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BigMikeIndy
05-05-2015, 09:18 PM
Spending countless hours track side at events and being constantly surrounded by the sport I have fell victim to the bug. It was late last summer that I finally registered my daily driven pickup in a performance driving school at NCM Motorsports Park in Bowling Green. I spent a Saturday with a group of SCCA National Champions who thought a pickup couldn't handle. By 4pm that afternoon each of the trainers had driven the truck in awe of just how spirited the 5400lb pickup was. I learned a lot that day and went on to compete the following day in a regional SCCA event at the same location. My first time out and I placed 7th out of 13 in the CAM class. I know nothing to brag about.... tell that to the guy in a Viper that was outran by a 02 Dodge Ram. Needless to say I was hooked. I quickly registered for the next even which was the 1st Track-X event held at NCM. Ole Blue as I called it was just a 02 Reg cab short bed Hemi Ram with full RideTech Air Suspension HQ Shocks. Your normal bolt on engine upgrades and a set of ebay drilled and slotted rotors were about all the goodies it had. Ole Blue and I took to the Road Course like nun to a strip club, to say we were out of place would be an understatement. I knew what had to be done at that point, I needed something fast and purpose built and stat! As soon as I made it back to the RideTech Headquarters that following Monday I had helmet in hand and went car to car trying to find something that would accept my 6'4" stature with a helmet on. The dream was crushed and the hopes of simply driving a company car disappeared like an arm less man in quicksand.Or was it? I've learned a lot in 34 short years, pretty ones get everything handed to them, don't piss in the wind, never trust a fart, nothings ever free, and the most important If you want something work for it! By the end of that week the plan was permanently written on a napkin and I acquired a first gen S10 straight from the barnyard. I'm tired of ranting for the evening so here are a few pics of Ole'Blue and what will become the AXS10.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

And here is the heap of $hi@ that will become the AXS10... Let the turd polishing begin!
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Ill leave you with this great movie quote "You don't need to think. You need to drive. You need speed. You need to go out there, and you need to rev your engine. You need to fire it up. You need to grab a hold of that line between speed and chaos, and you need to wrestle it to the ground like a demon cobra! And then, when the fear rises up in your belly, you use it. And you know that fear is powerful, because it has been there for billions of years. And it is good. And you use it. And you ride it; you ride it like a skeleton horse through the gates of hell, and then you win."

Godbolt
05-05-2015, 11:43 PM
Cool. What is planned?

bovey
05-06-2015, 05:23 AM
SO jealous. This is on my hit list of builds.

chevymike
05-06-2015, 06:54 AM
Man, I was so hoping you were going to build up the Ram. I have a '05 short bed, standard cab Hemi Ram and always love seeing street performance builds on these. Can you tell me how you liked the Ride Tech shocks?

BigMikeIndy
05-06-2015, 09:18 AM
Cool. What is planned?

Cliff Notes > RideTech G body front TruTurn, drop spindles, HQ CoilOvers, SpeedTech Chicane upper mount, and one off Muscle Bar. Rear suspension will be a fabbed wishbone 3 link with RideTech HQ CoilOvers and splined sway bar. Nearly stock LS engine mated to a trans that will probably start as a manual valve body turbo 400. Multiple frame stiffening and weight relocation mods. 315-30-18 Falken all the way around with fender mods where necessary. I've started the framework and will start with those photos shortly.

BigMikeIndy
05-06-2015, 09:24 AM
Man, I was so hoping you were going to build up the Ram. I have a '05 short bed, standard cab Hemi Ram and always love seeing street performance builds on these. Can you tell me how you liked the Ride Tech shocks?

I miss the Ram every day that theres not snow on the ground. It was a ton of fun just didnt have enough potential on my budget to make it really competitive. As for shocks par of my reasoning for getting into it was to learn more about shock tuning and futher my knowledge of our product lines. I have a whopping 3 days of experience with adjusting and learning what makes the truck do what on different surfaces but in just those 3 days I quickly understood that 2 clicks of a knob means alot more than I ever expected. Im starting this truck off with the same HQ series setup as the rame ahd just in CoilOver form this time. Once I get the truck on track and plenty of time in it I may look at the TQ setup. Until then I know the HQ will give me more than enough adjustment.

BigMikeIndy
05-06-2015, 09:30 AM
The first weekend of S10 possession was teardown and chassis assessment time. Since the truck had already been someone else parts truck it was a pretty easy teardown. Less than 4 hours from my garage door opening I had a bare chassis ready for pre blast mods.

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BigMikeIndy
05-06-2015, 09:43 AM
I then spent a Sunday morning using a lift, plasma, and welder in the RideTech engineering area. First job at hand was installing the SpeedTech Chicane mounts for a G-Body. I was the Guinea Pig for G-Body on S-10 test fitting and they worked out just as planned. These will allow me to run a eylet top shock mount leading to an 1" longer travel shock.

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With the mounts welded in I took a few minutes to remove the stock rear leaf spring and shock mounts withthe plasma cutter. The frame was then loaded back up for a trip to Indianapolis.

