2006 ECSB With Ridetech's New Wishbone Coilover Conversion
06-15-2018, 08:00 PM
#1
2006 ECSB With Ridetech's New Wishbone Coilover Conversion
I didn't plan on doing a build thread, but I have been getting a lot of questions and the Facebook threads keep getting lost.
I started out buying parts for a 2/4 drop, Caltracs and some helper bags. Then I kept changing my mind. When the Ridetech full conversion kit was announced, I knew right away that's what I wanted. This is my DD, but I wanted something I could drive hard on the weekends and have some fun with and this seemed perfect
I already had the McGaughy's 2" drop spindles, Hellwig front and rear sway bars and the Viking coilovers, so I ordered the rear wishbone section and the front upper and lower Strongarms by themselves.
If you want to buy this kit, they have the entire bolt-on kit with everything you need: https://www.ridetech.com/products/su...ilverado-2007/
My Frankenstein kit includes the following
• Viking front and rear coilovers
• Hellwig front and rear sway bars
• Ridetech upper and lower Strongarms
• Ridetech rear wishbone conversion with C-Notch
Also
• Dub Luxe 20x9 wheels
• Toyo Proxes ST 275/45
Part of this build, but being done by a shop
• Detroit Trutrac & 4.11 gears
Because the kit is designed specifically for Ridetech's coilovers, I did have some problems with mounting the Viking coilovers, but we got it all figured out.
The front is pretty straight forward. Just remove the brake calipers, brackets and rotors, then unplug the ABS Sensor wire, remove the hub assembly. Then slowly remove the top shock mounting bolt from the engine bay side. This will decompress the spring. The remove the control arm bolts, making sure to note the orientation of the camber alignment so you can get it back as close as possible when you reassemble
Get this bullshit outta here
New parts
Upper arm
Lower arm
Arms and hub on. With this new setup, the assembled coilovers just slip right into place
HHnnngggg...
New sway bars. Stock is 15lbs, new Hellwig bar is 20lbs
Hellwig sway bar link vs. new Ridetech adjustable link
Front all assembled
I started out buying parts for a 2/4 drop, Caltracs and some helper bags. Then I kept changing my mind. When the Ridetech full conversion kit was announced, I knew right away that's what I wanted. This is my DD, but I wanted something I could drive hard on the weekends and have some fun with and this seemed perfect
I already had the McGaughy's 2" drop spindles, Hellwig front and rear sway bars and the Viking coilovers, so I ordered the rear wishbone section and the front upper and lower Strongarms by themselves.
If you want to buy this kit, they have the entire bolt-on kit with everything you need: https://www.ridetech.com/products/su...ilverado-2007/
My Frankenstein kit includes the following
• Viking front and rear coilovers
• Hellwig front and rear sway bars
• Ridetech upper and lower Strongarms
• Ridetech rear wishbone conversion with C-Notch
Also
• Dub Luxe 20x9 wheels
• Toyo Proxes ST 275/45
Part of this build, but being done by a shop
• Detroit Trutrac & 4.11 gears
Because the kit is designed specifically for Ridetech's coilovers, I did have some problems with mounting the Viking coilovers, but we got it all figured out.
The front is pretty straight forward. Just remove the brake calipers, brackets and rotors, then unplug the ABS Sensor wire, remove the hub assembly. Then slowly remove the top shock mounting bolt from the engine bay side. This will decompress the spring. The remove the control arm bolts, making sure to note the orientation of the camber alignment so you can get it back as close as possible when you reassemble
Get this bullshit outta here
New parts
Upper arm
Lower arm
Arms and hub on. With this new setup, the assembled coilovers just slip right into place
HHnnngggg...
New sway bars. Stock is 15lbs, new Hellwig bar is 20lbs
Hellwig sway bar link vs. new Ridetech adjustable link
Front all assembled
06-15-2018, 08:04 PM
#2
Oh yeah, here are the upper shock mounts I got from Ridetech. Their customer service has been great, they overnighted these to me since I forgot to account for them in the build. They use a carriage bolt to mount through the factory mounting hole and worked really well
06-15-2018, 08:33 PM
#3
On to the rear, this is where a few things got tricky in a few spots. I also found something really sketchy. The passenger side rear shackle bolt was missing the nut and the bolt had backed out and hit the tow hitch. I think the tow hitch saved my life. This really bothered me, I have 2 small kids, I could have easily had a serious wreck. I installed the shackles myself over 10 years ago and I know I tightened everything properly, but apparently no.
