WildBlue goes RideTech

[GeoffP]

How about a couple "Money" shots???





It's actually a little lower than it needs to be. It looks awesome but the front tires are sitting on the fender wells and the rears have no room for travel. I need to raise both about an inch or maybe two for clearance. It would sit on down if I had those high clearance wheel wells like Anvil makes but I just can't afford them.

It's not done. I still need to finish bleeding the brakes, get a couple muffler hangers since the cradle is in the way of reusing the Flowmaster kit hangers and then set the toe in so I can get it to the alignment shop along with getting the ride height right.

[regal454]

Looking good Geoff!! Can't wait to see it at Summer Slam.

[GeoffP]

Thanks! I hope my driving doesn't suck!!!

[Quickboat]

It will be a shame if you have to raise it too much. It looks awesome slammed like that. The rear is usually an inch higher than the front anyway and it is easy to change. The front is a bit trickier and more complex. Are you using drop spindles or springs?

[GeoffP]

No doubt about that - I hope I don't have to raise it a lot either. I put in the whole ridetech setup so it's coil overs all around.

I'll know tomorrow afternoon!

[Rod]

I LIKE it!

[Quickboat]

I think with that Truturn up front you could have tucked more tire under the car and maybe gotten away with a lower stance.

I dont want to hyjack your thread Geoff but here are a couple of pics of the frame attachment method I used...I figured not welding them in left more options in the future.

[GeoffP]

Rodney - thanks I really like it! I hope to drive it this afternoon after church.

Jim - I agree. I probably could keep it where it is if the front had a different offset. I just checked Discount Tire and they don't have any other offset in this style. An ET25 would probably be just about perfect.

Thanks for posting the pictures of the nut serts. I don't plan to take mine that far down for several years or until rust progress necessitates it.

[Quickboat]

Jim - I agree. I probably could keep it where it is if the front had a different offset. I just checked Discount Tire and they don't have any other offset in this style. An ET25 would probably be just about perfect.

I guess you could do a little lip work under there to keep it as low as possible. The offset selection is a big reason people spend the big bucks for custom wheels. That is the next big step in my build, deciding what wheels to go with. Yours are really sharp and the cost was SWEET! let us know how the "maiden voyage" goes.
Happy St. Patties Day!

[brownz]

Not sure if its just me but the front tires in the second pic look huge! I like it

[WICKED_SS]

Looking very nice! glad things are coming together for you!

[GeoffP]

I just got back from DRIVING IT FOR THE FIRST TIME!!! I had the shocks set all the way firm and it feels surprisingly like the Hotchkis setup like that. I played with the spring pre-loads some but am having a little trouble getting it to raise up. It's definitely rubbing in a few spots but nothing serious. I just need to lift it up a little. Here are a few pictures from today:









EDIT - I wanted to mention with the TruTurn that I think it's probably necessary to use 18" wheels in order to get the width. The picture above shows where the tie rod end is actually inside the diameter of the wheel.

[GeoffP]

Yah I think I have it figured out. I need to add pre-load to both sides on the front to get it to raise up because the sway bar is actually holding it down. DOH on my part but in my defense it's my first car with coil overs. I'll need to roll the rear quarter wheel openings too. Glad a friend has a rolling tool I can borrow. I'll probably work on it some more tonight after church since I really need to drive it to work tomorrow to satisfy a couple VP's about my truck leaking oil (don't ask it's a long stupid story).

[Quickboat]

Does that inner tie rod look bent in this picture or is it me?

[srh3trinity]

I hope you don't have to bring it up much. That car sits about as good as any first gen I have seen. Looks great.

[brownz]

Does that inner tie rod look bent in this picture or is it me?[/QUOTE]



That is how it comes in the kit. I think that was something talked about in anoter thread

[Quickboat]

That is how it comes in the kit. I think that was something talked about in anoter thread

So the passenger side has a bend in it?

[makoshark]

Looks great Geoff! Tell us what your impressions were with the new suspension

[GeoffP]

Yes, the tie rod is intentionally bent to clear the idler arm at full lock. I raised it up a little more but I'm having a hard time getting it level side to side. I don't have much of an impression yet other than the sweeping turn coming out of my neighborhood and then a couple miles down the highway and back. It's definitely smoother riding than the Hotchkis setup I had before. It seems to be more "grippy" but I'll know more after I get it properly aligned. It's a little darty but I'm sure that's because the toe is a little off. I'm going to try to get it to the shop one day this next week after I get the ride height finalized.

[GeoffP]

It looks like Beyern is discontinuing the wheels I bought. I guess that's why I got such a great deal on them. They've already removed the product info from their website.