BigMikeIndy
05-06-2015, 10:27 AM
Dropped the frame off at Hoosier Truck & Trailer on South side of Indianapolis on a Thursday evening to be blasted and a thick coat of epoxy primer laid on it. I've been dealing with HT&T back to the days of opening my first shop in Indy. Great family that treats everyone fairly. The following Wednesday I was informed the frame was ready and I made plans to pick it up that weekend. I was extremly happy with how it turned out. Knowing this truck will see plenty of different version over its lifetime I opted for paint instead of powdercoat. The suspension setup is not all off the shelf so I painted the front section and waited on parts to start arriving. The plan is to get the front on the ground so drive height is figured out before we start fabbing the rear suspension.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

chevymike
05-06-2015, 10:48 AM
I miss the Ram every day that theres not snow on the ground. It was a ton of fun just didnt have enough potential on my budget to make it really competitive. As for shocks par of my reasoning for getting into it was to learn more about shock tuning and futher my knowledge of our product lines. I have a whopping 3 days of experience with adjusting and learning what makes the truck do what on different surfaces but in just those 3 days I quickly understood that 2 clicks of a knob means alot more than I ever expected. Im starting this truck off with the same HQ series setup as the rame ahd just in CoilOver form this time. Once I get the truck on track and plenty of time in it I may look at the TQ setup. Until then I know the HQ will give me more than enough adjustment.

Cool. I went to RideTech's site and only found front shocks available. Why no rear shocks listed for the '02-'05 Rams?

CampbellshotrodsAZ
05-06-2015, 11:25 AM
Oh yes, I'm looking forward to this one! I'm currently under process in doing my S10 Blazer, version 2.0. It was my first vehicle, which I got from a salvage auction. I finished it when I was 16 in all red, added the black shown below when I was 18 (11 years ago). It's where I learned many of the skills I apply today.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://s26.photobucket.com/user/blazinred87/media/Blazer/blazersig1.jpg.html)

I'm currently doing a V8 swap, which will be followed with a repaint. Turning it into a canyon carver would be a fun change in direction. Just a note... we're sorely lacking in rear suspension options for the Blazers. A 4 link would be killer.

BigMikeIndy
05-06-2015, 11:34 AM
Cool. I went to RideTech's site and only found front shocks available. Why no rear shocks listed for the '02-'05 Rams? They may be outside of our length specs at stock rideheight. Are you all stock suspension still?

BigMikeIndy
05-06-2015, 11:37 AM
I'm currently doing a V8 swap, which will be followed with a repaint. Turning it into a canyon carver would be a fun change in direction. Just a note... we're sorely lacking in rear suspension options for the Blazers. A 4 link would be killer.

Sharp Blazer. I grew up a mini truck as a daily and off roader for fun. Now my daily is 4x4 and my fun truck will be a mini. I feel your pain on the blazer rear link systems. Ive been in the truck stuff since 96 and there never has been a simple solution for them.

chevymike
05-06-2015, 11:48 AM
They may be outside of our length specs at stock rideheight. Are you all stock suspension still?

Front yes (running 2" drop spindles), Rear no, running 3" lowered Bell Tech leaf springs. I am currently running shock extenders, so I can use stock length shocks but would be happy to remove them.

BigMikeIndy
05-06-2015, 11:50 AM
Here's some of the goodies I had been waiting on for it.

The front G-Body TruTurn sytem from RideTech. (tie rod adjuster and heims not pictured)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

The HQ Coilovers (I like to call them the secret sauce)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

9" Ford Housing narrowed 3" from stock S10 specifications. Big bearing, 31 spline, .250 tube wall just for kicks.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

BigMikeIndy
05-06-2015, 11:51 AM
Front yes (running 2" drop spindles), Rear no, running 3" lowered Bell Tech leaf springs. I am currently running shock extenders, so I can use stock length shocks but would be happy to remove them.

Go ahead and get me a measurment with the extenders and without. Im assuming its eye/eye mounting?

SSLance
05-06-2015, 01:43 PM
Hey Big Mike, I run the same rear end housing...before you order axles...make sure you spec the A20 tapered bearing setup, not a radial bearing setup. Trust me on this.

Love the project, can't wait to see how it evolves...

BigMikeIndy
05-06-2015, 06:22 PM
Hey Big Mike, I run the same rear end housing...before you order axles...make sure you spec the A20 tapered bearing setup, not a radial bearing setup. Trust me on this.

Love the project, can't wait to see how it evolves...

Lance you are one of the few running the thicker wall front MuscleBar correct? Which wall are you currently running?

SSLance
05-06-2015, 06:40 PM
I believe I was the first to get a 0.250" wall musclebar last fall, but I have a 0.375" wall centerpiece in production right now.

Hope to get it and get it installed soon.

BigMikeIndy
05-07-2015, 05:22 AM
Im building a narrowed G Body musclebar in .375 for this one. Are we building the .375 for you or someone else ?

SSLance
05-07-2015, 06:13 AM
You are building it for me... How's it coming along anyway? :D

BigMikeIndy
05-07-2015, 06:42 AM
I can check on it, which rep is handling it?

BigMikeIndy
05-07-2015, 11:36 AM
Getting close to being up to date. This was the morning I started assembling the front suspension.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

Its currently mocked up at drive hight with som T channel in the coilovers position at ride height.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

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You can also see the Ballard Brothers brake conversion brackets that will be used for this set of C5Z brakes I scored from Bruce Raymond at Raymond's Performance.


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SSLance
05-07-2015, 11:46 AM
I can check on it, which rep is handling it?

Well, I'm not sure. Ron Sutton ordered it through the normal channels as I recall because somebody was on vacation that week.

