KP Components - Air Suspension - Bolt On

1974 Chevy C10 Kp Components Bolt On Suspension Airbag

In the past, the custom truck scene has been all about building the best looking ride for the shows. That was then, this is now. Instead of just "Sittin' Pretty" under a shady tree, custom truck enthusiasts want more out of their haulers. The pro-touring and performance trend is invading the custom truck world. After the Goodguys Rod & Custom Association introduced showgoers to their autocross competition a couple of years ago, we have seen truck builders transforming their rides into lateral g-Machines. Now when you peer under the hood, the engine bling has been replaced with serious horsepower components that make a statement. The truck’s lowered stance isn’t just about curbside appeal, but about function meeting form. Things builders are now paying attention to include: acceleration, braking, and cornering.

When lowering your truck, whether it is a static or airbag drop, it is always critical to obtain the correct front and rear suspension geometry. When removing the factory front suspension pickup points and mounting brackets from the factory framerails, it becomes more crucial to obtain the correct pickup points to create accurate toe, caster, camber and Ackerman. The rear suspension is just as critical as the front. The rear axlehousing, third member, pinion gearshaft, and driveshaft must be in line with the transmission and engine crankshaft. The driveshaft universal joints will correct any slight misalignment between the driveline components to the transmission and crankshaft. Also, it is very important that the rearend is in alignment with the front suspension. A linked rearend should be laterally located with a watts-link or panhard bar eliminating any lateral movement while cornering.

1974 Chevy C10 Kp Components Bolt On Suspension Frame

1. After removing the '74 Chevy C10 cab, hood, fenders and bed, the frame was stripped of its front suspension pickup points, crossmember, and miscellaneous brackets. The frame was then delivered to Performance Powder Coating and Sandblasting in Anaheim, California, where the dirt and grease were mediablasted away allowing fresh bare metal to be exposed. The clean frame was delivered to Eighball Customs and loaded onto the rotisserie frame table where it was leveled, squared, and secured. Having the frame secured on the frame table will eliminate any interference or movement while we install the KPC front and rear suspension.

1. After removing the '74 Chevy C10 cab, hood, fenders and bed, the frame was stripped of

To guarantee a flawless pneumatic suspension transformation that will improve both the driving and handling performance of a '74 Chevy C10, we contacted KP Components (KP). KP has been a leading aftermarket manufacturer of sport truck suspension for more than a decade. KP's popular bolt-on front DropMember independent front suspension (IFS) and unique bolt-on cantilever four-link, with Watt’s link rear suspension systems have been proven winners in the sport truck world. KP Components’ bolt-on front DropMember air suspension and rear cantilever air suspension are the answer to improve your truck’s driving and handling performance.

The crew at Eightball Customs in Placentia, California, performed the installation of the KP front DropMember, with Layarm lower and upper control arms, 3-inch drop spindles, Slam Specialties convoluted airbags, VariShock shock absorbers. The KP cantilever four-link airbagged rear suspension allowed optimum compression suspension travel by installing the KP bolt-on frame step notch kit. Follow along as Eightball Customs' Martin Lange utilizes his wrenchin' skills to install the KP front and rear airbag suspension systems.

Highs:

High-quality engineered front and rear suspension systems
Airbagged suspension allows for ultimate stance
Improved ride quality
Improved handling performance
Simple installation

Lows:

Drilling many holes
Removing factory front and rear suspension mounting brackets and suspension pickup points

2. The KP bolt-on 3-inch DropMember, with 3-inch drop spindles, tubular upper and lower control arms, 7-inch-diameter double-convoluted Slam Specialties airbags and power steering rack will take this ’74 C10’s front suspension to the next level. The 3-inch DropMember front suspension system will allow the C10 to completely lay frame and tuck 24-inch wheels and tires. The KP DropMember suspension will also move the front wheel center forward, relocating the front wheel in the center of the wheelwell opening.
2. The KP bolt-on 3-inch DropMember, with 3-inch drop spindles, tubular upper and lower co
3. Our first step was to cut the frame notches to allow clearance for the KP Components’ rack-and-pinion steering tie-rods. Inner framerail notch brackets were then tack-welded in place
3. Our first step was to cut the frame notches to allow clearance for the KP Components’ r
4. The main DropMember was held in place while the inner frame support plates were aligned with the upper and lower mounting holes.
4. The main DropMember was held in place while the inner frame support plates were aligned

