Ridetech 4-Link Coil-Over Install

[JohnJ@RideTech]

Originally Posted by HzEmall

John, I have a question for you.

I currently have your full air ride kit in my 79 www.projectc10.com and I'm wondering if I can buy just the parts that I would need to update my kit to your coil over kit?

In the front I'm assuming just the upper bracket and the lower control arm and in the back just the upper and lower coil over brackets?

Thanks

Unfortunately, the new kit is a great deal different from the new so very few of the components will swap from one to another. I believe that the only components that are a direct swap are the forward mounts and the 4-link bars themselves. Let me pull a bill of materials, and check with management to see if they would be willing to offer it as an "upgrade" for guys with the previous setup.
Good question, I appreciate you bringing that up.

[1957 Chief]

For the folks that have these systems, as I do...has anyone checked their rear tank fitment yet? Im still undecided on a blazer tank or a custom alum one.

Thanks,

Bubba

[82streetshow]

Originally Posted by 1957 Chief

For the folks that have these systems, as I do...has anyone checked their rear tank fitment yet? Im still undecided on a blazer tank or a custom alum one.

Thanks,

Bubba

i need to get this kit ordered to see if Ricks is going to work, per measurements its going to be tight but should work

[1957 Chief]

Originally Posted by 82streetshow

i need to get this kit ordered to see if Ricks is going to work, per measurements its going to be tight but should work

Right on brother. I pulled the trigger on a Boyd's tank today. I should know this weekend if it will work.

Bubba

[Dads79GMC]

When are you going to advertise the discount code for us board members? ��

[JohnJ@RideTech]

Originally Posted by 1957 Chief

Right on brother. I pulled the trigger on a Boyd's tank today. I should know this weekend if it will work.

Bubba

Please share the pics when you guys get the tanks installed! I know there are a lot of people wanting to see how these look.

[JohnJ@RideTech]

Originally Posted by Dads79GMC

When are you going to advertise the discount code for us board members? ��

We don't really have a "code". Most of the guys on here just get ahold of me directly and I hook them up with free shipping and a t-shirt. If you try to order the kit online, it wont account for shipping. Call me direct at 812-481-4737 and I can get one on its way.

[JohnJ@RideTech]

Anyone have an update on the fuel tank?

[1957 Chief]

Originally Posted by JohnJ@RideTech

Anyone have an update on the fuel tank?

John, according to FedEx, I should have the Boyd's tank tomorrow. As soon as i get time ill get some pics and measurements.

You also have a package coming back to you tomorrow.

Bubba

[JohnJ@RideTech]

Originally Posted by 1957 Chief

John, according to FedEx, I should have the Boyd's tank tomorrow. As soon as i get time ill get some pics and measurements.

You also have a package coming back to you tomorrow.

Bubba

My Man! Thanks!

[1957 Chief]

Originally Posted by JohnJ@RideTech

Anyone have an update on the fuel tank?

John/everyone else, I mounted up the Boyd's tank today and it fits with the rear ride tech crossmember. Its awful close, but it works. Ill have pics tomorrow.

Bubba

[JohnJ@RideTech]

Originally Posted by 1957 Chief

John/everyone else, I mounted up the Boyd's tank today and it fits with the rear ride tech crossmember. Its awful close, but it works. Ill have pics tomorrow.

Bubba

Awesome! Thanks for keeping us in the loop Bubba! Cant wait to see how it looks.

[1957 Chief]

Originally Posted by JohnJ@RideTech

Awesome! Thanks for keeping us in the loop Bubba! Can't wait to see how it looks.

As promised John/everyone else:
The Boyd's tank fits. Its close to the sway bar and mounts. Usually I put the bolt heads on the upside, but on this situation, I put them on the bottom. Has plenty of clearance now. Everything else is good to go.

Bubba

[PowerdbyChevy79]

Originally Posted by JohnJ@RideTech

Finally! I know you guys have been patiently waiting for this! The new wheels and tires were installed this afternoon and I finally have some ride height measurements!

Keep in mind that these measurements may vary with preload, wheel and tire size etc. but this will give you a pretty good idea of where the truck will sit.

Front: 255/40R18 with a 4 3/8 inch backspacing, 8 inch wide wheel.
Measurement from ground to center of wheel lip: 25 3/4 inches

Rear: 275/40R18 with a 5 1/8 inch backspacing, 9.5 inch wide wheel.
Measurement from ground to center of wheel lip: 25 inches

Attachment 1691947

Attachment 1691946

how high are the framerails from the ground.. how about the lower arms.. close are they to the ground..
kit looks good.. great work.

[mcmlxix]

Hey John,
Do you know of any installs of the new C10 coil over setup on a FACTORY 2WD Blazer, 1978 in my case? You can't just "remove the bed" for the install and I believe the rear frame may be slightly different from the trucks.

[JohnJ@RideTech]

Originally Posted by mcmlxix

Hey John,
Do you know of any installs of the new C10 coil over setup on a FACTORY 2WD Blazer, 1978 in my case? You can't just "remove the bed" for the install and I believe the rear frame may be slightly different from the trucks.

