93 P/u - Tough Truck

Centralauto · 09-02-2008, 05:56 PM

Hello all.. The quick of it is, I'm very familar with off roading in the Jeep world.. My Crawler is a TJ on D60's , coilovers etc...

However.. I have a tough truck competition coming up in VT soon..So I picked up a pretty beat 93 p/u , 6cyl, stick with a 3" body lift, on 33's.

If your not familar with tough truck..It's a timed course with ramps (sometimes large ) and tight turns.. Racing side by side..

The question is..How do I get this rig to get airborn nicely, and more important to land nicely ?

I want to do this as cheap as possible..I've never done it, but looks like fun...

I thought I'd stick some longer better shocks in there...Maybe some good bump stops...But without buying a whole kit..I'm a little lost...

I have money, any tool you can think of, and a shop with lifts etc...

So any thoughts?Links?

I need to order what I need..to get this ready...

Thanks.

tc · 09-02-2008, 07:56 PM

Front ideal situation would be a coilover long travel setup:
http://www.chaosfab.com/95200.html

Longer shocks will help a lot in the rear. Cut through the bed to a cage for the upper mounts.

Air or hydraulic bumpstops will help smooth it out A LOT.
http://www.lightracing.com/v1b/light...ounceIntro.cfm

apalmer1 · 09-02-2008, 08:19 PM

id buy either a long travel kit which prolly cost too many $$, or i would just make my own. at the very least your best bet is to do longer shocks shackles and AAL's in the back, ditch the body lift, and convert the front to coilovers. and id reinforce the frame by adding several more crossmembers, et.

89silverpu · 09-02-2008, 08:21 PM

Pirate4x4.com would be a better place to search and find info on this kinda stuff....

Centralauto · 09-03-2008, 02:49 PM

Thanks for the ideas...

Coilovers etc will come later ...if I like doing it...

Right now, I just want to try it...

Been searching on pirate...but most are full, all out builds..Not what I'm looking for right now...

I think Coilovers may but me in a class I don't want to be in...not sure.

The shackle and longer shock / mounts in the rear sounds simple enough...

Sounds like it's not an easy or cheap question...

The chaos or downey stuff looks great...But more than I want to invest right now...If I like it..all bet's are off...

Thanks again.

85toy · 09-03-2008, 05:41 PM

for the rear id say 63" chevy springs with good shocks and bumpstops, the shocks should be mounted as straight up and down as possible, so cut holes in the bed and make a higher mount for the shocks. not sure about the front because im not an ifs guy.

the springs are 100 bucks
the bumpstops (if you think you need em) are pretty cheap.
the shocks are the most expensive thing but you do need em maybe try and find some used ones in the misc forsale section on pirate.
oh and longer shackles obviously.
this can all happen if you have some simple fab skills and a welder.

Centralauto · 09-03-2008, 06:07 PM

What kind of chevy would have those springs? I have a couple out back..Maybe one set will work...

A friend has a set of bilstein 7100 shocks (4), he's letting me borrow...$300 if I want to buy them..

Not sure on the length...I think he said 15"

I have a bender, plasma, and a welder...

corax · 09-03-2008, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Centralauto

What kind of chevy would have those springs? I have a couple out back..Maybe one set will work...

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showt...threadid=20665

Centralauto · 09-03-2008, 08:27 PM

Sweet ...Thank you...

I have a 93 2wd parts truck out back...So I'm good for the rear with that...

I search around tomarrow, on a front solution...

tc · 09-03-2008, 08:54 PM

In the front, you can easily trim down or replace the compression bump stop (it's actually the one on the bottom!) and get more compression travel so long as you clearance the fenders.

Matt16 · 09-03-2008, 11:41 PM

Your going to need a LOT of weight in the bed to get the truck to land properly.

Centralauto · 09-04-2008, 05:44 AM

Cool I'll take out the stock bump stops...and relocate some better ones in there..I think...Thanks.

On the weight thing...They do allow that.
I here they do fly nose down.

I plan to set a ramp up out back, here at the shop, and mess with that..I hope I have the time.

