The notch is an essential component in the mini-truck vernacular. To lay the frame flat on the ground and get our daily drag on, the framerails need to be notched above the rearend. A notch simply refers to the piece, or pieces, of metal that is welded into place so that the framerail may be cut out and the rearend will have more clearance into the frame. This task is sometimes a hefty one, generally involving as many as six to eight pieces that need to be welded together. No need to make the extra welds any longer, though, because Devious Customs in Ontario, California, now offers a simple solution to this age-old problem.
Devious has taken the traditional mail-order notch to a whole new level. Its new notch comes as one solid piece, which can be measured and fit to lay out on any size wheel you feel daring enough to bolt up. Not only is the notch much easier to install than some multipart notches, but it also comes out looking way better because fewer welds have been made. It prevents the temptation to weld your notch together and grind it smooth to look like one piece, while weakening the notch's structural integrity in the process. Overall, the Devious Customs notch is a stronger, better-looking, and easier-to-install notch than some of its cousins.
We teamed up with Jeff at Devious to follow along as he installed a set of one-piece notches. We captured the whole step-by-step install, starting with the measuring of the notch placement. The notch was then cut to fit the wheel combo and particular frame of the Toyota Tacoma the notch was being installed on. After that, we checked out the grinding, welding, cutting, and plating. This install was much quicker than some other notches we've seen, and it definitely came out cleaner. Follow along and see how much easier this notch is to install.
1.This is the one-piece notch...
1.This is the one-piece notch Devious Customs builds and sells; one of the key ingredients to lay out the rear of any truck.
2.The notch was test-fit on...
2.The notch was test-fit on the framerail to center the notch with the center of the rearend.
3.As the first step, Jeff...
3.As the first step, Jeff cut off the factory shock mount that was in the way of the notch install. The shocks will be relocated later anyway.
4.Once centered, the notch...
4.Once centered, the notch was outlined to mark where it would go.
5.The notch was then cut to...
5.The notch was then cut to fit perfectly on the Tacoma's framerails.
6.With the notch ready to...
6.With the notch ready to go in, the spots where Jeff would weld the notch to the frame were ground to expose the bare metal for a better welding surface.
7.This is what the frame should...
7.This is what the frame should look like before welding. Otherwise, you might not properly penetrate the metal.
8.In any install, always double-check...
8.In any install, always double-check before any welding takes place. Make sure that the notch is still lined up and centered, and that all the sides where you will weld are bare metal.
9.Jeff used C-clamps to hold...
9.Jeff used C-clamps to hold the notch in place; this way it won't move while he is welding. This also flattens the notch to the frame so there aren't any gaps to fill.
10.The notch was then tack-welded...
10.The notch was then tack-welded into place on all four corners.
11.Jeff then went to town...
11.Jeff then went to town and welded the notch to the frame.
12.These are quality welds...
12.These are quality welds that will ensure the strength of the frame after the middle section is cut away.
13.After the top and sides...
13.After the top and sides were welded, Jeff moved to the bottom to seal up all the areas of the notch that made contact with the framerails.
14.Here is a look at the notch...
14.Here is a look at the notch welded in place - so far so good.
15.Next, Jeff took our second-favorite...
15.Next, Jeff took our second-favorite tool, the plasma cutter, and went to work on the section of the frame between the notch that needs to be removed.
16.Once the frame was cut...
16.Once the frame was cut out, Jeff hammered out the middle section.
17.Now the rearend can be...
17.Now the rearend can be buried more than 6 inches deeper into the frame, allowing the lowest part of the frame to lay on the ground with the help of the four-link already installed.
18.The section where the frame...
18.The section where the frame had been cut away was ground smooth for plating.
19.Make sure the frame is...
19.Make sure the frame is ground smooth so that the plate can be welded in and fit flatly.
20.Jeff welded one of the...
20.Jeff welded one of the plates into place.
21.Here's a look at the welded-in...
21.Here's a look at the welded-in plates. They definitely cleaned up the overall look and added necessary support.
22.Here's the finished product,...
22.Here's the finished product, cleaned up and ready to go. Good looks in a timely manner - that's what we're talking about.