Frame Notch?!

it all depends what kind of shop or what kinda tools you have. if you can weld and have a couple of cutting tools it will be easy but i dont know if they make a bolt on kit even if they do you still goin have to cut the frame. maybe i helped, we gotta do everything down here in KY for ourselves, wish we had a custom shop

Did you replace all the shocks to ones that are made to ride where your new ride height it at? that always helps as well, because the stock ones tend to wear out quickly since they are riding at a new height that they aren't made to ride at. Just a thought. I know mine bottoms out here and there and i need to replace all the shocks. if that doesn't help I am doing a c-notch. Some places to make kits for our daks also. Either way if you buy a kit or have a shop to it custom you cant get away from cutting the frame like stated above.

Dubbed_Out_98 said:

it all depends what kind of shop or what kinda tools you have. if you can weld and have a couple of cutting tools it will be easy but i dont know if they make a bolt on kit even if they do you still goin have to cut the frame. maybe i helped, we gotta do everything down here in KY for ourselves, wish we had a custom shop

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Dude, your Avatar looks awesome! I though you really had a railed kota on 20s! Then I went to your cardomain... Bastard! Nice truck thou!

No, I don't have drop shocks, I'm actually plannin on ordering some today. I really doubt those are going to do the trick though, it's just hittin the rear bumpstops quite hard. I really want to get a nice like 3" notch built into the frame. and then have a nice like 1.5" stop in there (I'll measure so that the diff doesn't hit the bed! LMAO!)

I have a 2" drop front & rear with the nitro drop shocks and it still bottoms out hard. plus these shocks suck bad. I would look into some sort of adjustable set along with the notch. These shocks are really spongy after 20,000 miles (normal-idk?)

I'm just curious but what does notching the frame do for the trucks safety?? Would a hard rearend fold the bed of the truck because its notched?? It just sounds like its really sacrificing the whole idea of a frame.

YellaDakRT said:

No, I don't have drop shocks, I'm actually plannin on ordering some today. I really doubt those are going to do the trick though, it's just hittin the rear bumpstops quite hard. I really want to get a nice like 3" notch built into the frame. and then have a nice like 1.5" stop in there (I'll measure so that the diff doesn't hit the bed! LMAO!)

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Greg, you have to get a c-notch bro. We've already talked, and my shit does the same thing. Like stated earlier, if you can weld and have cutting tools it's easy. Otherwise you're stuck paying a shop :cussing: Drop shocks will help, but trust me, the rear is still gonna slam till you notch it bro :cussing:

T.j. said:

I'm just curious but what does notching the frame do for the trucks safety?? Would a hard rearend fold the bed of the truck because its notched?? It just sounds like its really sacrificing the whole idea of a frame.

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I used to think the same thing till I helped a buddy do a c-notch on his chebby. If anything, it seemed to make it stronger(but we boxed the frame on either side of the notch), I know it sounds weird, but this was just my personal experience. So keep the flames down :biggthump

blk03rt said:

I used to think the same thing till I helped a buddy do a c-notch on his chebby. If anything, it seemed to make it stronger(but we boxed the frame on either side of the notch), I know it sounds weird, but this was just my personal experience. So keep the flames down :biggthump

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Flames eh? Il show u some flames you sombitch...


His names Greg, and hes right over there! :rofl: :joke:

hey thanks man, wish it was layed out like that but like all these guys said need to get new shocks. if you haul anything i would put a pair of air shocks on the back, all you have to do is air them up with a air hose and let them out to the ride height you wanted, they run about $85 bucks but its worth the ride if u haul anything. And c-notching the frame will be just as strong as long as its boxed in but most kits come with everything to make it safe, cause if it wsnt safe they wouldnt sell them everyday :banana2:

im in the same boat as u guys. I have to come up with the plans to get me a step notch made for my truck. I am sittin frame on axle.. and it is a shitty ride.. no doubt.. let me know about the notch situation!.. i wanna know how hard its goin to be!

T.j. said:

Flames eh? Il show u some flames you sombitch...


His names Greg, and hes right over there! :rofl: :joke:

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*COUGH COUGH F(_)CKYOU COUGH*

Well, I just ordered some Nitro Drop shocks. I am going to take the Dak over to my buddy tomorrow on my lunch break more than likely and talk with him about making me a frame notch. I am thinking that we'll box it, notch it, then make the fill panels for the notch itself, keep it all nice and strong. :drool:

Truck rides like SHIT! I drive less than a mile to work everyday, and normally not much more than that 'around town' cause I live right near EVERYTHING. I never realized how bad the ride was. Today I went all over Albuquerque, just cruisin around with my buddy, WOW it's terrible!

MagnumDak said:

I have a 2" drop front & rear with the nitro drop shocks and it still bottoms out hard. plus these shocks suck bad. I would look into some sort of adjustable set along with the notch. These shocks are really spongy after 20,000 miles (normal-idk?)

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What kinda shocks you get? I honestly don't even remember. I just talked to the tech support guy at StylinConcepts (who should sponsor my Kota!) and he talked me into some NitroActive somthing er other. $35 a shock. I'm hopin they are ALOT stiffer than stockers. I hate how much the suspension 'flexes' even when it was stock, it was terrible.

I JUST HIT 3000K POSTS! Ohhh and it wasn't a wasted post! YESSS

I helped do a bolt in notch ona 97 Ram a few years back. It came with a templet and then you mark the fram then we cut it out wirh a cut off wheel on a die grider. Drilled the holes and bloted it in. It took about 4 hours or so if I remember right.

Alta Boy has a C-notch on his dakota. I can never get him to post pics of it though. Maybe he will chime in a see this thread and post some pics.

Thanks for the pics! I decided today after talking to my 'friend' about the Custom notch, that I'd buy the Suicide Doors kit. Just ordered it. I'm not really sure how I am going to cut a circle out of my frame, but I'll get to that when the time comes around.

Do you still bottom out even with the notch? Is it farely common, or only on really big or unseen bumps? I drive fairly careful anymore (I have to!) so I'm not tooo worried. But I'll be sad if I cut my frame and I still have problems!

Does anyone make 3" hangers? All I can find is 4" I know on Gen II they made some that where like 3-3.5-4 cause I had them on my 95. They where great.

Ben said:

I helped do a bolt in notch ona 97 Ram a few years back. It came with a templet and then you mark the fram then we cut it out wirh a cut off wheel on a die grider. Drilled the holes and bloted it in. It took about 4 hours or so if I remember right.

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I hope my suicidedoors.com one comes with a template, well, even if it doesn't it's not that hard to make one outa cardboard er somthing. Once I get the notch cut, it won't be too bad to drill the frame (EEEEEEEEEEK!)

I think once I get it installed, I'll cruise over and get it all welded in. we'll see. I just don't trust bolts. No reason, just scares me. Frame = Should be welded!

They make adjustable hanger kits for the Gen III's. I know I have seen them before. They are out there. I will do some searching tonight when I get home from work.