The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network







Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Go Back   The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network > 47 - Current classic GM Trucks > The 1960 - 1966 Chevrolet & GMC Pickups Message Board

Web 67-72chevytrucks.com


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 09-19-2012, 03:12 AM   #1
ChiefRocka
Hollister, CA.
 
ChiefRocka's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Hollister, Ca.
Posts: 6,150
HOW TO: Crossmember sectioning ...

As most of you know, I’ve been working on my 62 GMC Suburban.

I picked up a '78 Crossmember with PS and steering linkage off CL for cheap.

I decided for now I wanted to set up my suspension for a loooow Static drop, as I'm not concerned with Air-ride at the moment. (I'll save that for my customers )
I can’t afford one of PorterBuilts AWESOME creations, so I knew I was on my own.
To accomplish this, I knew the crossmember had to be raised. But how much ??

So, before making any cuts, I took some measurements.

I did this by first leveling the Burban to the ground, checking both the chassis and the body. Measurements could of been done with a complete vehicle, but in this case, it is on stands:
-

-

-
For future reference, temporarily installed the stock front suspension, and marked the spindle location to my garage floor:
-

-
Measurements were, First ground to crossmember, then ground to chassis:
-

-

-
As you can see, the difference was 2”.

Sectioning the crossmember this amount would raise it level with the remainder of chassis.


I viewed CapKaos’ great method and decided this is the way to go.

As many of you know, I love providing pics … so more detailed pics were used here.

I could of done all this in my shop with my nice big welding tables, plasma cutter, etc.

But this was done at my home garage….basically to illustrate anyone can do it.

In fact, all cuts were made using a cheap $14 HarborFreight grinder, and lots of wheels.

NOTE: I did not like the HF cut off wheels. They vibrate a lot, and do not like a little ‘side’ load. What I mean, is I use a cutoff wheel on its side to clean surfaces, which caused it to come apart quickly and violently . The grinding wheels suck too …

Instead, I chose the DeWalt cutoffs from Lowes, as they were priced just over a dollar.

If you have access to a Plasma…BY ALL MEANS USE IT !! It will cut your time down considerably !! Regardless of what method you choose, your still going to need a welder.

Another thing I should mention….As you can see I started with a ‘loose’ crossmember. In the past I have removed them with engine in place. (By supporting engine across the inner fenders). But, unfortunately, this is not shown here. If your doing this on a running truck, SAFELY remove crossmember !!

So….here we go !

Since they were right there like two arms, I used the frame rails of the Burban as a ‘table’ , and leveled the crossmember.
-

-
Once leveled, I scribed vertical alignment marks on the crossmember. These are used to align the upper section down to the lower once the side material is removed. All my fancy squares are outta town, so here is my creation….
-

-
Hard to see scribe marks here…but later used a Silver Sharpie…If you look closely you can see FOUR spotwelds just above the Ubolt bolt holes …
-

-
__________________
John

What the Heck is that ??

CURRENT BUILDS:
62 BurbMaster

Other Builds:
My '63 C-10,LWB,CC,BBW
'06 HD StrAight Axle Swap

Father/Son '67 C-20, LQ9,4L80,Bagged,8-Lugger !!Good Friend Richard's Build

AMERICAN CUSTOMS & CLASSICS (831) 630-1965
www.ACCHOLLISTER.com
ACC on FACEBOOK
"Rest in Peace, Mom & Dad ... I will see you again someday!"
ChiefRocka is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-19-2012, 03:12 AM   #2
ChiefRocka
Hollister, CA.
 
ChiefRocka's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Hollister, Ca.
Posts: 6,150
Re: HOW TO: Crossmember sectioning ...

Back side as well. Scribes were made where crossmembers shape start to change anlges upwards, if you will.
-

-

-
Next I made this little device to help me scribe the line. It measures ½” and 1”. I measured down from the top ½”, then connect the vertical lines….
-

-

-
From the top line, I measured down the required amount…in this case 2”…
-

-
A quick trip to Staples scored me the cool Silver Sharpies ….
-

-

-
__________________
John

What the Heck is that ??

