1" crossmember

[Stitch]

will a 1" chopped crossmember done the Captkaos way have clearance issues with the steering...I'm wanting to drop my truck 6/8, but I don't want to run 3" springs up front...so I'm thinking I'm going to need to get the lower control arm mounts up out of the way, but I don't need 1.5" I only need 1"...so why push the limits...the truck won't be bagged and I want to chop the crossmember for the ground clearance...the extra 1" static drop is just added icing...thanks fellas for answering my little question...

Chuck.

[N2TRUX]

It seems to me that you are putting in a lot of effort to avoid bagging your truck? is there a reason for this?

I don't have any idea why, but if that's what you want, I would probably consider stepping the control arms before raising the crossmember.

[Stitch]

I don't really know...I think I just don't want the expense of bagging it...I also don't really want to do anything irreversible to the truck...and before anyone says anything about the chopped crossmember being irreversible, I'll be doing the chop to a spare crossmember...if I were to bag it, it would get a dropmember period...I just really want it to be low and not have to worry about alot of stuff like bags and all that...

would stepping the control arms, solve the problem with the mounts being too low and possibly hitting something...with the truck being dropped 6/8, I would imagine it's going to hit alot and I don't want it hanging up on anything ...

[jmedero]

IMO I would go with the 3 inch spindle, 3 spring. Seems like this would be easier and less coin and effort. I'd do a simple bag set up but you don't want to and that's understandable. But look at it as an option.

[N2TRUX]

Are you going to C-notch the rear?

[68laydout]

If you just want a static hieght than you can throw in some bag plates and bags up front with schradders on each bag for a few hundred bucks. You dont need an entire air managment system. You also get the added benefit of easily adjusting the ride height if desired.

[Stitch]

Ken, I will be doing a welded in 6" pipe cut in half like yours is done...I hope that's all I need...the airbags are a good idea, and I'll probably end up with them in the end...it would be nice to raise it up a little for clearance...dunno

[N2TRUX]

I'm just trying to understand what your objective is and your concerns over how you do it.

Lets start from the beginning. Exactly what vehicle are we talking about? I know you have been talking about buying another one so lets clear that up.

Next thing to discuss is you say "...I also don't really want to do anything irreversible " but you are willing to cut the frame for a C-notch.

I assume that you mean you don't want to cut the fenderlines, or bed floor.

Give us more details and we will try to head you in the best direction to fit your needs.

[jlaird]

To answer your original question, you shouldn't have any clearence issues with a 1" chop. Its just a lot of work for an inch.

[Stitch]

ok so here's the details...I'm wanting to do this to my 84 swb that has the diesel in it...it's the one in my signature...I'm taking the diesel out of it and putting it in my 87 crewcab swb...I'm replacing the diesel in the 84 swb with a TBI 350...I'm going to rebuild the front suspension, ie ball joints, control arm shafts, and the bushings...I fugured while I had the engine out and the suspension apart, I would put the chopped crossmember in to help with clearance...I have a spare crossmember and plan to have it chopped before I start the engine swap...also, this truck is now my DD, but shortly it will be in the garage as my project...thanks for the help guys...I didn't mean to come across wrong, it was not my intention to do so...I should have given all that info in the beginning of the thread...

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by jlaird

To answer your original question, you shouldn't have any clearence issues with a 1" chop. Its just a lot of work for an inch.

Thanks for the answer. I could help with most of it, but could not confirm this.


Chuck don't worry about asking questions. Thats what this forum is about.

[Stitch]

Originally Posted by jlaird

To answer your original question, you shouldn't have any clearence issues with a 1" chop. Its just a lot of work for an inch.

no clearance issues as in none, ie. steering issues or anything else...it should just bolt up and go...I keep hearing about bump steer...will chopping it an inch affect my bump steer and if so, how do I remedy it...thanks alot for the answers so far guys...

[smashingchuck]

yes and the fix is to raise the steering an equal amount.

[cajundragger]

Originally Posted by smashingchuck

yes and the fix is to raise the steering an equal amount.

yup, works awesome. went 1.25 on my brothers truck.

[Stitch]

Originally Posted by smashingchuck

yes and the fix is to raise the steering an equal amount.

and how exactly would I go about doing this...do you or anyone else have pictures to show me what needs to be done or how it needs to be done...thanks fellas...

Chuck.

[cajundragger]

cut the frame and move the mounting points straight up the same amount as the crossmember.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by cajundragger

cut the frame and move the mounting points straight up the same amount as the crossmember.

Slight problem with that....

Originally Posted by Fat Hoe

...I also don't really want to do anything irreversible to the truck.. ...

[SCOTI]

It's the same amount of "irreversible" work to cut the frame & raise the steering components slightly (re-aligning them exactly where needed) for the amount of drop offered vs. just cutting the entire front frame as a unit & Z-ing it (thus getting even more drop/clearance).

[kev2809]

so in conclusion, bag it

[smashingchuck]

Originally Posted by kev2809

so in conclusion, bag it

it's a no-brainer.

[kev2809]

ive thought about chopping the crossmember for the last 4 months, but i dont know if all that work (and $$) would be worth the 1.25" of clearance. i guess its not as much of a problem if you already half a stock one laying around, at least you can tinker with it knowing if you f it up you still got the stock one in