Looking to buy some ridetech shocks and cobtrol arms

[prine68]

Hey guys, I'm looking to finish my air ride suspension on my '68 Camaro. I currently have the Airbar system, with the Master Series 7000 shocks, the Airpod RidePro E3 system already installed so I need to finish the rest. I'm looking to see who has the best deal on the remaining parts I need.

I still need the front Master Series shock, single adjustable ones part #11163001, and the lower control arms part #11162899.

Just trying to save a few bucks, this stuff adds up fast.... the wife is ready to kill me!!!

[Fesler built]

Call us up and talk to Rob he can take care of you 480-748-2000

[marolf101x]

I understand wanting to save a few bucks (I have to do this on my projects as well!) but there is something to be said for purchasing parts directly from the manufacture. We have a very good reputation when it comes to customer service. Should you have any problems we are more than willing to help out.
Sometimes you cannot put a price on that.

[67rally]

I understand wanting to save a few bucks (I have to do this on my projects as well!) but there is something to be said for purchasing parts directly from the manufacture. We have a very good reputation when it comes to customer service. Should you have any problems we are more than willing to help out.
Sometimes you cannot put a price on that.

This is not a knock on your company in any way, but that's interesting to hear you say that.

Most of the manufacturers I have talked to have said they would rather have you go through a vendor. I wonder if it's just a company policy thing, or has to do with the size of the company?

Personally if the price were similar, I would always go direct.

[AintQik]

L&H is a ridetech dealer and always treated me right. I have found the customer service at ridetech direct to be outstanding.

[dontlifttoshift]

I understand wanting to save a few bucks (I have to do this on my projects as well!) but there is something to be said for purchasing parts directly from the manufacture.

Then why have a dealer network at all? I don't believe for a second that any company promotes their product as much as Bret does but I have to believe a strong dealer network is important to anyone in this industry. I know the ridetech crew goes to a lot of shows but they can't be everywhere.

We have a very good reputation when it comes to customer service. Should you have any problems we are more than willing to help out.
Sometimes you cannot put a price on that

Yep, I agree. However any of your dealers should be willing to help out as well. If they are just selling parts and making their markup and then pawning off tech problems to the manufacturer then they aren't a good dealer are they?

Sorry, to highjack this thread but Britt's comments hit a nerve and I really don't understand the reasoning behind the statement.

To the OP did you try the dealer finder at ridetech's website and see if there was anyone in your area?

[prine68]

Wow! Wasn't trying to start a war here, I just know sometimes new vendors offer a percentage off so I thought I'd check. Nothing wrong with saving some money if I can.... Why have companies selling your product if you don't want us to use them? It shouldn't matter who I buy it from...it's still their product!

I've had nothing but great customer service from ridetech.

[DanGoodman]

Well I personally would tell you, I have had the air ride, now Ride tech system for 5 years now and I could have bought another system for what I have paid to fix the install that air ride themselves did and replace and repair all the items that have broken in this short time. I would recommend you look for another system and the fact the do not support their dealer network should speak volumes, because they surely do not support customers who own their product. Google Air Ride, probably the reason for the name change, to see all the issues. I for one am not a fan of the product.

[bret]

Hey guys, I'm looking to finish my air ride suspension on my '68 Camaro. I currently have the Airbar system, with the Master Series 7000 shocks, the Airpod RidePro E3 system already installed so I need to finish the rest. I'm looking to see who has the best deal on the remaining parts I need.

I still need the front Master Series shock, single adjustable ones part #11163001, and the lower control arms part #11162899.

Just trying to save a few bucks, this stuff adds up fast.... the wife is ready to kill me!!!

Shawn...I can certainly appreciate your trying to save money...all of us can. That is why we have a really simple price structure for retail customers and for dealers. Our dealers receive a discount on the price to compensate them for the time it takes to handle our products and support them with technical help to the end customer. The discount is not huge, but it is uniform. You'll find that there is little, if any, difference in the selling price from one dealer to another. The same goes for buying direct from our shop. We will sell direct, at retail price, because some customers are simply more comfortable that way. And some are more comfortable buying with their favorite dealer. Makes no difference to us.
As a matter of practice, we always encourage a customer to work with their local dealer. That dealer will likely know you, know your car, know your driving style, and be able to make a more informed reccommendation for your project. Since Fesler has responded to your post, you may try them first...we've moved a lot of product through Chris and Carrie Fesler. In addittion, there are many other ridetech dealers on this site...L&H, [Luke Mau is a very knowlegeable suspension guy] Prodigy Customs, [Frank Serafine has put together hundreds of complete cars] Scott's Hotrods, [Jon Marshall worked here at RideTech for 3 years] American Pastimes,[They have been to our annual training courses at our shop] and several others. [I know I'm forgetting someone here and it will get my ass in trouble...] Each one has their certain area of expertise and/or is located in a different area. Some may make "package" deals if you bundle other purchases with it. Some may have your components in stock and be located near you so you can save on shipping. In the end, your price difference will be small, but your value difference might be significant. Place your order with whoever can answer your questions the best.