CURRENT BUILDS:
62 BurbMaster

Other Builds:
My '63 C-10,LWB,CC,BBW
'06 HD StrAight Axle Swap

Father/Son '67 C-20, LQ9,4L80,Bagged,8-Lugger !!Good Friend Richard's Build

AMERICAN CUSTOMS & CLASSICS (831) 630-1965
www.ACCHOLLISTER.com
ACC on FACEBOOK
"Rest in Peace, Mom & Dad ... I will see you again someday!"
ChiefRocka is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-19-2012, 03:13 AM   #3
ChiefRocka
Hollister, CA.
 
ChiefRocka's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Hollister, Ca.
Posts: 6,150
Re: HOW TO: Crossmember sectioning ...


-

-

-

-

-
Now that we are all marked up, the crossmember needs to be braced before we make major cuts. Since I need to fit a grinder, I made the top slices before adding the brace.
-

-
Rather than weld a brace to the towers, I uses an old junkyard steering arm and some angle. Now I have another ‘tool’…. for future chops
-

-

-
__________________
John

What the Heck is that ??

CURRENT BUILDS:
62 BurbMaster

Other Builds:
My '63 C-10,LWB,CC,BBW
'06 HD StrAight Axle Swap

Father/Son '67 C-20, LQ9,4L80,Bagged,8-Lugger !!Good Friend Richard's Build

AMERICAN CUSTOMS & CLASSICS (831) 630-1965
www.ACCHOLLISTER.com
ACC on FACEBOOK
"Rest in Peace, Mom & Dad ... I will see you again someday!"
ChiefRocka is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-19-2012, 03:13 AM   #4
ChiefRocka
Hollister, CA.
 
ChiefRocka's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Hollister, Ca.
Posts: 6,150
Re: HOW TO: Crossmember sectioning ...

For lack of a welding table, I relocated to my red cart, which typically holds my Plasma. Leveled cart, then tacked the crossmember to cart…
-

-

-

-
Then … carefully begin cutting. If you notice, I did not weld a brace across the top plate because I am using cutoff wheels which do not generate much heat. Otherwise I would have. However, that piece of angle was tacked to top, before welding …

-

-
And, just like some oysters on the grill…we crack this thing open ….
-

-

-

-

-
__________________
John

What the Heck is that ??

CURRENT BUILDS:
62 BurbMaster

Other Builds:
My '63 C-10,LWB,CC,BBW
'06 HD StrAight Axle Swap

Father/Son '67 C-20, LQ9,4L80,Bagged,8-Lugger !!Good Friend Richard's Build

AMERICAN CUSTOMS & CLASSICS (831) 630-1965
www.ACCHOLLISTER.com
ACC on FACEBOOK
"Rest in Peace, Mom & Dad ... I will see you again someday!"
ChiefRocka is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-19-2012, 03:14 AM   #5
ChiefRocka
Hollister, CA.
 
ChiefRocka's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Hollister, Ca.
Posts: 6,150
Re: HOW TO: Crossmember sectioning ...

These tabs are part of the formed bottom plate of the crossmember. They are on all four corners, and are held in place by the four large spot welds mentioned earlier.
-

Next, you remove the amount of your ‘section’ …. In my case 2”….
-

-

-

-
After removing the two inches, the top of tab was been removed, along with the upper two spot welds. I cleaned this area, and fully welded it on both sides.
-

-

-

-

-

-
__________________
John

What the Heck is that ??

CURRENT BUILDS:
62 BurbMaster

Other Builds:
My '63 C-10,LWB,CC,BBW
'06 HD StrAight Axle Swap

Father/Son '67 C-20, LQ9,4L80,Bagged,8-Lugger !!Good Friend Richard's Build

AMERICAN CUSTOMS & CLASSICS (831) 630-1965
www.ACCHOLLISTER.com
ACC on FACEBOOK
"Rest in Peace, Mom & Dad ... I will see you again someday!"
ChiefRocka is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-19-2012, 03:14 AM   #6
ChiefRocka
Hollister, CA.
 
