2000 Chevy S10 Buildup - Airbagit Street Scraper Kit

After

Ever since I became a full-fledged member of the Truckin' staff, I've been lucky enough to take advantage of some great opportunities to further customize my '00 Chevy S-10. Before I started working for the best truck magazine ever, I had lowered it a few times and finally landed on a 4/5 stance that not only looked good, but it was just tall enough to not scrape on every single speed bump in town, which was a real problem since this truck happens to be my daily driver. After finishing a few cosmetic upgrades that were featured as tech stories in the mag last year, a fresh surge of excitement rushed through my veins-something that hasn't happened since I first started tearing into my truck. At that point, I knew I wanted to see more out of my personal ride, so I decided that stepping up to a full 'bag setup was a definite must (it's been on my wish list for nearly a decade now). Airbagit was more than happy to accommodate my enthusiasm, so they extended a warm invitation to their Tempe, Arizona, headquarters that I accepted without hesitation.

Before

Airbagit's Street Scraper back half kit was the perfect solution to bringing the S-10's posterior down to ground level, and their Air Arms would drop the front perfectly. To complement the rest of Airbagit's air-ride products, they suggested their self contained Plug & Play unit, which included an upgraded DC7055 air compressor and a premium Air-Engine V-8 valve manifold that came prewired and ready to rock. With all the parts lined up, and the Airbagit crew ready to do their thing, I fired up my camera, and the long-awaited suspension transformation finally began. Follow along and learn, just as I did, how an air suspension works and how easily it can be installed.

Before I made the trek to Airbagit's Arizona HQ, a quick trip to Department of Customz, in Anaheim, California, was necessary to unbolt and remove the bed—one less step that would be necessary upon arrival. Roughly 8 hours later, I unloaded the S-10 off the trailer, and pulled it into Airbagit's tech center where the major components of the 'bag job were already laid out and ready to go. Both sets of upper and lower Air Arms, 'bag cups...
Before I made the trek to Airbagit's Arizona HQ, a quick trip to Department of Customz, in
...and the Street Scraper kit would soon work together to willingly drop my truck to the ground.
...and the Street Scraper kit would soon work together to willingly drop my truck to the g
The S-10 was then placed on the lift to assess where the frame had to be cut to make room for the Street Scraper. As you can see, the old static drop parts have been on for some time now—the Belltech drop leaf springs, blocks, and shocks have dutifully served their purpose and were retired with utmost respect. My truck was never even low enough to make the bolt-in C-notch necessary. There's nothing wrong with wishful thinking though, right?
The S-10 was then placed on the lift to assess where the frame had to be cut to make room

Anything that could be unbolted and cut away from the frame was, and the axle was supported with the help of two jackstands. Aaron documented a few precise measurements...
Anything that could be unbolted and cut away from the frame was, and the axle was supporte
...and broke out the plasma cutter, which cut through the stock frame like a hot knife through butter.
...and broke out the plasma cutter, which cut through the stock frame like a hot knife thr
With the rear of the truck being about as cut up as possible, the first few parts of the Street Scraper kit were test fitted and then bolted to the surviving portions of the frame.
With the rear of the truck being about as cut up as possible, the first few parts of the S