Chassis By Aaron Iha is no stranger to Mini Truckin' magazine or one-off-a-kind builds that can blow your mind.
Although many of his latest projects are hot rods and fullsize trucks, like the sick C10 they're building in our sister mag, Truckin', the crew always enjoys an innovative minitruck challenge.
Like most of Aaron's builds, he wanted this Nissan Hardbody to be in a league of its own. Opting to run hydraulic suspension, they got with the experts over at Hydroholics.net to show the world that hydros are indeed a safe and viable option for the minitruck world. The Chassis by Aaron crew consists of Aaron Iha (Owner, Designer, Fabricator), Ben Dodd (Fabricator, Installer) Dale Thomas (Fabricator, Installer), and Christine Iha (Manager, Customer Service). Together, this team thoroughly enjoys building some of the coolest vehicles on the road and prides themselves in continually stepping it up build after build.
This Hardbody is no different. A full-tube chassis was designed and built to incorporate a unique independent rear setup along with a one-of-a-kind front setup, all utilizing Hydroholics hydraulic system. Check out the build below and see what they came up with. Stay tuned for the full feature on this wicked Hardbody upon completion. For more information, contact the companies listed in the Source box.
1. Every build begins with...
1. Every build begins with an idea. That idea is turned into a design. Then, that design is put into action. To the untrained eye, this may look like a bunch of random tubing, but to us this is the makings of a wicked full-tube chassis.
2. The frame is jigged and...
2. The frame is jigged and squared on the table and begins to take on a life of its own.
3. The rear will house a Toyota...
3. The rear will house a Toyota Supra rearend, but this isn't your typical independent rearend setup.
4. The rearend is fitted and...
4. The rearend is fitted and mocked up.
5. Nothing is "guess worked"...
5. Nothing is "guess worked" here. Everything is designed and drawn in the computer to ensure the suspension will function properly. Here's a look at the front hydraulic mounts.
6. The engine and transmission...
6. The engine and transmission are mocked up so that the crew can build the crossmembers to fit.
7. The tranny mounts are planned...
7. The tranny mounts are planned ahead to leave room for the exhaust to run down the driver side.
8. The TIG was heated up and...
8. The TIG was heated up and more brace tubing was added. The rear hydraulic mounts and trailing arms were also built.
9. At this point, the cab...
9. At this point, the cab was mounted and the bed was fitted to check out placement for the rest of the frame work and fuel cell mount.
10. This shot shows more of...
10. This shot shows more of Aaron hard at work TIG welding the rest of the frame and mount details.
11. A hand-built hydraulic...
11. A hand-built hydraulic cylinder sleeve was built and mounted to the custom spindles. This creates optimum suspension performance, not to mention it looks killer.
12. Here's a look at the rear...
12. Here's a look at the rear suspension at full lift and laid out. Yes, you still say laid out when using hydraulics.
13.
14. Here's a good look at...
14. Here's a good look at the rear setup with the bed on and all cleaned up.
15. Time to move onto some...
15. Time to move onto some of the fun body mods. First thing cut off was the roof. Don't worry it's just a chop, it's going back on in no time.
16. See, nothing to fear,...
16. See, nothing to fear, just giving this mini a little hot-rod feel and helping to make it one of the lowest Hardbodys around.
17. Next, came the sheetmetal...
17. Next, came the sheetmetal bed work. Tubs were built and tacked into place.
18. The rest of the bed came...
18. The rest of the bed came along nicely as it was patiently cut, bead rolled, then tacked. Then, it was tacked some more, and then some more.
19. It sure cleans up wel...
19. It sure cleans up well!
20. Moving inside the cab,...
20. Moving inside the cab, a full sheetmetal firewall and tubs were built and welded in.
21. For a little rear update,...
21. For a little rear update, Colorado taillights were grafted into place and look right at home with the lines of the Nissan.
22. A one-off crossmember...
22. A one-off crossmember was built to add a little strength, not to mention some great looks to the engine bay.
23. Last minute touches before...
23. Last minute touches before the show: Aaron built a one-off front grille to fit the custom core support and Jeep headlights.
24. A few final late night...
24. A few final late night touchups and this Hardbody was ready just in time to make it's debut at the Forbidden Show.
25. At the show, Patrick's...
25. At the show, Patrick's Nissan drew huge crowds all day long. It also was awarded the coveted Best Engineered trophy making this the fourth year in a row that Chassis By Aaron Iha has taken home this honor, which began at FFF 2006 with Mike Alexander's Toyota buildup. Be on the lookout for more on this wicked Hardbody in an upcoming issue.