Her Name is Frank

[THK Matt]

Combining both sides evens out the exhaust, makes the sound a little smoother at the tips, and it does it better than an H pipe. If you Google it there is some pretty in depth explanation.

good for a crawler/DD? gonna have custom exhaust in my 87 xcab LB with a 5.7L

[Twisted Minis]

Ya its good for anything with dual exhaust basically. It doesn't really add power, but it just helps with the flow of things. If you've ever listened at the exhaust tips and it sounded uneven and choppy from side to side (not cam choppy), the x pipe gets rid of that. It does change the sound a bit too. Just depends on what you like.

[BigMike]

Hey Twisted, I think I saw a picture of this car at the 2010 Arse-Freeze-Apalooza? There can't be two so it must have been it, but.... what?? Why would it be there??

I was at the tech and B.S. inspections on Friday and didn't see it anywhere in the pits. I would have noticed it right away. Then I noticed someone posted some pictures of it from a link on the LeMons forum and I couldn't believe my eyes.

I can put two-and-two together with the titles of your YouTube videos, but I have to ask what it was doing there? Thanks (and sorry if it is mentioned somewhere in this thread!)

I was only at Buttonwillow on Friday from about 3 - 6pm. I would have loved to have seen it, maybe it will be at the Sears Pointless in March. If so I'll see it for sure because I'll be a competitor!

BigMike

[Twisted Minis]

Thanks for putting those videos in the thread, I don't know how.

Anyways, if that was the one this past weekend, then yes it was there. I did not know it was there until he texted me it got no laps. I was under the impression that it was this coming weekend, and that I was also going to drive and do tech on the car if anything went wrong. I assume it will also be at the Sears Pointless race in March, and hopefully I will get to drive, and maybe get to talk to you?

And its there to race. Lol. That was the intention from day one, but it kind of snow balled. But they liked it so much they let him race with no laps. From what I understand its still having some starter issues or something, and I never got to fix the clutch. But he says its doing well. I should see it in the shop again soon to trouble shoot whatever went wrong. I wish I was there for it so I could see first hand, its always very hard to determine what happened based on what he says, because his terms differ a lot from mine.

[Twisted Minis]

You are correct I found pictures of it there.




Hopefully he will get a low residual value or whatever, so I can do the IRS swap soon.

[Twisted Minis]

Here are links to some more, I can't post them. It looks like he made contact. Lol.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/43812942@N06/5233846036/in/set-72157625406524427/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/43812942@N06/5233838240/in/set-72157625406524427/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/43812942@N06/5233833258/in/set-72157625406524427/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/43812942@N06/5233302677/in/set-72157625406524427/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/43812942@N06/5233275503/in/set-72157625406524427/

It needs way bigger sway bars. The front one is like 3/4" on a wider track width, and the rear is 1/2" at best.

[NITE KRAWLERS]

So you have been busy anyhow!! Looks good man!!

[Twisted Minis]

Ya I've been busy with cars and women. Both expensive.

[NITE KRAWLERS]

HA HA ya man i hear ya there!! Well least your still gettin stuff done wit your mad skills dude!!

[Twisted Minis]

So with being sick for almost a week, I've had a little bit of time to wander around in my head. I've got kind of a wild idea, so I want an opinion. How cool would it be to build a mid engine pickup with Indy inspired IRS (mid engine think Ferrari, Lambo, Audi R8, GT40, a V8 with the crank pulley up against the rear of the cab), and trophy truck inspired front suspension. Almost center mount arms, just enough room for a fuel cell in between them. On air ride, but still capable of handling. IE nice shocks, sway bars, firm spring rate, big brakes. Something like a 245-255 tire up front, 295-305 out back? Lol.

Pipe dreams right. I wish I was rich so I could do it. I've been fantasizing about this the last few days.

[BUDDERS]

Yeah that would be sweet.  I just saw a truck out at Ocotillo Wells on Thanksgiving weekend that was a old 70 something ford extra cab with some serious long travel - most of it set up for droop.  I saw it hit a jump and all 4 wheels dropped about 4 ft. while in the air and it landed flat - then I realized the engine was not in the engine compartment.  I don't know where it was, but I could see daylight between the front fenderwells.  That guy came zipping by us with a race radio on his head - I think it was a race truck in progress or some really rich dude who had it built just for the fun of it.

