lay frame? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

fossilrunner · 06-08-2005, 11:15 PM

right now my truck has a 6-8 static drop.But you know I wanna go lower.So I think I am going to get bags.What will I need to buy to lay frame.I want it as low as possible without doing a bodydrop.

NeverDone · 06-09-2005, 06:36 AM

I also have a 71 and I wanna know what I need for the supsenion to lay frame on 20,s? I think it is a 2 inch block in the back to still use the trailing arms with a small step notch to lay without cutting the bed to much. I'm not sure on the front though. If I need spindles or arms to lay in the front. I'm not afraid to cut and weld but I don't want to throw the wheel alighnment off to much. If somebody could just let me know for sure what size blocks and what size spindles or a arms?

fastbagged68 · 06-09-2005, 12:21 PM

Well to start off.... your crossmember hangs lower then your frame. So you need to get that up. You can either Z the frame or Crossmember drop it 1.25". I prefer to crossmember drop. Then you need to figure out what size tire, how many inches tall it is. Then I would get 3" drop spindles. You will need to swtich out your lower ball joints. The rear depends on tire size to how big your notch is going to be. Also 3 inch block would be best. When you go that low the trailing arm will hit the frame before the frame sit on the ground. I will attach a pic of a frame I did for my shop truck. It is not crossmember dropped or Z'ed. My custom control arms....similar to Bill Turners.

XXL · 06-09-2005, 02:00 PM

What fast said... and, on a stock-type back half, you'll long since have hit the xmember just forward of the rear end (the one that has the upper shock mounts). You'll also have to clearance your cab and trailing arm xmember for the driveshaft. If you want ultra-low on these trucks, I'd say you're better off doing a body drop (along with Z and front xmember work).

fastbagged68 · 06-09-2005, 02:34 PM

You do not need to body drop these trucks! I will attach a pic of our shop truck that we sold that will lay the body on the ground on 20's and 22's combo. We did not do a crossmember drop or a Z'ed frame! Customs lower control arms. But since no one want to pay for them....Crossmember drop 1.25", 3" drop spindles, and do not plate the top mount. Cup it and cut it up till you sit on the ground!

fossilrunner · 06-09-2005, 03:53 PM

how much would it be for lower control arms since I do not really want to do a crossmember drop

XXL · 06-09-2005, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fastbagged68

You do not need to body drop these trucks!

My comment was "I'd say you're better off doing a body drop"

Rather than mutate the entire suspension architecture like you're suggesting (wishbone on the back, raised LCAs on the front, etc.), you can get to the ground by "small" mods to the stock configuration... sectioned xmember (which keeps UCA and LCA synched up as stock), Z'd frame (which does nothing to the stock geometry), and stock trailing arms on the rear.

It can be done a number of ways. Yours is just one of those ways. And in the one I mentioned, I'm not selling anything.

fastbagged68 · 06-09-2005, 03:58 PM

The lower control arms are pricey! $500 installed on a crossmember. Crossmember core required. I need to weld and cut stuff on the crossmember to mount the lower arms.

shortbed70 · 06-09-2005, 05:02 PM

fast what are you running to keep the rearend centered? Looks like a wishbone. Where did you get it?

fastbagged68 · 06-09-2005, 05:09 PM

Wishbone is right. In that pic we it was going the wrong way. We made it at our shop. I got one on my suburban! It works great!

72MARIO · 06-09-2005, 07:09 PM

$500.00 is not bad. Lots of work involved building/designing them.

fastbagged68 · 06-09-2005, 07:24 PM

XXL I did not mean to step on any toes. I said to crossmember drop it or Z the frame in my first post.
Lets establish something here....the crossmember needs to be the same height as the frame if you want to lay frame. The way you get your crossmember to be the same height as your frame is your choice. Your rocker should be level with the frame or close. So if you want or need to get the body down more, then switch out the mounts to thinner ones. Look at your body mounts. There is room there to drop the body down to sit very close to the top of the frame, this will put the body either flush with the frame or past the frame. No need for a traditional body drop.
XXL I was not trying to sell the arms... I could careless to sell the arms. He asked me how much. I did not solict them. I said to crossmember drop it. Since it is the easiest and cheapest way to get drop. Also my wishbone set up I chose to do because even with a long panhard bar my rear shifted to much. So I fabricated up a wishbone.

