Thread: Project Blak Trac

Idk much about the bll tank but it goes mounted where our spare tire is right? Sry for the dumb question. Haha

No you're correct on where it mounts up, it should mount up fairly easy too. Only small modifications were made the way I read about it. I would have to measure the distance between frame rails. But it should fit between them. Just getting the ST's stock pump to fit was the only real issue but nothing major. I just want to run some kind of factory fuel tank to try and keep it smog legal. I believe that would keep it legal in WA. I could be wrong though, I'll have to look up the exact law about it.

Well I decided to go a different route with the build, hope you don't mind Casey...


Just couldn't resist rolling a 38.5 Bogger up next to her

Got the holes cut for the shocks so it is time to get started on the bedcage fab finally. It is definitely going to be low-profile! Took some measurements and it is going to cycle 14" of travel just like the front. Some miscellaneous odds and ends showed up so we have everything we need for the front and rear now, minus the axles


Should have some decent updates after this weekend.

thats low profile for sure but no need for a big fancy one if not needed. 4x4x do you have a sketch of how the bed cage would look like? i dnt think i can wait for you to finish! haha look good so far!

I don't know if it was posted in the beginning but what front kit is he running?

Dude, I think I'm going to need to run some longer shocks in the rear. I mean if it's pulling 14" as is that's good but I feel like I might want to run longer shocks (16") so the bedcage isn't sitting so low. Let me know what you think Josh? Other than that I'm thinking the boggers are a nice addition.

CraigB- As stated in the first post, I plan to run the Dixon Bros LT 4x4 kit

The leafs provide 18" of travel. Why do you just want to do 16? I know it's your DD but I would go all the way.

Yeah, I might have to trade someone for some longer shocks. Something along the lines of 16's or 18's. My plans were to keep the bedcage the same height as the top of the fenders. But I think the new location for the tabs brought the overall height down a few inches.

Change the location before 4x4x starts the cage. If you're spending money and time I would try to maximize everything that I can.

Originally Posted by rangerborn1997

CraigB- As stated in the first post, I plan to run the Dixon Bros LT 4x4 kit

nice. I can't wait to see when it's done and get feedback.
reading the forum on my phone makes it a pain to search through threads sometimes.

Originally Posted by Demo1986

Change the location before 4x4x starts the cage. If you're spending money and time I would try to maximize everything that I can.

Don't worry about it, we'll figure what the best route is going to be.

1. Demo...jesus christ...not trying to be a dick but half the shit you ask has already been answered in this thread...read more and talk less please for fuck's sake.

2. I knew this bullshit shitstorm would erupt as soon as I said the rear suspension is going to only pull 14". Has anyone on this site ever ACTUALLY cycled a G50E leafpack? How about a fucking F31?? Yes I have F31's on my ranger and I have it bumped and strapped at 14". It only droops so much, and it is somewhat conserviteavly (sp?) negative arched...a couple inches or so. I ran G50E's on my exploder with the same results.

3. I drooped the leafs out, and negative arched the shit out of this leaf pack just to pull 14". You want me to negative arch the FUCK out of these things to pull another INCH? Sure, I could probably do it. Is it good for the leafs? NO. Would it be cooler to say we are pulling 15" or maybe 16" because every idiot on DR thinks that because the leafs are made by Deaver that that shit oughtta pull 20"? I build suspension to work and to last. I don't build it to pull the absolute MAX travel for style points.

My ranger with F31's is bumped and strapped at 14". Everyone and their brother says 16" but they are fucking bullshitters. If you guys want me to set it up at 16 I will, but the leafs will be a clapped-out whore after one trip to the desert...the leafs sag quite a bit after they get beat in anyways.

Casey - longer shocks aren't going to get you more travel. There is only so much travel you can get out of these leafs. Your shocks are fine and your truck will work well. If you want your shocks to be taller I will cut off the lower mounts I made and move them up higher just to make the bedcage taller. I have 16's on my ranger and am pulling 14".

If you want more travel, let's go 64" or linked. The G50E pack just doesn't pull a fuckload of travel unless I just dont know what the fuck I'm doing...which is already quite obvious according to the E-fabbers.

Hey buddy, dont' worry man I think build is going great. Really that's all that matters because it's my truck and I'm the one that is going to be owning/driving it. I think my only issue is I would like to eventually run 64's but I don't want to have to redo the entire bed cage. So I think that the overall height of the cage might be too low to run longer shocks in the future. I understand that throwing some 18's on there will not allow 18" of travel. If the rear is maxed out cycling 14 "safely" then 14 it is. 18's would just allow a higher mounting point for the shocks. Let me know what you think?

