In this segment, we'll follow the installation of Air Ride Technologies' shockwave adjustable front suspension for '82-to-2000 S-series trucks. You'll be surprised at how simply you can add an adjustable cushion of air to your S-mini. The company's kits can have you on the road in a weekend's time, flexing on whoever rolls alongside you. For the complete story, read on. Thanks to Air Ride Technologies and RPM Motorsports in Huntington Beach, California, we've been enjoying the ease of use of this system now for about a month with nothing but praise. For more information, please contact the companies that made this article possible. Their information can be found in the source section at the end of this article.
1. To install Air Ride Technologies'...
1. To install Air Ride Technologies' ShockWaves, first you have to pull them out of the box. If you can bolt in a front shock in your S-series mini, you can do this -- no sweat.
2. Pull the front wheels of...
2. Pull the front wheels of your ride off and place them in a safe place. You don't want dings and chips on your fine rollers.
3. Just as we'd done before...
3. Just as we'd done before with the AirBar four-link, we did the same with the front end. We picked up the action after the coil spring and the factory shocks were removed from the front of the truck. With the lower control arm swinging free of the steering rod and the sway bar, we made sure that the lower shock slip-on nuts were there, but we could have also used bolts and Nylock nuts to keep the lower mount from loosening up.
4. With the lower control...
4. With the lower control arm completely out of the way, it was simple to load the ShockWave unit into position.
5. Feed the ShockWave through...
5. Feed the ShockWave through the spring cup and center the mounting stud in the stock upper shock-mounting hole.
6. You may find it easier...
6. You may find it easier to thread on the supplied hardware for the stem using all provided bushings to hold the unit in place.
7. Swing the lower control...
7. Swing the lower control arm back into position and bolt the spindle assembly back onto the lower control arm.
8. Replace the lower shock...
8. Replace the lower shock mount bolts. At this point, you will want to run your air line to the upper part of the ShockWave and begin reassembling the front suspension.
9. Replace the bushings and...
9. Replace the bushings and reinstall the sway bar just like it was from the factory.
10. Don't forget to torque...
10. Don't forget to torque everything to specs, and be sure to replace the original cotter pins with new ones for safety's sake. Replace the steering rod assembly.
11. Air Ride Technologies...
11. Air Ride Technologies supplied us with two valve assemblies, each loaded with four electric solenoids for electric valve operation. We followed the instructions and the wiring diagrams carefully to ensure that the truck went up when we wanted it to, where we wanted it, and stayed there. Up front, the RidePro max valvebody and the solenoids were installed under the hood.
12. In the rear of the truck,...
12. In the rear of the truck, just between the compressors, we mounted the valvebody fitted with Air Ride Technologies' RidePro max solenoids for the rear adjustable suspension. This was the quickest part of the install, since the compressors and the air tanks were right next door.
13. Completed, this is what...
13. Completed, this is what the full Monty looks like totally installed with tanks, compressors, and RidePro max valve and air lines.
14. The installation of the...
14. The installation of the wiring for the Air Ride Technologies' RidePro control panel was straightforward. The Air Ride Technologies' kit contains wiring that makes the install a plug-together, weather-resistant snap.
15. Ahh. Now, doesn't it feel...
15. Ahh. Now, doesn't it feel good to flex when you want to, on anyone you want to?