Ardent Fabrication Autocross Truck

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

wiscomick

I'm Awesome
Joined
Nov 30, 2018
Messages
325
Reaction score
343
Location
WI
This really looks like the direction I'm going to be going with my truck as well. Once i get the short bed conversion sorted I'll be looking into lowering it and finding a limited slip setup for the 14SF in my truck. Good stuff man, can't wait to see more.
 

ArdentFab

Ardent Fabrication
Joined
Oct 16, 2017
Messages
141
Reaction score
183
Location
Texas
3/16/2019 Update:

Did some more work to my truck in prep for the autocross tomorrow at Mineral Wells again, this time actually a Mirrorcross [emoji106]

The rears rubbed a lot on compression so I stretch the rear fenders on the bed a full 1". I removed the inner wheel tub (not what's on the inside of the bed but what is spot welded to the fender flange) and sliced the flange off. Then I shaped an extension piece with some sheet metal. 90° brake with some time on the shrinker/stretcher and then a step-down bead on the bead roller. Cleco'd it in place, test fitted and adjusted as necessary. Also trimmed the flange on the bed and hammered it in on itself a little so it was as flat as could be. Of course, I also did the tried-and-true baseball bat method to get the majority of the shape Haha. Enjoy the pics! Did it on a tight time constraint so it's not anywhere as pretty and the work we put out on the nice projects at work haha.
You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach


The stretch is really subtle and the pictures don't really show it well. I didn't get a decent before picture but I'll try to put something together.
You must be registered for see images attach


Also, I added some rear shocks that are single adjustable QA1's, given to me from a co-worker. Had to move the drivers side upper pick-up point higher up so I could get enough shock travel. I didn't move the passenger side upper mount because it had adequate travel. I prefer to leave the shock orientation like OEM because its suppose to help a bit with axel wrap and having them at an angle like this as opposed to straight up-and-down allows the shock piston to travel a bit more and faster than what the axle will actually move, allowing the twin tube shocks to work better (they kinda suck at slow piston velocities which is really where all the magic happens).
You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach


Looking forward to tomorrow's autocross with the new wide wheels + tires, G80 differential, stretched fenders, and rear shocks for the first time! Oh and also a windshield banner Haha.
You must be registered for see images attach


Stay tuned! Hope you guys enjoy the content [emoji1690]

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk
 

ArdentFab

Ardent Fabrication
Joined
Oct 16, 2017
Messages
141
Reaction score
183
Location
Texas
Slapped together kind of a crude before/after pic (well, really an after/before pic):
You must be registered for see images attach


Before, the tire poked out quite a bit. Now after the stretch, they barely rubbed at full compression.

I actually tested it out with helping my parents move haha. Loaded up the back with a bunch of furniture and I can see that they just ever-so-slightly rubbed, just at the bumps.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk
 

sewlow

Bitchin' Stitchin'
Joined
Jun 22, 2011
Messages
12,422
Reaction score
5,754
Location
Abbotsford B.C., Canada.
I can see where the pumpkin is hitting that box crossmember.

You must be registered for see images attach


Flipped around the brake's hard-line junction box to face rearward, along with modding the soft line's bracket, too. Just to keep anything from getting pinched.
 

ArdentFab

Ardent Fabrication
Joined
Oct 16, 2017
Messages
141
Reaction score
183
Location
Texas
I can see where the pumpkin is hitting that box crossmember.

Thanks for pointing that out! I've been meaning to address that eventually but it doesn't hit it too hard. I actually barely even touch the bump stops, even when the bed is loaded.

On mine, all that brake line stuff happens to be just far enough out of the way from the crossmember.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk
 

ArdentFab

Ardent Fabrication
Joined
Oct 16, 2017
Messages
141
Reaction score
183
Location
Texas
Thanks! Yea I'm happy with the way it turned out. I have an idea of what I want to do to the fronts to help clean up some aero.

The QA1 shocks worked great! I'm just about to post my summary of the event and I touch on the shocks.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk
 

ArdentFab

Ardent Fabrication
Joined
Oct 16, 2017
Messages
141
Reaction score
183
Location
Texas
The autocross went great last Sunday! It was really challenging getting a good, clean, consistant lap since you have to switch back and forth from side to side and they're both very different even though they're the "same". I managed to get 5th/9 in CAM-C which consisted of mostly modern Mustang's and Camaro's.

I'm REALLY happy with the way truck performed. The QA1 shocks helped so much but so did the G80 diff but especially the wide wheels and tires. The truck is so stable now and there is SO MUCH GRIP. I can carry a lot of speed into and during a turn, now it's just that the truck doesn't have any balls to really pull itself out of a turn. The truck doesn't push or get loose at all and dialing in the QA1 shocks helped with that big time. I found out six turns from soft is what worked really well for me.

Also, the G80 didn't blow up! I did 12 drag launches that day, not to mention all the other sections where the diff. really came in to action. I'm really happy with it too.

The amount of negative camber I put into the front seems to be just right (-2.5°). With the front tires inflated to 38psi, I had a a consistent 120°F (+/- 5°) across the entire tire tread, shoulder-to-shoulder. The rears were inflated to 29psi with 109°(+/- 5°) across the whole tread.

Here are the videos of the event, enjoy!

Left side:
xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media

Right side:
xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media

My buddy with the black GMT800 also came along. His is the tester truck for all my GMT800 related products such as the poly motor mounts and soon seat brackets and harness bar. He's going to be a regular too [emoji106]
You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach


Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk
 
Top