Driver's side how it's supposed to be
Passenger side, notice the bold backed out on the lower part with no nut
After the hitch came off, this is what it looked like, not good
chop chop
very sturdy notch
Notches and crossmember installed. Very important to follow tightening sequence and instructions on these first steps
Next are the axle brackets and shock mounts. Looks like I might have some minimal clearance
Next is the control arm
This is where things almost got shitty. Ridetech has these proprietary stud/bolt things. The blank shaft on here does not fit through the Viking coilover. The only thing that made sense was to have it machined down so it would fit. I really don't think it's going to be an issue, but I hope there are no strength concerns
As they come in the kit
After machining
the bearing spacer for the Viking shocks now fits perfectly and we can mount them
And the rear is pretty much done
Driver's side how it's supposed to be
Passenger side, notice the bold backed out on the lower part with no nut
After the hitch came off, this is what it looked like, not good
chop chop
very sturdy notch
Notches and crossmember installed. Very important to follow tightening sequence and instructions on these first steps
Next are the axle brackets and shock mounts. Looks like I might have some minimal clearance
Next is the control arm
This is where things almost got shitty. Ridetech has these proprietary stud/bolt things. The blank shaft on here does not fit through the Viking coilover. The only thing that made sense was to have it machined down so it would fit. I really don't think it's going to be an issue, but I hope there are no strength concerns
As they come in the kit
After machining
the bearing spacer for the Viking shocks now fits perfectly and we can mount them
And the rear is pretty much done
06-15-2018, 08:33 PM
#4
I still need to install the rear sway bar, driveshaft, miscellaneous cable brackets, and trim the bottom of the bed.
I threw a front wheel and tire on to get a glimpse. I can wait until it's on the ground
as soon as I can afford it, it will be new lights and rear bumper. Then onto colormatching.
I threw a front wheel and tire on to get a glimpse. I can wait until it's on the ground
as soon as I can afford it, it will be new lights and rear bumper. Then onto colormatching.
06-16-2018, 08:28 AM
#5
Very nice! That is scary about the shackle bolt, its why I use nylon locking nuts on just about everything.
What diameter was the original shock mount shaft before it was machined down? Viking does have some 5/8" bearings that are slightly larger than the normal 1/2" if thats what you had. I dont really like that cantilevered setup honestly though, not sure why they couldnt just make the mount longer to come out further.
What diameter was the original shock mount shaft before it was machined down? Viking does have some 5/8" bearings that are slightly larger than the normal 1/2" if thats what you had. I dont really like that cantilevered setup honestly though, not sure why they couldnt just make the mount longer to come out further.
06-18-2018, 08:49 PM
#6
Very nice! That is scary about the shackle bolt, its why I use nylon locking nuts on just about everything.
What diameter was the original shock mount shaft before it was machined down? Viking does have some 5/8" bearings that are slightly larger than the normal 1/2" if thats what you had. I dont really like that cantilevered setup honestly though, not sure why they couldnt just make the mount longer to come out further.
What diameter was the original shock mount shaft before it was machined down? Viking does have some 5/8" bearings that are slightly larger than the normal 1/2" if thats what you had. I dont really like that cantilevered setup honestly though, not sure why they couldnt just make the mount longer to come out further.
06-19-2018, 02:41 PM
#7
Be sure to check those R-joints, to make sure they were assembled correctly. The one in the upper wishbone has come apart on my truck and it doesn't appear that it was assembled correctly. I've been in touch with Ride Tech and they asked for a picture of it on my truck and then if I could assemble it per the illustration here: http://www.ridetech.com/products/r-joint-en/
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06-20-2018, 02:17 PM
#10
So update, if you use Viking coilovers with Ridetech Strongarms, MOUNT THE SHOCKS WITH ADJUSTMENT ***** TO THE INSIDE. Otherwise, get the Ridetech shocks. I love the look and the dual adjustment of the Vikings, so I am sticking with them
Truck is LOW. Going to set ride heigh about 1" higher than it sits now. I love it though
Drove the truck for like 1 mile and smashed both rear ***** and locked up both bottom mounting bearings on the front shocks because they hit the control arms when driving. If you spin the shock body 180 degrees, everything clears.