camaro__thunder · 06-09-2005, 11:03 PM

fastbagged68 I asked before about what body mounts to use and never got a reply... what did you use on the shop truck ? What about using short aluminum bushings or even washers, like on a dragcar ?

fossilrunner · 06-10-2005, 12:25 AM

I am probably going to run a 26 inch tall tire so will I have to do as much to get it to lay frame

fossilrunner · 06-10-2005, 12:29 AM

Is there anywhere I can get a crossmember that is already notched or is some one selling a used crossmember.

laid67c10 · 06-10-2005, 12:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fossilrunner

Is there anywhere I can get a crossmember that is already notched or is some one selling a used crossmember.

i have a cross member available....pm me if you want it....

fastbagged68 · 06-10-2005, 02:22 AM

Bushings are small wafer like. You can go to any hardware store and get them. I used what my buddies company uses on the roadsters. But go get some type of rubber that is thin enough to get you down. Also run your stock washer. The big one. As for with a 26" tall tire no problem... Crossmember drop and 3 inch spindles. That would be a good start!

fossilrunner · 06-10-2005, 10:04 AM

I already have 2.5 inch drop spindles on it.How much of a xmember drop will I have to do and will I have to go with tubular control arms?

XXL · 06-10-2005, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fossilrunner

I already have 2.5 inch drop spindles on it.How much of a xmember drop will I have to do and will I have to go with tubular control arms?

The 1.5" xmember drop that captkaos did for me was 1) reasonably priced IMO, and 2) done pretty darn quickly (it took longer for me to have the xmember installed on the truck than for him to section it). At 1.5" I did have significant steering shaft issues, and so went with an articulated unit from Borgeson. Works like a champ.

XXL · 06-10-2005, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XXL

The 1.5" xmember drop that captkaos did for me was 1) reasonably priced IMO, and 2) done pretty darn quickly (it took longer for me to have the xmember installed on the truck than for him to section it). At 1.5" I did have significant steering shaft issues, and so went with an articulated unit from Borgeson. Works like a champ.

A few detail pics here.

fossilrunner · 06-10-2005, 02:11 PM

with the spindles and a 1.25 inch xmember drop will I be able to have the frame laying on the ground

fastbagged68 · 06-10-2005, 11:42 AM

Anything more then 1.25" becomes more involved. Steering issues become problems along with a few others. Stick to 1.25"

fastbagged68 · 06-10-2005, 06:10 PM

XXL are you using the plate for the front bag mount? Is your crossmember on the ground? Fossilrunner depending on what he says you can switch out to a upper cup and shorten it up to get the crossmember to be planted. I will post a pic of what I'm talking about. See I cut off the lip and ended up sticking a cup in there. I ended cutting up more to lay out on my big tires.

fossilrunner · 06-10-2005, 11:32 PM

to lay it down will I need to do tubular control arms

06-08-2005, 11:15 PM	#1
fossilrunner Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: FORT WORTH, TX Posts: 225	lay frame? right now my truck has a 6-8 static drop.But you know I wanna go lower.So I think I am going to get bags.What will I need to buy to lay frame.I want it as low as possible without doing a bodydrop. __________________ 71 chevy lwb w/ 350,750 holley 4150,edelbrock performer rpm,full 2 1/2 exhaust exit out side,6-8 drop,rally wheels.-SOLD 74 Chevy nova-355 with a little nitrous 78 GMC Jimmy 4x4-Factory 400 and all stock.

06-09-2005, 06:36 AM	#2
NeverDone Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Livingston, TN Posts: 1	I also have a 71 and I wanna know what I need for the supsenion to lay frame on 20,s? I think it is a 2 inch block in the back to still use the trailing arms with a small step notch to lay without cutting the bed to much. I'm not sure on the front though. If I need spindles or arms to lay in the front. I'm not afraid to cut and weld but I don't want to throw the wheel alighnment off to much. If somebody could just let me know for sure what size blocks and what size spindles or a arms? __________________ There is never enough time or money!!! 71 GMC Long Bed (my toy) 00 Chevy Dually (my truck) 98 Honda VTR1000 (my bike) 97 Mitsubishi Spyder GST (her toy) 02 Honda CBR600 F4i (her bike)

