I need some step notch ideas/help

[ozman3803]

I'm looking at installing step notch with air ride on my 70 swb. If you guys have some builds with pics or links that would be awesome. What I'm looking for is what suspension did you end up going with...bag location, 4 link,trailing arms...so on, cutting box floor, some sort of axle centering set up, raised center cross member...etc. Custom or kits, I don't care. Just want to do this right the first time. Thanks to all that take the time to reply and help out.

[smashingchuck]

What are your goals?

[ozman3803]

well I am more that likely going to do the drop member w/ tubular control arms, drop spindles, might as well to the rack and pinion since I have the drop member. I was considering rear step notch with parallel 4 link and watts link. Cut the box floor out and box it back in with spare bed floor that I have. And then set it on some 20 x 22 combo.
Just not sure on bag location because I would like to do rear 22's 10 inch wheel or maybe a 20x14 wheel from Coy. Also I have some cutting tunnel on back of cab (which I would like to avoid)with a raised center crossmember or or tubular. Can I still run a single driveshaft or will it have to be two piece? I liked the superlift from suicide doors but noticed the two piece driveshaft which I don't like. Does that help any? Just thought some pics and different ideas from others might help.

[N2TRUX]

If your going with a Dropmember up front you may as welll o with one in the rear too...



With 20/22 Coys-

[SCOTI]

Can't do the rear DM 'kit' w/the 20x14" Coys. The backspacing requires a narrowed rear housing which forces the 4-bars to be placed inside the frame rails.

[ozman3803]

So what could be a option with the big tire? Could I run the 4 link and the bags inside the frame rail to allow a big tire with narrowed rearend? I'd imagine that a custom bracket would probably have to be made since most of them are on the outside of rail. Is this going to affect ride quality any since it's not all the way to outside of diff.?

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by ozman3803

So what could be a option with the big tire? Could I run the 4 link and the bags inside the frame rail to allow a big tire with narrowed rearend? I'd imagine that a custom bracket would probably have to be made since most of them are on the outside of rail. Is this going to affect ride quality any since it's not all the way to outside of diff.?

A 'BIG' tire is going to require the bars to be inside the frame (stock frame width) on a 4-bar set-up or you could use truck-arms. You could possibly try a tri-angulated 4-bar w/the lower bars directly under the frame & the upper bars attachment points inside the frame rails. The question is, how big is 'big'?

The 'springs' need to be as far out-board as possible for the best stability. Truck arms can keep the springs directly under the frame rail. With a 4-bar set-up, the springs can be attached to the axle just in-board of the frame rail (stock width frame rails). Both these combos would offer alot of room (12-14" easy) for big tires. There's always custom rear frame clips w/narrowed rails as well.....

[smashingchuck]

Mounting the bags inboard of the frame rail is doable but ride quailty (especially in the corners) would suffer. You might want to consider doing a custom back half so you can put the frame rails right where you want them and still put the bags in an optimal postion.

Also, you might ba able to just do a bag on bar set up and sneak the lower bar between the wheel and the stock frame.

[smashingchuck]

damn it scoti you were faster... how many ways can we say the same thing?

[ozman3803]

Tried doing a search but getting errors. Would a cantelier? setup work, can't exactly remember what it's called but I'm sure you know how it works. Is this a option? I would like to do at least a 14" tire.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by ozman3803

Tried doing a search but getting errors. Would a cantelier? setup work, can't exactly remember what it's called but I'm sure you know how it works. Is this a option? I would like to do at least a 14" tire.

The canti-lever (6-link) bolt-in type set-ups (like KP components) doesn't offer any more room. What rear suspension do you currently have?

[ozman3803]

It's all stock still, just trying to get some ideas. Porterbuilt rear dropmember is nice but thought I could just do a simple step with 4 link and bags.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by ozman3803

It's all stock still, just trying to get some ideas. Porterbuilt rear dropmember is nice but thought I could just do a simple step with 4 link and bags.

Ok.... All stock still doesn't clarify which type of suspension you currently have. 6x-72's were available w/either leafs or coils.

