LFD's XXL DropMember I6 Install - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Rokcrln · 04-05-2009, 12:44 AM

Well time to have a bit of PorterBuilt fun. XXL has asked me to install his DM for him as he has been doing some crazy work hours. I have been working allot as well but I don't sleep much so what the heck.
What is also interesting is I found a pic of XXL's truck over 8-10yrs ago on-line before this cab or paint but it was a great looking truck that had the right look. It is the truck that got me back into this body style and pointed me in the direction I am in today and now he is coming to me for work. Small world isn't it.

Well here are a few before shots of the truck layed out and a few front suspension shots for reference. This truck has a pancaked front cross member right now and it does the job of getting it in the weeds but not it will do that with much better manors and get the front wheels centered up were they should be.

I also included a few shots of the DropMember kit. Heck their is over $100 in just hardware alone being everything is grade 8. Does it need grade 8 probably not but Nate Porter is not one to cut corners just to save a few bucks and it shows. I was lucky enough to be able to head to AZ to his shop and work for him for the day and he has a first rate set up going on with allot more coming for all of us.

Now Nate has not installed a DM with a Striate 6 yet so he sent me an extra set of motor mounts in kit form so I can see what it will take to make it work. Once I get it set up I will send Nate a set of the mounts so he can include them for other 6 banger guys. After a quick look under the truck I think the motor will stay right were it is and should clear fine. As long as the rack does not get in the way I think it will go smooth since this is a running and driving truck so I really don't want to have to move the engine up or around if not needed.

Stay tuned for more fun!

Kevin
LFD Inc.

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Yep he like his truck low, Very low!

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**lolife99** · 04-05-2009, 12:57 AM

subscribing to this one,...

68 short step · 04-05-2009, 12:59 AM

looks like a good start......i like the fact he's keeping the inline 6 too....

FRENCHBLUE72 · 04-05-2009, 09:56 AM

Glad to see kens truck getting some work done he's the one who talked me into pancakeing my crossmember long ago...

72BlckButy · 04-05-2009, 10:13 AM

Can't wait to see how this turns out...

Rokcrln · 04-05-2009, 11:15 PM

Well my first look was only off by 3" Yep the motor has to come up about 3" for the rack to clear the oil pan. The DropMember fit fine and cleared the pan well the not the rack. I made a brace to hold the motor in place while I pulled everything else out that had to come out for the install. Then the fun began! I love cutting into painted vehicles, Not! But it had to happen so I started small and kept cutting until the rack would fit. Then I raised the rear of the trany some to keep it all in line. I could have cut a bit less if I moved the motor over to the passenger side but it looked to good right in the center and I know XXL would want it to stay centered as well. So once it was raised enough I tacked the engine mounts together and I will pull them back out for Tig welding before I send them off to Nate to copy.

We placed the hood back on for a quick clearance check and all is good but I do need to rework the throttle and trany linkage once things are set for the final time. Right now I have pulled the gas pedal and linkage so I could slice the fire wall right in the corner by were the pedal is for bell housing clearance and this will get a new corner made later. The floor is sitting right on the trany so I will need to space it up another 1/2" before welding in new side fillers and re-fitting the large hump section back over it to hide the brake lines and wiring. I will also make a simple cover to fill in the gapping hole in the rear of the floor were the drive shaft comes through.

Now the good news is by doing this now the motor is raised up so the oil pan will no longer get rubbed going down the HWY and the trany mount and exhaust will also now be tucked up inside the frame and not rub.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

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kyull67 · 04-05-2009, 11:26 PM

looks like a good days work!

tdave00 · 04-06-2009, 03:28 AM

Subscribed. Haven't seen this truck before. Are there more pics of the modified hood hinges in another thread?

OARNGESI · 04-06-2009, 04:17 AM

That things gonna be nice

Rokcrln · 04-06-2009, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tdave00

Subscribed. Haven't seen this truck before. Are there more pics of the modified hood hinges in another thread?