5. Martin then used box wrenches to snug up the Grade 8 bolts.
6. The exterior upper control arm/bag mount bracket was aligned and bolted in place using a socket/ratchet and 16mm box wrench.
6. The exterior upper control arm/bag mount bracket was aligned and bolted in place using
7. At this stage, here’s an elevated overall view of the KP DropMember, inner frame support plates, upper control arm/bag mount brackets, and rack-and-pinion notch brackets.
7. At this stage, here’s an elevated overall view of the KP DropMember, inner frame suppor

8. After mounting the motor mount side brackets to the motor mount perches, the bushings were then secured with an air impact gun.
8. After mounting the motor mount side brackets to the motor mount perches, the bushings w
9. The big-block motor mount perch was inserted between the two mounting tabs then secured.
9. The big-block motor mount perch was inserted between the two mounting tabs then secured
10. After inserting the lower control arm steel sleeve into the DuPont Delrin bushings, they were pressed into the lower control arms, then aligned, and installed. We were careful not to over tighten the nuts and bolts of the DuPont Delrin bushings.
10. After inserting the lower control arm steel sleeve into the DuPont Delrin bushings, th

11. The Slam Specialties convoluted airbag was wedged between the lower control arm and upper mounting plate.
11. The Slam Specialties convoluted airbag was wedged between the lower control arm and up
12. The 3-inch drop spindle was aligned with the lower control arm ball joint then the upper control arm ball joint was aligned and secured using 7/8-inch castle nuts.
12. The 3-inch drop spindle was aligned with the lower control arm ball joint then the upp
13. Martin inserted the KP rack-and-pinion steering rack into the frame notches.

14. After inserting the aluminum bushings into the pinion housing, the rack was then aligned to the mounting tabs on the 3-inch DropMember and secured.
14. After inserting the aluminum bushings into the pinion housing, the rack was then align
15. The aluminum tie-rod ends were then secured.
16. After drilling four holes in the framerails, the upper shock mounting bracket was aligned and secured using 3/8-inch nuts and bolts.
16. After drilling four holes in the framerails, the upper shock mounting bracket was alig

17. The front VariShock double-adjustable shock was inserted and secured at the mounting bracket and lower control arm tab.
17. The front VariShock double-adjustable shock was inserted and secured at the mounting b
18. This completed the front suspension.
19. An elevated overall view of the KP front suspension.

20. Moving to the rear suspension, Martin first removed a section of each of the framerails to allow for more axle travel. A die grinder with a cut-off wheel was used to cut the frame sections.
20. Moving to the rear suspension, Martin first removed a section of each of the framerail
21. The KP bolt-on frame step notched allowed the airbagged rear extended suspension travel through the removed framerail section plane during compression. KP's three piece boxed step notch literally bolts on the framerails, bridging the two cut framefrails together.
21. The KP bolt-on frame step notched allowed the airbagged rear extended suspension trave
22. Using an electric drill motor, Martin drilled eight 7/16-inch diameter holes in the framerail side. Then he drilled four 7/16-inch holes on the top of the framerail, and two on the bottom.
22. Using an electric drill motor, Martin drilled eight 7/16-inch diameter holes in the fr

23. The bolt-on frame step notch was then aligned with the previously drilled holes and secured with 5/8-inch, and 7/16-inch nuts and bolts.
23. The bolt-on frame step notch was then aligned with the previously drilled holes and se
24. KP’s unique cantilevered/four-link rear suspension system with Slam Specialties airbags allow the rear suspension a smooth travel motion all the way through its 12 inches of travel. The KP Watts link will maintain the rear end housing lateral location, allowing vertical rear suspension travel but eliminating any lateral movement. (The KP Watts link will be installed later).
24. KP’s unique cantilevered/four-link rear suspension system with Slam Specialties airbag
25. After pressing in the polyurethane bushings into the lower cantilever trestle bar, the cantilever trestle bar was then assembled to the frame mounting bracket.
25. After pressing in the polyurethane bushings into the lower cantilever trestle bar, the

