Weekend Project (Pics)

[97gmcextcab]

Hey, Since the truck is parked for the winter I figured I'd pull it into the garage and get started on my winter project of getting it to lay frame. This weekend I was able to get the passenger side close to finished. The tie rod still hits a bit by the weld your not suppose to cut. Not sure what i'm going to do there. Is it alright to cut into the weld under the frame? I also still have to clean up all the cuts smooth some sharp edges and put some black paint on. Hopefully after work this week I can finish doing this and get started on the drivers side before the weekend. I used a few posts off this site regarding laying frame with ART strong arms and coolride. Well here are some pics. The pic of the cups, the cut one dosn't look like it was cut straight but I know for a fact it is. In pic 4 the cut isn't that straight that will also be getting fixed up, and in the last pic the tire does tuck a little bit more but the tie rod is holding me up a bit yet. Does it look like it will tuck enough to lay frame???? I won't be able to actually set it down and try it till I raise the Y pipe.
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i90/tylergg/DSC01112.jpg
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i90/tylergg/DSC01119.jpg
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i90/tylergg/DSC01120.jpg
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i90/tylergg/DSC01150.jpg
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i90/tylergg/DSC01157.jpg
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i90/tylergg/DSC01159.jpg
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i90/tylergg/DSC01163.jpg
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i90/tylergg/DSC01165.jpg

[Izzy]

With the amount of cutting you did for the pocket/tie rod I would HIGHLY suggest you plate that entire area. It looks good though.

[97gmcextcab]

Yah, I definatly plan on plating everything. I was going by pictures stepsidebowtie and jimmy p had posted on the site. So I have there pictures so I know where to plate everything and such. stepsidebowtie had cut square for his tierod and people had said doing this could cause stress cracks so I tried to keep everything sort of round. I do feel I may of cut a little more then needed above the bag. Would be nice to get a few more comments, this was my first time attempting this. I was pretty nervous before I started but once I got going it got better. I was going to pay to have the front done but figured i'm quiet capable of doing it myself. Just want to know if it looks like I know what i'm doing or I should stop before I destroy something.
Threads I used.
http://www.fullsizechevy.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223365&highlight=tie+rod
http://www.fullsizechevy.com/forums/showthread.php?t=175776

[Aron]

sry to hijack, but just off kicks, how much did u give for ur wheels and tires together, just to see how bad eaither of us got riped off from another.

[Bagged 04]

OOO that going to look so sweet when you roll it back out of the garage and into sunlight next spring.

[Nemesis8]

thats gonna look hella sweet man. what kinda rims are those? they are nice!

[hammered65]

Keep us updated on your progress. I have to tackle the same thing next year to get mine to lay out. Lookin' good so far.

[97gmcextcab]

The rims are Eagle 025.
Aron-I paid $285 per rim and $276 per tire. The tires are General Exclaim UHP 255/35/20. I am from canada so those are canadian prices.

[Aron]

oh, well i cant figer that out, yea i have the same wheels but my tires r nitto 345/35/30 and i gave $2000 for everything...

[Low88]

wow, you cut way more than you needed to. plate that ASAP. before you drive it.

[97gmcextcab]

Yah,I figured I cut a little to much. If you look at the 2 links I posted that I went by, they cut about the same I did. It will be plated well before I drive it.
Low88-After its all plated and such I shouldn't have any problems should I?

[Low88]

nah you shouldnt have any problems after its plated. you went nuts with cutting though man, you only need a fingers distance between the bag and metal. you should have like 2" of metal between your spring pocket and where you have to notch for tie rods. and you dont even have to notch all the way across the frame for tie rods.

[97gmcextcab]

Yah, like I said I just found those to threads from guys that used this kit and what they had to do to lay frame and just tried to do it the same. As long as I don't have any future problems after I plate it, its all good.