The owner is XXL so do a search and you should find some info on it all. He is hanging out in the suspension forum allot.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

ERASER5 · 04-06-2009, 12:36 PM

Tagging in.

XXL · 04-06-2009, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tdave00

Are there more pics of the modified hood hinges in another thread?

Hinge info starts here

Dinos63 · 04-06-2009, 02:21 PM

Nice work kevin and i love xxl truck

**Hart_Rod** · 04-07-2009, 01:02 PM

Cool stuff.......

my67chevytruck · 04-07-2009, 03:03 PM

looking good.

c10addict · 04-07-2009, 05:35 PM

Gotta love a dropmember.... I know I love mine...

joe231 · 04-07-2009, 05:51 PM

Very cool!
Can't wait to see more

Rokcrln · 04-07-2009, 09:40 PM

I had about an hour before my wife and son got home so I got a few things done. The new trany mount and cross member are in but not yet drilled through the frame in case some adjustment is needed. I cut out the rack notches per PorterBuilts directions and of course they worked out great. I then was able to place the rack and after tweaking one trans line it fit perfect with about 1/4" of clearance between the rack and the oil pan. This will be plenty because if the motor rolls at all it will be up not down. I think the steering will be a bit tricky due to the angles and the fire wall still has some shaving needed for about a 1/2" clearance around the trans and the bell housing. Once the trimming is done then I will mod the shifter linkage as well as the throttle linkage.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

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This pic is from the back of the motor showing the rack clearance to the oil pan.

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It is hard to tell but I have a striate edge from frame rail to frame rail and the trans pan and exhaust now has about 1 1/2" of clearance and before the exhaust was 1/4" below the frame as you can see from the flat spot.

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This shows the bottom of the frame compared to the oil pan and cross member.

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sleepertruck72 · 04-07-2009, 09:56 PM

Rokcrln,
Excellent looking work as usual ! That truck was nice to begin with, it is cool to see the transformation. Subscribing to see the progress

XXL · 04-08-2009, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FRENCHBLUE72

Glad to see kens truck getting some work done.

No kidding. Sitting in a dirt floored garage for the last 9 months is a sad state. Combined damage caused by movers and obdurate workloads have left me a little disgusted with the Wallet Eater's current state. Fortunately (and after considerable searching in the "hot rod mecca" that CA is supposed to be), I found someone who I trust to do quality work on the thing. This trip to LFD is basically to get the DM in place, but I've got a list a mile long for both the truck and my daily driver. Kevin just needs more hours in the day!

70rs/ss · 04-08-2009, 02:22 PM

Looks awsome, if I had the coin, I'd feel way more than comfortable letting Kevin work on any of my rides!

VA72C10 · 04-08-2009, 02:47 PM

Looking good...just another improvement to an already awesome truck....

lyrikz · 04-08-2009, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VA72C10

Looking good...just another improvement to an already awesome truck....

In ftw.

Rokcrln · 04-08-2009, 11:05 PM

Well now the trans mount is drilled and bolted and the trans tunnel is cut and has 1/2"+ of clearance all around it as well as bell housing clearance in the engine bay. The stock low hump had to come up 1 1/4" in the rear and 1 3/4" in the front and it is slid back about 3-4". The high hump cover will fit back over it after a quick stretch and changing the mounting flange so it is more vertical and would bolt to the added sides of the low hump.

XXL- Let me know what you think and if you want to go this direction or if you have changes you want to go with.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

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I have never been a fan of Chops but for some reason this one looks right. Maybe it is the rain gutters being left on or something.

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tdave00 · 04-09-2009, 08:57 PM

How much is the cab chopped? Nice truck but the chop is a little too much for my tastes.