Think it was ordered around 04/21/2015.

SSLance
05-07-2015, 11:48 AM
Are those metric spindles and if so, what are you going to use for a hub?

Front suspension looks nice and those brakes should work very well for you.

You measured and optimized the LCA mounting points before making the frame beautiful...right? :1st:

BigMikeIndy
05-07-2015, 11:57 AM
Are those metric spindles and if so, what are you going to use for a hub?

Front suspension looks nice and those brakes should work very well for you.

You measured and optimized the LCA mounting points before making the frame beautiful...right? :1st:

Spindles are RideTech 2" drop spindles to get the truck down farther than the cars. Took the stock rotors and turned them down to accept the c5 rotors. Just ordered a set of arp studs for front today.

Tell me more about this optimizing mounts.... Thats the finest spray can black Walmart offers! knowing I have plenty to learn I wasnt about to powdercoat this thing.

SSLance
05-07-2015, 12:16 PM
Start about halfway down this page... You might want to pack a lunch though, it's a lot of reading.

https://www.pro-touring.com/threads/98063-Need-a-little-help-figuring-something-out/page3

I can tell you one thing, my LCA mounts were off from the factory...and by using Ron's methods to correct (and improve) them...it made a HUGE difference in how my front suspension handles. Yours will be easier to measure as you have easy access to everything right now.

BigMikeIndy
05-07-2015, 12:32 PM
Start about halfway down this page... You might want to pack a lunch though, it's a lot of reading.

https://www.pro-touring.com/threads/98063-Need-a-little-help-figuring-something-out/page3

I can tell you one thing, my LCA mounts were off from the factory...and by using Ron's methods to correct (and improve) them...it made a HUGE difference in how my front suspension handles. Yours will be easier to measure as you have easy access to everything right now.

And I now I have weekend plans... :-)

SSLance
05-07-2015, 07:03 PM
I had some extra time and read back through the thread myself this afternoon...tons of good info dished out in there.

Let me know if you have any questions when you dive in.

brawls43
05-12-2015, 05:27 AM
Can't wait to see more of this truck. Love S-10's and Rangers!

SSLance
05-12-2015, 06:18 PM
Im building a narrowed G Body musclebar in .375 for this one. Are we building the .375 for you or someone else ?

Little bird mentioned to me that I have a package on the way to me now... ;)

BigMikeIndy
05-12-2015, 06:44 PM
Little bird mentioned to me that I have a package on the way to me now... ;)

When I checked Friday it was due back from powder coating anytime.

BigMikeIndy
05-12-2015, 07:03 PM
Had some more goodies arrive late last week. Didn't get time until tonight to lay it all out and figure what I'm still needing. Picked up all new center link, inner tie rods, and idler arm from the local AutoZone. The like me there. I'm what you call a points chaser, I plan my purchases out as near to $21.00 as possible to get a point on each purchase. Space those out 20 minutes at a time and it adds up quickly. To bad my little helper gets bored while I'm parts shopping. BTW meet Spence my 14 week old Lab puppy. He is still getting accustomed to the shop life.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

Steering goodies laid out with the billet tie rods and TruTurn components. No reason to reuse old parts that have god knows how many miles on them. NO WEAK LINKS!
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

The guys at Moser came through strong and quick on some axle goodies. Now when the front suspension is wrapped up the rear axle will not be holding up and fab work. Since I do not have a center section they sent me a nifty little template that bolts to the housing for measuring for axle shaft length. You can see still attached.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

Can't beat a 2 day turnaround from supplying them the measurments to receiving parts on the doorstep. Moser Engineering kicks ass!
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

A couple other not as important parts showed up also. Front ARP wheel studs from Summit and a pair of Clamp-On axle tube brackets. I've been told all the cool guys are running them so I had to have a set..
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chevymike
05-13-2015, 06:42 AM
Cute puppy!!!!

SSLance
05-13-2015, 06:49 AM
I don't see any bearings on those axles yet...which bearing setup did you order axles for?

BigMikeIndy
05-13-2015, 06:50 AM
Cute puppy!!!!

Im kinda fond of him....
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

BigMikeIndy
05-13-2015, 07:12 AM
I don't see any bearings on those axles yet...which bearing setup did you order axles for?

They were already en route when you mentioned the A20. I just told them what I was building and its purpose and they sent the sealed ball bearings. I don't forsee this ever being a long track truck (aero lacking), and when I asked them about the A20s they said "I would only use it in a “road race” application like mid Ohio or road Atlanta. Normally you would use a sealed ball bearing in a street application." The issue will be brake knock back correct? At this point gettign the rear suspension fabbed up becomes the next project. If it becomes a larger issue down the road I will probably look into just making it a full floater.

BADNBLK
05-13-2015, 10:20 AM
Love the Sdimes! Can't wait to see the progress

Ben@SpeedTech
05-13-2015, 10:52 AM
Subscribed. I'd been bugging Blake for a while ;) to get those G Body Chicane brackets made up, and when I switched to coilovers we worked them out on my car. Really glad to see they fit the S10 frame too! I know of a local 1st gen S10 that's super dusty and buried under a bunch of junk in a car port just waiting for me to go bug the owner to let me have it, so I'll be following along to see how yours turns out.

ArtosDracon
05-13-2015, 11:15 AM
Are you going to use a set of the double ball joint sway bar end links on this? Love those, but they are bit pricey! What about the ridetech link kit out back?