[97gmcextcab]

Got a little bit more done tonight. Got my fittings this morning so I installed them, I'm going to run my lines out of the cup and through the frame to keep them away from the engine heat. I hooked them up to a airline and tested with some soapy water to make sure they were leak free. I also touched up the parts of the cup I cut with a little black paint. Then I got some cardboard and made some templates for the plates I will be welding in.
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i90/tylergg/DSC01172.jpg
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i90/tylergg/DSC01169.jpg

[Turnin20s]

Looks good man. I love those wheels, but they are too expensive for 20s IMO, but they look so good LOL. Looks like the front should lay. I always like when people run the line through the frame to make it cleaner.

Is the cup measurement to lay 3" upper and a 1" lower? I'm ordering mine soon and if I can't find any I'll just order a kit and make my own.

Keep up the good work and keep the pics coming :cheer:

[1996Silverado]

Looking good man.

my tires r nitto 345/35/30

That's a huge tire/rim combo.

[97gmcextcab]

turnin20s-the cups were originaly 5" but I had to cut them down to 3" as for the bottom the bag bolts directly to the lower control arm. When I first started I had read, you only need to trim like 3/8-1/2 off the top cup but after doing this I realized there was no way it would lay, then I found a post by jimmy p that showed you need to cut at least 2". Hopefully I can get done plating by the end of the week and start on the drivers side.

[lowryder99]

Looks good man. I love those wheels, but they are too expensive for 20s IMO, but they look so good LOL. Looks like the front should lay. I always like when people run the line through the frame to make it cleaner.

Is the cup measurement to lay 3" upper and a 1" lower? I'm ordering mine soon and if I can't find any I'll just order a kit and make my own.

Keep up the good work and keep the pics coming :cheer:

If you think that's expensive for 20s don't ever try and order a custom 20 inch billet wheel haha....

Also your cup measurements depend on what you are running for arms/spindles and wheels/tires. The standard is 3 inch upper 2 inch lower for stock arms and drop spindles.

[97gmcextcab]

lowryder99-do you think I should of just left the front for metric to do or does it look like I know what im doing. Besides cutting way to much out.

[lowryder99]

It's tough to say man, I mean you live and learn right?

To be honest with you? I would have done some more research before cutting the front out, I used tons of templates and LOTS of research when I did mine and only cut about this much.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/lowryder99/DCP_0213.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/lowryder99/DCP_0212.jpg

And honestly that is enough, I have a fingers width around the entire bag except for the very side section on one bag where it's more like a few mm's (I may trim more but I did pull the bag and saw no rub marks)

These pics don't show the tie-rod notch's yet but really it was just cut out in the frame and small half pipe welded in for reinforcement.


It's tough when you do this kinda stuff because no one is really a huge expert in it (especially around our area) so you want to take it on yourself.

There are certain things I wouldn't do (like kill the abs and all that jazz since it can all be relocated) but it's up to you. I guess my best advice is don't be afraid to ask qusetions on the board (search my posts and I asked tons of questions when bagging my truck including how much to cut out up front) It helped tons and it made me feel comfortable with the job. As for the front end, I mean the brackets are all fairly simple, just take your time and I don't think you should have any problems with making them, like I mentioned most of mine were made 30 minutes before they slammed the doors at powerama and all my brackets have held up and look good.

[97gmcextcab]

Yah, like i said numerous times I just went by the 2 posts I found regarding laying frame with ART coolride with strong arms and tried to do exactly what they did. As long as I plate in everything it should be good. It definatly is difficult. Especially when your in the middle of it, come across a problem and you need answers right away. You can post on here but it may take acouple days to get the exact answer you need. I knew forsure notching and back and such was way over my head thats why I refuse to touch that. I'll let mike take care of that. Now I just gotta get this front done so I can get it to mike. Any more advice for the front? Or any adive in general?

[lowryder99]

Nope not really, just like I said, don't be afraid to ask questions! (I always find I get answers within a couple hours)

[Turnin20s]

If you think that's expensive for 20s don't ever try and order a custom 20 inch billet wheel haha....

Also your cup measurements depend on what you are running for arms/spindles and wheels/tires. The standard is 3 inch upper 2 inch lower for stock arms and drop spindles.