04-05-2009, 12:44 AM	#1
Rokcrln Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Winters Ca. 95694 Posts: 4,843	LFD's XXL DropMember I6 Install Well time to have a bit of PorterBuilt fun. XXL has asked me to install his DM for him as he has been doing some crazy work hours. I have been working allot as well but I don't sleep much so what the heck. What is also interesting is I found a pic of XXL's truck over 8-10yrs ago on-line before this cab or paint but it was a great looking truck that had the right look. It is the truck that got me back into this body style and pointed me in the direction I am in today and now he is coming to me for work. Small world isn't it. Well here are a few before shots of the truck layed out and a few front suspension shots for reference. This truck has a pancaked front cross member right now and it does the job of getting it in the weeds but not it will do that with much better manors and get the front wheels centered up were they should be. I also included a few shots of the DropMember kit. Heck their is over $100 in just hardware alone being everything is grade 8. Does it need grade 8 probably not but Nate Porter is not one to cut corners just to save a few bucks and it shows. I was lucky enough to be able to head to AZ to his shop and work for him for the day and he has a first rate set up going on with allot more coming for all of us. Now Nate has not installed a DM with a Striate 6 yet so he sent me an extra set of motor mounts in kit form so I can see what it will take to make it work. Once I get it set up I will send Nate a set of the mounts so he can include them for other 6 banger guys. After a quick look under the truck I think the motor will stay right were it is and should clear fine. As long as the rack does not get in the way I think it will go smooth since this is a running and driving truck so I really don't want to have to move the engine up or around if not needed. Stay tuned for more fun! Kevin LFD Inc. [IMG][/IMG] [IMG][/IMG] [IMG][/IMG] [IMG][/IMG] [IMG][/IMG] [IMG][/IMG] [IMG][/IMG] Yep he like his truck low, Very low! [IMG][/IMG]

04-05-2009, 12:57 AM	#2
lolife99 67-72 parts collector,… Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Mid-MO Posts: 22,700	Re: LFD's XXL DropMember I6 Install subscribing to this one,... __________________ Keith Convert to disc brakes. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444823

04-05-2009, 12:59 AM	#3
68 short step Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: tulsa OK Posts: 3,070	Re: LFD's XXL DropMember I6 Install looks like a good start......i like the fact he's keeping the inline 6 too....

04-05-2009, 09:56 AM	#4
FRENCHBLUE72 PROJECT 7DEUCE Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: GRANTS PASS OR Posts: 21,606	Re: LFD's XXL DropMember I6 Install Glad to see kens truck getting some work done he's the one who talked me into pancakeing my crossmember long ago... __________________ GO BIG GREEN GO DUCKS MEMBER #6377 72 k-5 daily driver 6'' lift 35'' 350-350-205 slowly getting rust free. Project "7DEUCE" check out my build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=267665 Tim Powell..R.I.P EastSideLowlife..... R.I.P..

04-05-2009, 10:13 AM	#5
72BlckButy Tot Roddin' Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Mid-MO Posts: 24,461	Re: LFD's XXL DropMember I6 Install Can't wait to see how this turns out... __________________ -Nate 1969 CST SWB - Project Blank Slate (4.5/6" ECE Static Drop, 6-lug disc brake upgrade (manual), Billet Specialties Vintec 20x8.5 255/40 (F) 20x10 295/40 (R), 250 I-6) 1960 AMF Skylark - Tot Roddin' (Lowered with custom frame; soon to include custom push bar and interior) 2008 Silverado CrewCab 1LT (5.3L, 3:73, 4x4, LT1, Z-71, Towing Package)