ChiefRocka's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Hollister, Ca.
Posts: 6,150
Re: HOW TO: Crossmember sectioning ...

Now is a good time to clean whatever grime is on the inside of the crossmember … especially the bottom …
-

-

-

-

-
Here you see where I welded the tabs:
-

-

-
Not needed, but what the heck:
-

-
You can see the importance of good, square measurments:
-

-
__________________
John

What the Heck is that ??

CURRENT BUILDS:
62 BurbMaster

Other Builds:
My '63 C-10,LWB,CC,BBW
'06 HD StrAight Axle Swap

Father/Son '67 C-20, LQ9,4L80,Bagged,8-Lugger !!Good Friend Richard's Build

AMERICAN CUSTOMS & CLASSICS (831) 630-1965
www.ACCHOLLISTER.com
ACC on FACEBOOK
"Rest in Peace, Mom & Dad ... I will see you again someday!"
ChiefRocka is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-19-2012, 07:20 AM   #7
'65Burb
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: nw SanAntonio, TX
Posts: 69
Re: HOW TO: Crossmember sectioning ...

Beautiful work. Please post your mailing address in order that I can get my cross member in the mail to you.
'65Burb is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-19-2012, 07:31 AM   #8
tincan1966
Registered User
 
tincan1966's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Independence,KS
Posts: 1,477
Re: HOW TO: Crossmember sectioning ...

very well documented! Thanks for sharing!
tincan1966 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-19-2012, 09:03 AM   #9
Pop's C-10
Registered User
 
Pop's C-10's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: memphis
Posts: 2,537
Re: HOW TO: Crossmember sectioning ...

nice write up
__________________
1981 C-10 (Pop's)
1978 Camaro
2006 Lacrosse
Pop's C-10 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-19-2012, 10:01 AM   #10
ChiefRocka
Hollister, CA.
 
ChiefRocka's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Hollister, Ca.
Posts: 6,150
Re: HOW TO: Crossmember sectioning ...

Quote:
Originally Posted by '65Burb View Post
Beautiful work. Please post your mailing address in order that I can get my cross member in the mail to you.
Sure, send it down !! (or up, rather )

Quote:
Originally Posted by tincan1966 View Post
very well documented! Thanks for sharing!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pop's C-10 View Post
nice write up
Thanks guys.
__________________
John

What the Heck is that ??

CURRENT BUILDS:
62 BurbMaster

Other Builds:
My '63 C-10,LWB,CC,BBW
'06 HD StrAight Axle Swap

Father/Son '67 C-20, LQ9,4L80,Bagged,8-Lugger !!Good Friend Richard's Build

AMERICAN CUSTOMS & CLASSICS (831) 630-1965
www.ACCHOLLISTER.com
ACC on FACEBOOK
"Rest in Peace, Mom & Dad ... I will see you again someday!"
ChiefRocka is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-19-2012, 11:40 AM   #11
Andyboy
Registered User
 
Andyboy's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Visalia, CA
Posts: 376
Re: HOW TO: Crossmember sectioning ...

Very helpful how-to. Nice work.
Andyboy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-19-2012, 11:34 AM   #12
63sbssbbw
UCA63
 
63sbssbbw's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Lloydminster AB Can.
Posts: 1,637
Re: HOW TO: Crossmember sectioning ...

Nice work Chief
T
__________________
member#7816
"63 sb ss bbw 350\350 12 bolt rear Pwr Fr Disc PS tilt
'61 GMC in progress
'63 GMC to use for parts
'90 Chevy Ext cab sbfs 5.7l (current d d)
63sbssbbw is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-19-2012, 12:33 PM   #13
ol_skool_chevy
Registered User
 
ol_skool_chevy's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon 97123
Posts: 1,300
Re: HOW TO: Crossmember sectioning ...