P.S. You know we have as site for just the S10s too, right? I'm sure there are a few guys over there that aren't here that would love to see this!

ArtosDracon
05-13-2015, 11:22 AM
Im building a narrowed G Body musclebar in .375 for this one. Are we building the .375 for you or someone else ?

What diameter? The factory ZQ8/Blazer front bar will drop right on a first gen and give you 1-1/4" solid bar. If you do the same OD, and the arms are the same length, it'll be a touch less stiff than the stocker which are CHEAP. Unless yours will be adjustable, then hands down, I'm on board.

BigMikeIndy
05-13-2015, 11:39 AM
Are you going to use a set of the double ball joint sway bar end links on this? Love those, but they are bit pricey! What about the ridetech link kit out back?

P.S. You know we have as site for just the S10s too, right? I'm sure there are a few guys over there that aren't here that would love to see this!

I will be building a special MuscleBar for it and using the PosiLinks that you mention. May look at doing Delrin muscle bar bushings also. If your speaking of pro-tourings10.com I am a member over there and started the build thread there. Not much traffic :-(

BigMikeIndy
05-13-2015, 11:40 AM
What diameter? The factory ZQ8/Blazer front bar will drop right on a first gen and give you 1-1/4" solid bar. If you do the same OD, and the arms are the same length, it'll be a touch less stiff than the stocker which are CHEAP. Unless yours will be adjustable, then hands down, I'm on board.

MuscleBar is a modular design that will allow me more clearance for wider front wheel. Looking at a 10-11" on front.

SSLance
05-13-2015, 12:50 PM
They were already en route when you mentioned the A20. I just told them what I was building and its purpose and they sent the sealed ball bearings. I don't forsee this ever being a long track truck (aero lacking), and when I asked them about the A20s they said "I would only use it in a “road race” application like mid Ohio or road Atlanta. Normally you would use a sealed ball bearing in a street application." The issue will be brake knock back correct? At this point gettign the rear suspension fabbed up becomes the next project. If it becomes a larger issue down the road I will probably look into just making it a full floater.



I went through three sets of sealed ball bearing bearings in the last twelve months on my car. The side loads I'm putting on them while autocrossing just kill them. They are built for rolling forward only, not side loads. What happens is when they start to wear, they get looseness in them and then start to vibrate at highway speeds. I HATE vibrations... Took me a while to chase it down the first time as I had just replaced all of the bearings and didn't check them when it started to vibrate. It's old school to me now, I can tell right away when they begin to go out.

Hopefully the A20s will last me longer...we'll see if I ever get the chance to race the car again this year.

The axles the A20s go on are a bit larger diameter than the sealed bearings, so you'll need different axles if you want to upgrade. Personally, if you plan on autocrossing the truck, I'd make that switch now before you press the new sealed bearings on these axles.

ArtosDracon
05-13-2015, 02:42 PM
MuscleBar is a modular design that will allow me more clearance for wider front wheel. Looking at a 10-11" on front.

Definitely going to keep an eye on that, I don't suppose you'd be able to put one side by side with your stock one, once you get it done at least, so we can see the profile differences, I know a few of us that would be much obliged, especially since a .375 wall 1.25 would be almost as stiff as the ZQ8, which a few of us rub tires on pretty regularly.

ArtosDracon
05-13-2015, 02:44 PM
I will be building a special MuscleBar for it and using the PosiLinks that you mention. May look at doing Delrin muscle bar bushings also. If your speaking of pro-tourings10.com I am a member over there and started the build thread there. Not much traffic :-(

Oh, you're Member369, lol. Let me know if you want that changed, I'm one of the admins over there. And no, we don't have much traffic unfortunately, except spam, but we've got a few really great guys, who really know these things and we've managed to save a lot of the old PTS10 site we had, so there's a lot of info over there specific to these.

BigMikeIndy
05-13-2015, 07:14 PM
Oh, you're Member369, lol. Let me know if you want that changed, I'm one of the admins over there. And no, we don't have much traffic unfortunately, except spam, but we've got a few really great guys, who really know these things and we've managed to save a lot of the old PTS10 site we had, so there's a lot of info over there specific to these.
Member369 is fine with me. I figured if I used a ridetech user name they would think i was trying to advertise which I hope its obvious to everyone thats not the case.

If I cant get where I need to be with the Modular Muscle bar we do now have spline bar access and I can build a completely one off interchangeable spline bar.

The work schedule is pretty heavy the next two weeks but i should be able to get my muscle bar fabbed up soon there after.

BigMikeIndy
05-13-2015, 07:15 PM
I went through three sets of sealed ball bearing bearings in the last twelve months on my car. The side loads I'm putting on them while autocrossing just kill them.

So your issue was more wear than brakes?

ArtosDracon
05-13-2015, 07:28 PM
Member369 is fine with me. I figured if I used a ridetech user name they would think i was trying to advertise which I hope its obvious to everyone thats not the case.

If I cant get where I need to be with the Modular Muscle bar we do now have spline bar access and I can build a completely one off interchangeable spline bar.

The work schedule is pretty heavy the next two weeks but i should be able to get my muscle bar fabbed up soon there after.