04-05-2009, 11:15 PM	#6
Rokcrln Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Winters Ca. 95694 Posts: 4,843	Re: LFD's XXL DropMember I6 Install Well my first look was only off by 3" Yep the motor has to come up about 3" for the rack to clear the oil pan. The DropMember fit fine and cleared the pan well the not the rack. I made a brace to hold the motor in place while I pulled everything else out that had to come out for the install. Then the fun began! I love cutting into painted vehicles, Not! But it had to happen so I started small and kept cutting until the rack would fit. Then I raised the rear of the trany some to keep it all in line. I could have cut a bit less if I moved the motor over to the passenger side but it looked to good right in the center and I know XXL would want it to stay centered as well. So once it was raised enough I tacked the engine mounts together and I will pull them back out for Tig welding before I send them off to Nate to copy. We placed the hood back on for a quick clearance check and all is good but I do need to rework the throttle and trany linkage once things are set for the final time. Right now I have pulled the gas pedal and linkage so I could slice the fire wall right in the corner by were the pedal is for bell housing clearance and this will get a new corner made later. The floor is sitting right on the trany so I will need to space it up another 1/2" before welding in new side fillers and re-fitting the large hump section back over it to hide the brake lines and wiring. I will also make a simple cover to fill in the gapping hole in the rear of the floor were the drive shaft comes through. Now the good news is by doing this now the motor is raised up so the oil pan will no longer get rubbed going down the HWY and the trany mount and exhaust will also now be tucked up inside the frame and not rub. Kevin LFD Inc. [IMG][/IMG] [IMG][/IMG] [IMG][/IMG] [IMG][/IMG] [IMG][/IMG] [IMG][/IMG] [IMG][/IMG] [IMG][/IMG] [IMG][/IMG] [IMG][/IMG]

04-05-2009, 11:26 PM	#7
kyull67 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Springfield/Kansas City Posts: 1,842	Re: LFD's XXL DropMember I6 Install looks like a good days work! __________________ The first '67 The current '67 '63 Biscayne

04-06-2009, 03:28 AM	#8
tdave00 Restoring a 68 SWB Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 1,068	Re: LFD's XXL DropMember I6 Install Subscribed. Haven't seen this truck before. Are there more pics of the modified hood hinges in another thread? __________________ My Build Thread: Lucy - My 1968 SWB - Shop Truck Style North Nashville Concrete Contractor

04-06-2009, 04:17 AM	#9
OARNGESI Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: CASA GRANDE AZ Posts: 4,276	Re: LFD's XXL DropMember I6 Install That things gonna be nice __________________ 70 SWB STEPSIDE 70 BLAZER 09 challenger

04-06-2009, 12:36 PM	#11
ERASER5 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 4,859	Re: LFD's XXL DropMember I6 Install Tagging in. __________________ '70 GMC C1500 LWB Power disc brakes. WooHoo! Posi 6 Lug Dana 60

04-06-2009, 02:21 PM	#13
Dinos63 chevy only Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 6,619	Re: LFD's XXL DropMember I6 Install Nice work kevin and i love xxl truck __________________ CHEVY ONLY... Nothin Else !

04-07-2009, 01:02 PM	#14
Hart_Rod ************* Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Pensacola, FL Posts: 17,858	Re: LFD's XXL DropMember I6 Install Cool stuff....... __________________ Rob - https://www.instagram.com/hart_rod_c10 As Iron Sharpens Iron, So One Man Sharpens Another. Proverbs 27:17 FOR SALE: DBW pedal bracket - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=651123 FOR SALE: Hood Brackets http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=679945 1987 Silverado SWB - 34.5K original miles http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=801834 1969 SuperBurb - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=200387 1968 Farm truck - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=358692 1968 SWB - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=551258 1948 Chevy - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=122164&page=3

04-07-2009, 03:03 PM	#15
my67chevytruck Under Construction Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Midlothian,TX (DFW) Posts: 4,555	Re: LFD's XXL DropMember I6 Install looking good. __________________ Heath subscribe to the board here: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/payments.php http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=157669 FAQ how to's 1956 Chevy Apache 1967 C10 SWB FleetSide (under construction) 1969 K10 SWB FleetSide (Future Build) 1972 C10 SWB Stepside (Future Build) 56 chevy truck : http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2955823/1 67 truck build: http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=281357/1 69 k10: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=389470

04-07-2009, 05:35 PM	#16
c10addict Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: pittsburgh pa Posts: 1,970	Re: LFD's XXL DropMember I6 Install Gotta love a dropmember.... I know I love mine... __________________ 68 C10 Shorty TPI,Bagged, and all the good stuff. Classic trucks feature June 06, On the cover of Jegs Christmas Catalog 08 67 C10 Shorty Shop truck project Bagged and Z'd under destruction and getting nowhere fast. 64 C10 Shop Truck/Daily driver, Bagged, Dropmember, SOLD!!!! Gone but not forgotten.. 54 GMC under the knife getting a S10 chassis swap and bagged. See my build thread... 07 GMC Sierra 5/7 drop, 22's and 24's Air ride on my mind.. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=339340 See pics of my trucks in my profile

