Getting to the pinch weld?

[bigtexasrob]

My custom control arms have finally arrived! I am very excited! S#!+, now I have to figure out the details!

Truck is going on air. 1.5” pancaked crossmember, 3” drop spindles are next, 325/35R22’s going on all six wheels measure 31” tall. I know, the great and powerful google is my friend, but I’m having some hard time finding some of these answers. I accept both links to articles and explanations.

1) How are people adapting bag brackets to the stock crossmember? I saw something about trimming the edge of the crossmember around the spring pocket to clear the control arms, do I need to do this to put the rails on the ground?

2) How far do I need to body drop a ‘74 C30 to put the pinch welds on the ground? I’d measure it but it’s over gravel/excuses/already dropped too far for me to accurately measure. Do I cut the firewall above or below the column, and what problems does this present?

3) damnit what brakes do I have