Turn Your Early Chevy II or Nova into a Handling Beast with a Ridetech Suspension Package

When Chevrolet introduced the Chevy II in 1962, it was meant to compete directly with the Ford Falcon. The front suspension was a simple affair of a lower strut arm and a shock and coil spring riding above an upper control arm (a lot like its Falcon rival had). The rear suspension was even simpler with two monoleaf springs. Handling was not the top priority—cost was.

But you can fix Chevy’s missteps with a Ridetech Suspension Package for 1962-67 Chevy II and Nova. Here’s what you get:

TruTurn Front Suspension
The TruTurn front suspension replaces the stock components with an upper/lower A-arm setup. The design eliminates the original lower strut rods by using bolt-in chassis plates that provide precise control arm mounting and significantly increase the strength of the subframe. The TruTurn suspension moves the wheels nearly an inch rearward for increased tire clearance while maintaining the stock track width.

The StrongArm tubular control arms can be adjusted from 3° to over 7° positive caster. The additional caster and Delrin bushings provide improved high speed stability and steering feel.

Tall spindles provide more negative camber gain to maximize tire contact patch during cornering. A two inch pin drop allows the use of longer shocks for more suspension travel. They are compatible with original and aftermarket disc brakes.

The MuscleBar 1.125 inch diameter hollow sway bar is rated at 1,225 lbs./in. rate for great handling in the corners and a smooth ride on the straights.

The TruTurn system is compatible with manual steering, Borgeson power box upgrade, or stock ram assist factory-style power steering and front sump oil pans. Steering arms, inner and outer tie rods, billet tie rod adjusters, and center link adapter are included.

Bolt-On Four-Link Rear Suspension
The Ridetech Bolt-On Four-Link will lower ride height approximately two inches and greatly improve ride quality, traction and handling. Low-friction R-Joint rod ends provide full-range suspension articulation, lateral stability, and quiet operation. Link locations optimize the roll center and provide adjustable anti-squat to further fine-tune handling.

The suspension uses the original leaf spring front mounts with no modifications to the floor pan. The upper cradle bolts on with U-bolts and rivet nuts; it bridges the unibody “frame rails” to create strong attachment points for the upper four-link bars and the shocks. The only welding is the four small tabs on the rear axle housing to connect the upper bars.

The fun part is picking out the shocks. Ridetech gives you three choices:

• HQ Series single-adjustable coilovers with 24 compression settings
• TQ Series single rebound/dual compression-adjustable coilovers with built-in camber/caster adjustment
• TQ Series Shockwave air shocks with adjustable air spring

If you don’t want to spring for a complete kit, all of the components in the Ridetech Suspension Packages are available individually so you can piece your suspension together as your budget allows.

SEE RIDETECH’S SUSPENSION PACKAGES AND COMPONENTS FOR 1962-67 CHEVY II/NOVA AT SUMMIT RACING