04-07-2009, 05:51 PM	#17
joe231 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Palmer, Alaska Posts: 13,821	Re: LFD's XXL DropMember I6 Install Very cool! Can't wait to see more __________________ *CHEVY ONLY*



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04-07-2009, 09:40 PM	#18
Rokcrln Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Winters Ca. 95694 Posts: 4,843	Re: LFD's XXL DropMember I6 Install I had about an hour before my wife and son got home so I got a few things done. The new trany mount and cross member are in but not yet drilled through the frame in case some adjustment is needed. I cut out the rack notches per PorterBuilts directions and of course they worked out great. I then was able to place the rack and after tweaking one trans line it fit perfect with about 1/4" of clearance between the rack and the oil pan. This will be plenty because if the motor rolls at all it will be up not down. I think the steering will be a bit tricky due to the angles and the fire wall still has some shaving needed for about a 1/2" clearance around the trans and the bell housing. Once the trimming is done then I will mod the shifter linkage as well as the throttle linkage. Kevin LFD Inc. [IMG][/IMG] [IMG][/IMG] [IMG][/IMG] This pic is from the back of the motor showing the rack clearance to the oil pan. [IMG][/IMG] [IMG][/IMG] It is hard to tell but I have a striate edge from frame rail to frame rail and the trans pan and exhaust now has about 1 1/2" of clearance and before the exhaust was 1/4" below the frame as you can see from the flat spot. [IMG][/IMG] This shows the bottom of the frame compared to the oil pan and cross member. [IMG][/IMG]

04-07-2009, 09:56 PM	#19
sleepertruck72 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Turlock California 95380 Posts: 2,075	Re: LFD's XXL DropMember I6 Install Rokcrln, Excellent looking work as usual ! That truck was nice to begin with, it is cool to see the transformation. Subscribing to see the progress __________________ 72 C20 Longbed 05 1500 Z71

04-08-2009, 02:22 PM	#21
70rs/ss Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Northern AZ Posts: 7,270	Re: LFD's XXL DropMember I6 Install Looks awsome, if I had the coin, I'd feel way more than comfortable letting Kevin work on any of my rides!

04-08-2009, 02:47 PM	#22
VA72C10 VA72C10 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Midlothian, VA Posts: 25,267	Re: LFD's XXL DropMember I6 Install Looking good...just another improvement to an already awesome truck.... __________________ Looking for a 67-72 swb or blazer project in or around VA.

04-08-2009, 11:05 PM	#24
Rokcrln Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Winters Ca. 95694 Posts: 4,843	Re: LFD's XXL DropMember I6 Install Well now the trans mount is drilled and bolted and the trans tunnel is cut and has 1/2"+ of clearance all around it as well as bell housing clearance in the engine bay. The stock low hump had to come up 1 1/4" in the rear and 1 3/4" in the front and it is slid back about 3-4". The high hump cover will fit back over it after a quick stretch and changing the mounting flange so it is more vertical and would bolt to the added sides of the low hump. XXL- Let me know what you think and if you want to go this direction or if you have changes you want to go with. Kevin LFD Inc. [IMG][/IMG] [IMG][/IMG] [IMG][/IMG] [IMG][/IMG] [IMG][/IMG] [IMG][/IMG] [IMG][/IMG] I have never been a fan of Chops but for some reason this one looks right. Maybe it is the rain gutters being left on or something. [IMG][/IMG] [IMG][/IMG]

04-09-2009, 08:57 PM	#25
tdave00 Restoring a 68 SWB Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 1,068	Re: LFD's XXL DropMember I6 Install How much is the cab chopped? Nice truck but the chop is a little too much for my tastes. __________________ My Build Thread: Lucy - My 1968 SWB - Shop Truck Style North Nashville Concrete Contractor

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