Front Air Ride Suspension on a Chevy S10 - Daily Dime

For this installment of the Daily Dime, build we installed Suicidedoors.com control arms and front 'bag setup.

The setup allows for easy clearance and suspension travel with up to a 22-inch wheel. The control arms can be bought in the entire kit or sold separately and are available in raw finish or many powdercoated colors to choose from. Not only does this take all of the guess work out of your front suspension install, but it also gives it a nice finished show look. As this kit is fairly straightforward and easy to install, we didn't really go into much detail, rather just showed an overview of the components. We also had to modify the stock tranny crossmember and installed a carrier bearing crossmember to finally lay the daily Dime flat on the pavement. Follow along and see how easy this kit was to install and get us that much closer to daily pimpin'. For more information, check out the companies listed in the source box.

1. We began by setting the...        read full caption 1. We began by setting the truck up safely on jackstands and removing the front wheels.	2-3. The stock front suspension...        read full caption 2-3. The stock front suspension is completely disassembled all the way down to the control arms.	3.
4-5. Before you remove the...        read full caption 4-5. Before you remove the stock tie-rod ends, measure them to see where they sit, that way you can install the new tie-rod ends set to the same measurements. Of course you will still need to align the truck when finished.	5.	6. Before removing the stock...        read full caption 6. Before removing the stock upper control arms, we also counted and reinstalled the same number of shims to get as close to the factory alignment as possible, but again, you STILL need to align the truck when finished with any new suspension modification.
7. Next, Lukasz clearanced...        read full caption 7. Next, Lukasz clearanced the upper frame pocket for the airbag.	8. The gaps were welded up...        read full caption 8. The gaps were welded up not only to help with the aesthetics of the finished install, but also to add a little strength.	9. After everything is welded...        read full caption 9. After everything is welded up, it can all be ground down and cleaned up.
10. The frame and all bare...        read full caption 10. The frame and all bare metal was painted black, then the rest of the goodies could be bolted up.	11. We double-checked that...        read full caption 11. We double-checked that everything was tightened, then installed new cotter pins for added peace of mind.	12. With the suspension components...        read full caption 12. With the suspension components in place, we were now able to move onto the airbag install.
13. The Air Lift `bags bolt...        read full caption 13. The Air Lift `bags bolt to the spring cup, and the spring cup bolts to the frame. The lower control arms are set up to accept the `bag bolts as well. With the 'bags bolted in we cycled the suspension to make sure everything was operating smoothly before running our airline to the valves.	14-15. Moving along to our...        read full caption 14-15. Moving along to our carrier bearing crossmember issue, first we supported the weight of the driveshaft with a jackstand. Then, we unbolted the carrier bearing.	15.
16. The factory carrier bearing...        read full caption 16. The factory carrier bearing is plug-welded to the side of the frame, so the only tough part is torching out the plug welds to ditch the factory piece. After that, the new piece bolts right into place, no prob.	17. The new carrier bearing...        read full caption 17. The new carrier bearing provides plenty of ground clearance and helps clean up the under carriage a little in the process.	18. The factory tranny crossmember...        read full caption 18. The factory tranny crossmember was modified and clearanced to make room for the factory exhaust.
19. With the modified tranny...        read full caption 19. With the modified tranny crossmember installed, the exhaust has plenty of breathing room.	20. The control arms look...        read full caption 20. The control arms look right at home on our Daily Dime project. Now, the next thing that needs to be tended to is tubing out the firewall and making some new fenderwells. Stay tuned.	21. Here is what she will...        read full caption 21. Here is what she will look like, right at home lying flat on the ground. But we still have a little more work to do.