If you do develop a splined bar, talk the boss into making it available, I will save up my lunch money for the next couple months if it's 1.25", with pre-bent arms and at least two holes, would really prefer three, in the arms for adjustment. Hell, if you do a .375 wall bar with multiple holes, I'll say right here and how that I will buy one. Won't need the links with the global west LCAs though a set of machined delrin bushings for the frame would save me some serious time on my really old mill.

SSLance
05-14-2015, 04:50 AM
So your issue was more wear than brakes?

This is what happens to them...this particular bearing only had about 150 miles on it.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTVeoQqdFuw


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfeeUsZrYjQ


Usually I'd get 3-4 months out of them or 20-30 autocross runs...before they'd start to fail.

SSLance
05-14-2015, 06:55 AM
There are a couple of other issues with the sealed roller bearings we can discuss as well if you'd like. First and foremost would be leaks... QP will tell you and everyone else that asks there is no need for an inner axle seal when using a sealed roller bearing in the big Torino style axle housing end. Everyone I know running a QP housing will tell you differently, they ALL leak on the passenger side if you do not put the inner axle seal in before the bearing. Once I found the correct sized inner seals for my axles, that ended my gear oil leaking problem that I put up with for years.

The A20 style of bearing has an integrated axle seal on the OUTSIDE of the bearing. The A20 bearings come pre-greased and are also of a "sealed" design...but gear oil can still get to them as the seal is outside of the bearing.

Now, a question I that have not seen answered yet...is the inner seal that keeps the gear oil away from the roller bearing part of the cause of the bearing failures? I don't know...but I know if I had to chose persistent gear oil leaks to keep a susbstandard bearing alive...I'd be looking for another answer (which I did).

Here is a comparison picture of the two different setups.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/05/0423151821-1.jpg

Sealed roller bearing on the left, A20 on new larger dia axles on the right. Notice the seal on the outside of the A20, this gets pressed into the axle end with the retainer clamp and seals around the outside race of the bearing against the axle end as well as around the axle itself. The roller bearing has no seal at all except the black plastic between the outer and inner races you see in my video above.

Note: the brake offset was wrong in the picture above and I ended up sending the axles back and had the brake offset fixed and new bearings pressed on. While doing this I also had them put the brake backing plate spacer ring on the axle before pressing the new bearings on which is a REAL timesaver when installing the axles around my disc brake kit.

This is the new axle setup that ended up going in my car...

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/05/0501151848-1.jpg

One more plus to the A20 setup is the MASSIVE wedding ring that is used to hold the bearing in place when compared to the roller bearing setup. This is the only picture I have of the new ones...I don't have a comparison pic to show the wedding ring on the roller bearing setup, but it is substantially smaller.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/04/0422151431-1.jpg

Just trying to help out Mike, from someone that has been there done that with a very similar setup and found the flaws in it already. I'm sure your truck will put every bit of the side loads on your rear tires that I put on mine...knowing the resources you have behind your build.

Brwnelky
05-14-2015, 06:46 PM
If you do develop a splined bar, talk the boss into making it available, I will save up my lunch money for the next couple months if it's 1.25", with pre-bent arms and at least two holes, would really prefer three, in the arms for adjustment. Hell, if you do a .375 wall bar with multiple holes, I'll say right here and how that I will buy one.

Same here. Really looking forward to watching this build

AutoX_D21Hardbody
05-15-2015, 10:14 AM
Lovin' it! More trucks of all sizes need to hit the SCCA autoX courses. Back in the 80's there was a truck class but sadly it went away. I race a Nissan Hardbody in Street Prepared and have a blast doing it. The truck always turns heads out there. I will be watching this build!

Guyt699
07-15-2015, 12:27 PM
So what happened to this project?

rentedmule
07-17-2015, 07:03 AM
Also keen to see a follow up - I can't believe I missed this thread until now. I'm with ArtosDrakon on the custom swaybar - I would definitely be interested if there was an upgrade over the 33 mm OEM option.

eric1967
07-18-2015, 03:35 PM
Cool build Mike. So the G body stuff is the same as the S10?

Yukon Cornelius
07-19-2015, 05:53 AM
I seem to remember that the g-body springs gave a 1" drop over the s10 springs.

BigMikeIndy
12-09-2015, 07:05 PM
Cool build Mike. So the G body stuff is the same as the S10?

the Gbody production pieces and S10 pieces are not the same. The Gbody stuff is way more advanced than the s10 when it comes to geometry and track performance. The Gbody true turn setup does work on s10 with a simple bushing and tierod adjuster swap though.

'85 LSX c10
01-28-2016, 03:23 PM
the Gbody production pieces and S10 pieces are not the same. The Gbody stuff is way more advanced than the s10 when it comes to geometry and track performance. The Gbody true turn setup does work on s10 with a simple bushing and tierod adjuster swap though.

So will the g body strong arms bolt on to the s10 frame or do modifications need to be made? also will they work with s10 spindles?

Badbowtie383x
01-28-2016, 04:17 PM
What happened to all the pictures?

rixtrix1
03-19-2016, 09:36 PM
No pics visible?! Any updates?

BigMikeIndy
01-16-2017, 08:14 PM
Well guys I don't know what happened to all the old pictures but I'm back and the project is underway again.

