It's been a long time since i was a regular here, but I am back in the truck game. Here's some details about my latest truck project, a 1990 Chevrolet C1500, 350, Auto, 2wd, Regular Cab Stepside. I picked the truck up a swap meet friend. It was rough around the edges and is in desperate need of some TLC. Original Arizona truck, and has spent the majority of its life between SoCal and AZ. As you would expect, there is no rust, but everything plastic was a little crispy.

The plan was to make it a fun driver/parts chaser, retaining it's usefulness as a truck and still fun going around corners. @ridetechsuspension StreetGRIP Suspension System for C1500's was the first major upgrade, and led the way on this project.

What I started with:

 

Serious work started with field stripping the bed off. Up next was cutting out an old C-notch and replacing with the much nicer/stronger Ridetech pieces.

 

Ridetech C-notches and rear back together.

 

Out with the old:




In with the new

 

Nice, I have wanted to see a write up on one of these Ridetech kits .

 

Along with the StreetGRIP suspension, I upgraded the standard 1990 (88-91) small bearing hubs and brakes to "HD" spindle/rotors/brakes. Which were standard on 1992-up trucks.

Since I was already replacing the spindles, moving to the thicker rotor (1.25" vs. 1") and bigger bearings was an easy decision.

For those that may want to do this "upgrade" on an 88-91 truck. I ordered spindles, rotors (bearings), and calipers for a 1992 truck. Total cost for the new brake parts was around $230. Spindle cost will depend on what you decide to go with, in my case the spindles came with the RideTech kit.

 

Back on the ground... and in need of an alignment. That's what happens when you change everything

I am very impressed with wheelsforless.com, they nailed the offset/backspacing and tire selection.

Classic Torq Thrust II

Front
20x8 - OS: 0mm, BS: 4.5"
245/40R20 Nitto NT555 G2

Rear
20x10 - OS: +6mm, BS: 5.75"
275/40R20 Nitto NT555 G2

 

Added a Borgeson steering shaft a few weeks back. Love the difference in the steering feel.

 

New RideTech front MuscleBar install:

Impressed with the MuscleBar's quality and design. The installation was very straight forward.



Out with the old

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Big beefy mounting plates






Tie rod style ends





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It's a great setup. I've got around 10k miles on it to this point, including the full Hot Rod Power Tour to and from San Diego.

Forgive the shot gun effect of the posts, I'm trying to play catch up on the performance related upgrades to this point. More to come tomorrow