26. An electric drill motor and 1/2-inch drill bit were used to drill locating holes in the framerail for the frame, mounting bracket.
26. An electric drill motor and 1/2-inch drill bit were used to drill locating holes in th
27. The cantilever trestle bar frame mounting bracket was secured to the framerail using 1/2-inch nuts and bolts.
27. The cantilever trestle bar frame mounting bracket was secured to the framerail using 1
28. The KP bolt-on cantilever bar system was installed. Now we moved to the KP bolt-on four-link system.
28. The KP bolt-on cantilever bar system was installed. Now we moved to the KP bolt-on fou

29. The KP bolt-on link bars were assembled to the frame mounting bracket using 1/2-inch nuts and bolts.
29. The KP bolt-on link bars were assembled to the frame mounting bracket using 1/2-inch n
30. After aligning the bolt-on four-bar links’ frame mounting bracket, box wrenches were used to tighten the 1/2-inch nuts and bolts, securing the frame-mounting bracket to the framerail.
30. After aligning the bolt-on four-bar links’ frame mounting bracket, box wrenches were u
31. The upper and lower KP four-bar links were aligned and secured to the front frame mounting plate.
31. The upper and lower KP four-bar links were aligned and secured to the front frame moun

32. Dual-adjustable VariShocks damped the rear KP bolt-on cantilever/four-bar link rear suspension.
32. Dual-adjustable VariShocks damped the rear KP bolt-on cantilever/four-bar link rear su
33. Martin inserted the Slam Specialties convoluted 7-inch diameter, 200-psi airbag between the cantilever bar and frame bracket.
33. Martin inserted the Slam Specialties convoluted 7-inch diameter, 200-psi airbag betwee
34. This photo shows us the profile of the KP bolt-on cantilever system with VariShock and Slam Specialties airbag assembled and located to the framerail.
34. This photo shows us the profile of the KP bolt-on cantilever system with VariShock and

Your Questions Answered
Degree of Difficulty:	Intermediate
Time Spent Working:	16 hours
Tools Needed: Electric drill motor with assorted drill bits; 1/2-inch, 9/16-inch, 5/8-inch, and 7/16-inch. Assorted wrenches, sockets, ratchet, and die grinder with cut off wheel.
Parts Used:
KP front DropMember FCB-C41	$1,199.00
KP Layarm bag lower control arms kit LCA-C4BDM / KP Layarm upper control arms UCA-C51	$1,087.00
KP 3-inch drop spindles DOS-C52-3	$269.00 pr.
VariShock front shock absorber (double adjustable)	$460.00 pr.
VariShock rear shock absorber (double adjustable)	$496.00 pr.
KP bolt-on frame step notch SNBO-C51	$339.00
KP CBO-C51 / KP bolt-on four-link 4LBO –C51	$1,269.00
Slam Specialties Air Bags (7-inch double-convoluted 200 psi) set of four	$300.00
Total:	$5,419.00
(Prices from KP Components, VariShock, Slam Specialties, do not include tax, shipping, or installation)

1974 Chevy C10 Kp Components Bolt On Suspension Rear Suspension Complete

35. Here is the complete KP bolt-on cantilever and bolt-on four-bar link rear suspension system.

35. Here is the complete KP bolt-on cantilever and bolt-on four-bar link rear suspension s

From the Driver Seat
At this point in the build, we were unable to drive the C10 to evaluate the suspension performance. After completion of the build, we will be driving and evaluating the C10’s handling. If the front and rear suspension perform as good as they look, it will be a kick in the butt to drive.

SOURCE
Eightball Rods And Choppers 1055 Ortega Way #D Placentia CA 92807 714-630-8188 www.eightballrodsandchoppers.com	KP Components www.kpcomponents.com