I"m keeping an eye on the post. I want to see what you do for your steering. Seem to me the crossmember is the easy part. Getting your steering geometry right in order to clear might be an issue.
Im guessing you will notch your frame or Rack ??
Very nice write up...I was lead to beleive 1 1/2" was all you could step..
__________________
Measure with a yard stick
Mark with Chalk
Cut with a torch



Built it yourself, don't count on others to to do it for you or with you. It will never get done
ol_skool_chevy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-19-2012, 07:08 PM   #14
61_FL_Apache
Who Me?
 
61_FL_Apache's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Royal Palm Beach, FL
Posts: 4,067
Re: HOW TO: Crossmember sectioning ...

Very nice write up!
__________________
Steve

1997 Tahoe LT 4D 2WD (DD)
2001 Blazer 4D 2WD
1961 Apache 10 (sold)
1965 C10 Stepper (sold)
61_FL_Apache is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-19-2012, 09:22 PM   #15
RollinKaos
Registered User
 
RollinKaos's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Littlerock, Ca
Posts: 72
Re: HOW TO: Crossmember sectioning ...

Very cool , I am going to be watching this close. Since I dont have the welding skills though I might have to send mine your way too.
__________________
Betty :
'63 Fleetside Longbed
350 w/ 4 speed
CPP 3/5 drop with front sway bar.
RollinKaos is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-19-2012, 10:05 PM   #16
CSoliz
Torn between 66 and 78
 
CSoliz's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: So. Cal.
Posts: 253
Re: HOW TO: Crossmember sectioning ...

Hey Chief,
This thread has been needed for a long time!! Thanks!!!
CSoliz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-20-2012, 12:06 AM   #17
ChiefRocka
Hollister, CA.
 
ChiefRocka's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Hollister, Ca.
Posts: 6,150
Re: HOW TO: Crossmember sectioning ...

Quote:
Originally Posted by 63sbssbbw View Post
Nice work Chief
T
Quote:
Originally Posted by Andyboy View Post
Very helpful how-to. Nice work.
Thanks, coming along ...

Quote:
Originally Posted by ol_skool_chevy View Post
I"m keeping an eye on the post. I want to see what you do for your steering. Seem to me the crossmember is the easy part. Getting your steering geometry right in order to clear might be an issue.
Im guessing you will notch your frame or Rack ??
Very nice write up...I was lead to beleive 1 1/2" was all you could step..
I will be retaing the stock steering, well the '78 steering. Yes the frame will have a custom notch to allow perfect steering geometry. (unless a rack shows up for free ... )

The crossmember was simple, but to some it might be more challenging ... thus this write up

I believe the 1 1/2" was to ease the steering issue. By notching a FULL 2", one could easily taylor by adding a 1/2" block in between frame and xmember.



Quote:
Originally Posted by 61_FL_Apache View Post
Very nice write up!
Quote:
Originally Posted by RollinKaos View Post
Very cool , I am going to be watching this close. Since I dont have the welding skills though I might have to send mine your way too.
Quote:
Originally Posted by CSoliz View Post
Hey Chief,
This thread has been needed for a long time!! Thanks!!!
Thanks....

Feel free to come by, I'll hook you up !!
__________________
John

What the Heck is that ??

CURRENT BUILDS:
62 BurbMaster

Other Builds:
My '63 C-10,LWB,CC,BBW
'06 HD StrAight Axle Swap

Father/Son '67 C-20, LQ9,4L80,Bagged,8-Lugger !!Good Friend Richard's Build

AMERICAN CUSTOMS & CLASSICS (831) 630-1965
www.ACCHOLLISTER.com
ACC on FACEBOOK
"Rest in Peace, Mom & Dad ... I will see you again someday!"
ChiefRocka is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-20-2012, 12:42 AM   #18
doobiebro
Registered User
 
doobiebro's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Chaparral NM
Posts: 693
Re: HOW TO: Crossmember sectioning ...

