[IcedOutRollies]

This has been a dream of mine, since ~15 years old, to have a bagged truck. I waited until I got the right truck, finished college, got a good job, got a daily driver and had the money to do it the right way. I knew from the beginning I wanted to do this whole project myself and thanks to GMFS I had enough information to guide me along the way. The goal was to make my 2001 Silverado lay frame on 22's. I started the project on July 07 in my parents garage. Luckily my dad had all the tools necessary to get the job done, especially an arc welded and a MIG welder. But before I could begin I had to clean the garage before I could even pull my truck in.

Before (2-4 drop & 20's)

Had to take off the bed

Clean her off

Made a cart for the bed

Lets get started!

First things firsts. I want this to lay frame so I started altering the objects that prevent it from laying. First the tranny x-member which was KP Components.

Then I sectioned the exhaust

Next was raising the gas tank (1" in the front and 2" in the back). My dad had some U channel steel that I used as spacers for the front crossmember.

Raised the rear crossmember by cutting it at the frame, welding in flat stock to cover the original hole and weld the crossmember back in 2" higher.

 

[IcedOutRollies]

Then it was time to weld in the c-notch (I believe ~1.25" above top of frame. It was whatever the same measurement that Kevin Whipps used in his build...a very good guide by the way:worship: Big Thanks!)

Welded up some of that spare U channel behind notch to give it more strength.

Welded up the tops of the c-notches and installed the KP Components 6-link.

Welded up supports for the frame before I take the big cut.

Didn't even need to cut the frame...just hit it really hard with a hammer and it comes right out.

Yeah right...I wish...instead I used a plasma cutter

Welded up the bottom side of the c-notch

There is no turning back now

On the driverside there was to much metal on one side and not enough on the other. So I cut off the excess and welded it to the other.

Cleaned up the welds, primed and undercoated it.

Once the notch was done I focused on the front.
Once again used KP Components cups made to lay out 22's

 

[IcedOutRollies]

Be warned the front is a PITA!!!! Because you have to cutoff the pockets and other metal pieces to make way for the bags. For me it was a cut alittle bit here, put the spindle back on, put the wheel back on, jack the wheel up and see where the bag touches. Although this sucks and takes up a lot of time, it is a must if you dont want your bags to bust while driving down the road.

Next is to cut a hole on the top of the spring pockets. I made a mistake on the first side (notice the ring of weld) by drilling a little to far from the frame. I welded it back up and drilled closer.

Once the front was done I ran the 3/8" lines to the back through the frame. I couldn't help myself...I had to see what the truck looks like laying on the ground. I came this far I have to give myself a "pick me up".

Finally on the GND!

Next it was time to mount the tanks, compressors, valves, etc. I decided to mount everything under the bed, nice and tucked up so you cant see it from behind. This required me to make new rear crossmembers. Before I cut the old ones off I welded in another cross support to keep things from warping on me. I did the same thing as I did with the fuel tank x-members, welded up flat stock to cover the holes and welded in the new x-memebers to that.

Also decided to hang the compressors BBQ style.

Then went back in and added gussets to add strength in the angles.

 

[ibe2hi]

Great job tackling it yourself!! Post pics of it all done like in the sig!!!

 

[IcedOutRollies]

Next I wanted to relocate my battery under the bed.

Then it was time to undercoat/paint everything

I know it looks like a mess of wires but that was all cleaned up after I tested the air system.

Once the rear was complete I focused on getting the front to lay out with the fenders on.

Once again this was a cut, test fit then cut again process.
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_jM4_z6E48dY/SncZHIrR7jI/AAAAAAAABeM/3mW_WkC-y2s/s800/Picture 263.jpg

Next it was time to weld in the front trailer fenders. I did not want to order some expensive 12" wide fenders on-line so I went to a local trailer supply store and bought four ~8" wide fenders for the price of one of the 12" wide ones. I just had to section two of them together to get the desired width.

 

[IcedOutRollies]

Its getting late. I will go back through and add more comments to the pictures. Plus I will discuss where the project is at now and where I plan on going with it...stay tuned!
:thumbsup:

 

[numatk_07]

glad to someone that can complete the job. Some people are giant vaginas and can't do it.

