Ridetech G-Body AeroCoupe on AIR!

[JohnJ@RideTech]

After a long, cold winter the Sales team at Ridetech have been itching to step away from their desks and get their hands dirty.
With the newly released RidePro X Air Management System and R-Joint Rod ends ready to ship, we knew we wanted to accomplish two tasks; we wanted to build something different and it HAD to be on air.

Luckily, George Lewis from the Sales Department has always wanted an air equipped vehicle and thought his immaculate 1987 Monte Carlo Aerocoupe would be the perfect candidate for some modernization. George put the plan into motion and with the components pulled from the shelf, it was time to blow this G-body apart. Luckily for us, this Monte was an incredibly solid, rust free car making it the perfect canvas for what he wanted to create.

While the factory suspension components were adequate for day to day driving 40 years ago, the bar has been raised substantially for what a performance suspension should be. The talented engineering crew at Ridetech have designed, assembled and tested some truly top shelf components to make this Monte a real performer. Combine that with THE most advanced air management systems on the market, RidePro X, not only will this Aerocoupe be able to tackle corners with some of the best autocross cars in the country, its also going to have that low, sleek stance that would make veteran NASCAR racers jealous.

Follow along as the Sales/Tech guys make this Aerocoupe Air-Oh-Cool.

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For products used in this build, follow this link to our webpage! https://www.ridetech.com/products/suspension-packages/product-3254/

[JohnJ@RideTech]

As you can tell, factory ride height was a bit high. Although this height was acceptable in 1987 and did provide a decent ride, it lacked in the performance that was associated with the "Super Sport" branding.
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For products used in this build, follow this link to our webpage! https://www.ridetech.com/products/suspension-packages/product-3254/

[JohnJ@RideTech]

When we got the car on the lift, you could tell it had been well maintained. Luckily for us, the components were clean and someone had paid attention to detail when performing routine maintenance. A lot of the factory components had been detailed or touched up when taken off the car. As we began disassembly, we were fortunate that everything came apart fairly easily.

TIP: When removing your upper control arms, be sure to document where your shim stacks were located. Putting the shims back in their original location will make setting your initial alignment a little easier.

For products used in this build, follow this link to our webpage! https://www.ridetech.com/products/suspension-packages/product-3254/

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[andrewb70]

In for updates.

Andrew

[jlcustomz]

Nice to see another g-body airride project pop up, as I need a good kick to get my remaining needed parts such as front control arms & put mine together. Got a few ridetech components such as the shockwaves & fox rear shocks/f900 bags years ago.
I am going to be a little different (cheap & stubborn) though by doing engine driven york compressor & basic manual valves possibly hidden behind custom fancy handles & 5 ultralite pro comp gauges mounted in pass side dash panel. Can always upgrade the management setup later if I can ever get past other projects such as widebodying to back getting in the way.

[Streetbu]

Nice choice, but I might be a little biased ;)

[JohnJ@RideTech]

Thanks guys. I appreciate you following!

Once the front end was completely disassembled, we cleaned up the frame rails and other components a bit and test fitted the lower control arm and Shockwave.
Test fitment of the Shockwave bellow is an important step before final installation. This will give you a chance to inspect for clearance issues and interference throughout the components range of motion. Instructions included in the kit will give you detailed pictures on where material will need to be removed. Make sure that there aren't any places where the inner frame rail or spring bucket will rub the air spring.

This is a picture of the Shockwave mocked up to check for interference.

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Instructions showing where recommended cuts should be made.

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For products used in this build, follow this link to our webpage! https://www.ridetech.com/products/suspension-packages/product-3254/

[JohnJ@RideTech]

With our clearances established, we took a white paint marker and established the lines we would need to cut.
While there are multiple ways to remove material from the bucket, use caution on the passenger side as the fuel likes are routed through there. For this particular install, we found it best to use an air saw, followed up by a small grinder to de-bur and remove and sharp edges.

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Use caution around the fuel line!

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With a little more room to work, remove the "fingers" inside of the spring bucket.

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Once your final cuts have been made, touch up the paint to prevent rust.

[JohnJ@RideTech]

With the paint touched up and dry, we went ahead and re-installed the components back on the car.
Again, before everything is tightened down, we checked clearance around the air spring. Although the Ridetech Shockwaves do come standard with a Million and One Mile Warranty, this warranty will not cover an air spring with abrasions due to installation error.

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[JohnJ@RideTech]

When installing the upper StrongArms, pay attention to the direction in which the Logo is facing. When the arm is installed correctly, the Logo will be facing out towards the tire with the stamped arrow pointing towards the front of the car. Re-install the alignment shims back into the location where you removed them during disassembly.
Keep in mind that we always recommend a professional alignment once the installation is complete. Re-installing the shims in their original location will help get you closer to that point.

When having your vehicle aligned, we recommend the following specifications for street driven vehicles. Feel free to adjust to your own specs depending on your driving style or intended use.

Camber- 0.5 to 1 deg negative
Caster- 3-5 degrees positive
Toe- 1/16" to 1/8" Toe IN

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[JohnJ@RideTech]

Once you have the front arms and Shockwaves installed, you can bolt up the front MuscleBar and Posi-links.

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After the sway bar is installed, you can go ahead and hook up your steering components.

For products used in this build, follow this link to our webpage! https://www.ridetech.com/products/su.../product-3254/

[JohnJ@RideTech]

Once you have the front of the car buttoned up, its time to move onto the rear.

Rear suspension components install in place of the OE pieces and utilize the factory bushings on your differential. Pay close attention to the direction and orientation of your upper and lower arms. Locate the lower arms so that your sway bar mounting holes are closer to the differential than the front mounting holes.
The upper bars will mount so that throughout the movement of the suspension, the rear mounting brackets will not interfere with the housing. The stamping on these brackets will indicate correct placement.

Original Components:

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Installation of StrongArms:

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Note the orientation of the stamping on the upper StrongArm. This will indicate the correct direction of the upper arms.

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The kit will include a new MuscleBar rear sway bar as well. It will mount up accordingly using the holes on the lower bars.

For products used in this build, follow this link to our webpage! https://www.ridetech.com/products/su.../product-3254/

[Streetbu]

Why weren't the outer tie rod ends that are supplied in the Tru-turn kit used?

[JohnJ@RideTech]

Why weren't the outer tie rod ends that are supplied in the Tru-turn kit used?

They were, the picture was just taken before they were installed.
Sorry about that, I will try and post a new picture of them installed ASAP.