Your initial question was simple, but it gives us a chanceto discuss a very important issue to customers AND dealers. Thanks for creating that opportunity!

[dontlifttoshift]

Thanks Bret.

[darren@ridetech]

Oh... and don't forget Donnie Feise @ Frame Up Wheel Works!!!!

[dontlifttoshift]

Darren, you still can't spell......Freise

Donny

[Tony@AirRideTech]

Darren, you still can't spell......Freise

Donny

Donny..... you are asking a lot out of Darren there.....

[dontlifttoshift]

Yeah, I know. That's why Bret changed the name, Darren couldn't spell "technologies".....

[JRouche]

Well I personally would tell you, I have had the air ride, now Ride tech system for 5 years now and I could have bought another system for what I have paid to fix the install that air ride themselves did and replace and repair all the items that have broken in this short time. I would recommend you look for another system and the fact the do not support their dealer network should speak volumes, because they surely do not support customers who own their product. Google Air Ride, probably the reason for the name change, to see all the issues. I for one am not a fan of the product.

Ok Dan... Ill speak up because maybe Air Ride shouldnt. Im a customer, not a dealer. I have had the air ride in for about three years now.

First off you said you had some things break. Id be interested to hear what broke? Mechanical or electrical? The mechanical side has been worked over for years so all the bugs are out. Yes in any production environment some issues will pop up. But with my experience with ART they WILL stand behind their products. So if the product was installed correctly, and not abused they will stand up and fix it.

Now on the other hand if a guy buys their product from a dealer and doesnt get any installation help and tries to incorporate the system into his car without any knowledge concerning very specific parameters of the units, and over shoots those parameters then well!!! Thats up to the purchaser and installer to figure out. And in the end its up to the installer to make sure he did comply with the specs that ART clearly lays out.

The bags DONT fail, sure proven air bags. If installed correctly they will out live the car. So given that I dont think it was the bags.

Was it the shocks? Those are also pretty much road tested, as long as they are used within the parameters for what they were built for. But if its not a setup that they have already made shocks for then you are in custom mans land.

For example. You can get on the horn with any of their phone guys and talk about the vehicle that you are wanting to use the system in. They will tell you yes or no, simple.

I dont know what broke on your car. But from my experience the stuff doesnt break. Its usually an installation issue. Like say the bags, rubbing. Or the shocks, side loads or over/under travel issues, or the valve block, debris during installation. You might be shocked with some of the shops that do custom work. Hell, even some of the TV shows. Grinding right next to the finished rims or paint job or leather interior. I cant believe those guys pay that money for those rush jobs.

Opps, I strayed... My point. EVERY time I have called air ride tech they have given me the best tech advice for the the product that they sell. And its kinda funny. When I call the standard number I always expect to get the sales dude that doesnt know chit. Its one number, and everyone that answers the phone IS a tech person. WTF!!! How can it get better!!! Good things going on at Air Ride, as always. JR

[wellis77]

even some of the TV shows.

I hate to jack the thread to much, but it is interesting you mention this JR. His car is an Overhaulin' Challenger. His issues have been spoken over on ridetech's forum a bit. Long story short, I believe ridetech did the install on the show but wasn't able to check anything out before the car was dropped on its wheels for the first time, then they were kicked off set to give him the car. From the posts I read, he had some issues with grinding, he kept mentioning pinion angle etc. He lives in Florida and RT eventually sent him to Prodigy and they helped get him squared away. Nothing but praises from him for that. That was 2 years ago (if I remember correctly). All of a sudden he pops up anywhere he can slamming RT with a vengeful grudge. My sense is RideTech, short of picking up his car and bringing it to their shop, did what they could to help sort things out. In my mind, they were standing behind the product and doing what they could with seemingly little assistance from the end-user. This is from memory and all forum posts, no idea what happened over the phone.

Needless to say, I'm WAY happy I placed my order with RideTech last week and can not wait to make their products part of my build. I don't think you can go wrong with their stuff. From what I've seen on their own forum, they'll do what they have to to help get your setup right for you, AND answer my annoying questions along the way.

[ProdigyCustoms]

That was 2 years ago (if I remember correctly). All of a sudden he pops up anywhere he can slamming RT with a vengeful grudge.

If this is true that would be very disappointing. The fact is I was contacted by Ride tech and offered a open check book to solve the problem. I have no idea what they possibly could have done more.

And in the end, it was relatively minor repair to fix the pinion angle. The pinion angle boo boo would be very easy to do on a install that the RT guys were even more rushed then normal on a build that was WAY behind schedule on a one week build.

I have dealt with a couple of these OH cars and the lack of sorting has not yet been the fault of any direct manufacturer, but more the process.

So I would take any complaints about a car built in 1 week with no opportunity for a manufacturer to sort their product.................with a grain of salt.

[David Pozzi]

His post count is 1, so probably a guy who found this thread in a search & signed up just to post this. I can't think of a company that supports their products better than Ride Tech, - if given the opportunity.