THE AUTO BUILDER

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They say don’t mess with it if it isn’t broken. This straightforward build of a 2006 Honda Ridgeline RTL puts that advice into practice. Honda’s foray into the truck realm seems to have tapped into something big: that some people really want their truck to be more like a big, spacious car. Those people, for whatever reason, like the idea of driving a truck, but deep down they prefer something more comfortable and more refined. That is exactly what the Honda Ridgeline delivers.

So when Buddy Rice, Honda and Fesler Built started talking about customizing a Ridgeline, the conversation didn’t involve an all-out overhaul. Instead the team wanted to rely on the designed-in features that have made the Ridgeline so popular.

IMPRESSION

In terms of historic automotive achievements (and there have been many, to be sure), this stylized ’36 Ford roadster will long be remembered for its most human elements. Through them, a vehicle of unparalleled execution—at least to date—regardless of type, style or vintage, has come of age. Only slightly reminiscent of the car it is based upon, the lines expressed through the flowing body and adjoining components, and all of the well-placed details, give one the impression of speed, style and a hint of great classics of the past. And while it may take on a hint of flavor of classics past, the overall concept is entirely its own—a coach-built car done for these modern times.

ARMED & DANGEROUS

Replacing the rear suspension arms is something of a Mustang tradition, and the S197 platform is no exception. Wheel hop is proving to be something of a problem on these vehicles, and Modular Mustang Racing has the solution in the form of new lower rear control arms for the ’05 Mustang.

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ON THE LEVEL

DJM Engineers a Leveling Kit for the 2007 Tahoe

Author

Marshall Spiegel

The ’07 Tahoe, Chevrolet’s premature baby, hit the street in late March 2006. Introducing the next generation of Tahoes so early was part of some master marketing scheme, born and nurtured in the hallowed halls of Chevrolet corporate. In any case, the ’07 Tahoe’s rear ride height measured 23-1/8 inches from the center of the hub to the lip of the fenderwell, while the front measured only 20-1/4 inches. As usual, the rear stood considerably higher than the front.

For those who don’t see this suspension configuration as “cool,” DJM Suspension of Gardena, California, a manufacturer of suspension lowering kits, immediately set to work engineering a leveling kit to put the “ass-end” of the ’07 Tahoe on the same plane as the front. In other words, DJM engineered a cool-looking kit.

The DJM leveling kit features 2-inch rear drop springs, for which the installation is rather straightforward.

After the wheels are removed, the lower shock mounts are unbolted. The sway bar is then unbolted but not removed. The rubber isolators are removed and saved to be re-installed. The 2-inch rear drop springs are then installed. When the springs are securely in place, the lower shock mount is rebolted. The sway bar is then retightened in place.

At the completion of the DJM leveling kit installation, the rear had been brought down exactly 2 inches and its ride height measured 21-1/8 inches. The installation of the DJM leveling kit made all the difference in the world to the stance of the ’07 Tahoe.

The accompanying photos follow the highlights of the teardown of the stock suspension and the installation of the DJM lowering springs. Check it out if you are looking for that cool stance on your new Tahoe.