I need to get this into the shop and start messing with it...I hope today..we'll see.

zlathim · 09-04-2008, 06:56 AM

OK, who let the Jeep guy in here?

Lol-jk.

Cool project. I would like to see some progress pics when you get started. Maybe a pic or two with some daylight under the wheels too!

Centralauto · 09-04-2008, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zlathim

OK, who let the Jeep guy in here?

Lol-jk.

Cool project. I would like to see some progress pics when you get started. Maybe a pic or two with some daylight under the wheels too!

Jeep, Toyota, Ford, Chevy...Makes no difference to me...

Here's what it looks like now...Will update in the future...

zlathim · 09-04-2008, 09:46 AM

Cool truck, but lose those slotted mags, especially if it is going to be airborn!

tc · 09-04-2008, 03:17 PM

Oooh - serious tire rub issues there ... I would recommend a 33x10.50 on stock rims (or at least the stock backspacing)

deines97runnah · 09-04-2008, 03:24 PM

Is this the vermonster tough truck by any chance?

Centralauto · 09-04-2008, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deines97runnah

Is this the vermonster tough truck by any chance?

Yes..That is the one.
A couple of friends run ( pychorousis ).. And I want to give it a try...I may roll it on the first ramp..

I was at Bloomburgh with them...and thought I had to try this...

Tire rubbing shouldn't be an issue...I'll be cutting up the body , and good...

I'll have to run these wheels for now...There may be a set of steelies at the shop ..I'll have to check.

85toy · 09-05-2008, 12:40 PM

ya try to find steelies, they can be bought pretty cheap on craigslist, its not like they have to be pretty. and i agree about cutting the body up.

deines97runnah · 09-05-2008, 12:57 PM

Good luck, i might be heading up there this year. Hope to see you there if i do go.

Centralauto · 09-07-2008, 01:43 PM

Ok..Had a chance to scope a few things out today..as well as research a bit..

I want to install the Chevy springs in the rear w/ a double shackle set up..to increase drop...
But I understand this increases lift in the 2-3 inch range...

So how far will the torsion bar adjusters raise the truck if tightened down ?

Planning the 12" Bilstien 7100 shocks, Racing seat,Harness, small cage, Better bumpstops solution..No body lift.I
I'll make the brackets for the rear springs, bend tube for the shock mounts and cage, I have all of the above already. Need to find a source for bumpstops.

Maybe this will get me up and down decent...???

09-02-2008, 05:56 PM	#1 (permalink)
Centralauto Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 9	93 P/u - Tough Truck Hello all.. The quick of it is, I'm very familar with off roading in the Jeep world.. My Crawler is a TJ on D60's , coilovers etc... However.. I have a tough truck competition coming up in VT soon..So I picked up a pretty beat 93 p/u , 6cyl, stick with a 3" body lift, on 33's. If your not familar with tough truck..It's a timed course with ramps (sometimes large ) and tight turns.. Racing side by side.. The question is..How do I get this rig to get airborn nicely, and more important to land nicely ? I want to do this as cheap as possible..I've never done it, but looks like fun... I thought I'd stick some longer better shocks in there...Maybe some good bump stops...But without buying a whole kit..I'm a little lost... I have money, any tool you can think of, and a shop with lifts etc... So any thoughts?Links? I need to order what I need..to get this ready... Thanks.

09-02-2008, 07:56 PM	#2 (permalink)
tc Contributing Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Longmont, CO Posts: 6,817	Front ideal situation would be a coilover long travel setup: http://www.chaosfab.com/95200.html Longer shocks will help a lot in the rear. Cut through the bed to a cage for the upper mounts. Air or hydraulic bumpstops will help smooth it out A LOT. http://www.lightracing.com/v1b/light...ounceIntro.cfm __________________ Check out www.coTTORA.org to hook up with great Toyota 'wheelin' folks! Current - 93 4Runner: 3VZ 33"x10.50" no lift ARB F/R 96 Impala SS: My own personal cop car Previous - 89 2WD Pickup 22R, Fabtech "Ivan Dan" lift, 31x10.50, IASCA World Finals 4th Place Stop with the mods and get on the trail! Pix at www.4wheelingoh.shutterfly.com/action

