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The wheel bearing in the passenger side started to squeal. I was hoping that it was just from sitting the last year and a little movement would lube it back up but I think it's gonna have to be replaced. Since it is a PITA of a job to do this on a C3 and will most likely need a trailing arm rebuild anyway why not a suspension upgrade right? Can you say coil overs? Now I just need to decide if it will be the Shark Bite suspension or the Ridetech? If I've done my homework right Shark bite requires stock trailing arms Ridetich are offset which equals wider tires but they are a lot higher. I'd like to hear from anyone that has either setup and how you like/dislike them. Is one a lot better than the other? My goal is to make the car eventually drive like a modern car by taking Baby Steps. I'm thinking coil overs all the way around and a borgeson steering box will achieve this but I can only afford to do a little at a time. Would like to hear any recommendations from people that have achieved this.
I see Van Steel's solution, however I already have offset VS trailing arms. Anyone know if VS has a kit to adapt the coil overs to existing offset trailing arms?
I see Van Steel's solution, however I already have offset VS trailing arms. Anyone know if VS has a kit to adapt the coil overs to existing offset trailing arms?
Unfortunately, they do not. VS uses a different trailing arm for coil overs.
I also say Ridetech all the way. I used their Track 1 solution for my ‘64 and it is awesome, but complete overkill for your purpose. It does however use the same offset trailing arms, coil overs and upper coil over mounting solution as the version you are considering. Please realize that the $1900 price does not include the coil overs or bearing assembly. I sourced my bearing/upright/stub axle/parking brake assembly new from Van Steel.
All of that said, sit down and figure out exactly what you need based on how you will drive the car. You may find that offset trailing arms and coil overs are important, but cost is really important. VS may be the best solution in this case.
This is the Ridetech set up on my ‘64. Forget the diff mount, that is part of the Track 1 set up. Ridetech uses an upper coil over mounting frame that bolts into the sombrero bushing mounts and angles the coil overs for better geometry. Van Steel uses reinforcement for the upper shock mounts that are functional, but not ideal from a geometry perspective. However this really only matters for all out road racing. VS gives you a great solution for a more reasonable price.
Unfortunately, they do not. VS uses a different trailing arm for coil overs.
I also say Ridetech all the way. I used their Track 1 solution for my ‘64 and it is awesome, but complete overkill for your purpose. It does however use the same offset trailing arms, coil overs and upper coil over mounting solution as the version you are considering. Please realize that the $1900 price does not include the coil overs or bearing assembly. I sourced my bearing/upright/stub axle/parking brake assembly new from Van Steel.
All of that said, sit down and figure out exactly what you need based on how you will drive the car. You may find that offset trailing arms and coil overs are important, but cost is really important. VS may be the best solution in this case.
This is the Ridetech set up on my ‘64. Forget the diff mount, that is part of the Track 1 set up. Ridetech uses an upper coil over mounting frame that bolts into the sombrero bushing mounts and angles the coil overs for better geometry. Van Steel uses reinforcement for the upper shock mounts that are functional, but not ideal from a geometry perspective. However this really only matters for all out road racing. VS gives you a great solution for a more reasonable price.
I did not know that you could angle the coil overs on the Ridetech. I'm going to try to find this setup and price it for my 77. Man, that looks good!
Theres a recent thread somewhere about someone pulling the shark bite system out and replacing it because of issues.
If it is the same thread I read a few weeks ago he admitted to installing the system with wore-out strut rod bushings. I think he now believes this may have caused his issues.
VS coil overs sit ahead of the axle. Ridetech sits aft of the axle providing better geometry and range of motion. You pay a premium for Ridetech’s engineering and beefy extra components.
The green circle is the oem upper shock mount. VS includes a reinforcing bracket and this is where their upper coil over mounts. It is ahead of the axle as is the oem lower mount meaning the TA has a leverage advantage and it requires a stronger spring with less travel range. The upper blue circle is the sombrero mount and one end of the Ridetech upper coil over mounting frame. The lower circle is the lower mount at the end of the TA. The arrow shows I am using the lowest ride height.
What does the RideTech system bring to the table? I'm not seeing anything substantial, given the price tag. What am I missing?
In my case I wanted coilovers, needed new trailing arms and wanted a well engineered system. The trailing arms are works of art and super strong. The system raises the differential, and makes it easy to remove the diff without dropping the crossmember. It went together very easily. In the limited miles I have driven on it, I love it. When you consider the cost of a total rebuild on a stock system, I don’t think the price is out of line at all.
Classic muscle, thanks for this thread....I’ve been wondering the same thing for my 78. Since I have a 17 too, I’d like to beef up the 78 to ru and sit better. Really enjoying learning from this thread.
How many of you have or have not installed the "Muscle Bar"? Are they worth it? How So? Will I really see a huge improvement by installing ridetech in the rear and leaving the front stock until I can afford to do it? The StrongArms system is $1900, the coilovers are $700, the muscle bar is $725 plus I still will need the wheel bearings and install kit to rebuild my hubs to install into the Ridetech trailing arms. Does the ridetech kit come with new trailing arm bolts and shims or will I need to buy those as well? There's a trailing arm rebuild kit that has Timken bearings, races, seals, install tool, trailing arm bushings, and bolts for $393.90 after shipping on fleabay. That all total of $3718.90 and that's not including any tax or shipping that ridetech may charge. This is getting out of hand fast lol. I got the cash saved up for this but it's gonna about tap me out.
Last edited by Classic Muscle; Apr 23, 2021 at 02:32 PM.
How many of you have or have not installed the "Muscle Bar"? Are they worth it? How So? Will I really see a huge improvement by installing ridetech in the rear and leaving the front stock until I can afford to do it? The StrongArms system is $1900, the coilovers are $700, the muscle bar is $725 plus I still will need the wheel bearings and install kit to rebuild my hubs to install into the Ridetech trailing arms. Does the ridetech kit come with new trailing arm bolts and shims or will I need to buy those as well? There's a trailing arm rebuild kit that has Timken bearings, races, seals, install tool, trailing arm bushings, and bolts for $393.90 after shipping on fleabay. That all total of $3718.90 and that's not including any tax or shipping that ridetech may charge. This is getting out of hand fast lol. I got the cash saved up for this but it's gonna about tap me out.
No rear bar.
It does come with shims, pretty sure it came with new bolts too.
The instructions on the website do state what's included in the kit.
Big improvement in control and ride vs my 360# fiberglass / Bilstein sport rear setup.That said my trailing arm bushings were cooked.
Shark Bite or Ridetech