BTW, I didn't have to cut anything up front to clear the bags. My cups looked the same size as yours. Weird. I had plenty of clearance.

I like red nbs's laid out. Good work from what I see so far. A little different from what I like but the same end result. Where is your exaust. Looks like your battery is going to be close to a lot of heat if the exhaust is any where neer to stock location.

 

[HoveyBayou]

Great build. Good to see you use the zinc cromate on the fenderwells, that stuff is awesome.

 

[Big Country]

i really like your tank setup with those x-members, most certainly subscribed. work is looking really nice, keep it up!

 

[sittinphatt]

What gauge wire are you running to your battery? Keep up the good work dude.

 

[StanfordM_3]

Looking good so far:buffer:

 

[IcedOutRollies]

BTW, I didn't have to cut anything up front to clear the bags. My cups looked the same size as yours. Weird. I had plenty of clearance.

:wtf:That is wierd. I definitely had to trim off some of the pockets. BTW I have Slam Specialties RE7's. Thanks for the complement...I am certainly not affraid to get my hands a little dirty.:hack:

Where is your exaust. Looks like your battery is going to be close to a lot of heat if the exhaust is any where neer to stock location.

The exhaust is in the normal location, flowmaster muffler replaces the stock and I have the exit turned down. The battery, i want to say, is ~1 ft away. I have not seen any signs of things being effected by the heat but if I do I will just build a removeable heat shield. Good thought...noted.

What gauge wire are you running to your battery?

1/0 gauge. Got it pretty cheap (by the foot) from a local electronics store called Tanners Electronics. It was way cheaper than Best buy, Fry's, Car Toys, etc. I kept the stock power cables that lead to the battery's original location and just put in a distribution block that accepted a 1/0 gauge inlet cable. Then grounded the battery to the frame right next to where it sits.

Thanks for all the kind words! It certainly makes the project worth it, not only because it makes me happy but to spread the knowledge, help people out, learn from past experiences and get feedback (good or bad).

Feel free to ask me any questions.

 

[dava flav]

thats where i had my battery and it was never a prblem with heat.
although trying to get your truck off the ground or jumped when the battery died sucked. ill never put another batt under the bed

 

[kdubaz]

Then it was time to weld in the c-notch (I believe ~1.25" above top of frame. It was whatever the same measurement that Kevin Whipps used in his build...a very good guide by the way:worship: Big Thanks!)

You're welcome! :thumbsup:

 

[IcedOutRollies]

thats where i had my battery and it was never a prblem with heat.
although trying to get your truck off the ground or jumped when the battery died sucked. ill never put another batt under the bed

Yeah I thought about that before and I have access to the power cable under the hood. All I have to do is pop the hood connect the ground to the engine (next to the alternator) then to the positive (+) access point. There has been numerous times where I had no power and the truck was laid out (in the garage) and I either had to jump it or us a battery charger/maintainer to get it back up...no prob. Since it is not my daily driver it sometimes sits for a while so I bought a battery charger/maintainer...good investment, especially when the battery is an Optima.

You're welcome!:thumbsup:

Yeah I read that guide like everynight before I started to plan out what I had to do. Its a must read for the DIY that wants to lay out their Silvy. Thanks Kevin for publishing that to the public.

 

[kloon03sierra]

nice build so far, looks good. got a question, when tubbing the front drivers side i see that that you moved the fuse box over next to the master cylinder, did you have to extend any of the main harness coming out of the firewall, or did you have to extend any wires at all for it to be moved over??

 

[skinny76]

Damn that looks good! Mine is just laying crossmember for now. I am definitely going to have to raise it though! Nice Build!

 

[Bradford]

Nice work!

 

[redline05]

Glad to see the build pics!

Feel free to post as much as you want. :waytogo:

 

[numatk_07]

Damn that looks good! Mine is just laying crossmember for now. I am definitely going to have to raise it though! Nice Build!

It's easy. You could do it in a day and that includes disassembling, painting, and re-assembling. You also have to add some metal to the frame but that's easy too.