Project New Guy - 2000 Chevy Silverado - Front Suspension

I was hired to work as the Associate Editor of Truckin’ in early September of 2010. For the first three months of working at the mag, I was truck-less. That was until I picked up the perfect project truck, a 2000 Chevy Silverado that had been used as a work vehicle, and for $3,000, I couldn’t beat it. It was in sad shape, which made the need to fix it up taste that much sweeter. After talking with Editor Dan Ward, I decided that I wanted to build a daily driveable ’bagged show vehicle.

Once I decided what I was going to do, I needed a rendering. I contacted Robbie Bryant, owner of Keg Media. We chatted about what I wanted the truck to look like and within a few weeks I received an email with the rendering attached. It looked better than I had imagined. Now all I had to do was make it look like that. I first needed to find a suspension that would let the truck lay out on terra firma. After much research I decided on KP Components. Their kit was the most complete and required the least amount of custom fabrication. I ordered their front control arm kit, which came with the upper and lower control arms, 2-inch drop spindle, and Varishock billet aluminum, double-adjustable shocks. For the rear, I chose their bolt-on cantilevered four-link kit with the Watt’s link upgrade and step notch kit. I knew that this would allow the rear of the truck to lay all the way out.

After we pulled the truck into M.I.C., Adam and Andy got to work pulling apart the front suspension.

After we pulled the truck into M.I.C., Adam and Andy got to work pulling apart the front s

To install the kit, I contacted Adam Diaz with Master Image Customs (M.I.C.) in Montclair, California. M.I.C. is known for building some of the baddest cars and trucks on the road, so I knew they were more than capable of installing everything. Follow along to see how we gave the front end of this former ranch hand truck a better stance, and don’t miss next month’s install on the rear KP setup.

1. First, the front tires and shocks were removed. Then the sway bar was disconnected from the lower control arm.
1. First, the front tires and shocks were removed. Then the sway bar was disconnected from
2. The tie-rod end was unbolted and pryed from the spindle with some persuasion from a hammer and air chisel.
2. The tie-rod end was unbolted and pryed from the spindle with some persuasion from a ham
3. To remove the spindle, the upper and lower ball joint nuts were removed.

4. Before continuing, the brake caliper had to be unbolted from the spindle and removed, as was the rotor.
4. Before continuing, the brake caliper had to be unbolted from the spindle and removed, a
5. A bit more muscle was needed to loosen the ball joints from the spindle.
6. Finally, with the spindle removed, the stock spring could be removed from its perch.

7. With the spindle, spring, and shock gone, the upper and lower control arms were removed from the truck and discarded.
7. With the spindle, spring, and shock gone, the upper and lower control arms were removed
8. The kit did require some cutting. As you can see here, the upper spring bucket was trimmed down a bit and the bumpstop for the upper control arm was cut off.
8. The kit did require some cutting. As you can see here, the upper spring bucket was trim
9. According to the instructions, the control arms were the first things to be bolted on. They went on without a problem.
9. According to the instructions, the control arms were the first things to be bolted on.

10. Next, the factory transmission crossmember was removed and replaced with this one from the kit. This one is not only stronger, but it allows more clearance under the vehicle.
10. Next, the factory transmission crossmember was removed and replaced with this one from
11 Included in the kit is a pair of McGaughy’s drop spindles. Here you can see the difference in the stock spindle compared to the drop spindle.
11 Included in the kit is a pair of McGaughy’s drop spindles. Here you can see the differe
12. We decided that we might as well change the wheel hubs since it would only require a few more bolts to be removed and the old ones had more than 200,000 miles on them. With the new wheel hub attached to the McGaughy’s spindle, the spindle was sandwiched between the new upper and lower control arms.
12. We decided that we might as well change the wheel hubs since it would only require a f

13. Here is the difference between the worn-out factory rotor and SSBC 15-inch slotted and drilled rotor.
13. Here is the difference between the worn-out factory rotor and SSBC 15-inch slotted and
14. On this project, we also upgraded the brakes. SSBC sent a set of their six-piston front brakes and four-piston rear brake kits. The six-piston front calipers look much better and will definitely outperform the old two-piston calipers.
14. On this project, we also upgraded the brakes. SSBC sent a set of their six-piston fro
15. To start the brake install, the caliper bracket was bolted to the spindles with the Grade 8 hardware.
15. To start the brake install, the caliper bracket was bolted to the spindles with the Gr

16 After slipping the new rotors over the lug studs, the caliper was bolted to the bracket.
16 After slipping the new rotors over the lug studs, the caliper was bolted to the bracket
17. Included in the SSBC kit were replacement braided stainless steel brake lines. These were attached to the hard lines and run to the calipers.
17. Included in the SSBC kit were replacement braided stainless steel brake lines. These w
18. With everything bolted in place, the Slam Specialties RE-7 airbags were fitted with a bag spacer and were attached between the factory spring bucket and lower control arm.
18. With everything bolted in place, the Slam Specialties RE-7 airbags were fitted with a

Not shown in the photos

19. The final step was to bolt on the Varishock double-adjustable shocks onto the front. With that complete, Adam and Andy moved to the rear suspension, but that will have to wait until the next issue. Be sure to check back to see the install of the cantilevered four-link with Watt’s link in the rear.

Your Questions Answered
Time Spent Working:	6 hours
Degree of Difficulty:	Intermediate
Tools Needed: Various sockets and wrenches, sledgehammer, plasma cutter, air chisel, and air gun.
Parts Used:
KP Components Front Suspension System with 2-inch drop spindle and Varishock double-adjustable billet shocks #KPC-C71	$1,938.00
SSBC six-piston front brake kit with red powdercoating #A126-53	$2,594.95
Slam Specialties RE-7 airbags: $99.00 each	$198.00 (total)
Total:	$4,730.95
(prices from manufacturers and do not include tax, shipping, or installation)

Highs:	Lows:
Bolt-on Kit	Requires Cutting
Kit can be upgraded	Hard to do in the driveway
Comes with everything needed

SOURCE
SSBC Performance Brake Systems 11470 Main Street Clarence NY 14031 800-448-7722 www.ssbrakes.com	Master Image Customs 5436 E. Holt Suite A2 Montclair CA 91736 909-417-1085 http://www.masterimagecustoms.co m/
KP Components www.kpcomponents.com	Slam Specialties 5845 E. TERRACE AVE. Fresno CA 93727 888-352-5225 www.slamspecialties.com