Christmas in August

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https://www.pro-touring.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=116354&stc=1
Going to update with all the Ridetech parts. We will see how the 275/35/18 fits on the front with a 18x9 wheel with 5.9" of backspace.

[ILLEGAL69]

Looks more like boxing day :)

[Mark Antrim]

Are you sure my birthday presents didn't show up at your house by accident?

[MonzaRacer]

Your a sloppy unwraper,,,,

[Twentyover]

Looks more like UN boxing day :)

Fixed it for you

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116383
Hope to have this complete by next week. Also got a new Steering box. Also wanted to pass along a big thanks to Badazz81z28 for the Summit discount code. It did not go to waste.

[Josh@Ridetech]

Cool! Post pictures when you're done!

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Quick update, got everything apart and off the car. So far so good. Lower control arm fit fine. Pass side was very easy and the driver side needed just a little persuasion. Muscle bar went in as directed, but I will have to cut off the lower control arm bumper rest that is welded to the frame rail. The bar arms will hit it when the bar ends travel. Also had to clearence the shock tower on the inside to give room for the top of the shock to move when the lower control arm moves up and down. It was not a pretty cut but effective. My biggest problem was the new AGR Billet Steering box. I failed to recognize that it came with a 13/16 input shaft. OE Gm was 3/4. My bad. New joint on order. Hope to have it back on the ground by weeks end. I won't have the wheels ready until later. I will most likely take the fronts to Forgeline and have the inner rim changed while we are in the area. Just adding an inch to the inner to give me a 5.9" backspace with an 18x9 wheel. More to come.

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116565116566
Got a little done today. Bump stop removed from frame and upper and lower arms installed. Spindles and brakes are back installed. Waiting on rag joint to get the steering box in and finish the Tru Turn linkage. Very happy so far with the Ridetech parts. Instructions and drawings provide adequate instructions. My only question that I have is, do I install the alignment shims as they were on the original parts, or just start clean. I realize when I have it aligned, it will all change, but where should I leave it for now?

[all4sho]

i wish my muscle bar had ridetech stamped in it, maybe one day i will get all my stuff installed. lol

[Typhoon1015]

Looks good! I would rough align it, get the wheels so they are straight up and down and get the toe close to 0. The alignment shop should do the rest. You could also buy some angle finders and get some straight edges do it yourself.

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116596
Got the Truturn loosely installed. Plenty of clearence and all looks like a clear win. Only down side is the rag joint I ordered came in marked 13/16", but is a 3/4". Easily fit old box and fits just like the OE joint. I guess I will be waiting again. Other than that delay, all is going as planned.

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116599

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116599

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116600
Sorry for the duplicate pics. Sausage fingers and an IPhone!

[paulk68]

looking great, i am in the process of doing the same upgrade on my 68 camaro, why did you remove the bump stops was something interfering with them? I did not notice them being in the way of anything. Also how big of an opening did you have to make on the shock tower? srry one more, what motor, motor mounts and oil pan are you running. Thanks

[bret]

https://www.pro-touring.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=116354&stc=1
Going to update with all the Ridetech parts. We will see how the 275/35/18 fits on the front with a 18x9 wheel with 5.9" of backspace.

Our shipping department takes their job VERY seriously!

Their test for a proper packing job is to drop the box on the floor [just like FedEx does] If it bounces by at least 4", it is good to go.

I typically steer clear of that area...those guys aren't right. :)

Thanks for proving the theory that I am a logo whore!

[bret]

BTW...with a 5.9" backspace, you will likely need a .400" spacer on the front wheel for best clearance.

[CampbellshotrodsAZ]

Our shipping department takes their job VERY seriously!


Ha, this ain't no lie! After I got my entire front end kit for the Firebird, I could only sneak a peak at the shock bodies... it was too much work for me to unseal the rest of the boxes considering I don't need them quite yet, haha. Didn't want to shred the boxes only to have to store them again till 2016.

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I am just replacing the inners on the wheels and to get the 9" I am adding an inch to the inner. A spacer will be no problem if needed. I have the long ARP 1/2" studs on the Baer hubs. I am still at a standstill waiting for the correct rag joint for the new steering box. The OE bump stop would most likely hit the sway bar arms when the arm moved up. The engine is an LS3/ 525 HP Crate Engine. I am running the Mast pan and the original Hooker swap pates and the original Hooker LS headers. The plates are the ones that place the engine in the original position. Only draw back is the engine is about 1/2" off the firewall. It gets a little crowded back there. Fitment of everything was good. Steering box and ground clearance with the headers was perfect.

[Reactor]

Ok, I am at my limit with this steering coupler. I have ordered from 2 different companies with the same result. The coupler will not fit the new box. If you measure the inside of the coupler splines you get around .790" and they will not go on the new box. They were both labeled 13/16. (Jegs and Speedway) I think I am looking for a coupler that is 1" splined on the input( OE 69 Camaro tilt column) and the new box which is 13/16 36 spline. Is there an original equipment car that I can go to NAPA and find a joint that matches my needs. I just hate ordering stuff and it show the right size, but will not fit and I have to return.

[yellow1098Greg]

Awesome!! I just thought I would ask about the details of that summit discount :)....Iv been looking to purchase a lot of the same stuff soon and figured it can't hurt to ask:)...good luck with the install!

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A member of the board posted he had some and if anyone needed a code send him a message. They were only good in Aug. beyond that I don't know much about them, but I am very appreciative of the offer.

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Well, after 4 different rag joints, none of them fit the AGR box. Talked to AGR and he said to file the end of the splines so that the coupler can start to go on. Tried it, and still no go. I am done with the steering box. Sending the box back and will put the car back together next week. Maybe this winter the 600 boxes will show up and I will give it another try.

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117797
Finally got back working on the car. Forum member had a DSE 600 box, so I made the jump and got it installed finally. Most every thing buttoned up, but still have a few things before taking it out on the road. It looks like I will have to run the coil overs full up to get close to my original ride height. Got to do the ruff toe in and get it to the alignment shop. I have not widened the wheels yet or got the tires yet. More to come.

[Reactor]

118670
Got to drive the car today. The 600 box is a great addition. Feels like a late model performance car. Quick ratio also a big plus. The rosewood steering wheel may have to go. Maybe a slightly smaller diameter and thicker rim. The Ridetech suspension also is top notch. A little more comfortable ride than the QA1 Coilovers that were on the car. Tires are here, but have not ordered the inner rims yet. If the 275's fit, the work and cost will be a home run.

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119203119202
Got the new inner rims today and got them installed. Just need to let the RTV dry, and we will see how the 275's fit.

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Getting closer. If the rain will let up, I will be able to see how the changes worked out. May have to shim the wheel out a little to get it from rubbing the frame rail on the back side at lock. Front rim clears the Muscle Bar by about .25 inches. Plenty of clearence on the fender. So far so good. 119359

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119550119551
Got to say, great job by the folks at Ridetech! Drives great, and a big improvement from the OEM suspension. Very minor rub at lock on the frame rail on the back side. I am going to leave it alone and not add a spacer at this time. Plenty of fender clearence. Very happy with the setup. Thanks again Ridetech!

[Josh@Ridetech]

Beautiful car! It came out great!

[rchaskin]

Looks Awesome!!!!!

Just to be clear, after the inner barrel swap, the BS is 5.9?

[Reactor]

Looks Awesome!!!!!

Just to be clear, after the inner barrel swap, the BS is 5.9?
yes 18x9 with a 5.9 backspace.

[rchaskin]

Thanks.

I just noticed you are right down the road from me....
Car does look great.