I believe you are correct. We have never tried to install the kit on a Blazer but I would be interested to see how it would all work out.
What we might be able to do is send you the C-Notch template and you can mock it up to see how the kit could potentially work out.
Call me direct when you get a chance and we can figure something out. 812-481-4737.

[JohnJ@RideTech]

Originally Posted by PowerdbyChevy79

how high are the framerails from the ground.. how about the lower arms.. close are they to the ground..
kit looks good.. great work.

I took a few measurements and snapped a few photos to give you an idea of how our truck sits. Keep in mind this is just to give you guys a reference, there are a lot of variables that determine ride height, especially on a coilover system where you can adjust the preload. Check them out and let me know what you think.

From the ground to the bottom of the frame (at the transmission cross member) is 5.5 inches

From the ground to the engine cross member is 4.25 inches.

I have included pictures of the height using a Mountain Dew can as a reference.

---Frame Rail at Trans X-Member---


---Engine X-Member---


---Front Lower Air Dam---

[PowerdbyChevy79]

Originally Posted by JohnJ@RideTech

I took a few measurements and snapped a few photos to give you an idea of how our truck sits. Keep in mind this is just to give you guys a reference, there are a lot of variables that determine ride height, especially on a coilover system where you can adjust the preload. Check them out and let me know what you think.

From the ground to the bottom of the frame (at the transmission cross member) is 5.5 inches

From the ground to the engine cross member is 4.25 inches.

I have included pictures of the height using a Mountain Dew can as a reference.

---Frame Rail at Trans X-Member---
Attachment 1712544

---Engine X-Member---
Attachment 1712545

---Front Lower Air Dam---
Attachment 1712546

awesome.. thx for the pics.. tells me exactly what I am needing to know.

[z71se]

How much height adjustability is possible? What would a guy do if he wanted to stay at the "stock height with rear lowering shackles" look and not put the truck in the weeds to turn it into a racer. Ie. to get the ride quality improvements of a 4-link while still keeping the truck useable for entering driveways, driving down dirt roads, etc.

[JohnJ@RideTech]

Originally Posted by z71se

How much height adjustability is possible? What would a guy do if he wanted to stay at the "stock height with rear lowering shackles" look and not put the truck in the weeds to turn it into a racer. Ie. to get the ride quality improvements of a 4-link while still keeping the truck useable for entering driveways, driving down dirt roads, etc.

Unfortunately, the kit wont have enough adjustment to get you back to stock height.
If you would like to improve your overall ride quality, I would just upgrade your current shocks to the single adjustable pieces that we offer. I can put some together to fit your ride height on the truck and they too will give you the rebound adjustment found in the coilover. With 24 different rebound settings in each shock, you can fine tune the ride quality to your liking.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by z71se

How much height adjustability is possible? What would a guy do if he wanted to stay at the "stock height with rear lowering shackles" look and not put the truck in the weeds to turn it into a racer. Ie. to get the ride quality improvements of a 4-link while still keeping the truck useable for entering driveways, driving down dirt roads, etc.

You could run the Cool Ride air suspension 4 link. It will give you a better ride, lower height, and the ability to raise your truck when necessary. take a look at my 77 Cheyenne build Elwood for details LINK

[JohnJ@RideTech]

Thanks for the input N2TRUX!

[z71se]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

You could run the Cool Ride air suspension 4 link. It will give you a better ride, lower height, and the ability to raise your truck when necessary. take a look at my 77 Cheyenne build Elwood for details LINK

Do you know why the air ride will give a better ride than coilovers? Calling Ridetech, they say coilovers and bags will ride the same.

Also, if I inflate the bags to bring the truck out of the weeds, then that will stiffen the suspension.

[JohnJ@RideTech]

Originally Posted by z71se

Do you know why the air ride will give a better ride than coilovers? Calling Ridetech, they say coilovers and bags will ride the same.

Also, if I inflate the bags to bring the truck out of the weeds, then that will stiffen the suspension.

We use the same threaded body shocks in both our Coilover and Shockwave applications. The ride quality comes from those shocks and the rebound adjustments that you chose during initial setup. With the correct spring rate or air pressure, its difficult to tell which one you have under the truck.
With that being said, if your spring rate or air pressure is off it will noticeably change the ride quality. It really all comes down to if you want to be able to lay it out when you park. I really believe that ride quality and performance are equal between both components when properly set up.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by z71se

.....
Also, if I inflate the bags to bring the truck out of the weeds, then that will stiffen the suspension.

Listen to RideTech as they are familiar with their product.

Keep in mind there are several factors that come in to play on ride quality that have nothing to do with the suspension. Are you running billet, cast, or steel wheels? What size, and series tires are you running? The weight of the wheels and tires coupled with the size of the sidewall have a significant impact on ride regardless of what suspension you have.

From what I have experienced so far, coil over is great if you want a fixed height once its tuned. It also offers the flexibility of a "track tune" if you plan on running autocross.

Air suspension requires a similar tune to find the "sweet spot" that gives the best ride and ride height. Couple adjustable pressure with adjustable shocks and you can tune it for your prefered use.