Project "cheapskate 65"
 

Well, I have been lurking in the background and asking questions and finally got the courage to start cutting! I Z'd the frame 4" and will lower the body mounts if needed so I can lay the rockers. I bought(all used) a disc brake kit ,2.5" drop spindles, Strong arms LCA and slam 7 bags for the front. The next step is to figure out how big of a step notch that will be needed.

Re: Project "cheapskate 65"
 

Looks really good buddy... are you planning on plating the inside of that frame too?> Nice use of the flat strap that is the same way that I did mine..

Re: Project "cheapskate 65"
 

looks sweet!!!

Re: Project "cheapskate 65"
 

Looks really good so far. Where the heck did you find a used set of lower strongarms?

Re: Project "cheapskate 65"
 

Thanks, I did plate the inside of the frame just like the outside. I mounted it flush to the inner part of the frame instead of the mounting it to the outer part. I felt there was more surface area to weld to. As to the front..... I kinda copied off your design!... Hope it wasn't patented!!!! Thanks for all your help

Re: Project "cheapskate 65"
 

Thanks for the compliments. After seeing your project thread I have big shoes to fill! I found all the front end parts on Craigslist. The parts are all new but he had them sitting on the truck outside for 6 months so they have some surface rust on them.

Re: Project "cheapskate 65"
 

looks awesome! ill be watching this thread.

Re: Project "cheapskate 65"
 

:agree: looks like it's coming along great.... I'll be signing up for this thread as well. :D

Good luck with the build!

Re: Project "cheapskate 65"
 

lookin good man. i z-ed my frame on my 65 Panel 4" as well.

Re: Project "cheapskate 65"
 

Well, I got a little more done to my frame. I ended up building a step notch from 3x4x3/16" tubing instead of buying a KP notch. I moved the rear frame rails out to get rid of the offset. I ordered the airbags, lower plates and the bushings for the trailing arms. I am doing a simple 2 link but am unsure if I will do a wishbone, watts or panhard. I was going to move the stock trailing arms to the outside of the frame but they were pretty rough so I bought some 2x3x1/4" tubing and I am going to build new ones. Thanks to all that have taken the time to answer any of my questions in the past! Its been a big help!! Thanks again, Mark

Re: Project "cheapskate 65"
 

sweet!

Re: Project "cheapskate 65"
 

looks sweet i wish i could do that to my truck but im to scared

Re: Project "cheapskate 65"
 

I was the same way! I lurked on this site for months doing research and asking questions. I found that everyone here was/is really good about answering questions (no matter how dumb I thought the question was!:lol:).
If you do it take your time and don't rush. I spent 4 hours today measuring, leveling and re-measuring everything before welding it up to reassure myself that it was right(I hope it is!!)

Re: Project "cheapskate 65"
 

speaking of questions.... i have a couple :lol:
what issues are there to deal with Z'ing the frame?
any mods to the steering column?
I am really thinking about doing it to my '64.
there are sooo many nice Z'ed trucks on this forum

Re: Project "cheapskate 65"
 

one thing about a 2 link. if you mount the bags on the links, mount them back atleast 1/3 of the links and mount the shocks as far back on the links as possible. since the pinion angle changes so much with a 2 link, set it at ride height and drive it at/or just about that height or you could have driveline vibrations.. and make sure you keep an eye on the front shaft into the tranny because it will move in and out of the trans a couple inches through all the way down and all the way up movement.
the best set up for that would be a watts link or a track bar. the track bar goes link to link at a diagonal, which makes a triangle that doesnt allow any lateral movement of the bars.

Re: Project "cheapskate 65"
 

oh yeah, frame is looking good. hope to see more soon!

Re: Project "cheapskate 65"
 

nice. the 3x4 tubing is a nice match for the frame.

Re: Project "cheapskate 65"
 

Looks good. Those notches look massive, but I like that they match the frame.

