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Precision & Performance: Front Suspension Overhaul on Our C10

Upgrading the Front Suspension PART 2

In the last issue of Street Trucks, we knocked out the rear suspension on our 1987 Chevy C10 by installing Ridetech’s new coilover kit, giving the rear a corner-carving suspension with an aggressive stance. But to really take this truck’s performance and handling to the next level, the front suspension needed the same treatment. Enter Ridetech’s precision-engineered components for the front—a package designed to pair seamlessly with the rear upgrades while delivering unmatched strength, adjustability, and performance.

This issue, we’re working on installing Ridetech’s drop spindles, StrongArms, and HQ Series coilovers up front. These parts aren’t just about lowering the truck; they’re all about improving geometry, alignment, and overall handling. With bolt-on simplicity and top-tier engineering, the front suspension install promises to be just as smooth and rewarding as the rear.

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We also throw on a new set of wheels and tires that dramatically change the look of the truck. Moving into 2025, we will be adding more modern to this classic pickup, and driving it between upgrades is a must!

If you remember from the previous issue, the truck we are workin on this time is a very clean 1987 Chevy C10. The truck was previously lowered with springs and blocks, and rode as well as you could expect.
The Ridetech front suspension includes new front upper and lower strong arms that allow us to use coilovers. The kit includes upper coilover mounts, forged upper cross shafts with caster slugs, lower cross shafts and Delrin bushings. We also ordered Ridetech drop spindles for an additional 2-inch drop.

After we disassembled the original front suspension parts including brakes, spindles, springs, sway bar, and control arms, we needed to remove the upper control arm bracket. A pneumatic chisel is the best tool for this job!

With the bracket removed, we can now cut a hole into the top of the upper spring mount. The Ridetech kit comes with a template so you cut the hole proper size. We decided to use a plasma cutter to make the job go faster and a grinder to smooth out the edges.

A Quick coat of frame paint and it’s time to bolt the new Ridetech bracket to the top of the spring mount.
Now we can bolt the new upper control arm to the newly installed bracket.
Next up is the upper bumpstop install, which came with the kit.
That’s followed by bolting in the lower control arm using the supplied hardware.

The new coilovers come disassembled from Ridetech, although it’s super easy to assemble them. We will set the final ride height once the truck is sitting on its own weight.
Now the coilover can be slid into place and bolted onto the new upper mounting bracket we just installed.
The spindle simply bolts to the upper and lower control arms as well as the steering linkage. Very nice engineering on this kit!
After reinstalling the brakes we already had on the truck, we can move on to mounting the new Ridetech Muscle sway bar. The kit came with this bracket that bolts to the factory location.
And there we have it! The front suspension is complete, the sway bar is on, and now it’s time to put our new wheels on!
We chose these beautiful 20-inch wheels that are stagger fit specifically designed for the squarebody. And the stance is perfect after adjusting the coilovers a bit.

These parts aren’t just about lowering the truck; they’re all about improving geometry, alignment, and overall handling.

This truck rides AMAZING now and looks even better. This it was a blast to install and we think anyone can handle the project on their own.

 

SOURCE

Ridetech
812-482-2932
www.ridetech.com

 

PHOTOS BY DAVID SHANKIN

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