Body Drop or Z'd Frame

[BigShoe24]

I was looking for body drop or Z'd information. I would appreciate any pictures or knowledge on how I should go about doing this. Do you just cut the part of the frame thats under the cab, and then again by the radiator mounts on the frame horns. If I do this, how hard is it to raise the bed floor, correct steering alignment, etc. Thanks a ton guys.

[pharcydekm]

I'm speaking on 67-72 trucks mainly because this is the only one I have done. Anyway you can Z the frame 1.5-2" without alot of modfications. Basically cut the frame at the firewall move this up how evre much you decided. Weld it back to the existing frame. Make some plates to renforce. Then cut the front horns off and drop them the same amount as you did the other cut. Brace and weld them in. For the most part you are done.
My Z is 2" but I also installed new frame rails when I did mine so it was a bit different. But that is the just of it.

[7deuce]

I was wonderind what people are doing about the motor placement. If I Z the frame the HEI will be burried into the fire wall. Do people move the engine forward or whats the trick?

[pharcydekm]

I'm running into that right now. I think I'm just going to tub the firewall a bit. Still trying to figure out how I want it to be. If you were to Z it only 1.5" I don't think you would have a problem with it.

[shorty72]

If your worried about space just do a crossmember drop and a smaller Z.

[pharcydekm]

what is a crossmember drop?

[BigShoe24]

You take the front crossmember (the part that holds the top of you bags or coils and ties in with the frame) You take it off and section it so that it is shorter and allows the frame to sit lower. Some I have seen actually just notch the xmember where the frame sits, allowing the frame to drop into the Xmember an inch or two. Sounds like a smart idea, but what kinda of problems are you going to run into with steering, etc? Also, what do you do in the rear? Put a huge step notch to get as low as the front

[chevy_fatman]

There's a great crossmember drop thread in this forum, I've had a lots of questions before, most of them have already asked already and answered, I just do a search on the board and find tons on great info, don't be shy do a search, you'll be surprised what you find buried around here

[bagged81]

Like fatman said, there is a huge crossmemeber thread around here some where. I believe that you can get away with 1.5" before steering needs to be addressed. There is also a huge Z'd frame thread somewhere also.

[shorty72]

Heres the crossmember drop link
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ad.php?t=60649

[shorty72]

Another
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=151053
Both of them have good info

[BigShoe24]

Thanks for all the help guys, I need to get all the information I can before I start cutting. I think The Z'd frame seems like the better way to go, but thats just from what I've seen so far. Keep the info and pics comming please. Also I am wanting to run a rack N pinion, so any help with that would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again, this site is great!

[a squarecan]

Well sinse you mentioned the rack and pinion...

I was going to say I would not do a crossmember notch (not drop) unless you plan on running rack and pinion and solid motor mounts. Fastbagged has that exact set up on his burb and it looks great. I notched my crossmember and then decided I didnt want to run solid mounts and lot ambition to build motor mounts to except the original pads so I am not going to be Z'ing the frame very soon. I have decided to Z the frame roughly 1/4 inch more then it takes to clear the lower arms once the frame hits. Should be about 2.5 inches I am guessing ( I havent measured yet) I wish I remember where the thread was because there was a guy on this board that found a very smart and simple way of Z'ing the frame, by tack welding 2x2's in place so that everything would fit back together correctly.

Keith

[mike nutt]

i z'd the front of my '69 3" , it can be done but it gets pretty involved. if i can help pm me