[THK Matt]

So with being sick for almost a week, I've had a little bit of time to wander around in my head. I've got kind of a wild idea, so I want an opinion. How cool would it be to build a mid engine pickup with Indy inspired IRS (mid engine think Ferrari, Lambo, Audi R8, GT40, a V8 with the crank pulley up against the rear of the cab), and trophy truck inspired front suspension. Almost center mount arms, just enough room for a fuel cell in between them. On air ride, but still capable of handling. IE nice shocks, sway bars, firm spring rate, big brakes. Something like a 245-255 tire up front, 295-305 out back? Lol.

Pipe dreams right. I wish I was rich so I could do it. I've been fantasizing about this the last few days.

that'd be sweet! a Long Travel, dune shredding buggie pretty much.

[GJToyotabug]

I know that ford I thing... White? Most of those trucks get set up with a full tube chassis they shove the engine back like 20" to get the upper and lower control arms to clear. And to offset the wheight. In reality if it's the same truck it's a 74 single cab f250 full tube chassis j arm fron suspension with about 28" of wheel travel and 4 linked rear with about 30" of wheel travel. About 600 hp with his new engine.

Those trucks are nothing but sick, tons of time and money go into them and are the funnest thing you'll ever climb into.

[BUDDERS]

I know that ford I thing... White? Most of those trucks get set up with a full tube chassis they shove the engine back like 20" to get the upper and lower control arms to clear. And to offset the wheight. In reality if it's the same truck it's a 74 single cab f250 full tube chassis j arm fron suspension with about 28" of wheel travel and 4 linked rear with about 30" of wheel travel. About 600 hp with his new engine.

Those trucks are nothing but sick, tons of time and money go into them and are the funnest thing you'll ever climb into.

Nope, different truck.  This one was dark silver and was definately an extra cab.  It looked like it was fresh out of a shop.

[Twisted Minis]

I wasn't really talking about a dune truck, I just like that kind of suspension. I want to build something for street use, and take it to the track a few times. Like it would have big wheels, light weight strong billets, and low profile tires. Lol

[Twisted Minis]

Like 3" ride height.

[GJToyotabug]

Nope, different truck.  This one was dark silver and was definately an extra cab.  It looked like it was fresh out of a shop.

ahh maybe this one?

http://www.race-dezert.com/forum/showthread.php/52070-Pre-runner-75-Ford

[GJToyotabug]

I would love to have your fab work on my international but I'm broke. I'm doing my drop on a budget

[BUDDERS]

ahh maybe this one?

http://www.race-dezert.com/forum/showthread.php/52070-Pre-runner-75-Ford

Yeah that looks like the one. That thing had some sick travel.

[Twisted Minis]

That thing is cool. I'd love to build stuff like that.

I would love to have your fab work on my international but I'm broke. I'm doing my drop on a budget

My prices are pretty reasonable. But I hear you. I'm always broke too.

[Twisted Minis]

So the 3-bolt flanges came, so I finished the header.


Oh, Drew and Joe came by to help me make a big mess out of Chad's truck.

[Slolyfe]

Sweet, cant wait to see the transformation!! Strong work bro. Where is your shop?

[Twisted Minis]

In Windsor, California.

[Slolyfe]

In Windsor, California.

Sweet man, Love your work. Im in Sonoma, not that you care. Hahaha

[Twisted Minis]

You can stop by if you're in the area.

[Twisted Minis]

Soooo, tore the other truck down and called the scrap guy again.

[Twisted Minis]

The header is out getting ceramic coated. Supposed to be done and ready to ship next week. I'm excited to see it.

[Jared88]

Just got done looking at all the build pics on the Merc. WOW. I've always been into wide body cars, and have never seen anyone do a Mercedes. That header also came out amazing. I work with hi performance old school vw's all day, and have seen some very nice work, but im building a new engine for my own, and may just have to branch out for a header with that kinda of craftsmanship. Props man. Great work.

[Twisted Minis]

A little further along, but still much to do.

I pie cut and blended the top of the frame so that it would flow better, and then strapped the top. I wont forget shear load gussets, don't worry.

Transmission crossmember is in. You can see the start of a removable transmission mount in the first picture, and you can see the bolt hole reinforcements in this one.


And the header is back from ceramic coating.

[twistedtoy92]

damn man...... You do AMAZING work......