Nice work Chief...how many hrs did it take you to finish that bad boy?
__________________
CURRENT & PAST CHEVY TRUCKS
60 C-10 Apache short step side
62 C-10 short step side
66 GMC Long bed fleet side 305 V-6
77 C-20 Custom Deluxe (Blue Goose)
doobiebro is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-21-2012, 12:05 AM   #19
D-CHEESE
Registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: SAN JO
Posts: 11
Re: HOW TO: Crossmember sectioning ...

This thread is robo appprove chief!





































































Posted via Mobile Device
Posted via Mobile Device

Keep up the good work brotha ...lol

Last edited by D-CHEESE; 09-21-2012 at 12:06 AM. Reason: None your biz
D-CHEESE is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-21-2012, 12:09 AM   #20
ChiefRocka
Hollister, CA.
 
ChiefRocka's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Hollister, Ca.
Posts: 6,150
Re: HOW TO: Crossmember sectioning ...

Thanks.....

Who the heck is that dude ?
Posted via Mobile Device
__________________
John

What the Heck is that ??

CURRENT BUILDS:
62 BurbMaster

Other Builds:
My '63 C-10,LWB,CC,BBW
'06 HD StrAight Axle Swap

Father/Son '67 C-20, LQ9,4L80,Bagged,8-Lugger !!Good Friend Richard's Build

AMERICAN CUSTOMS & CLASSICS (831) 630-1965
www.ACCHOLLISTER.com
ACC on FACEBOOK
"Rest in Peace, Mom & Dad ... I will see you again someday!"
ChiefRocka is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-20-2012, 01:48 AM   #21
54Caddy
GM Addicted
 
54Caddy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Visalia, Ca
Posts: 2,294
Re: HOW TO: Crossmember sectioning ...

Staying on for this write up! Clean work man
__________________
..Mac’s Garage..
73 GMC, 54 Caddy, 2010 Silverado, 68 C10 RIP DAd

My 73 GMC Truck Build Pic
2010 Silverado 4/6 on 24s

IG:MacsGarage
54Caddy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-20-2012, 01:59 AM   #22
fryer1979
Redneck Hillbilly
 
fryer1979's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Backwoods
Posts: 1,307
Re: HOW TO: Crossmember sectioning ...

I was considering this same thing for my build, since I am in the "Too poor for Porterbuilt" parts club as well. Very nice to have this how-to guide, thanks a ton for the time you took, and are still taking, for the write-up.

fryer1979 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-20-2012, 10:14 AM   #23
ChiefRocka
Hollister, CA.
 
ChiefRocka's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Hollister, Ca.
Posts: 6,150
Re: HOW TO: Crossmember sectioning ...

__________________
John

What the Heck is that ??

CURRENT BUILDS:
62 BurbMaster

Other Builds:
My '63 C-10,LWB,CC,BBW
'06 HD StrAight Axle Swap

Father/Son '67 C-20, LQ9,4L80,Bagged,8-Lugger !!Good Friend Richard's Build

AMERICAN CUSTOMS & CLASSICS (831) 630-1965
www.ACCHOLLISTER.com
ACC on FACEBOOK
"Rest in Peace, Mom & Dad ... I will see you again someday!"
ChiefRocka is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-20-2012, 10:35 AM   #24
thekid54
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: LA, CA
Posts: 296
Re: HOW TO: Crossmember sectioning ...

John, excellent write up. I used the same motor mount perches on my '63 frame. I just cut them down to fit the frame rail.

thekid54 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-20-2012, 11:36 PM   #25
MOTOIMPAIRED
Registered User
 
MOTOIMPAIRED's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Orlando Florida
Posts: 315
Re: HOW TO: Crossmember sectioning ...

Nice work!!! But I think I would still be affraid to do it myself..
MOTOIMPAIRED is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:25 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright 1997-2022 67-72chevytrucks.com