I know that billets will be more expensive, but I just don't like them. I'd rather have a chrome wheels that you don't have to polish every other day to keep it looking good. I know that wheels are expensive but $2000 for a set of 20s with tires is kinda high if you ask me. I can get a set of 22" Boss 304s with 265/35 tires shipped for less than $2000

For now I'll probably be using a 255/40/20 unless I get the cash for the 22s then it will be a 265/35/22 but I know I will have to cut alot more to clear 22s up front and I'm not sure if I want to do that right now.

97gmcextcab-Thanks man, I forgot that you had strong arms. You should be fine with your frame, just take the time and brace it up good and just keep an eye on it if it worries you.

[Col Clank]

Truck looks real good, keep the pics coming.

[97gmcextcab]

Thanks for the comments guys. But honestly I feel like my truck is a hack job now. I need to get started on the drivers side but I don't know what I should do. It should be the same as the passenger side. But I hacked so much out of the passenger side and I don't want both sides to be different. Opinions?

[Low88]

hack out as little as possible on the drivers side, and patch up the passenger side. done and done.

[97gmcextcab]

Anyone have ideas on how to fill in for the tie rod notch. And how to make some decent plates for that area. I have some ideas. I would like to try and get it looking back to normal. I know this isn't possible. But I would like to try and match it with the drivers side somehow.

[97gmcextcab]

Ok, so I've been lookin trying to figure some way to make a plate. So many ideas. This was one. Could I take the piece I cut out, find a 2" pipe, cut it in half. Cut the piece I cut out so the pipe fits there. and weld it all back in. Then for the drivers side I can do what I should of done and just cut out for a 2" half-pipe? Any other ideas.
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i90/tylergg/dsfgds.jpg

[Dukemaster]

Yep you have the right idea. Most poeple use a peice of pipe, make sure that you have enough clearance for it move around. Im gonna make mine out of 2.5 OD with 1/4 wall

[Dukemaster]

Heres a pic of what your talking about. Its a burban that outlawcrewcab is doing.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a31/midnightmoonshiner/Carlos%20Suburban/P9290009.jpg

[97gmcextcab]

I started today by cutting the other cup down and installing the fitting then I started on my plating. Got some 2.5OD pipe, same thickness as the frame. Got the piece I had cut out welded back in. I welded Inside and out, so I can grind down some of the weld on the outside for a smoother look. I got a alot more grinding but I figured I would spray a little paint on there and take a picture to see what you guys think and if it looks alright. The pictures are not that great at all and in the picture of the notch it looks like something is peeling on the frame, that was paint from awhile ago that got hot and started peeling. Hopefully this looks alot better than before. Looking forward to some more advice and comments.
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i90/tylergg/sept4001.jpg
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i90/tylergg/sept4002.jpg
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i90/tylergg/sept4006.jpg

[Turnin20s]

Yeah that looks alot better. I bet it will be fine now. Keep those pics coming as you get more done

:cheer:

[97gmcextcab]

I want to have drivers side done tomorrow since I know what I'm doing now. I think I'll just take my y-pipe off for now since I havn't had it raised yet. Thats about the only way I'll be able to test if it lays frame.

[lowryder99]

looks good dude

[97gmcextcab]

Well I was able to put everything back together, still have to trim inner fender on drivers side, and make brackets for computer and fuse box. Still not sure about eliminating ABS. I dropped one corner of my truck and got some pics though to give you guys an idea of how far i've come. This is as far as the air dam would let my truck go down. The y-pipe hasn't been raised yet either. I'm not sure if my truck it going to lay frame hard. I know it will a little closer to the rear and also in the middle of my truck right under the engine that plate was pretty much on the ground. My tranny crossmember bolts are still a little ways away. But i'm sure this will all change once I get the drivers fender trimmed and the back notched and the whole truck is able to lay out.
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i90/tylergg/sept13003.jpg
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i90/tylergg/sept13006.jpg
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i90/tylergg/sept13007.jpg
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i90/tylergg/sept13008.jpg
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i90/tylergg/sept130099.jpg

[Dukemaster]

Nice!!!!

