Ridetech 11009500 - Manual (Page 2)

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
FRONT SYSTEM
1.Determine ride height of vehicle. On an existing vehicle, remove your present springs and use a
floor jack to adjust vehicle height. Be sure to maintain a reasonable ground clearance,. Remember
that you will have 3 to 4 inches of downward adjustment from this point. On most vehicles, the lower
A arms should be approximately level at ride height. [ Ride height refers to the level at which the
vehicle will travel down the road, airsprings inflated.] Record the spindle measurement and the fender
lip measurement so this relationship can be re-created at a comfortable working height.
2. Attach the air spring to the lower bracket and attach the assembly to the lower A arm. Make sure
the air spring does not contact any part of the car at any time!
THE AIR SPRING BELLOWS MUST NOT CONTACT ANYTHING AT ANYTIME!!!
Set the airspring as far toward the wheel as possible while avoiding steering linkage, brake calipers
sway bars brake lines, etc.
3. With the spindle at ride height, attach the upper bracket to the airspring. Make sure the airspring is
also at ride height. You may have to compress the airspring slightly to the correct installed height
dimension included with your system. If you are unsure about this dimension, call us and we can
give it to you..
4. With the airspring and bracket assembly in place, you can now determine the location of the
upper bracket. Clamp the bracket in place for marking holes or for welding. Double check the
clearance around the airspring in all wheel positions and all steering angles. You will also want to
check for proper ground clearance [at least 2 “] when the airspring is completely deflated. Remember
that a bump stop should be used to maintain proper ground clearance when the airspring is
completely deflated.
5. Remove the airspring to do the final welding. The airspring has NO tolerance for weld splatter!
6. Shock absorber mounting is next. The bottom of the shock is mounted to the lower A arm. The top
of the shock is mounted to the frame. With the A arm at full droop,[max airspring height dimension]
trial fit the shock to avoid interference with steering and brake components. Make sure that the shock
doesn’t bottom out before the airspring is completely deflated.[vehicle on bumpstops. Refer to min.
height dimension.]
REAR SYSTEM
1. Set rear of vehicle at ride height. You may have to remove the coilsprings or some of the leafs to
let the vehicle settle to the desired ride height. Remember that this is the height that you want the car
to go down the road at. You will have approx. 4” of drop available from this point.[Note: You must
leave at least 2 leafs in the leafspring pack for lateral stability. If the vehicle is not low enough at that
point, a 4 link or ladder bar suspension should be considered.]
Continued....
2. Record measurement of axle and fender lip so this relationship can be recreated at a comfortable
working height.
3. When the vehicle is safely supported by the frame at working height, install the lower airspring
bracket onto the axle tube level with the car.[not necessarily level with the ground.] Be aware of any
interference from exhaust, brake lines, suspension components, etc. Refer to the dimension chart for
the inflated diameter of the airspring. It may be substantially larger than the uninflated diameter.
REMEMBER: THE AIRSPRING MUST NOT TOUCH ANYTHING AT ANYTIME!!
4.Install the airspring onto the lower bracket and use it to determine the location of the upper bracket.
A good alternative to this is to use a length of thread stock with some nuts and washers to simulate