Project New Guy - 2000 Chevy Silverado - Rear Suspension

Last month we showed you the first of a series of articles on our latest buildup, a 2000 Silverado dubbed Project New Guy. Master Image Customs in Montclair, California, took care of the front suspension in a couple of hours, even installing new wheel hubs and SSBC rotors and calipers. With that complete, it was only a matter of tearing apart the rear suspension and bolting in the KP Components cantilevered four-link and Watt's link kit, along with the SSBC rear brake kit. For our 22-inch wheel and tire combo, the KP kit was a perfect choice to drop the rear nice and low. Follow along to see how easy it is to install a full rear suspension slamming your frame on the ground and making it ride like a Cadillac.

1. This is what the stock rear setup looked like before MIC tore into it. Removing the bed was necessary, since a step notch will have to be cut into the framerails.
1. This is what the stock rear setup looked like before MIC tore into it. Removing the bed
2. First thing was to support the rear axlehousing. The U-bolts were then removed from the leaf springs.
2. First thing was to support the rear axlehousing. The U-bolts were then removed from the
3. An acetylene torch was used to cut the leaf-spring hangers from the truck.

4. Using a couple holes already in the frame and some holes that had to be drilled, Adam and Andy bolted the first pair of four-link bars to the frame using the included Grade 8 hardware.
4. Using a couple holes already in the frame and some holes that had to be drilled, Adam a
5. After mounting a bracket to the axlehousing, the front link bars were bolted to that mount. This is what it looked like once completed.
5. After mounting a bracket to the axlehousing, the front link bars were bolted to that mo
6. The cantilevered mount was attached to the frame using predrilled holes and a couple that had to be drilled.
6. The cantilevered mount was attached to the frame using predrilled holes and a couple th

7. With the installation of the cantilevered four-link setup complete, the billet aluminum, double-adjustable Varishocks were installed along with the Slam Specialties SS-7 airbags.
7. With the installation of the cantilevered four-link setup complete, the billet aluminum
8. At one point, the rear shocks in this truck were swapped out for a pair of coilovers used when towing. These coilovers were removed and discarded since the Varishocks will take over the work of pothole relief.
8. At one point, the rear shocks in this truck were swapped out for a pair of coilovers us
9. The factory transmission crossmember was swapped out for this one that is included in the kit. This new, beefier crossmember allows for more ground clearance and added strength. The kit also includes steel plates that are welded in key areas to add structural integrity. This is what sets the KP Components kit apart from other ’bag kits.
9. The factory transmission crossmember was swapped out for this one that is included in t

10. Since the rear of the truck was torn apart, installing the SSBC kit was very simple. We just put the new rotor over the lug nuts and bolted the new caliper in place of the original.
10. Since the rear of the truck was torn apart, installing the SSBC kit was very simple. W
11. Here is how the rear looked with the SSBC kit installed.
12. In order for the rear end to lay out completely, a step notch needed to be cut into the frame. The instructions from the step notch kit told us exactly where the frame should be cut. This was a very important step, and the old saying, “Measure twice, cut once,” definitely applied here.
12. In order for the rear end to lay out completely, a step notch needed to be cut into th

13. After welding the step notch plates to the frame, the frame was cut out from under the plates and the whole thing was welded shut and gusseted. Here, excess metal was being cut off with a torch.
13. After welding the step notch plates to the frame, the frame was cut out from under the
14. Finally, the rearend could be jacked up to show how it will lay out and to check for binding.
14. Finally, the rearend could be jacked up to show how it will lay out and to check for b
15. The double-convoluted SS-7 ’bags were perfect for this application and the Varishocks looked great and performed even better.
15. The double-convoluted SS-7 ’bags were perfect for this application and the Varishocks

16. When lowering a truck, the rearend needs to be kept centered for proper road tracking, alignment, and even performance. For this truck, we decided on the KP Components Watt’s link kit. This needed to be installed between the differential cover and the axlehousing.
16. When lowering a truck, the rearend needs to be kept centered for proper road tracking,
17. Holes were drilled in the step notch plate to mount the endlink plates for the Watt’s link and the plate was mounted with included Grade 8 hardware.
17. Holes were drilled in the step notch plate to mount the endlink plates for the Watt’s
18. With everything bolted up, the Watt’s link was in place and the last thing to do was fill the rearend with gear oil, pumb the airbags, install the valves and switches, and bolt on the new wheels and tires.
18. With everything bolted up, the Watt’s link was in place and the last thing to do was f

2000 Chevy Silverado Bonspeed Malibu Wheels

20. The wheels we chose were Bonspeed Malibu billets in size 22x8½-inch up front and 22x10-inch in the rear. They were wrapped in Toyo Proxes STII tires, size 265/35R22.

20. The wheels we chose were Bonspeed Malibu billets in size 22x8½-inch up front and 22x10

Driver Seat

The install of the KP cantilevered four-link kit couldn't have been easier. The best thing is that KP Components offers everything needed to complete the install. When driving on the freeway, the truck rides more like a luxury vehicle than a truck, and when aired out, the frame sits firmly on the ground. When it is time to go, bringing the truck up just a little bit will allow you to drive with a full turning radius. That is in part to the correct backspacing on the Bonspeed wheels. Special thanks to Viair for the compressors, Slam Specialties for the 'bags, and Mac's Springs for the air components.

Highs	Lows
Straightforward install	Cutting the frame is a must
Smooth ride
Lays frame

SOURCE
Mac's Springs n/a n/a CA 909-862-4811 www.macssprings.com	Bonspeed Wheels 3544 E. Enterprise Dr. Anaheim CA 92807 1-888-999-7258 http://www.bonspeedwheels.com/
SSBC Performance Brake Systems 11470 Main Street Clarence NY 14031 800-448-7722 www.ssbrakes.com	Slam Specialties 5845 E. TERRACE AVE. Fresno CA 93727 888-352-5225 www.slamspecialties.com
Master Image Customs 5436 E. Holt Suite A2 Montclair CA 91736 909-417-1085 http://www.masterimagecustoms.co m/	Toyo Tires 800-442-8996 www.toyotires.com
KP Components www.kpcomponents.com	VIAIR Corporation 15 Edelman Irvine CA 92618 949-585-0011 www.viaircorp.com