Re: Project "cheapskate 65"
 

I didn't have any problems Z'ing the frame except getting the courage to make the cut :lol::lol:! As one wise member told me " measure and level LOTS, make the cut and don't look back"!! I think the tranny tunnel needs to be raised and have seen some people need to notch the rear of there cab for drive shaft clearance. I have a 2 pc so I don't know if I will need to notch(I don't think so but we will see!) As for the steering column I haven't got to that part yet but I don't think There should be any issues.

Re: Project "cheapskate 65"
 

Thanks for the complements and advice. I really like the way your truck is looking! I plan on mounting my shocks on the rear end so I think/hope that will work. I have a 2 pc drive shaft is this better or worse or same for pinion angle issues? Why don't you suggest a wishbone? I really like the way they look but am more concerned with function over looks. Thanks again

Re: Project "cheapskate 65"
 

thanks, I thought that was a good match also.

Re: Project "cheapskate 65"
 

Thanks for the complement. The notch worked out to be only 9.5" tall(inside)to lay frame. ( I hope I measured right!)
So I think the picture makes it look bigger than it really is. A photographer I am not:lol:

Re: Project "cheapskate 65"
 

i will try and get you a picture of the track bar.

Re: Project "cheapskate 65"
 

i went ahead and took them right now because if i didnt then i wouldnt get around to it.

Re: Project "cheapskate 65"
 

Looking good.....

Re: Project "cheapskate 65"
 

Well, I finally have had some time to work on my frame and made a little progress. I got the trailing arms and brackets built and welded up. I also got the bag brackets and cross member built and tacked on to make sure everything will work as planned. The only problem I see so far is with the shocks. It has so much lift in the rear I don't know if I am going to be able to find shocks to work for the full lift/drop amount.(Suggestions??) I want to mount them on the back side of the axle if possible. I still need to mock up a wishbone and figure out a cross member and height for the carrier bearing since I Z'd the frame 4". So much to do and so little time!

Re: Project "cheapskate 65"
 

nice work i like.

Re: Project "cheapskate 65"
 

nice job. I wouldn't worry about finding a shock. Just go to the monroe website and download their pdf application chart. They have shocks with more travel than you will ever need.

Re: Project "cheapskate 65"
 

are you droping your body mounts?
frame is looking great!

Re: Project "cheapskate 65"
 

Thanks for the compliment and the info on the monroe website. That is exactly what I needed!


Thanks, Yes, I am dropping the body mounts but am unsure how much until I set the cab and sheet metal back on to do a test fit. (probably 1" if I had to guess)

Re: Project "cheapskate 65"
 

Well, I got a little more done to my truck frame. I made my shock brackets and tacked them on. As soon as i find a TH 350 transmission I can figure my pinion angle and get everything welded up. I also got my wishbone welded up but still need to put a grease zerk on the slider. I also need some bump stops for the rear. Getting closer to being done(i think:lol:)

Re: Project "cheapskate 65"
 

very nice work!!!

Re: Project "cheapskate 65"
 

Cool.

Re: Project "cheapskate 65"
 

Looking good. I like all of the plates welded over the frame welds.

Re: Project "cheapskate 65"
 

Looks good......In post #26 i see that the 2link bracket that is welded to the frame is pointing at the rear axle. All the ones i have seen point to the ground.Why did you do it this way?

Re: Project "cheapskate 65"
 

why not add some adjustable rod end to the lower bars? It all looks good, but you could have a functioning four link for a minimal amount of effort. Everything else looks killer.

Re: Project "cheapskate 65"
 

he couldn't use the sliding wish bone, it would have to be modified also

Re: Project "cheapskate 65"
 

Thanks for all the compliments. As for the 2 link brackets when i built them i figured that since the stock mounts were pointing back i would make mine the same way.

Re: Project "cheapskate 65"
 

Thanks for the compliment. As for the link set up i like to keep everything simple. For me a 4 link was WAY more than i could put my brain around to figure it out. This set up will work fine for my intended use for the truck.
My motto is cheap and easy!

Re: Project "cheapskate 65"
 

Looks Great, Keep up the good work. Simple is never a bad thing :metal: