layed out square

[broey]

as someomeone who as actaully laid out a square. I just want to throw some things out there so you can be ready for them.

1. gas tanks. they sit below the frame rails. so they gotta go. This means you either need to buy a fuel cell, or a blazer tank. add in the cost of the fuel sending unit and the materials to modify your rear end where people usually place them (spare tire location)

2. If you are converting your truck from a long wheel base, to a short wheel base, you might as well just back half the truck. specially since you said you want to raise your bed floor anyways. here is a pic of a back half to illustrate what I am talking about.


the good thing about doing this is, very easy to go from long to short. and you can build and 2 link, 3 link, 4 link system you want for it. which means you can just buy a 4 link kit from any one of our vendors.

the other place you can save some bucks is by using a manual valve set up. it is going to drastically slow down the lift and lower speeds, but eliminates the need for electric valves and the wiring to them. also you need less fittings for a manual valve set up.

now for the front. a pancaked crossmember is going to get you low...if you combine it with drop spindles you can be as close to 1/2 inch from the ground. to actually lay frame you will need to combine your pancake with a mild z. if you are running big wheels you will want to either get a set of tubular control arms that move your wheel forward like the porterbuilt ones. of you can use the z to move everything forward.

some other things to think about as far as pinching pennies is little things. like if you do a triangulated 4 link, you wont need a pan hard bar or wattslink. so thats a few bucks saved.

also, the biggest savings could be with back halving the frame like I talked about earlier. cheap materials, easy access to making the fuel tank holder, don't need to buy a step notch since the whole frame is coming up. and you can buy any 4 link you want.

as far as buying the 4 link. or 2 link, or whatever you decide bundled is better, you need the bushings, bag mounts, axle mounts, frame mounts.. everything.. so Im sure some venders will chime in with any good deals they have.

hope this helps.