Project Dukeshire

[cletis]

I have plans (dreams aspiration) of building a bagged 81 that sits on the rockers just to cruze in. Research says to; 3" Z, cut frame under cab, step notch over rear axle. My truck is a long box that I would like to shorten to short box status.
If I was to Z notch, Cut 2" or so off the bottom of the frame, shorten the frame, C notch the rear. All of these frame alteration make me want to box the frame for strength and piece of mind. My question is that with all of these mods would I be farther ahead to fabricate a complete frame out of 2x4? Has anyone done this? I don't think that my fab skills or knowledge are the variables.
Don't tell me I'm crazy tell me why I'm crazy?
Thank you for any/all time given.....

[cletis]

Not sure How this build is going to go. I'm starting with a truck that I got at a good deal (freebie). Picked up most of an air bag kit and found some cheap 22" wheels mostly for mock up. Now I need to continue with my tear down and start taking measurements.

[mooseknuckles]

I think it's a great idea!

[my4by2]

Looks like you've got a good direction to head man & should look nice once you're done! Like the wheels!

[cletis]

Got the front clip off (with some help from the wife's friend's 8yr) and started taking measurements. Looks like I am going to try to construct my own frame. I got lucky when I dropped a '94 body onto a '79 chassis and stuff lined up pretty good, I'm hoping that 'luck' will continue. Now I need to draw up some plans with my numbers and number from chucks chevy truck pages to get an idea where I need to go.

[cletis]

I have been getting other things finished up and doing alot of planning. Then we got a new computer 'cause the other one died. Now after planning and measuring I started to wing it. It's hard to find the next step because everything plays off of each other. Here's some pics of the frame getting designed.

[Speedquest]

Wow, that is impressive!

[cletis]

The cab mounts are mocked up, put the cab onto the frame to see if i like the way the front wheels sit in the wheel well. I think I have it close enough everytghing has a little wiggle room. I think taht is close to where my ride height will be, body 7-8" off the ground. Next step is front bag install!

[73gmc454]

cool build , way to go just jump in there and get it done !

[custom86]

Lookin good man im still kickin around the idea of full framin mine. Just cant muster up the balls to do it. Lookin sweet keep at her and she will get there.

[cletis]

I keep putting things together then taking them apart to see how they fit. So some day I'm going to think I'm done them realize I need to completely disassemble it for finish welding. Been working on getting the front bags mounted and sectioning the control arms. I have been toying with the idea to make tubular control arms. (my sectioned upper control arms not pretty, a whole lot worse than the lowers) I may end up Just making uppers. I notched the upper control arms so I could bend them to get the bj in the orientation that was wanted, then notched them. Both the uppers and lowers still require lots of bracing. I am trying very hard to keep the cost of mock up down until I see how it comes out. That's why there are alot of things that are not finished. Here are my upper bag mounts and a sectioned LCA.

[cletis]

The front ssuspension is completely mocked up, imo. I will need to cycle it up and down with weight on it useing air to see if my bag pockets/cups are large enough. Now I will start on the rear, just need to take some measurement from an actual short box. I'm making a singular triangulated 4 link. I also need to set up my C notch.
Now that it looks like something I get excited everytime I open the garage door and this is looking back at me.

[Nobaddaze]

i would suggest doing new control arms. thats alot of modification to an already old set of arms. Im not saying it wont work...but since youve already gone through the trouble of a fully 2x4'd frame, its worth it to do it right. Just my opinion...good work so far!

[cletis]

^^^^ Nobaddaze ^^^^
I thoroughly respect what your saying, as well as thank you for the encouragement! I am still toying with the idea of tubular control arm, right now I just need to see if my measurement are close after cycling the suspension. I am not the craftsman that you and many others on here are, so I need to do alot of planning before I start my own arms. now I am going to sort out the rear suspension.

[cletis]

Have been laying out my rear 4 link. Tried for a double triangulated set up, I'll see how it works, just need to finish up my bag mounts.
When I was setting up the rear end to mock up the links, I swear there was a gremlin moving the axle around.

[cletis]

Have been trying to sort out my rear suspension, here it is. Little harder than I antisapated, partially my own fault on that. Mocked up for now so I can cycle the suspension through the motions and make sure everyone gets along.

[cletis]

Rolled it out to reorganize the shop a little, snapped some pics.............. and swepped up about 15lbs of grinder wheel dust and iron fileings.

[cletis]

House problem have gotten in the way , thus I have not worked on it very much as of late. Hope to turn that around shortly. Should the front rad support mounts hung next.

[john_p]

don't knock your skill set, great looking work

[cletis]

Originally Posted by john_p

don't knock your skill set, great looking work

Thank you, I do need motivation occationally.

[cletis]

I now have the front frame horns on with rad support mounts. It's looks like a truck again, a glimpse of the light at the end of the tunnel, hope that will keep me going for awhile.

[Skellington]

Nice build. I like the way you did your rear suspension. Does it cycle well?

[cletis]

Originally Posted by Skellington

Nice build. I like the way you did your rear suspension. Does it cycle well?

Thanks,
The only thing with cycling the rear suspension is that the axle moves forward more than I would like. The only way to remidy this would be longer arms, but I was affraid that would take away from locating characteristics of the triangulation. My bags are shorter than I would like too. I think larger ones would allow for the bags to colapse better do to being able to mount in a different location. That being said it does cycle well just not what I would call befect. My theory of design was based on handling and cleanliness. The cost is also low so far for a rear 4 link I believe. (maybe $120 for gr 8 bolt, bushings, tubing)

[Can't kech me]

sweet!!! i love it! the double triangulated 4 link is sick! you said you wanted it to sit on the rockers, soooo maybe some sort of drop member would help tremendously, and be easier when engine mounting time rolls around. all in all i think its awesome.

[cletis]

Originally Posted by Can't kech me

sweet!!! i love it! the double triangulated 4 link is sick! you said you wanted it to sit on the rockers, soooo maybe some sort of drop member would help tremendously, and be easier when engine mounting time rolls around. all in all i think its awesome.

First off thanks!! The front of the frame has the equivalent of a 3" Z and a 2" crossmember pancake. I hope that is enough, if not I do have some ideas. And again to everyone THANKS for the encouragement (I need it to keep me going). This build is about me learning and figuring, in the end I know it won't be perfect, but hopefully it works.