Re: Finally my own build thread!
 

Thanks everyone for the encouraging words. By then end of today i should have the 4 link installed. I had to make a special braket for the angled support pieces because the ones that come with the kit didn't fit. I also had to modify the lower brackets. I love my plasma because i would be hating life.;) I will post some pics when i get it done tonight.

N2TRUX - I bought all my stuff from Nathan Porterbuilt and originally i was going to go with a parallel 4 link but after talking to him he highly recommended me to go with the trianglated 4 link instead. He was saying that there is alot less movement with a trianglated vrs a parallel.

Kenneth - I bought the trianglated 4 link from Air Ride Technologies.

Re: Finally my own build thread!
 

Frame is looking good. Did you make your own body mount brackets? I'm doing a very similar frame, but my backhalf will be different.

Re: Finally my own build thread!
 

Yeah i made the body brackets. Are you doing a step notch back half?

Re: Finally my own build thread!
 

Yea, a stepnotch. I want to try and keep as much bed depth as I can. The brackets look real nice...

Re: Finally my own build thread!
 

That's lookin' like a really good start, to another 'hafta follow build'.

Did you and Nathan talk about doing a parallel 4 link with a Watts link? If so, any pros/cons come up about that set-up?

Re: Finally my own build thread!
 

Well i finally got to take some pics of the rear end. It is just tacked together but for the most part i think i am close to being done. I wanted to do something creative but yet still be able to be functionable. I mounted the shockwaves at a 21deg angle. I also had to make a custom bracket for the angled 4 link bars because i wasn't getting enough of an angle to mount them on the inside of the frame. There is practically no movement in a side to side movement. I think after it is all welded up there wont be any at all.:metal: The reason why only one side has gussets on them is because i wanted to see what it is going to look like when all done. I got excited:hm: . I also centered the wheel at dump instead of ride height. Anyways check it out and dont be worried to give me some constructive critism. It only makes the truck better! Now i have to tack the front suspension:whine: .

Re: Finally my own build thread!
 

gonna c-notch it too???

Re: Finally my own build thread!
 

Looking good dude. Nice setup

Re: Finally my own build thread!
 

I'm sure he isnt going to c-notch it... He probably would have done that when building the frame to make it easier.

Re: Finally my own build thread!
 

I think the pics of the old and new frame side by side address this question the best. He built the new frame higher in the rear, this made his cab lower and allowed clearance for the axle (no notch).

Re: Finally my own build thread!
 

I will certainately be keeping my eye on this one. I wish I had your talent. Great work.

Re: Finally my own build thread!
 

Nice work. Keep us posted on the progress.

Re: Finally my own build thread!
 

Thanks everyone! Yeah i am not going to notch it. I have been talking to Nathan Porterbuilt and he mentioned that with the airbags so far inward towards the pumpkin ( i think that what you call it) that it might feel a little sloppy. So after about a few days worth of work i will probably scrap it and move them outwards and hopefully mount them on the outside of the frame. It sucks because all the work i did using the plasma machine, grinding, dry fitting, then more grinding, drilling, and so on. I want to do it right so i don't have to fix anything else down the road. The way i keep mounting everything there won't be anything inside the frame:lol: . So probably sunday i will start relocating the shockwaves. Can you guys think of anything creative that i can do with the rear suspension? I wanted to be creative but it doesn't seem like i can think of anything. Thanks Josh

Re: Finally my own build thread!
 

looks sweet so far!

Re: Finally my own build thread!
 

looking awspome man . you should hold on to that frame for some one as those are always nice to have. Great work and that new frame looks sweet

Re: Finally my own build thread!
 

Yeah I was going to keep the stock short frame because after i finish this truck i was going to find a long bed and swap the cab and fenders to the short frame and just purchase a new/used bed and make a rat rod truck! I should have the rear end done this weekend and i will take some pics.

josh

Re: Finally my own build thread!
 

very VERY nice job on the frame and suspension so far. im going to making my long bed into a short bed, i hope my project goes as smooth as yours is. if you do a frame mod or in your case a whole new frame would you need to have a CHP to look it over to make sure that its safe before you get the registration? thats my only concern. how much movement do thoes bags have? about 5 or 6"?

Re: Finally my own build thread!
 

Sweet job on the chassis!!!

Re: Finally my own build thread!
 

Wow!!! Christmas came early. I'm drooling over the possibilities. I'll be watching this one. I was wondering why you chose the triangulated suspension over the parallel? Another question... what gauge square tube did you go with on your new frame?
:ww:

Re: Finally my own build thread!
 

Looks sweet. One thing I noticed was the gussets you used on the upper link brackets. You might be better off making some out of 3/16" instead of using those stamped ones. How far are you from Modesto???

Later
Jr

Re: Finally my own build thread!
 

I have a few ideas for the rear. PM me if your interested.

Jr

Re: Finally my own build thread!
 

I chose the triangulated 4 link because it really eliminates any side to side movement of the rear end. I was originally going to go with a parallel but after talking to Nathan with Porterbuilt street rods he highly recommended me to go with the triangulated 4 link because of the that. He does beautiful work and really know his stuff so i trusted his expertice. The frame is .120" wall with is 1/8. I originally bought a couple sticks of 3/16 but I talked to a couple different shops that build there own frames and they all recommended me to use the .120 and the .188 (3/16) is basically a waste of money. After actually building the frame i agree with them. The .188 would have been way to heavy and harder to work with. All of the brackets are made out of 3/16 or 1/4.

Josh

Re: Finally my own build thread!
 

I never even thought about having the CHP check the frame. I am thinking i wont say anything about the new frame:hm: . Maybe someone on here can chime in and enlighten the both of us. Regarding the shockwaves i believe i will get around 6" of travel or so. I will have to check. My planned ride height is 7 1/2" and when dumped i will be about 1" or so off the ground. I didn't want it to drag on the ground if i popped a bag or something. Also i was worried about having to low of ride height that i will rub fenders when i turn so i made it a little higher than the normal 5-6" ride height. Hopefully everything will work out.

Hey Valleycustom i sent you a pm!

One more thing. I sent on of my wheels to the powdercoater and he was hoping to have the one wheel done by tomorrow! I am praying that it is going to be done. I can't wait to see it.

Josh

Re: Finally my own build thread!
 

Well i got a little more done this last week. I build the tranny tunnel and braced up some of the frame. I also started fabing up the rear suspension. I am going with a canitilever setup because of a couple things. One is I think it looks sweet, and two is that it gives me a couple more inches in lift for the rear which is always a good thing. I am waiting on a few parts so i can finish fabing all the brackets so i thought i would post some pics in the mean time. Hopefully next week probably near the end of the week i should get the front crossmember from Nathan Porter and all the parts so i can finish the rear suspension. I also went with Nathans dropmember so that should speed up the process alot. I am hoping to have a rolling chassis by the end of the month:metal: . Check it out and let me know how i am doing so far.

Josh

Re: Finally my own build thread!
 

A couple more.