BigMikeIndy
01-16-2017, 08:22 PM
In the last updates I was still living in Southern Indiana or had just moved back to Indy and taken a job at Raymond's Performance. That lasted a year and I have officially left the career out of a hobby phase of my life. This means working in the garage is fun again right? Here's some progress from the last few weeks.
Set up a makeshift seeing table at home.
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Fabbed up a rear underslung clip
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Ohh yeah..... Here's the home shop setup (work in progress)
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And the helpers.
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BigMikeIndy
01-16-2017, 08:34 PM
The stock s10 rails were bobbed right at the rear cab / front bed mount so I rigingly fixed what was left of the stock frame to the table with the rear rails to "properly" mate them.

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Learned a lot while I was at RideTech. One of the biggest things was how much I missed hanging in the shop with my Dad. He was a Mopar guy until my sister and I were born. There's not a day he turns down a chance to come and tinker.
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BigMikeIndy
01-16-2017, 08:46 PM
Once we got tied together I hung it to weld in the bottom side.


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Worked great

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Boxing was all finished so it was back down to ground level.

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2 laser levels, a couple tape measures, and what seemed like 300 measurements later the wheelbase was laid out at 108" and the axle was locked into position with a couple exhaust clamps (NOT DYNO RATED)

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Time for some fun!
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Dr G
01-17-2017, 11:50 AM
I love your ingenuity in terms of building and measuring the frame.

BigMikeIndy
01-18-2017, 07:37 PM
I love your ingenuity in terms of building and measuring the frame.

Thanks. Just trying to get by with what I have.

SSLance
01-19-2017, 06:31 AM
Glad to see you back on this project Mike...

Craig@Bowler
01-19-2017, 06:44 AM
Looking good Mike. Hopefully I'll get to see it show up at Midwest Muscle Car challenge next year!

BigMikeIndy
01-19-2017, 07:22 PM
Glad to see you back on this project Mike...

Thanks! Now that I'm not dealing with everyone else's projects it's actually fun again.

BigMikeIndy
01-19-2017, 07:24 PM
Looking good Mike. Hopefully I'll get to see it show up at Midwest Muscle Car challenge next year!

Thanks! It will still be a couple years before it will be road ready though.

BigMikeIndy
01-23-2017, 06:39 PM
Was able to spend some time Saturday evening in the garage. Successfully got the link and coilover brackets installed to the axle.

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For ****s and giggles I tried the 18x11s n the front and low and behold the fit well. I'm actually going to order 2 more with 1" less be and go for it.

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Josh@Ridetech
01-24-2017, 11:24 AM
Awesome man. While this one's down, you can pull that dually out onto the autocross. :rotfl:

BigMikeIndy
01-24-2017, 06:07 PM
Awesome man. While this one's down, you can pull that dually out onto the autocross. :rotfl:

Ohh ****... You're still on here. Bosses give u a bunch of feces and you have to get back on the forums or did you just bail from FB? They still watching you post counts? If so comment as many times as you'd like lol..

BigMikeIndy
01-27-2017, 09:00 PM
Someone really needs to take my allstar catalog away. Picked u another stack off goodies from the local dirt track parts store so I should be making the next step forward on rear suspension this weekend.

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Josh@Ridetech
01-31-2017, 06:15 AM
Ohh ****... You're still on here. Bosses give u a bunch of feces and you have to get back on the forums or did you just bail from FB? They still watching you post counts? If so comment as many times as you'd like lol..

I love the forums. I just got tired of social media, lol.

myth
01-31-2017, 02:25 PM
Mike or Josh. School me on the difference between the g-body tru turn control arms and the s10 strong arms.

Josh@Ridetech
02-01-2017, 05:51 AM
Mike or Josh. School me on the difference between the g-body tru turn control arms and the s10 strong arms.

The G-body TruTurn setup has these added corrections:

- Adjustable cross shafts/different caster slugs for more caster adjustment
- Lower balljoint is moved forward, upper balljoint is moved back for more added caster while keeping the wheel centered
- Taller upper balljoints to increase camber gain
- We have the bumpsteer under .065" throughout 5" of travel
- Lower shock mount is moved out to reduce motion ratio, allows us to run a lower spring rate while maintaining the same wheel rate. (old design had a higher motion ratio and needed a much heavier spring to lift vehicle)

myth
02-01-2017, 02:30 PM
The G-body TruTurn setup has these added corrections:

- Adjustable cross shafts/different caster slugs for more caster adjustment
- Lower balljoint is moved forward, upper balljoint is moved back for more added caster while keeping the wheel centered
- Taller upper balljoints to increase camber gain
- We have the bumpsteer under .065" throughout 5" of travel
- Lower shock mount is moved out to reduce motion ratio, allows us to run a lower spring rate while maintaining the same wheel rate. (old design had a higher motion ratio and needed a much heavier spring to lift vehicle)

Thank you sir.

Mike. Sorry for hijacking your thread.

Josh@Ridetech
02-03-2017, 05:29 AM
Thank you sir.

Mike. Sorry for hijacking your thread.

Anytime!

BigMikeIndy
02-04-2017, 04:59 AM
The G-body TruTurn setup has these added corrections:

- Adjustable cross shafts/different caster slugs for more caster adjustment
.

You might want to remove this from the benefits list as the upper control arm is to narrow to allow any slug but the center hole one. The arm does not have enough clearance at frame mount to offset it. I can send pictures if needed.

BigMikeIndy
02-06-2017, 07:21 PM
The past 2 week seem like they just flew by. I've been able to get the 3 link tacked up and some of the rear frame skeleton is coming together.

