I had them backwards. Once they were mounted correctly everything fell in to place.

so the problem with the sway bar was where you mounted it to the frame? I have had this kit mounted on my truck since January with the sway bar mounted directly to the frame and so far so good.

[82streetshow]

Here's what I have

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by 82streetshow

Here's what I have

On trucks lowered 5" in front, I always mount the sway bar to the frame so it's not necessarily an issue if your end link angle is correct. I had used the front hole and drilled the rear hole placing the bar too far forward, creating an end link angle that could have caused failure.

RideTech wants the kit to cover all options so they provide the bushing stands that bolt in the factory holes. This ensures proper end link angle no matter what the ride height is set at.
Not that it's relivent but your sway bar is an earlier style that's been updated in this kit. The end link tabs have been changed on the new version.

[SCOTI]

What changed on the end-links? The end of your bar looks like the last one I purchased from them.