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[PhilStubbs]

I can't figure I why people do this, but it's some of the most fun I have had fabricating. A guy on a local forum wanted to do this to his truck but can't fab to save his life. It seemed interesting so I told him to bring it over. This is just a phone pic, I will snap a few more as it goes. Anyone else here done one of these before?

[colt45]

had some friends waaaaay into mini trucking in highschool... . nice c notch btw. 

[PhilStubbs]

Thanks. I'm pretty sure the frame is stronger now since the notch is thicker and boxed rather than being C channel like the rest of the frame. 

I'm really having way more fun building it than I should.

Shooting to have the cross tubes in that connect the two notches together and all of the bag mounts in tonight.

[dvst8r]

Staying with the mono leaf or are you going to 4 link?

In my experience the mono leaf rides like ass, and you will need a traction bar of some sort. As was said C-notch looks good, yeah I would have no worries about that holding you did lots of plating. I have done a couple full C-notch's like that and a couple mini notch's (just to the top of the frame and used a half piece of pipe welded in for the reinforcement.

4 link really is the way to go with that.

One other tip: just tack the bag mounts in, as you will probably move them about 12 times, before you find a spot where they fit well and ride well.

[PhilStubbs]

It will be mono leaf for a short time then it's going 4 link.

We don't have much of an option for bag placement though. He got some short 6" bags. I plan to put the bag mount as low on the notch as I can so it has a little ground clearance at full lift. This truck is going to be a daily driver as soon as he gets his license back.

[dvst8r]

I just took a second look at the pic, and realize that you already have the bag mount on the axle. I typically like the leverage of having them forward of the axle, and the shocks behind the axle. BUT it really depends on each setup.

Even though it is bagged, and lots of bagged setups do ride soft like old caddies, don't expect this one too, not with the mono leaf, and not without playing with the bag placement.

I assume by the sounds of this though, he is not in it for ride quality so much as the look of adjustable suspension.

[PhilStubbs]

All he wants is to drag the frame and throw sparks. He couldn't give 2 shits about anything else.

That bag bracket on the axle is just sitting there. We could do something else. He bought parts to put the bag on the axle. I'm limited on placement unless I make my own parts. I could do it, I have a plasma cutter and a nice drill press. Do people mount the bags on the leaf springs like a 4 link? Seems like it would ride funny

[dvst8r]

Nope build a mount off the axle coming forward of the axle. The increased leverage on a light truck will typically make it ride nicer, and if you mount the shocks off the back and out board of the frame, really help to keep it stable, and let it control the ride better.

Once you go 4 link you can play with bag placement off of the links and things like that.

Really if all he cares is that he can make sparks. Just put it on the axle or where ever is easiest. Don't go out of your way if he doesn't know better.

[PhilStubbs]

He does want a 4 link, just not right now. I think that will come after he gets his dual port bags cause he also wants to hop the truck. Not a lot of hoping, 12" or so.

I guess I will just go with the bag on top of the axle to get it up and running. I know I will end up cutting this shit off later to do something different.

[ghettoturbo]

my first real fab/welding project was bagging my s10 when I was in high school.  It was some semi-shady work but the truck was a blast, recently I've been wanting to tackle something similar again. 

At the time I was into hopping/looking like an idiot and had a welding tank behind the seat for extra fun..if i did it again it would be mostly for the low look/adjustability.

-Jay

[turbob16hatch]

Nice work, i have always been interested in mini-truck style shit. Although i want a mazda b2200 with full coil overs and road race susp set up.

[PhilStubbs]

Got a little more done tonight. Had it going up and down with an air hose. It made me laugh.

Next is to notch the x member and cab for the driveshaft.

[Hotrodlincoln]

Done a few, looks fine.

[dvst8r]

Next spring, I am doing a 1 ton dodge dually. Guy was originally into mini trucking, and then got into diesel performance and is now going to combine the two. I would say I would do a write up, but we all know it I would be lying as it would consist of like 3 pictures, 2 of which would be beer, as I am really terrible about remembering / using a camera.

[michigan_soler]

I've been wanting to do bags on something but never thought mini trucks were cool enough.

[That Guy]

looks nice as fuck. on a semi related subject, how much do frames like being welded on?

[dvst8r]

Depends on the frame.

[ApexSilver06MR]

its looking good... 


i bagged my old 01 s10 extreme but rode like shit afterwards.  i think i liked the ride better with cut stock springs in the front and the pulled leaf in the back.  1 mistake that i did was not adding a few rear end wedges due to it being an extra cab. 

[HiProfile]

as soon as he gets his license back.

Sounds like you should have payments in hand before you do the work...

[PhilStubbs]

^^
money isnt a huge problem for this guy. he works at McDonalds 45 hours a week and lives with his girlfriends mom not paying for anything. he isnt loaded, but when you have no bills, even a McD's salary is decent. he lost his license due to too many tickets, not lack of money.

Next spring, I am doing a 1 ton dodge dually. Guy was originally into mini trucking, and then got into diesel performance and is now going to combine the two. I would say I would do a write up, but we all know it I would be lying as it would consist of like 3 pictures, 2 of which would be beer, as I am really terrible about remembering / using a camera.

he wants to go full size and we were talking about a dually last night. we will see what he comes up with

looks nice as fuck. on a semi related subject, how much do frames like being welded on?

this one welds nice. just gotta grind the shit out of it to get it clean

[ghettoturbo]

Next is to notch the x member and cab for the driveshaft.

Hmm...shouldnt have to notch the cab.  He isnt using some giant 23" rims or something is he? Biggest I had on mine was 17s, had to notch that crossmember but not the cab to lay frame.  Not sure if you got to the front yet but the lower control arms need a bit of work to get the truck to really lay down right.  You'll see a little raised section (i think it has the bump stop mounted there) that needs to be cut out because it hits the frame.

-Jay

[PhilStubbs]

It should lay frame without notching the cab on the little 14"s on the truck now but he has plans of 20"s. We will probably tackle the front Sunday. Lowerit should be showing up at my house later today so I will be spending the next 3 days helping him with the GRM $2010 car. I will probably hook up the T with a shrader valve so I can air it up and move it tonight though.

[glustic]

Very nice fab work.