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BigMikeIndy
02-06-2017, 07:27 PM
Boss showed up with his latest toy last week. Trying to talk him into a 10/10ths hpde day.

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Since I do not foresee needing the welding table in the near future we did a little garage reorganizing. Clean garage is happy garage right?

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BigMikeIndy
02-09-2017, 06:43 PM
Shouldn't of cleaned the garage or moved #axs10. Had a stranger message me on FB saying he's had 6 different guys tell him I'm
the guy to fix his car. 22hrs later he has dropped a "bagged" big block Chevelle off for a once over. 30 minutes into inspection it's determined that the shop that did his suspension wanted him to die. Plans were made to ditch the "minitrucker" suspension parts for some well planned RideTech underpinnings.

Chevelle still fit with the S10 and y daily.
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Tore down ready for reassembly. Decided to go with a disc brake conversion while we we had it apart.

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Eric Howell
02-14-2017, 06:55 AM
Clean garage is happy garage right? I lose everything when I clean up :dunno:

Truck looks like it is coming along. What are your plans to tie in that rear round tube section, cage?


That Chevelle looks very familiar but can't place it.

BigMikeIndy
02-15-2017, 07:26 PM
The rear section will tie into the cage as suspected. The Chevelle belongs to a local guy who had been having the car built for the past 6 years. 4 different shops had left him less then satisfied and then he found me. The new ridetech suspension goodies are on along with some wildwood disc brakes and now he has decided to let me upgrade the air management. Here is how the car sits deflated. The 20/22 combo is not my thing but at least we know the suspension and brakes are safe now.

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BigMikeIndy
07-26-2017, 07:00 AM
Well, it's been a while since I updated but there has definitely been some progress made on the #AXS10


Sat a 5.3L and turbo 400 in the chassis with a set of engine mounts from Christopher Kill. Plan was to check stock truck oil pan clearance and see how the cab cleared with the engine in the rear most position on the mounts.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

BigMikeIndy
07-26-2017, 07:06 AM
Sat the cab on and bolted it up with a set of solid aluminum JT Raceshop cab mounts. With some floor reconstruction and firewall work the raceseat will fit just right and have room for me to set the engine 6" further rearward than a stock 4.3 would be and still have room for my large build. Also started my first roll cage build.
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BigMikeIndy
07-26-2017, 07:23 AM
Was able to finish up the watts link a couple weekends ago also. I'm really starting to love the All Star Performance parts.

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And of course, now it is pushed aside while I set a 3 link and RideTech Coilover system up for a customer. This little tan 82 will also be 5.3 powered but more street truck than the #AXS10.
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Josh@Ridetech
07-27-2017, 05:07 AM
Looks good, Mike. However...it does appear that your headers are on backwards...






Please tell me that there are going to be twins on it :twothumbs

Twentyover
07-27-2017, 08:31 AM
Looks good, Mike. However...it does appear that your headers are on backwards...






Please tell me that there are going to be twins on it :twothumbs

He's using the exhaust as an air brake?

Josh@Ridetech
07-28-2017, 04:28 AM
He's using the exhaust as an air brake?

Haha!

BigMikeIndy
08-16-2017, 12:04 PM
Haha!
What are you doing up at 4:38 in the morning.


BTW the other S10 rear 3link / panhard turned out ok.

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Josh@Ridetech
08-16-2017, 12:17 PM
What are you doing up at 4:38 in the morning.


BTW the other S10 rear 3link / panhard turned out ok.

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That was 8:28 in the morning. I was still snoring 4 hours before that!

Motoracer838
09-03-2017, 10:39 AM
What are you doing up at 4:38 in the morning.


BTW the other S10 rear 3link / panhard turned out ok.

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I'd like to see more of this, I have a '94 S10 Blazer, ( see here. https://www.pro-touring.com/threads/125579-My-Frankenstine-front-end ) and it's looking like I'll be going with a three link, Did you use the front spring perches for the lower links? BTW tell George in sales that the HQ's in the front were a huge help...

Joe

BigMikeIndy
12-15-2017, 11:27 AM
I'd like to see more of this, I have a '94 S10 Blazer, ( see here. https://www.pro-touring.com/threads/125579-My-Frankenstine-front-end ) and it's looking like I'll be going with a three link, Did you use the front spring perches for the lower links? BTW tell George in sales that the HQ's in the front were a huge help...

Joe


Here is a better shot of it. And yes I ran the stock leaf mounts.
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Motoracer838
12-15-2017, 07:52 PM
Thanks, that helps. It looks like everybody has those light weight HF jacks, I just bout one because I was tired of dragging my 2 1/2 ton (there are days it feels like it's 2 1/2 tons...) Snap On out to the driveway...

Joe

BigMikeIndy
12-18-2017, 10:53 AM
Thanks, that helps. It looks like everybody has those light weight HF jacks, I just bout one because I was tired of dragging my 2 1/2 ton (there are days it feels like it's 2 1/2 tons...) Snap On out to the driveway...

Joe

I have one of the HF Daytona "snap on knockoff" and one of the aluminum. No complaints on either. The aluminum is over 6 years old.

'85 LSX c10
02-01-2018, 09:38 AM
What off set/ back spacing did you use to clear 18x11?!?

Z06killinSBF
02-01-2018, 01:14 PM
This thing is looking so good man, love it!

