Cross Memeber or Z?
 

Allright guys, I am looking to lay rocker on my 83 1/2 ton truck. Now I have 1 question, Z the frame OR Cross memeber drop. What are the pros and cons to each and pictures are always welcomed!
Thanks

Crossmember drop 1.5" and 3" spindles with the right size bag cups will lay your frame on the ground with apprx 28.3" tire ie. a 265/30/22. Only z if you plan on running a bigger tire.

I did both only b/c w/ the crossmember 1.5" drop I was going to scrape my oil pan on my 292. so I did a 2" Z on top of it

oh ya, and raise your motor and tranny, thats what I did...

Hey Jared,

If you had to raise your motor and trany up wouldn't it be easy to "notch" the cross member for your frame to slide down in? That was you raise your engine back up the 1.5 inches you dropped it and then all you have to do is raise the tranny member and either add spacers or modify the engine towers. Just an idea it may not work but it sure sounds like an easier solution; correct me if I am wrong.

Keith

You could do that too but most dont need to move the engine and trans up. So far the only engine you need to raise up is the 292 I believe. All v8 and other inlines can get a way w/ a sectioned crossmember if they have stock oil pans

I z-ed my 65 panel 4" and didnt have any clearance problems. I did move the engine and tranny forward approx. 3" for distributor clearance, and that with my 327 and my 700R4 worked perfect with a buick roadmaster wagon driveshaft... random, i know. I plan on running 20's up front, well, planned on it(look for "my panel burnt down last night) post under 60-66 message board). I also moved my tranny up 4" to match the Z, and it worked great, along with my trailing arm crossmember from ECE.

hey, by the way, go to loweredd.com or loweredd.org not sure which one, he lays on 20's with a 4" z like me on his 80 i think, check it out.