[hammered65]

Glad to see you got the passenger side fixed up. Lookin' pretty good now. Are you going to take off the front air dam?

[97gmcextcab]

Not sure if i'm going to remove the airdam. I see alot of guys bagged that still have it. Maybe trim it down or something. Does this mean the guys that do have the airdams still are not laying frame hard unless its removed? If I can get my tranny crossmember bolts to touch the ground that will be plenty for me. For now anyways till I decide I'm still not low enough. After I get everything relocated and the front all touched up and looking the way I want it I'm going to have Mike(StylinMike) at Metric Customs notch the back for me. He is the same guy that helped lowryder99 get his on the frame. I feel the back is a little over my head and would prefer it be done by someone that knows exactly what there doing.

[Izzy]

Looks great. :cool:

[Marcos]

looks really clean, good work bro...

[BagginA93chev]

If the back of your truck isnt low enough to lay out and the front is almost layed out thats why your airdam is hitting the ground already, because of the angle of the truck. my obs lays out fine with the airdam just barely touching the ground. hope that helps.

[sj250]

If the back of your truck isnt low enough to lay out and the front is almost layed out thats why your airdam is hitting the ground already, because of the angle of the truck. my obs lays out fine with the airdam just barely touching the ground. hope that helps.

x2, if the truck is totally level front to back and layed right out, the airdam will just touch the ground. No trimming required!

[97gmcextcab]

Now that you guys mention that it totally makes sence and I knew this but totally forgot. I remember when I had a 2/4 drop on my truck I was changing to a 4/6 drop I had dropped the front first and drove it for awhile and after I lowered the back the front came up a bit because it was leveled off.

[Marcos]

so how is your project coming? have you started the rear?

[97gmcextcab]

Hey, so I never got a whole lot done this weekend. Got my compressors, tanks, 2nd battery, and all the wiring taken out and now have the front bags t'd together and rear bags t'd together with shrader(sp) valves. Since I havn't made it to the city yet(Calgary), I havn't been able to pick up some parts I need in order to finish relocating everything under the hood. I have trailer fenders, smaller shocks, moroso antifreeze overflow tank, and proportioning valve(not sure yet if I want to get rid of abs) along with some braided line all on the list so far. I did work on a little project though. I was able to screw the bottom shock holder right into the factory bolt hole for the spring and I got some top mounting pieces also to go on the hood. I just need to get some smaller shocks. I did place one in there for now to give you an idea. If you see anything wrong with this idea let me know.
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i90/tylergg/9.jpg
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i90/tylergg/7.jpg
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i90/tylergg/10.jpg
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i90/tylergg/14.jpg
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i90/tylergg/5.jpg
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i90/tylergg/4.jpg

[Dukemaster]

very nice...ive wanted to do that also. Any specs on some shocks lengths?

[HHH]

very nice...ive wanted to do that also. Any specs on some shocks lengths?

You can use 94-96 impala shocks or early 90s caprice. You can actually use the brackets from the same cars. That's what I used.. I have the identical set-up as above..

[97gmcextcab]

HHH-would you happen to have any pictures of your set-up?

[bignick31985]

Lookin good man. Rims look tight. I'ma sucker for 5 spokes. They chop like hell. I like the hood 'lifters'. I'd love to do that someday.

Can't wait to see it all done up man!

And a note for 20 inch prices. My KMC SS 20's are goin to run me almost $250 apiece, and total about $1500 with tires (since rims are black). I would go billet, but its a dd, and I dont like polishin, lol. Besides the only thing better than red on black, is black on black.

[lowryder99]

Just a question but why are you doing the hood shocks like that? Just to clean it up under the hood? Or??

[96thebossgrnchv]

looking good man, i've always liked how hood shocks cleaned up the engine bay, one of these days i'll get around to installing some

[97gmcextcab]

Um...I'm honestly not sure why i'm doing the hood shocks. I had all the parts for it except for the shocks laying around. When I make it to calgary I'll probably go to an auto wrecker and get the shocks off a car HHH recommended. I just like doing the little things your normal everyday person would never notice but someone thats into vechiles would. I like a nice plain smooth look with its hidden little things. Which is how I'm trying to build my truck. Looks like a normal everyday truck with big rims. But hidden within is a air ride system and lots of other little features.

[97gmcextcab]

Just a little update, no pictures. I got the hood done it now opens with shocks. And my shopping list for the weekend includes:
-Moroso Antifreeze Overflow Tank
-Trailer Fenders
-Some Random Metal for making brackets and such for under the hood
-Possibly a Wilwood Proportioning valve, braided line and the tool for flairing the ends of lines. 1-T to T the 2 front lines together. And any other little fittings that i'll need. Still undecided about removing ABS.
-Shocks for the hood. The ones I have are 100lbs but seem to be worn out so i'll hopefully find some 120lb shocks.

Is there anything else i'm missing. All I have left on the front is raise Y pipe, weld in trailer fenders, make brackets on fenders for fuse box and computer, make bracket to hold air filter, and maybe re-do battery bracket. And plate in the area above the control arms.
Thanks Again

[Marcos]

looks good, I can't wait till I see your truck when you lay the frame... :clap:

[Marcos]

Do you have any pics of this fender, to give me a idea of the cut I have to make...
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i90/tylergg/5.jpg

[Low88]

sexy! how far down do they rest when the hood is closed? Im trying to see if that would work with my trailer fender setup. My fenders come about 2" from the flange on the top of the fender.

[97gmcextcab]

Marcos I don't have a better picture at the time being. I would be able to get you one by the weekend since thats when I pick the truck up, so I could snap you a few.

Low88 I also am not 100% sure how far they go down and I can't check since I don't have my truck but deffinalty get a hold of HHH hes bodydropped with trailer fenders also so he can help you out.

And since marcos brought this thread back alive I'll add a few pics of how far my truck has come. In the pictures the truck still had to have the y-pipe raised and its at the body shop right now getting some damage repaired from transporting it.

This picture is the truck layed out on 2x4's since the y-pipe was not raised.
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i90/tylergg/notch46.jpg
Here is the damage that was done when loading. The road salt kinda made it look a little worse. What happened was there were little pieces of metal sticking out on the side of the trailer and my dad has caught vechiles on them before since its a narrow trailer, and well he also ment to cut them off but forgot and well he deffinalty remembered to cut them off this time, but after my truck hit them.
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i90/tylergg/mar10007.jpg
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i90/tylergg/mar10006.jpg
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i90/tylergg/mar10005.jpg
This is how the tank and valves were mounted. The compressor mount looks low but the rollpan will hit the ground before the mount will. I also sectioned the tank legs and raised the tank for more clearance.
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i90/tylergg/compressors.jpg
Here is the watts link I had installed.
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i90/tylergg/notch18.jpg
And here are acouple pictures of the notch and how the brake line was routed. I had the notch fillet welded so the welds gound be grounded down a bit and then a little bondo to fill in the pin holes and smooth it out for a nice look. Took a little longer welding but its worth it in the end. Everything is rough looking I plan on sand blasing and such and smoothing everything and undercoating or painting everything black.
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i90/tylergg/DSC01277.jpg
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i90/tylergg/brakes.jpg
Here is how some stuff was relocated. I never had the trailer fenders put in. They will get put in eventually though. I also had those huge gaping holes in the front where I cut way to much out fixed and plated in. I had ABS removed. Going for a cleaner look. Truck gets driven 4 months out of the year no real need for it.
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i90/tylergg/notch35.jpg
Feel free to leave comments,suggestions or anything that concerns you. All feedback is greatly appreciated. I know I probably forgot to explain something. I have lots of more pictures if there are certain things you want to see how they were done.
Thanks

[silverado2nv]

looks good man

[DRAGGIN95]

Hello, I'm glad to see it coming along, it's looking good, and also how did your front work out for you? Take it easy

[Marcos]

Looks clean as hell, damn I cant wait to see it with the dubs

[lowryder99]

looks goood man, one of these days we will have to go for a cruise.

[budnikguy]

looking good!!