Long Travel & Wide body build

Stormin08 · Sep 16, 2025

interesting... I love the spring rate. and that is doubled down by the 24 TB i also did for a co worker...he has the 2.0 with a 550 spring and rides amazing. although I have adjustment capabilities, the 2.0 rides great for a static replacement.

you over height is lower ? not sure I am interpreting that part correctly, visually the lower arm does seem to have more rise at the BJ than the current DK arms

i have nearly a 1/2" thick spacer on the lower arm now, just playing with heights...so my front is sitting at about 2.25" over stock...I have the mini pak installed, with NO spacers...just the stock block and 3 Deaver leaf's, it is still higher that I like for stance.

side note...i see sway bar ends hanging....you still run the front bar ? i get a lot of flack for it...that always goes first. I let the shock handle that part as well. that come from my old 3/4" Dodge days with the likes of Carli and Thuren...

Mike Edwards · Sep 16, 2025

It is lower than before. It’s probably 3/4” higher in the front and 3/4” lower in the rear than a stock trail boss. I took the 2” factory block out of the rear when I installed the mini pack.

Yes, it still has the sway bar.

Mike Edwards · Sep 16, 2025

The driver fender is fitting nice. I’m just getting started on the passenger. I still need to make some braces for both sides as well.

I really thought I would need a longer wheel spacer up front, but it perfect with the 3/8 spacer I already have on there.

Mike Edwards · Sep 16, 2025

Both fronts are fit and gapped.

Stormin08 · Sep 17, 2025

the A-pillar fit looks good...i have seen them get real iffy in that area.

PistolsFiring · Sep 17, 2025

So videos at speed doing the pre-runner whoops coming once this is all buttoned up?

Mike Edwards · Sep 18, 2025

I don’t know where I’ll find whoops wide enough for a full size truck here in TN. I’ve been planning to go to King of the Hammers next year, maybe I’ll have an opportunity to beat on it there.

I spent another 8 hours yesterday tweaking the fenders, building mounts etc. today I block sanded the gel coat and painted them with an epoxy primer. This will protect them while I fit and mount the bedsides. I’ll prime each with high build primer and block them individually. I plan to spray base and clear on everything at once and blend the fronts into the doors and repaint the hood.

I’m letting them cure until Saturday night then I’ll panel bond some of the mounts on.

Mike Edwards · Sep 20, 2025

I noticed on Dirt Kings pictures of trucks they build, they’re able to keep the “grill” behind the lower fender. It looks much better that way than just a big hole. The grilles are ultrasonic welded to the lower fenders, so first I had to get them detached. Fitting and mounting it took a while. After paint, I sanded that area to bare fiberglass and sanded the back of the grilles. Last night I panel bonded and riveted them in place. They cured overnight and I hung the fenders this morning.

Stormin08 · Sep 20, 2025

looks great !

Mike Edwards · Sep 24, 2025

I’ve had a busy week at work and home, but I had some time to start on the inner fenders. I used the more complicated innermost section of original liner and cut it where I thought it would transition best into the new fenders (the wheel opening is 2” taller, 4” wider)

I started with some poster board patterns.

I had some old .040” aluminum sheet that was a little beat up. I straightened it up and DA’ed it.

Then fit it. I plan to finish out or make a tunnel out of that square vent section in the front. When both sides are fit, trimmed and welded up, I’ll coat them with bed liner.