09-02-2008, 08:19 PM	#3 (permalink)
apalmer1 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Bend, OR. Posts: 606	id buy either a long travel kit which prolly cost too many $$, or i would just make my own. at the very least your best bet is to do longer shocks shackles and AAL's in the back, ditch the body lift, and convert the front to coilovers. and id reinforce the frame by adding several more crossmembers, et. __________________ 04 taco, 3.4 5spd. loads of goodies, loads of reinforcements, getting really hard to break. 85 pickup, 327sbc, truggy, in progress. 86 mazda b2000 street queen haha. 90 mazda mx-5 all orriginal. when in doubt, tach it out.

09-02-2008, 08:21 PM	#4 (permalink)
89silverpu Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Vacaville/Sierra Nevada Mountains, California/ Las Vegas, NV Posts: 853	Pirate4x4.com would be a better place to search and find info on this kinda stuff.... __________________ 89 pickup, 22re 5spd manual, 31's, K&N with Deckplate mod, Flowmaster 40, Bestop super top, Hella 500's, CB, MC rear bumper, Sliders, ext. diff. breathers, half doors, 60" high lift, smashed in right side of truck bed mod... "Finish your beer, there are sober kids in Africa"

09-03-2008, 05:41 PM	#6 (permalink)
85toy Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Oroville California Posts: 848	for the rear id say 63" chevy springs with good shocks and bumpstops, the shocks should be mounted as straight up and down as possible, so cut holes in the bed and make a higher mount for the shocks. not sure about the front because im not an ifs guy. the springs are 100 bucks the bumpstops (if you think you need em) are pretty cheap. the shocks are the most expensive thing but you do need em maybe try and find some used ones in the misc forsale section on pirate. oh and longer shackles obviously. this can all happen if you have some simple fab skills and a welder. __________________ 1984 toyota pickup extended cab 4x4 couple of mods Last edited by 85toy : 09-03-2008 at 05:44 PM.

09-03-2008, 02:49 PM	#5 (permalink)
Centralauto Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 9	Thanks for the ideas... Coilovers etc will come later ...if I like doing it... Right now, I just want to try it... Been searching on pirate...but most are full, all out builds..Not what I'm looking for right now... I think Coilovers may but me in a class I don't want to be in...not sure. The shackle and longer shock / mounts in the rear sounds simple enough... Sounds like it's not an easy or cheap question... The chaos or downey stuff looks great...But more than I want to invest right now...If I like it..all bet's are off... Thanks again.

09-03-2008, 06:07 PM	#7 (permalink)
Centralauto Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 9	What kind of chevy would have those springs? I have a couple out back..Maybe one set will work... A friend has a set of bilstein 7100 shocks (4), he's letting me borrow...$300 if I want to buy them.. Not sure on the length...I think he said 15" I have a bender, plasma, and a welder...

09-03-2008, 08:27 PM	#9 (permalink)
Centralauto Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 9	Sweet ...Thank you... I have a 93 2wd parts truck out back...So I'm good for the rear with that... I search around tomarrow, on a front solution...

09-03-2008, 08:54 PM	#10 (permalink)
tc Contributing Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Longmont, CO Posts: 6,817	In the front, you can easily trim down or replace the compression bump stop (it's actually the one on the bottom!) and get more compression travel so long as you clearance the fenders. __________________ Check out www.coTTORA.org to hook up with great Toyota 'wheelin' folks! Current - 93 4Runner: 3VZ 33"x10.50" no lift ARB F/R 96 Impala SS: My own personal cop car Previous - 89 2WD Pickup 22R, Fabtech "Ivan Dan" lift, 31x10.50, IASCA World Finals 4th Place Stop with the mods and get on the trail! Pix at www.4wheelingoh.shutterfly.com/action

09-04-2008, 05:44 AM	#12 (permalink)
Centralauto Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 9	Cool I'll take out the stock bump stops...and relocate some better ones in there..I think...Thanks. On the weight thing...They do allow that. I here they do fly nose down. I plan to set a ramp up out back, here at the shop, and mess with that..I hope I have the time. I need to get this into the shop and start messing with it...I hope today..we'll see.