06-09-2005, 12:21 PM	#3
fastbagged68 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Tri Valley California Posts: 792	Well to start off.... your crossmember hangs lower then your frame. So you need to get that up. You can either Z the frame or Crossmember drop it 1.25". I prefer to crossmember drop. Then you need to figure out what size tire, how many inches tall it is. Then I would get 3" drop spindles. You will need to swtich out your lower ball joints. The rear depends on tire size to how big your notch is going to be. Also 3 inch block would be best. When you go that low the trailing arm will hit the frame before the frame sit on the ground. I will attach a pic of a frame I did for my shop truck. It is not crossmember dropped or Z'ed. My custom control arms....similar to Bill Turners. Attached Images Last edited by fastbagged68; 06-09-2005 at 12:26 PM.

06-09-2005, 02:00 PM	#4
XXL Señor Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Edge of the world Posts: 5,367	What fast said... and, on a stock-type back half, you'll long since have hit the xmember just forward of the rear end (the one that has the upper shock mounts). You'll also have to clearance your cab and trailing arm xmember for the driveshaft. If you want ultra-low on these trucks, I'd say you're better off doing a body drop (along with Z and front xmember work). __________________ Craigslist \| ebay \| Engrishtees \| www.myattitudesucks.com \| Follow me on Twitter

06-09-2005, 02:34 PM	#5
fastbagged68 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Tri Valley California Posts: 792	You do not need to body drop these trucks! I will attach a pic of our shop truck that we sold that will lay the body on the ground on 20's and 22's combo. We did not do a crossmember drop or a Z'ed frame! Customs lower control arms. But since no one want to pay for them....Crossmember drop 1.25", 3" drop spindles, and do not plate the top mount. Cup it and cut it up till you sit on the ground! Attached Images

06-09-2005, 03:53 PM	#6
fossilrunner Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: FORT WORTH, TX Posts: 225	how much would it be for lower control arms since I do not really want to do a crossmember drop __________________ 71 chevy lwb w/ 350,750 holley 4150,edelbrock performer rpm,full 2 1/2 exhaust exit out side,6-8 drop,rally wheels.-SOLD 74 Chevy nova-355 with a little nitrous 78 GMC Jimmy 4x4-Factory 400 and all stock.

06-09-2005, 03:58 PM	#8
fastbagged68 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Tri Valley California Posts: 792	The lower control arms are pricey! $500 installed on a crossmember. Crossmember core required. I need to weld and cut stuff on the crossmember to mount the lower arms.

06-09-2005, 05:02 PM	#9
shortbed70 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Forney TX Posts: 4,512	fast what are you running to keep the rearend centered? Looks like a wishbone. Where did you get it? __________________ Troy 1965 Chevy Bagged,361 sbc,voodoo cam,1.5 full roller rockers,patriot 185cc vortec heads 2.02-1.60,vortec weiand polished intake,demon carb my truckhttp://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=332884 Big Red Dog build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=572274

06-09-2005, 05:09 PM	#10
fastbagged68 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Tri Valley California Posts: 792	Wishbone is right. In that pic we it was going the wrong way. We made it at our shop. I got one on my suburban! It works great!

06-09-2005, 07:09 PM	#11
72MARIO Registered User Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Huntsville Ontario Canada Posts: 4,052	$500.00 is not bad. Lots of work involved building/designing them. __________________ 1968 Suburban numbers matching all original truck now equipped with 6.0/4L80 on Accuair http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=625017 1967 C/20 6.0/4L80 Roofing Truck 1990 V2500 Suburban "Plow Truck" 2005 TAHOE DD

06-09-2005, 07:24 PM	#12
fastbagged68 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Tri Valley California Posts: 792	XXL I did not mean to step on any toes. I said to crossmember drop it or Z the frame in my first post. Lets establish something here....the crossmember needs to be the same height as the frame if you want to lay frame. The way you get your crossmember to be the same height as your frame is your choice. Your rocker should be level with the frame or close. So if you want or need to get the body down more, then switch out the mounts to thinner ones. Look at your body mounts. There is room there to drop the body down to sit very close to the top of the frame, this will put the body either flush with the frame or past the frame. No need for a traditional body drop. XXL I was not trying to sell the arms... I could careless to sell the arms. He asked me how much. I did not solict them. I said to crossmember drop it. Since it is the easiest and cheapest way to get drop. Also my wishbone set up I chose to do because even with a long panhard bar my rear shifted to much. So I fabricated up a wishbone.