BigMikeIndy
12-20-2018, 07:50 AM
Damn it sure has been a while since I updated this. I guess that means its been a while since I actually worked on the S10 also though. Ill start with a couple shots of what I have been working on. Building this 52 Ford F1 pickup for a local guy. You can find all kinds of pics and progress on instagram.com/unclebubsgarage or look for #mrjones or #52eff1

Quick details: 52 Ford F1 - Tube chassis, MII front, QP 9" rear, Shockwaves all around, 20x15 rear 20x8 front american racing, 2014 Ford 5.0L & 6r80 AT, On2 twin turbo kit, wilwood brakes.

How it started:
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Some chassis buil pics:
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Here is a few pics form when we debuted it to former family that owned it as a roller. The truck went on to be in the American Racing booth at Street Rod Nationals in Louisville last summer.

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BigMikeIndy
12-20-2018, 09:22 AM
And there has actually been a little AXS10 progress.

Shops a mess but I built the last main rails behind the axle. Still deciding if this will just be an area for adding ballast weight or if the cell and battery will be there.
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Test fit the fibergass bedsides and surprising enough the wheel base was correct.
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Field Trip! Good way to blow the dust off of it, Had to try out the new towpig anyhow.
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Had been debating on a cage for way to long. Originally though I'd just make one myself but never could get past the Apillar bars on progress soI brought in a pro. Indiana SCCA guys knowhim as Gumby and his home shop 3/4 Race Fab. With his guidance we went a completely different rout and saved my cab room by running a simpler behind cab roll bar.
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And then tied it into the back half.
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SO NAKED Picking the truck back up from Gumby tonight and the first task woll be builing some sort of spine to tie the center of frame in from transmission back.
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BigMikeIndy
12-20-2018, 09:38 AM
Almost forgot, Also test fit the new front fenders. I had really expected that some flareing would be needed. Will have to see what an alignment does but it looks safe right now.

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Josh@Ridetech
12-20-2018, 10:25 AM
Looks good mike!

What's an On2 turbo kit? Never heard of those guys.... :D

CSG
12-20-2018, 10:32 AM
Maybe he got 2/3rds of an On 3 kit!

Sbeck09
12-20-2018, 11:12 AM
Nice to see this hasn't totally died. I like some of the different approaches you have going on here. And aside from the reDONKulous wheels on that F100, it's pretty awesome looking.

Any goal in mind for when you want the first test drive to happen?

BigMikeIndy
12-20-2018, 12:04 PM
Maybe he got 2/3rds of an On 3 kit!


Likely use even less of their kit then that. lol

- - - Updated - - -

Really hate not being able to edit after the next response is made.

BigMikeIndy
12-20-2018, 12:08 PM
The S10?
Originally planned on it being a 5-year project. We are in that 5th year now. I'd still like to make some test runs in 19.

The Ford?
On road by June

BigMikeIndy
03-05-2019, 07:19 AM
Update: Bedsides aligned and mounted
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BigMikeIndy
03-05-2019, 07:23 AM
Update: Cab off and sent out for roof repair. Once it comes back we will gut the floor and firewall.
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BigMikeIndy
03-05-2019, 07:29 AM
Update: Radiator & Battery mounts built.
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Josh@Ridetech
03-05-2019, 08:27 AM
Looking good Mike.

Z06killinSBF
03-11-2019, 10:47 AM
Coming along and looking good

BigMikeIndy
04-04-2019, 11:10 AM
Coming along and looking good

Thanks

BigMikeIndy
06-17-2020, 05:56 AM
I don't know if anyone looks at this anymore but here are some recent pics.
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Vimes
06-17-2020, 06:53 AM
Nice looking, but I don't understand why the two steel square tube braces underneath the axle. People don't typically put framework under the axle. What would be the purpose of this?

BigMikeIndy
06-17-2020, 07:05 AM
Nice looking, but I don't understand why the two steel square tube braces underneath the axle. People don't typically put framework under the axle. What would be the purpose of this?

Its actually quite common on Trans-Am series cars. I like the weight of the main rail staying low myself.

Craig@Bowler
06-17-2020, 11:44 AM
Mike,
It's good to see some more progress on this rig. Hope you're doing well!

BigMikeIndy
06-17-2020, 11:49 AM
Mike,
It's good to see some more progress on this rig. Hope you're doing well!

Doin good, Hit me up when you come thru Indy

Craig@Bowler
06-17-2020, 12:31 PM
Doin good, Hit me up when you come thru Indy

Will do!

JayinMI
06-21-2020, 03:05 PM
I love this thing, but if you wanted to get attention, don't put it in the "Trucks" section. No one comes in here unless they're building a truck too. lol

Jay

BigMikeIndy
06-25-2020, 04:59 AM
I love this thing, but if you wanted to get attention, don't put it in the "Trucks" section. No one comes in here unless they're building a truck too. lol

Jay

I think that ship has sailed lol.

BigMikeIndy
06-29-2020, 11:44 AM
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David Sloan
06-30-2020, 02:47 AM
Nice work!
Keep the updates coming!

Vimes
07-05-2020, 02:25 PM
I swear that picture keeps messing with my eyes. It looks like both sides are the front and both sides are the rear. The high framework looks like the front, radiators lend credence to it, engine looks like rear mount except the RWD trans is facing the front, ect.

I know it really all makes sense, and I see where you're going with it, but... :seizure: it sure wouldn't to most people.