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TOP SECRET: The Kyle Petty Charger Gets Prototype StreetGRIP Parts

RideTech, like a lot of companies, keeps quiet about product development until they are ready for sale to the public. But every once in a while, we can’t help but share news of interesting R&D exercises; this Charger and its StreetGRIP suspension is a great example. We recently updated Kyle Petty’s homegrown high school ride for its new owner: TV personality and car guy, Rutledge Wood. Follow along as we give you a peek inside our R&D shop.

The best part is that the car and the R&D shop are the real deal.  There are no lab coats or sterilized surfaces. The car is as far from a Ridler contender as they come. This article is about real-world wrench-turning on a dirty car by folks who continue to work after the whistle blows. As NASCAR and Top Gear fans, we tackled this project because we still geek out over racing royalty and hand-hammered sheetmetal. The Kyle Petty Charger is essentially a time-machine. It reminds us of car building before the proliferation of high-tech parts. It was built well before the days of self-tuning EFI and bolt-on chassis swaps. Back in the day, you changed what you could and left the rest alone.

The Charger came to us with handmade fenders and quarter panels that accommodate wide American Racing 200-S wheels. The wheels are really cool looking; back in the day, we referred to them as Daisy spokes. As delivered, the Petty Charger had drum brakes at all four corners and its original 383. Other than a stint on the alignment rack and a few “BEFORE” laps around the test track, RideTech wasted little time removing the suspension in anticipation of building a prototype B-Body Chrysler StreetGRIP Suspension System.

The Kyle Petty Charger just left for its new life with Rutledge Wood. In addition to the prototype StreetGRIP kit, RideTech installed a complete Wilwood four wheel disc brake kit and new steering gear. Forgeline’s ML3C wheels have just the right amount of vintage vibe when used in conjunction with tall Continental tires. Handling, ride quality and braking are light-years ahead of the original configuration.

As for a RideTech Chrysler B-Body StreetGRIP Kit, further development is required.  Be patient as RideTech has a long list of R&D projects on deck ahead of this project. If you think RideTech should fast-track the Chrysler B-Body kit, you’ll need to speak up; send a quick email to [email protected]. Tell your Mopar lovin’ friends to send an email, as well. If we get a lot of emails, we might adjust the timetable for developing and producing this kit.  Enjoy the pictures and look for Rutledge Wood and the Charger on Hot Rod Power Tour.

As you may recall, the Charger was purchased by Rutledge Wood as a barn-find, of sorts.  It’s just so happens that the “barn” belonged to racing royalty as this car was NASCAR legend Kyle Petty’s daily driver in high school.

 

Before we tore into the Charger, it went on RideTech’s state-of-the-art alignment equipment — just to make sure the car is square as a starting point. Then we did some test laps.

 

The Charger retains its original 383 — and as you can see, the car is far from show quality. Other than a shiny new Wilwood Master Cylinder, RideTech didn’t touch the engine bay.

 

We’ve never really showcased our R&D shop before. This is the main bay closest to our prototyping equipment and parts stash. There are no lab coats — this is a working shop.

 

There is always an array of smooth body shocks, coil-over shocks and ShockWaves on hand. Note the custom RideTech shock absorber hanging racks. The shop is full of little custom touches.

 

As you might expect, the RideTech prototyping shop always has a selection of springs on hand.

 

There are two more bays including a “dirty” bay where cars are disassembled and this “clean” bay where final assembly and service take place.

 

Back to the Petty Charger, the old suspension was completely worn out and outdated.

 

By comparison, the finished rear suspension is a high-tech bolt-on affair with disc brakes and ultra-lightweight composite StreetGRIP springs. Compared to the original springs, the weight goes from 35 pounds each for the originals to fewer than nine pounds each for the composites.

 

Forged adjustable monotube shock absorbers are employed at all four corners. As this car has custom wheel openings, we chose to fine tune the rear ride height with lowering blocks. Installed height will likely vary for a production quarter panel. Additional development is part of the long term plan.

 

Prototype: RideTech addresses bind inherent to the original radius rod design with delrin.

 

Here’s an upper control arm with low-friction and low-deflection delrin bushings installed. To improve camber gain, a taller ball joint was installed, as well.

 

Here’s something you don’t see every day: it’s a leaf spring measuring fixture.

 

Here’s a simple prototype part: RideTech fabricated heavy duty front swaybar mounts to replace the flex-prone stock units. A big bar is utilized, as well.

 

Before we move on to the finished car photos, here’s a shot of the completed prototype StreetGRIP front suspension. The difference in ride quality and handling is profound, yet the parts are 100% bolt-on.

 

We’re back on the high-tech alignment rack. Even before the Charger touched the ground, it looked more modern, stable and surefooted.

 

Forgeline’s new ML3C wheels are part of their Concave Series. The style provides the perfect combination of modern strength and vintage style.

 

The custom rear quarter panels were made many decades ago — presumably by a fabricator at Petty Racing. Custom rear wheel dimensions were required. We dig the look.

 

RideTech’s Ace Test Driver, Tom McBride, drove the car both before and after the upgrades. The Chrysler B-body platform really responds well to the StreetGRIP philosophy of tuned bolt-on parts.

 

Cornering is flat with excellent turn-in. The goal here, as with all of our StreetGRIP products, is to thoroughly modernize the driving experience as opposed to achieving flat-out cornering speed. Ride quality is exceptional.

 

That’s all, folks! Rutledge Wood’s baby is ready to be picked up. I’m sure he has more upgrades in mind. As for RideTech, we interrupted our normal R&D schedule to lay hands on a piece of automotive history. We’re glad we broke the rules.

NOTE: Do you want RideTech to speed up development of Chrysler B-Body StreetGRIP systems?  If so, send a quick email note to [email protected]. If enough enthusiasts reach out, we will consider adjusting our R&D schedule accordingly.  We would love to hear from you!

For Mopar Coil-Over and Air Suspension Products, click HERE

For the “BEFORE” article” Kyle Petty’s High School Ride Gets A New Owner, click HERE

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