Originally Posted by rangerborn1997

Hey buddy, dont' worry man I think build is going great. Really that's all that matters because it's my truck and I'm the one that is going to be owning/driving it. I think my only issue is I would like to eventually run 64's but I don't want to have to redo the entire bed cage. So I think that the overall height of the cage might be too low to run longer shocks in the future. I understand that throwing some 18's on there will not allow 18" of travel. If the rear is maxed out cycling 14 "safely" then 14 it is. 18's would just allow a higher mounting point for the shocks. Let me know what you think?

Just my .02 but Ive seen multiple trucks strapped and bumped at 12-14 inches of good usable travel work better then trucks strapped and bumped at 16-20 (and you gotta have the power to use that travel). Valve the shocks and it will ride better then most trucks.

I would consider changing the location of the lower shock mounts. You are going to be fighting leaf wrap as it is, and mounting the shocks off of the rear of the axle housing will only make things worse. Mounting them off of the front of the housing helps a lot, but if that's not possible I would then mount them off of the spring plates.

I've heard of leaf pack separating when used to "full potential". I rather strap it a few inches short to insure integrity of the pack. and 14" inches is rad compared to stock. and with the front pulling that, I'm sure it will be more than capable. keep on keepin on dude, you know what you're doing

Sorry for flipping out on everybody lol...couldn't really mount the shocks off the spring plates like a ranger because the springs hang directly under the frame. F1sleepy I think the wrap issue will be OK...it is an SUA setup, which results in less axle wrap than a SOA.

Originally Posted by Craig B

I've heard of leaf pack separating when used to "full potential". I rather strap it a few inches short to insure integrity of the pack. and 14" inches is rad compared to stock. and with the front pulling that, I'm sure it will be more than capable. keep on keepin on dude, you know what you're doing

Thanks for the positive comment! We'll get'r fixed up!

Alright, we just had a slight change in plans. We decided to go a slightly different route with the bedcage/tire carrier. Instead of having the dual standing carrier in the back I'm going with 2 horizontal tires going lengthwise in the bed. Staying with the 14" Fox shocks keeping the same shock mounts, we're just going to keep on keeping on. I'm stoked for this mid game change in plans.

Can't wait to see it. Keep up the good work Josh! Get em!

Hey guys here's a better angled pic of the shock height. The Sport Trac bed is a bit deeper than a ranger's too. Should turn out pretty cool with the new tire layout. OK gotta get back to work

I think it'll turn out alot better than before. New design, stronger, and better spare mounts/security. Can't wait to swing by tomorrow. Hopefully I can drive the truck home tomorrow cause it'll be completely finished!

Originally Posted by 4x4x

Sorry for flipping out on everybody lol...couldn't really mount the shocks off the spring plates like a ranger because the springs hang directly under the frame. F1sleepy I think the wrap issue will be OK...it is an SUA setup, which results in less axle wrap than a SOA.

Gotcha, totally forgot that the springs mount underneath the frame on those trucks!

my bad josh. no hard feelings here. but the build is looking real good and cant wait for updates just like everyone else. this thread is going to be my manual for my build haha

Yah man sorry for ripping you a new asshole, I got a little excited lol.

Have the mounting pads all done, tomorrow will finally start bending some tube.

Got a lil work done tonight on Ole Blackie...

Looks awesome so far! Do the shocks have enough room to move with such little holes in the bed? Just asking before you start banging them into the bed. Keep it up though!

Thanks man! Yep shocks have plenty of room

Just checking. Im sure in person the whole looks bigger. I did that with my first setup Thought it would be ok but def not haha.

Looking good!!! Can't wait to see the result of the bed cage with the new plans.

I hate you Case! lol. We got to have some sushi with Kev B and Adam this weekend. You are making Adam jealous too, he said he wants to get his Exploder back.

Originally Posted by raptorman5150

I hate you Case! lol. We got to have some sushi with Kev B and Adam this weekend. You are making Adam jealous too, he said he wants to get his Exploder back.

Haha... Tell him to get that thing and pimp that ride. lol I'm hating having to wait, it's so brutal. I want my truck back!

Got the other hoop on this morning. Hard/slow part is over, now it's time for the fun part!

Was in a hurry - crappy cell phone pic

That looks good!

That looks pretty good buddy, now you can start running tube for the tire carriers and stuff. I should be picking up the lower spring plates early next week. Ordered some HID conversions for the 700FF's.

Sounds good man. Had to cut firewood today while it wasn't pouring rain so no updates, but tomorrow is the weekend

Yeah buddy I can't wait.

Are you just running your hoops like they are in the pic with no cross member or anything?

The reason why I ask is because the first hoops I ever did with my buddy in high school for his tacoma were just like that and the first big bump bent them out towards the bedsides because of the pressure and tore it from the frame and we had to start all over..

We hit the same bump after we redid them and had zero problems.

Haha nah man, just a work in progress. Much more tubage to come