UNDER CONSTRUCTION - 7.30.26
This guide will help you plan your C10 build and purchase the needed parts. Follow each step, watch the linked video, and purchase the linked parts!
If you have any questions, post a comment below or message me on Instagram, Facebook, text 615-578-4540, or email me thesimplec10@gmail.com.
Start off by watching the new "Air Ride Guide" Youtube video that will explain all the steps below and answer some of the questions you may have!
Air Ride Shopping List
Here's a shopping list of parts you'll need to bag your truck! If you're on a budget, no worries! I purposely numbered these in the way I would order them. Simply click each item and purchase on my website. Each sale helps support more content!
Budget Shopping List - This shopping list will get you as close to laying frame as you can on a stock front crossmember. In order to fully "lay frame" you will need to purchase an additional dropmember in the front to gain the extra couple inches. You can follow the budget shopping list, then later on purchase a GMSS Air Ride Crossmember if you already have Porterbuilt Tubular Control Arms. If the plan is to go with a crossmember later on, then I would encourage you to go ahead and get the control arms. Although cupped lowers may work with the crossmember, we highly recommend having forward and narrow arms with the crossmember to gain firewall and fender clearance.
1. Simple.C10 Air Ride Kit
2. Velaworks Front Slam Kit or Stage 3 Front Bundle
3. 2.5" Drop Spindles
4. Front 3" Drop Shocks or Front Shock Relocation
5. Porterbuilt Hood Hinges or Switch Suspension Hood Hinges
6. Simple Back Half Kit
7. Rear Shock Relocation Kit
8. Transmission Crossmember
9. Inner Fender Tubs + Firewall Panels
Laying Frame Shopping List - This shopping list will include everything needed to lay frame. The main difference in this kit and the budget kit is the addition of a Dropmember. You need this in order to frop your front crossmember an additional 2 inches. You can also achieve this by Zing the frame of Pancaking the crossmember, but a dropmember is the easiest bolt in solution that has less problems to run into.
1. Simple.C10 Air Ride Kit
2. Porterbuilt Dropmember or GMSS Fab Crossmember + PB Control Arms
3. 2.5" Drop Spindles
4. Porterbuilt Hood Hinges or Switch Suspension Hood Hinges
6. Porterbuilt Back Half Kit or Simple Back Half Kit
7. Transmission Crossmember
8. Inner Fender Tubs + Firewall Panels
Step 1: Planning Your Build and Air Ride Kit
Planning your build and purchasing your air ride kit is your first step! Watch "Airride 101" on Youtube to help you plan your build! On all my builds, I use the "Simple.C10 Kit". We teamed up to make baggin' a C10 easy! This kit includes the tank, compressors, and Airlift 3P or ALP4 System, which I highly recommend!
Step 2: Cupping Your Control Arms, Upper Bag Bracket
On my builds, I like to start with the front suspension. I will remove the drum brakes, stock spindle, springs, shocks, and lower control arms. Once the control arms are removed, install the Velaworks Front DIY Slam Kit. This kit includes the upper bag bracket and the weld-in cup that is installed on your lower control arm. You install this cup to be able to mount the bag directly to the bottom of the control arm to allow maximum drop with stock control arms. Watch the "Velaworks DIY Slam Kit Video" for a step-by-step guide. If you're not able to weld in a lower control arm pocket, another product that I offer that achieves the same goal is "Porterbuilt Tubular Control Arms". They allow you to mount the bag directly to the bottom of the control arm, giving you maximum drop. They also come with an option to have them forward and narrowed 1 inch. This gives you more fender and firewall clearance. Now that I have more experience bagging these trucks, I always use "Porterbuilt Tubular Control Arms". I think they are one of the best upgrades you can make to the front of your truck. Although they are more expensive, the benefits outweigh the cost. Just make sure to add in the front shock relocation kit that is required with the arms. Th best option is my "Front Bundle Stage 3" which is the control arms, upper bag bracket, shock relocation, and tie rod adjuster. Everything you need for the front. Just as a reminder, the larger diameter 2600 or SS7 bag installs up front.
Step 3: Drop Spindles, Drop Shocks
The next step is purchasing drop spindles. No matter what configuration you have on the front, it will require drop spindles to get all the way down. The last step is to install CPP 3" Drop Shocks. These shocks work in the factory position and are perfect for this setup! Other drop shocks may bottom out before the bag is completely deflated because they are designed to be used with shock extenders. Watch the "Disc Brake and Drop Spindle Installation Video" for more details!
Step 4: Front Fender Modification
Step 5: Rear Back Half (notch, bridge, four link)