ridetech setup(from frustrated to happy)

[ROLLDAMTIDE]

If only that same great service extended through the dealers... #stillwaitingandfedup

[darren@ridetech]

Not sure what the situation is. Give me a shout and I'll see what i can do. 812-481-4706

[jlcustomz]

Ridetech is the top of the food chain in reliable handling airride setups & has upheld there customer service standards.
However, I had one complaint with one of their guys I talked to at daytona rod run a few years ago. I was explaining to him that I,d been wanting a ridetech setup for years & not someone elses, But like many other people, my job pay had drastically dropped from what it was &wanted to know what might be the most affordable setup I could be happy with just to get going with a basic air system for now, & upgrade later.
Well the first thing out of his mouth after me explaining that was we can get you in the door for$5,000 plus. That didn,t set well with me & I,ll do my air ride like I do everything else, Build my own using common knowledge, common sense, sweat & blood. I understand a company that makes good product spends a lot to develop &make it, but to arrogantly try to upsell to a person who just explained he can't afford much now , but wants your product is just plain bad.
If my pay gets back to what it used to be, I may just have DSE suspension components mixed with my air ride setup.
Sorry for the rant here.

[Steve Chryssos]

Glad it all worked out, but DON'T invite the ridetech guys to your wedding. They will drive all the way from Indiana in some loud hot rod, stay for the whole weekend and say something really embarrassing in front of your future mother in law.

[makoshark]

I think that this is a situation to ridetech appealing to a certain niche in the market. They produce an excellent, American-made product with hands-on R&D. A company full of car enthusiasts trying to put the best product out there for their market. With all that said, they cannot appeal to all budgets. If their products are out of your budget, then don't bash them because of it.

[Ron.in.SoCal]

Glad it all worked out, but DON'T invite the ridetech guys to your wedding. They will drive all the way from Indiana in some loud hot rod, stay for the whole weekend and say something really embarrassing in front of your future mother in law.

That's classic Steve! Thx for the tip...:D

[SicMonte]

I think that this is a situation to ridetech appealing to a certain niche in the market. They produce an excellent, American-made product with hands-on R&D. A company full of car enthusiasts trying to put the best product out there for their market. With all that said, they cannot appeal to all budgets. If their products are out of your budget, then don't bash them because of it.

i'm clicking on the "like" button for this post.

[66larkgs]

[QUOTE=jlcustomz;881126]Ridetech is the top of the food chain in reliable handling airride setups & has upheld there customer service standards.
However, I had one complaint with one of their guys I talked to at daytona rod run a few years ago. I was explaining to him that I,d been wanting a ridetech setup for years & not someone elses, But like many other people, my job pay had drastically dropped from what it was &wanted to know what might be the most affordable setup I could be happy with just to get going with a basic air system for now, & upgrade later.
Well the first thing out of his mouth after me explaining that was we can get you in the door for$5,000 plus. That didn,t set well with me & I,ll do my air ride like I do everything else, Build my own using common knowledge, common sense, sweat & blood. I understand a company that makes good product spends a lot to develop &make it, but to arrogantly try to upsell to a person who just explained he can't afford much now , but wants your product is just plain bad.
If my pay gets back to what it used to be, I may just have DSE suspension components mixed with my air ride setup.
Sorry for the rant here.[/QUOT

I consider myself to be a normal guy and I wanted the best and I wanted to run ridetech. With quality comes cost!! I sat up at night and started brainstorming to figure out how to get a e2/e3 system and the shockwaves and control arms to fit in my budget. I started hustling and buying and selling used ridetech stuff and flopping it on ebay.I started with a complete e2 setup with complete skockwaves front and rear minus the controller. I ended selling the shockwaves and the level sensors for the cost of the whole setup. I than bought a new set of front single adjustable shockwaves for$855 shipped and a set of rear coolrides from ridetech for$300. I also purchased their lower control arms and bought 1/4air line for$22 from the local parts store.I am in to my whole setup for under$2400 with new front shockwaves,new control arms,and new coolride. If you want it bad enough you can hussle and find a way.