You can do a simple step w/4-bar & bags (that's what PB's DM kit is). Even w/a generic weld-on kit you'll have similar issues w/mounting the bars on the outside of the frame rails & trying to wedge a big tire between the bars & the bedside.

If you've got fabrication skills, you can do almost anything you want....

[ozman3803]

I did originally post it was a 70 swb...it's coils. What's so diff about porterbuilt if it's just a step w/ 4link and bags? I've looked at the pics but wow it has a hefty price tag. You could do that basic set up for under a grand, but it won't look as pretty. Maybe I'll keep it simple or draw up some plans and do some measuring. Do you have any build threads on your's that you did that box mod on for the step notch Scoti? Or any other pics would be great Scoti, thanks. Is there any good programs that I could use to draw some plans up? I'm kind of computer illiterate

[Ronm909]

dude I had the same questions? this was my solution..or should I say will be my solution. still working on it..

[GVizzle]

Heres mine. PB Weld n Smooth.

[ozman3803]

I see that C-notch wasn't low enough GVizzle!! That's what I'm afraid of, just do it right the first time. Finally getting some pictures, thanks guys. I hope this keeps going!! Maybe I'll just stick with a 10in wheel.

[GVizzle]

22 X 10 BS 5.5 Rear Wheel with a Toyo Proxes ST2 285/35/22. We have the 67' 12 bolt rear axel also which is total 1.5 inch narrower.

You can't lay frame without the step with that tall of a tire. Just depends on what you're after. I want this truck to roll around 3 inches off the ground.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by ozman3803

I did originally post it was a 70 swb...it's coils. What's so diff about porterbuilt if it's just a step w/ 4link and bags? I've looked at the pics but wow it has a hefty price tag. You could do that basic set up for under a grand, but it won't look as pretty. Maybe I'll keep it simple or draw up some plans and do some measuring. Do you have any build threads on your's that you did that box mod on for the step notch Scoti? Or any other pics would be great Scoti, thanks. Is there any good programs that I could use to draw some plans up? I'm kind of computer illiterate

As stated, these trucks could have either leafs or coils (including 1970 swb's). I wasn't sure which you were starting with & missed it if it was indicated within the thread somewhere.

What's different about Porter's kit? You can see exactly what it will look like installed on your frame before you even start. You can do 90% of the install w/basic hand tools in your driveway & know it will perform as expected & look professional. Yes, you can do 'similar' for cheaper & unless you're a really good fabricator, your correct that it possibly won't look as 'pretty'.

I have used Porterbuilt DM's. I was one of the first that spoke w/Nathan when he was building the rear DM 4-bar kit. I would have been one of the first customers w/the rear kit if it wasn't for the fact that it's set-up for a 10" max wheel width & that wasn't enough for me. I could have modified his kit (and Nate offered to tweak for my needs).... but for the costs, I figured I could hack my own stuff up & gain experience by doing it myself.

Ronm909's solution looks good to me. I chose to stick w/what I already have experience with & I know works well. Myself & others were the voices Nathan heard that helped bring the PB Dropped Truck Arms to production. I used them (which allow up to 14" wide wheels) along w/a modified frame. I'll post-up some pics from my current project once I get them off the camera....

[ozman3803]

Sorry Scoti, didn't realize 70 came with either suspension. My truck already had disc brakes on it to so not sure if it's original frame or not, unless 70 had disc or drum to. Any idea what the length of rear diff isn the "short" one? Usually measured from backing plate to backing plate correct? Fabing something up and welding is not a issue...wether it will work or not is the question. I have never did a project like this and will be a learning experience. I would have never considered doing this if it wasn't for this forum, I'm glad I found this and appreciate everyone help and ideas. I guess the real reason I'm considering this is because I saw some wheels at a local tire shop when I was getting some new tires on the 4 runner. They were 20's x 15 inch wide with huge lip with a 18.5 in wide tire and OMG did is look bada$$. They also have a 22 that available in 12 inch wide.