When it comes to modifications to put your truck in the elite class, the body-drop is definitely the Holy Grail of minitruck mods. The body-drop is the one modification that separates the men from the boys, as it's a huge commitment and undertaking. But don't let that scare you! With a little planning and some basic knowledge, this amazing mod can be done in your garage one weekend at a time. Sit back and follow along to see some of the ways you can avoid potentially devastating mistakes. For more information, contact the company listed in the source box.
1. The first thing to do is...
1. The first thing to do is put the truck up on jackstands, and place a piece of heavy wall tube between the framerails and stands. Then, measure the amount of body-drop desired. This one is going to the rocker, which is 2-1/4 inches.
2. Rather than rolling the...
2. Rather than rolling the pinch right away, it's easier to space the frame up the height of pinch for now. The pinch weld on a Mazda is just less than 3/4-inch tall, so 3/4-inch-square tube will make sure it lays rocker nicely.
3. Stripping out the interior...
3. Stripping out the interior was the next step. Removing everything made it easier to cut safely. Also, we removed the steering column and pedal assembly, as it will be in the way when tubing the firewall.
4. It was now time to protect...
4. It was now time to protect a few things from sparks and welding spatter. We suggest to tape and or cover all windows.
5. The best way to mark out...
5. The best way to mark out the cut lines is with masking tape. This eliminates any guesswork, and it's much easier to change your cut line with tape than with a Sawzall.
6. and 7. It was time to start...
6. and 7. It was time to start cutting! This was the best part of a traditional body-drop.
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8. Next, the fillers were...
8. Next, the fillers were made. We measured the length and width of the filler needed to cut out of a 16-gauge sheet. The piece was positioned and tacked into place on both sides. You'll notice the filler was angled, so the carpet fit a little better, and we weren't left with a "curb" on the inside of our door.
9. and 10. The seat rail was...
9. and 10. The seat rail was left open, so it needed to be capped off. We made a template and cut two pieces out of 16-gauge sheetmetal and welded those into place. These little details make for a much better body-drop.