[jlcustomz]

66larkqs, understand what you're saying.
Mako shark, tried to word my comment carefully. my point was not to blantantly bash one of our sponsers for having something that I can,t afford. This thread was about customer service & customer service starts before the sale. At the time, the base ridetech setup for a g-body was right at $2,000.My point was after alittle explaining of what I wanted to know, tring to upsell me immediately over double the starting system price is poor customer service.
In my business, I many times help people with something lower price or less at a time, especially when they compliment us on our reputation. Several times we've gotten larger jobs off of these people themselves or a referal that we wouldn't have gotten by not treating them right before the sale.That was kinda the point here. In this economy, struggling people today may make more than you tommorrow.
As for what I,m planning on doing on suspension, I,ll make my own brackets that years agoI would just have bought , fit an engine driven compressor off a work truckI already have, Possibly a used alum air tank off a semi or ambulance, a few top quality industrial parts, & for now new manual gauges & Manual air valves {yea, don't say it}.This will get me a working system & can upgrade later.
Besides, I have other innovations to spend money on.

[66larkgs]

We have had a family owned auto sales and repair shop for almost 40 years so I understand what you are saying. I was a ASM @ a big Toyota dealership and we pride ourselves with getting %100 customer service and the sale will follow. I found ridetech customer service to be excellent with me. I would say give them another shot and you wont be dissapointed. Deal with Darren, he is a normal car guy with great customer service. Try to Watch ebay for control systems. You can save alot and then spend the money on nice SA shockwaves. I went to sears and bought one of thief 5 gal air tanks for$25 and used that on a rod we built before. Welded two 1/4 npt bungs and saved over $75 for a bought tank. Gd luck on your other project! My dad called me to let me know last night that we have a new boat to work on...My ADHD is on HIGH speed and I love it!
Paul
Turbo Buick Nailhead
Pro-Touring 66 Skylark

[SparkyRnD]

sounds like you need to have a mod change the title of this thread to ridetech, rocking & happy!

[Larry Callahan]

glad it all worked out, but don't invite the ridetech guys to your wedding. They will drive all the way from indiana in some loud hot rod, stay for the whole weekend and say something really embarrassing in front of your future mother in law.

lol!

[MonzaRacer]

I can say one thing, you wont find better people. This was back in 98, I had my 71 Monte, the rear springs were sooooo bad I had TWO coil spring lift kits welded together, my springs were so bad in back sitting on ground they were about 4 in tall!
Well this was back before East Coast Power Tour 98, I wanted to go with my buddy. Finding right springs,,,6 weeks out.
Didnt want to pull ones from my 70.
So I drive the 30 miles from home to ART back when Bret was still working out of his brothers computer business. He was working on parts for the Bonneville he was building for his wife.
So I asked him about how good of a deal I could get, and could I use individual lines and do a manual fill,,,sure no problem.
And I got 4 brackets, two quick connect 90s, roll of 1/4 in line and few bolts.
Went to local truck shop for couple of fittings and local hardware store for couple bladder tank nipples.
Bolted the fittings through the holes in ends of bumper, pointing down. 55-65 psi and installed that night and next day went to Vincennse Indiana and hauled back 4 blocks, 6 heads, 4 or 5 cranks and some misc other parts,,,in the trunk,,yes Montes have huge trunks. and with 75 psi it drove like a dream.
My current 78C10 has CoolRide all around and 3 paddle switches and I use a 5 gal tank and AC compressor for air supply. heck it even has a air hose to air up tires and such. Did it on limited budget. and built it as nearly true bolt on. Only welding was for axle brackets.
Well and I had to weld up a frame dimple for stock shock on left rear.
Miss driving my truck,,,need to get it running again.
Had hoped for some good luck this spring. Time and luck will tell.