Bagging and Body droppin noob......gonna need some input on this one

[Sharpie]

Ok so I have a 2001 Chevy silverado that is sitting on 24" boss 330"s Its got everything done to it except a body drop and bags. I want the truck to sit on the ground, but I dont know what to buy and I'm foggy on what needs to be done. For a body drop I understand that there are 2 ways to go about it.....1. I could cut open the cab and lift the floor a few inches or 2. I could "z" the frame. I would like to know which is the easier of the two and detail on how to do it exactly. Should I bag the truck before the body drop? What components are needed for the bagging process to tuck my 24''s. Overall I need a step by step reference for this build. Pictures and/or video would be absolutely great. I appreciate any input you all can contribute.

[mobster]

The truck first needs to be bagged which will require a few brackets and some trimming for the front....out back is a little complicated, you really need to do some research before tackling this...pinion angle is a biggie here or you could end up with a driveline vibration or possible busted tailshaft on the tranny...Ekstensive sells a simple 2-link kit for this truck that comes with some instructions...also your welding skills need to be above average for these type of structual welds...your life could be on the line...you want the truck to be safe to drive...if youve never tackled anything like this I seriously suggest a ton of research and if you can get someone that know what their doing to give you a hand.....okay now body drop...there are many different ways to do this, but all of them require Zing the frame..unless you build a whole new frame...zing the frame is done to line the core support back up so that fenders, hood and front facia will line back up with the cab once it is body dropped...on these trucks a lot of people do a channel for the frame rails which will leave you with two notches in your floorboard...there's a traditional body drop which will require you to cut the entire floor out let the truck hit the ground then weld it all back up and make some filler plates for the gaps...or you can chop your frame off behind the cab and build a 3/4 frame and setup all of your link suspension 2 or 4 link all at once..this is referred to as a stock floor body drop...which requires little cutting on the cab for clearance issues, and is the prefferes method these days as folks are driving there show trucks more.....


thats just a little taste of what is involved...call the pros at ekstensive metalworks and ask to talk to Matt Baker or Mitch Rall these guys can tell you more about your particular body style they are very popular in TX...1-281-442-1050

[MajesticLT03]

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a83/IcemanZX3/Silverado005-1.jpg

This is mine.. it lays frame on 24 inch 330's. The front is stock with the upper A-arms flipped and has shocks and bag cups with Slam RE-7's. The rear is a custom backhalf with a 3 link, raised bedfloor, 12 gallon tank and RE-7's on the lower link bars with shocks as well.

Front inner fenders have been cut out and it uses a York EDC for the compressor

[mobster]

sweet truck brutha!!

[silveradoJo]

sweet truck brutha!!

Yes indeed!

[silveradoJo]

sweet truck brutha!!

Yes indeed!

[Sharpie]

Thats great...I was hoping to get a pic of one with 24" boss rims. I didnt even know if it could be done with those rims or not. Ive got the chrome set but those look sweet. Now im wondering if that body drop is going to make that much of a difference in the truck....It would be nice to see more of the rim tucked. Your truck looks great man. Thanks for the pic and the input!

[Sharpie]

thanks for your help Mobster some great input

[mobster]

no prob man...there's alot of info out there, anything else I can help with just lemme know.

[jettasvs]

I absolutely love your truck.

[cadillacbryce]

u should do both tasks at once so they work together. also u can also do an old school style channel on those trucks to lay body not very much cutting of the floor and the stock carpet should still go back in

[Andrew.]

Detail on how to do it exactly. What components are needed for the bagging process to tuck my 24''s? I need a step by step reference for this build.

Not being a dick...but honestly this is one of those things that if you've never done before and have to ask for a step by step instructions...its best to have someone else do it while you watch.

You can easily, and fairly quickly destroy your truck if you attempt to body it yourself with no expieriance. Seen a couple shops pretty much destroy trucks attempting to body them. Your honest best option is to research, research, and research some more. Ask questions on components, parts and ideas. Gather up your parts and drop the truck off at a reputable shop, not one that you've called and they said "OH YEA WE CAN DO THAT!", one that you've seen their work, and know they do quality work. One that you would trust with your child, as this is what its going to be after its all said and done.

Your budget, whats it like? Take what you think this is going to cost, and double it. Theres more work involved bodying then one can imagine (firewall, axles, wiring, hydroboost) Took us almost 2 full days to get the wiring done after relocating the fuse box.

Again, like I said, not being a dick just giving you advice. I'd start with bagging it. Research what you can, ask questions to users who have done it and go from there. If you feel comfortable doing that, start slowly and precisely. Dont start hacking and trying to do some custom 4link thing. Do what you feel you can, and if (which I know you will) you run into snags, take it to a shop and throw down the plastic to get it done...

[Gonzalez]

I kinda have to agree with Andrew. Idk how your fab skills are but a stock floor body drop would be best. I have repair a sh*t load of trucks that shop and some pple try to bd there some much work invoild. Get the truck bag first then see how you like it then think about the body drop i have no problem giving you step by step instructions on how to do this or you could drop off at my shop and I'll do it for you lol . Good luck with a build

[prcampbell04]

ekstensive makes a bag kit that takes all the guess work out of fab to get your truck on air. the rear may have to be narrowed depending on wheel offset. as for bodying it the channeling method is prob the easiest, i believe sport truck mag did a full write up on it. and depending on tire size the blower box will have to be modified for factory a/c. a company called haggard fab makes a kit to fix that too.

good luck on the build and don't let nay sayers get you discouraged. definately take safety into account and don't try anything you don't feel comfortable doing but everyone has to start somewhere and not everyone has the bank account to pay someone to do it for them.