09-04-2008, 06:56 AM	#13 (permalink)
zlathim Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 1,006	OK, who let the Jeep guy in here? Lol-jk. Cool project. I would like to see some progress pics when you get started. Maybe a pic or two with some daylight under the wheels too! __________________ Do you think Einstein walked around thinking everyone was a bunch of dipsticks? Idiocracy (edited for family friendly viewing)

09-04-2008, 09:46 AM	#15 (permalink)
zlathim Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 1,006	Cool truck, but lose those slotted mags, especially if it is going to be airborn! __________________ Do you think Einstein walked around thinking everyone was a bunch of dipsticks? Idiocracy (edited for family friendly viewing)

09-04-2008, 03:17 PM	#16 (permalink)
tc Contributing Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Longmont, CO Posts: 6,817	Oooh - serious tire rub issues there ... I would recommend a 33x10.50 on stock rims (or at least the stock backspacing) __________________ Check out www.coTTORA.org to hook up with great Toyota 'wheelin' folks! Current - 93 4Runner: 3VZ 33"x10.50" no lift ARB F/R 96 Impala SS: My own personal cop car Previous - 89 2WD Pickup 22R, Fabtech "Ivan Dan" lift, 31x10.50, IASCA World Finals 4th Place Stop with the mods and get on the trail! Pix at www.4wheelingoh.shutterfly.com/action

09-04-2008, 03:24 PM	#17 (permalink)
deines97runnah Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Farmington,NH Posts: 141	Is this the vermonster tough truck by any chance? __________________ 1997 4runnah sr5 3.4L Auto-Magic, 3'' Ome Coils, Diff Drop, Deckplate, Jardine Exhaust, Red Top Optima, Alpine Deck W/ iPod, Two 12" Alpine E-Series, and a Maglite. On the way: SS Headers and New Cat. In the (hopefully near) Future?: 33''x10.5''x15'' M/T, Locker, Headlights W/Black Housing, Alpine R-Series doors and tweeters. Too Much More.... derekdeines@yahoo.com

09-05-2008, 12:40 PM	#19 (permalink)
85toy Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Oroville California Posts: 848	ya try to find steelies, they can be bought pretty cheap on craigslist, its not like they have to be pretty. and i agree about cutting the body up. __________________ 1984 toyota pickup extended cab 4x4 couple of mods

09-07-2008, 04:54 PM	#22 (permalink)
corax Registered User

09-05-2008, 12:57 PM	#20 (permalink)
deines97runnah Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Farmington,NH Posts: 141	Good luck, i might be heading up there this year. Hope to see you there if i do go. __________________ 1997 4runnah sr5 3.4L Auto-Magic, 3'' Ome Coils, Diff Drop, Deckplate, Jardine Exhaust, Red Top Optima, Alpine Deck W/ iPod, Two 12" Alpine E-Series, and a Maglite. On the way: SS Headers and New Cat. In the (hopefully near) Future?: 33''x10.5''x15'' M/T, Locker, Headlights W/Black Housing, Alpine R-Series doors and tweeters. Too Much More.... derekdeines@yahoo.com

09-07-2008, 01:43 PM	#21 (permalink)
Centralauto Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 9	Ok..Had a chance to scope a few things out today..as well as research a bit.. I want to install the Chevy springs in the rear w/ a double shackle set up..to increase drop... But I understand this increases lift in the 2-3 inch range... So how far will the torsion bar adjusters raise the truck if tightened down ? Planning the 12" Bilstien 7100 shocks, Racing seat,Harness, small cage, Better bumpstops solution..No body lift.I I'll make the brackets for the rear springs, bend tube for the shock mounts and cage, I have all of the above already. Need to find a source for bumpstops. Maybe this will get me up and down decent...???