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All-Girl Build: The C10 Community Throws A StreetGRIP Party for a Square Body Pickup

The Chevrolet C10 pickup truck market is booming — and for good reason.  The craftsmanship and creativity employed by C10 enthusiasts is exceptional.  Those two facets, however, pale in comparison to one other reason: Community.  The C10 Community places family and friendship above all else. These folks look out for each other and share resources when possible.   They also know how to throw a party.  Dino Battilana, for example, throws THE party of the year for Chevy Trucks called “Dino’s Git Down.” It attracts some of the coolest customs in the country.  There’s more. The community including Broey, Dino, Seth from Switch Suspension, Joe from Squarebody Syndicate, and many many others, also put together annual builds called One and Done.  One Project. One Day. RideTech has watched these One N Done builds, and they look like a great time! Since we live and breathe suspension, cool trucks, and turning wrenches, we headed for Phoenix to join in. There was only one problem: dudes were not allowed to be part of the project! This version of the One and Done party was an ALL-GIRL Build.

Approximately 26 ladies contributed to the build.  The subject was an 1986 Square Body C10 pickup belonging to Dino’s daughter. The all-girl crew swapped out the crusty original suspension for a brand new RideTech StreetGRIP suspension system. Work was done at Switch Suspension in Phoenix; special thanks to them for lending their lift, tools, and work space. Though the overwhelming majority of the one-day affair was devoted to the suspension update, the ladies also swapped out the bumpers, wheels and tires, fluids and a few more tweaks.  On rare occasion, Dino and the boys stepped forward in the interest of safety to handle issues such as coil spring removal.

While the all-girl crew worked profusely, the boys hung out and watched. The parking lot behind the shop turned into an impromptu party space and car show, with more amazing trucks parked out front. We had a great time and answered the occasional installation question. We can’t wait to do another One N Done build!  Enjoy some photos from the build below.

Predictably, the OE rear suspension came out with relative ease, but the front suspension put up a fight. The ladies won the battle, though. Many hands make light work.

 

Some phenomenal 1st, 2nd, and 3rd gen C10s were on hand, including this LS7-powered work of art.

 

While the ladies worked inside, their families hung out and watched. The men, unable to assist, anxiously watched from the chained off bay door. Dino’s Shockwave-equipped Suburban can be seen in the background.

 

26 women participated in the build, with members of the group taking turns underneath the truck. Determination and camaraderie ran high. A small group of guys took photos and kept a watchful eye for mechanical safety concerns.

 

Dino Battilana stepped in every once in a while to lend guidance. Like most of the guys, the temptation to grab a wrench and get dirty was almost unbearable at times.

 

Yes! Here’s the complete RideTech StreetGRIP kit along with some other new parts, including brake rotors and freshened control arms.

 

While some of the crew worked under the truck, others worked to assemble the StreetGRIP kit on the workbench.

 

She’s so happy! That’s because RideTech StreetGRIP composite leaf springs only weigh about 9 lbs each,  as opposed to the 35-pound springs that were removed.

 

Outside, the party was in full swing. The camper shell in this photo caps off one of our favorite trucks: YelLOWstone, the RideTech-equipped quad-cab square body camper owned by Ronnie from C10 Nation. So cool!

 

Everyone had a great time, learned a thing or two, and worked together to create a really nice truck.

 

With the US Mags wheels and low profile tires installed, the truck was ready to be lowered to the ground for its big debut. We look forward to hearing feedback from Dino’s daughter’s first drive.

 

Here’s the entire All Girls One N Done crew. Nice work everyone.

 

Some really nice square body pickups were parked out front. Better get your own 3rd gen while they are still affordable! This early example is one of our favorites.

 

Here’s another shot of a few of the early square body C10s on hand. Patina or fresh, these trucks are irresistible. Chevy (and GMC got it right with the 73-87s.

 

Like a father-daughter dance on wheels, here’s Dino’s Suburban parked ahead of his daughter’s new 1986 square body. Both are RideTech equipped.

For more information on RideTech StreetGRIP suspension for Square Body Pickups, please click HERE

The One N Done organizers would like to thank the following companies:

Switch Suspension

Chevy Only

C10 Nation

U.S. Mags

Royal Purple

Prestone

Frontier Shop Supplies

Brothers Trucks

 

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