Detroit Speed Engineering Speed Kit and SpeedMax 1967-1987 C10 IFS

There’s no question that the 1967-1972 Chevrolet C10 and GMC C15 pickups are highly sought after by Classic Truck Performance readers. Also extremely popular are the 1973-1987 Squarebody Chevy and GMC trucks. But while there’s a difference in styling of the two series of trucks, the modifications made to them often have the same goals: lower ride height and improved handling. Both these goals can be met with suspension kits from Detroit Speed & Engineering (DSE).

02 Complete independent front suspension (IFS) assembly with tubular control arms and coilovers for Chevy C10 — The DSE SpeedMAX is a complete, bolt-in replacement for the stock C10 front suspension that provides vastly improved ride and handling qualities.

DSE offers two distinct front suspension packages: Speed Kits and SpeedMAX. Entry-level Speed Kits are available in three configurations: Speed Kit 1, 2, and 3. All Speed Kits lower the front of your truck 4-1/2 inches, while handling and steering performance is improved with each level of kit. Each component of the Speed Kits is also sold separately to allow users to fit the build of their truck.

03 Chevy C10 IFS kit components including crossmember A arms spindles sway bar and rack and pinion system — DSE’s crossmember mounts tubular A-arms, DSE aluminum spindle assemblies, coilovers, rack-and-pinion steering, and an antiroll bar.

Speed Kit 1 includes 2-inch drop coil springs, “Detroit Tuned” lowering shocks, and a 2-1/2-inch drop spindle assembly. The DSE forged-aluminum uprights feature truck hub pack wheel bearings with dual 5×5 or 5×4.75 bolt patterns and accept the OE-style GMT800 (1999-2006) Silverado brake calipers, allowing stock or aftermarket brake options. For 1967-1970 and 1971-1972 applications, Speed Kit 1 includes ball joints and tie-rod ends necessary to convert to 1973-1987 specifications.

04 Installed IFS system under Chevy C10 with detailed view of sway bar control arms and crossmember integration — After removing the steering box, tie-rod ends, centerlink, idler arm, and sway bar, the complete stock crossmember with suspension intact can be removed.

The DSE Speed Kit 2 adds a 1-7/16-inch-diameter sway bar. Along with new ball joints and tie-rod ends. The hollow tube design has a wall thickness of 0.188 and is 127 percent stiffer than a factory sway bar.

05 Engine crane lifting small block engine into the Chevy C10 s engine bay during custom build — As the front mounts are on the crossmember, the engine must be supported while removing the original suspension.

DSE Speed Kit 3 improves steering performance with DSE’s quick-ratio (12.7:1) power steering box. Not a rebuilt OEM unit, the new DSE power steering box uses “Detroit Tuned” rack-and-pinion valve technology along with a low-friction gear design for improved steering feel. Available for 1968-1986 Chevrolet/GMC C-Series trucks and Suburbans and 1987-1991 Chevrolet/GMC R-Series trucks/Suburbans, a new ¾-inch x 30-spline rag joint will be required, along with new O-ring power steering hoses. (Note: To install this steering box on a 1967 C-Series truck, frame modifications in the steering box area are necessary.)

06 Undercarriage view of Chevy C10 chassis showing IFS installation with custom headers and exhaust — In this case with the front of the engine supported by a hoist, wood blocks and a jackstand were used under the oil pan for additional support.

SpeedMAX
When it comes to the ultimate front suspension update, DSE offers their SpeedMAX kits for 1967-1972 and 1973-1987 Chevy C10- and GMC C15-series pickups. As John McLeod of DSE describes them, these are the “mack daddy of front suspension systems.”

07 Marking frame rail for IFS component placement during Chevy C10 custom suspension installation — To provide an opening for the new steering shaft from the column to the rack, the top of the driver side framerail has to be slotted. The supplied reinforcement plate is used as a template.

DSE describes SpeedMAX kits as being “designed for sports car–like handling with truck-duty parts.” In addition, DSE’s exclusive suspension geometry is engineered for superior handling and ride quality at a lowered ride height. SpeedMAX kits are a 100 percent bolt-on front suspension system that can be installed with the engine and front sheetmetal in place (some trimming of the inner fender panels is required to clear the coilover mounts).

08 Drilling frame rail for precise mounting of IFS crossmember on the Chevy C10 chassis — The slot in the framerail flange was started by cutting two holes with a hole saw.

Included in the SpeedMAX kits is a new stamped crossmember that mounts all the suspension components as well as small-block Chevy engine mounts. The original steering box and linkage is scrapped in favor of DSE’s “Detroit Tuned” GMT800 rack-and-pinion for positive and smooth steering control. The DSE aluminum body coilover shocks replace the factory coil springs and allow for ride height adjustment and spring rate tuning without having to disassemble the control arms and provide for a 4- to 6-inch suspension drop. The DSE shocks are available in non-, single-, and dual-adjustable designs; all come with 550 lb/in springs.

09 Smoothing drilled holes on frame rail for clean fitment of IFS bracket in Chevy C10 build — A burr on a right angle grinder was used to clean up the edges of the slot, matching it to the bracket.

SpeedMAX kits include tubular upper and lower control arms that are both lighter and stronger than the factory stamped steel parts. Using the DSE forged aluminum upright, a DSE SpeedMAX specific steering arm is added to optimize the Ackerman and bumpsteer geometry with the steering rack. The upright features the same dual bolt pattern hub pack and brake options as the Speed Kits. Also included is an improved sway bar specifically designed to work with the SpeedMAX suspension components.

10 Mounted IFS crossmember plate on the Chevy C10 frame secured with grade 8 bolts for stability — Here’s the DSE frame reinforcement plate bolted in place; the steering shaft will pass through the hole.

With all DSE Uprights, at least 17-inch wheels with an inside diameter of 16.250 inch must be used. DSE offers 13-inch brake rotors (PN 050403DS) to pair with OE replacement GMT800 calipers. DSE U-joint steering shafts are required for SpeedMAX installations, part numbers available for all year ranges. For the 1967-1972 trucks as shown in this install, DSE steering shaft (PN 092534DS) and Ididit steering column (PN 1120658010) are required.

11 DSE SpeedMAX crossmember for Chevy C10 featuring robust construction for independent front suspension installation — The DSE SpeedMAX crossmember simply bolts in place. There are two sets of mounting holes (three pairs on each side): one for 1967-1972 and another for 1973-1987. Each crossmember has a DSE identification plate with a serial number.

For a lowered ride height and improved handling, DSE offers their Speed Kits for those looking for a lowered profile; the ultimate in a performance suspension systems are the SpeedMAX kits. Either way, DSE can help get the drop on C10 and C15 pickups.