06-09-2005, 11:03 PM	#13
camaro__thunder Epoxy Primer Friendly Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: South of Houston TEXXXAS Posts: 680	lays what ?? fastbagged68 I asked before about what body mounts to use and never got a reply... what did you use on the shop truck ? What about using short aluminum bushings or even washers, like on a dragcar ? __________________ My Project 69 SWB SHAVED BAGGED DOORED Last edited by camaro__thunder; 06-09-2005 at 11:05 PM.

06-10-2005, 12:25 AM	#14
fossilrunner Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: FORT WORTH, TX Posts: 225	I am probably going to run a 26 inch tall tire so will I have to do as much to get it to lay frame __________________ 71 chevy lwb w/ 350,750 holley 4150,edelbrock performer rpm,full 2 1/2 exhaust exit out side,6-8 drop,rally wheels.-SOLD 74 Chevy nova-355 with a little nitrous 78 GMC Jimmy 4x4-Factory 400 and all stock.

06-10-2005, 12:29 AM	#15
fossilrunner Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: FORT WORTH, TX Posts: 225	Is there anywhere I can get a crossmember that is already notched or is some one selling a used crossmember. __________________ 71 chevy lwb w/ 350,750 holley 4150,edelbrock performer rpm,full 2 1/2 exhaust exit out side,6-8 drop,rally wheels.-SOLD 74 Chevy nova-355 with a little nitrous 78 GMC Jimmy 4x4-Factory 400 and all stock.

06-10-2005, 02:22 AM	#17
fastbagged68 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Tri Valley California Posts: 792	Bushings are small wafer like. You can go to any hardware store and get them. I used what my buddies company uses on the roadsters. But go get some type of rubber that is thin enough to get you down. Also run your stock washer. The big one. As for with a 26" tall tire no problem... Crossmember drop and 3 inch spindles. That would be a good start!



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06-10-2005, 10:04 AM	#18
fossilrunner Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: FORT WORTH, TX Posts: 225	I already have 2.5 inch drop spindles on it.How much of a xmember drop will I have to do and will I have to go with tubular control arms? __________________ 71 chevy lwb w/ 350,750 holley 4150,edelbrock performer rpm,full 2 1/2 exhaust exit out side,6-8 drop,rally wheels.-SOLD 74 Chevy nova-355 with a little nitrous 78 GMC Jimmy 4x4-Factory 400 and all stock.

06-10-2005, 02:11 PM	#21
fossilrunner Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: FORT WORTH, TX Posts: 225	with the spindles and a 1.25 inch xmember drop will I be able to have the frame laying on the ground __________________ 71 chevy lwb w/ 350,750 holley 4150,edelbrock performer rpm,full 2 1/2 exhaust exit out side,6-8 drop,rally wheels.-SOLD 74 Chevy nova-355 with a little nitrous 78 GMC Jimmy 4x4-Factory 400 and all stock.

06-10-2005, 11:42 AM	#22
fastbagged68 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Tri Valley California Posts: 792	Anything more then 1.25" becomes more involved. Steering issues become problems along with a few others. Stick to 1.25"

06-10-2005, 06:10 PM	#23
fastbagged68 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Tri Valley California Posts: 792	XXL are you using the plate for the front bag mount? Is your crossmember on the ground? Fossilrunner depending on what he says you can switch out to a upper cup and shorten it up to get the crossmember to be planted. I will post a pic of what I'm talking about. See I cut off the lip and ended up sticking a cup in there. I ended cutting up more to lay out on my big tires. Attached Images

06-10-2005, 11:32 PM	#24
fossilrunner Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: FORT WORTH, TX Posts: 225	to lay it down will I need to do tubular control arms __________________ 71 chevy lwb w/ 350,750 holley 4150,edelbrock performer rpm,full 2 1/2 exhaust exit out side,6-8 drop,rally wheels.-SOLD 74 Chevy nova-355 with a little nitrous 78 GMC Jimmy 4x4-Factory 400 and all stock.

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