TRE 5 Customs Mitsubishi Mighty Max Build - Hydroholics Mitsu

16. After all the front frame modifications were complete, it was welded back in 1 inch higher than before to accomplish the "Z". Overlay pieces were added for additional strength.

17. This is the assembled front suspension complete with a set of drop spindles and a five-lug swap.

18. Once the front was all taken care of, the rear suspension was laid out using a Toyota axle to complete the five-lug swap. A three-link with a wishbone setup was chosen in order to keep the Mitsubishi gas tank as close to the factory location as possible.

19. Everything was tacked in place, and the suspension was cycled to check the geometry through the travel of the rearend. The Heim was positioned horizontally on the top of the axle because in a wishbone setup it's stronger and still allows for plenty of suspension travel.

20. Rather than using a simple notch, the entire rear clip was built to drop lower than the stock frame behind the axle making it easier to mount all of the Hydroholic hydraulic components.

21. Three Kinetik KR2412 batteries are sandwiched between two Hydroholics pumps. All mounted behind the axle on the new rear frame clip.

22. The rear cylinders are set up on a true cantilever system. These are the cantilever pieces made from 1/4-inch and 1/8-inch water-jetted plate and TIG-welded together.

23. Here's the rear cylinder setup in place. The cylinders pivot at the rear of the frame on a polyurethane bushing that has been welded to a threaded collar installed on the unique threaded Hydroholics cylinders. The cylinder pushes on the cantilever, which pivots on the Delrin bushing. The cantilever then pushes on a custom-made dog bone attached to the axle. Using an 8-inch cylinder, the setup produces 13 inches of lift.

24. With the suspension pretty much wrapped up, the attention turned to the little things. First on the list is the gas tank. The tank mounts were modified in order to raise the tank above the bottom of the framerails.

25. The interior was finished off with a raised panel in the rear to clear the raised gas tank and by seam-sealing all the joints and painting over all the bare metal, including the channel.

26. Since the engine crossmember was modified, there was room to lower the motor to fit the factory hood. The factory motor mounts were modified for a 1.5-inch drop.

27. Staying under the hood, the factory inner wheelwells were cut out and new wheeltubs were installed.

28. A custom cold-air box was welded into the inner fender using part of the factory intake so that the mass air sensor wouldn't throw any codes, and a custom intake tube was fabricated out of pre-bent aluminum tubing to connect the airbox to the throttle body.

29. The last part of the buildup was to dial in the bedfloor. A new frame was constructed from 1-inch square tubing followed by pieces of 16-gauge sheetmetal. A portion of the bedfloor was left open to view the hydraulic setup.

30. With the bed back on the frame, you can finally see the fruits of all this hard work.

31. Here is the end result of about three months of solid work. With everything plumbed and wired and some bed coating, this truck is looking like a work of art.