Xmember Fab Question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

dontKnowS · 06-25-2009, 05:09 PM

Hey Everyone,

Man, there is ton of great info on this site

I have question about my front-end. I already switched out my power-steering and disk brakes with a 72 and it is working ok. But I am bagging my ride to lay frame and I wanted to know if any of you guys fabricated your xmember and lifted it so it would go lower?

I have a 65 long bed.

Thanks.

Frizzle Fry · 06-25-2009, 05:11 PM

Here you go

**Captainfab** · 06-25-2009, 11:46 PM

Check out the suspension forum on here. Porterbuilt makes a real nice dropmember.

daverod · 06-26-2009, 12:00 AM

But that would take all the fun out of cutting up a good crossmember.

I have an extra one just sitting out there waiting.

Frizzle Fry · 06-26-2009, 12:38 AM

Me too ...and a dropmember

daverod · 06-26-2009, 09:02 AM

I'd go work on it today but I don't have a way to cut it. It seems like a grinder would'nt work very good. I might take it down to the local blacksmith and see what he'd charge. What a new drop member cost?

joe231 · 06-26-2009, 10:04 AM

a grinder and a thin cut off wheel should work well.....
never-mind I see the issue now....a torch or a plasma would be the best way to cut it

Frizzle Fry · 06-26-2009, 11:04 AM

Plasma would be ideal, but it could be done with a 4.5" cut-off wheel and sawzall.

joe231 · 06-26-2009, 11:09 AM

the sawzall is your friend

I also have a pneumatic 90* die grinder with a cut off wheel attachment, the wheels are 2 or 3 inches in diameter and will get in tighter spots than the 4.5" grinder. there is always more than one way to do it

As Frizzle says..."It is only metal"

bend it to your will, young Jedi

if only we had light sabers, it would "cut" down on fab time

daverod · 06-26-2009, 01:03 PM

Any idea what Portbuilt charges for a drop?

joe231 · 06-26-2009, 01:14 PM

think the front drop-member is $1000-$1200

daverod · 06-26-2009, 01:15 PM

Do you need that to lay frame?

Genuine GM · 06-26-2009, 01:19 PM

Um.. I like the opposite sex better than frame, but it is just me.

Sorry, couldn't resist.

I don't THINK, you could modify the factory frame enough to lay the frame on the ground, but I could be wrong.

I was wrong before, but it was in a land far, far away.

daverod · 06-26-2009, 01:25 PM

I must be getting old because i seem to care more about laying frame then getting layed. I still need to know if I need a drop to lay frame.ya ya lay frame ya.

ruffrida2005 · 06-26-2009, 02:27 PM

you could either get the PB crossmember, or the ***************** Crossmember. I personally have the SD crossmember and I like it better then the PB, because it use's less welded peices together. But they are build the same. Check out the SD one on their webiste. Both are priced $1200. I know the SD one also comes with shocks, mounts, engine mount, trans crossmember, heim joints for steering, rack notch. It's a really good kit.

daverod · 06-26-2009, 02:29 PM

Sweet. Now all I need is a extra $1200.

I'll check out the site.

daverod · 06-26-2009, 02:46 PM

Damn, I could really get in trouble there. Where's my wifes credit card anyways.

Thanks for the info.

Frizzle Fry · 06-26-2009, 05:32 PM

You can lay frame with a chopped xmember too. And/or Z'ed frame. All depends on how tall your tires will be. You just don't get r/p steering. Also, the PB dropmember comes with all the parts mentioned. Except I don't think either comes with shocks.

protrash64 · 06-26-2009, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daverod

Sweet. Now all I need is a extra $1200.

I'll check out the site.

FRENCHBLUE72 had his work sectioning a crossmember on his build thread. I think you can get pretty damn close to laying frame on a stocker if you raise it 1.5''. Dino had a modded stock x-member on the orange GMC 'burb and it was very low. I think you still end up sitting the cross shafts on the ground first....not sure.

joe231 · 06-26-2009, 05:49 PM

bent doesn't necessarily mean it is stronger than welded either......
Porter was the originator, and the latest version of the dropmember has a very slick way to mount the lower arms.....

protrash64 · 06-26-2009, 05:55 PM

Couldnt edit.......its FRENCHBLUE72...missed the 'H' up above.

joe231 · 06-26-2009, 06:03 PM

found this thread for ya......his newest version is bent and welded...

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=323437

daverod · 06-26-2009, 06:11 PM

Nice pics on the french build. I have a 66 crossmember and a 71 crossmember. The 71 stuff will fit one the 66 right. I'm thinking chop,chop.

protrash64 · 06-26-2009, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daverod

Nice pics on the french build. I have a 66 crossmember and a 71 crossmember. The 71 stuff will fit one the 66 right. I'm thinking chop,chop.

Yessir.......pics please!!!

Frizzle Fry · 06-26-2009, 06:27 PM

Yes, please inspire me to chop my spare

06-25-2009, 05:09 PM	#1
dontKnowS Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: ca Posts: 1	Xmember Fab Question Hey Everyone, Man, there is ton of great info on this site I have question about my front-end. I already switched out my power-steering and disk brakes with a 72 and it is working ok. But I am bagging my ride to lay frame and I wanted to know if any of you guys fabricated your xmember and lifted it so it would go lower? I have a 65 long bed. Thanks.

06-25-2009, 05:11 PM	#2
Frizzle Fry Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Hillsboro Oregon Posts: 6,449	Re: Xmember Fab Question Here you go Last edited by Frizzle Fry; 06-26-2009 at 11:02 AM.

06-25-2009, 11:46 PM	#3
Captainfab 60-66 Nut Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Coeur d'Alene, Idaho Posts: 23,254	Re: Xmember Fab Question Check out the suspension forum on here. Porterbuilt makes a real nice dropmember. __________________ Power Steering Box Adapter Plates For Sale HERE Power Brake Booster Adapter Brackets For Sale '63-'66 HERE and '67-'72 HERE and '60-'62 HERE and "60-'62 with clutch HERE Rear Disc Brake Brackets For Sale. Impala SS calipers HERE Camaro Calipers HERE D52 Calipers HERE 6 Lug HERE Hydroboost Mounting Plates HERE

06-26-2009, 12:00 AM	#4
daverod SSN 706 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Pocatello Idaho Posts: 3,821	Re: Xmember Fab Question But that would take all the fun out of cutting up a good crossmember. I have an extra one just sitting out there waiting.

06-26-2009, 12:38 AM	#5
Frizzle Fry Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Hillsboro Oregon Posts: 6,449	Re: Xmember Fab Question Me too ...and a dropmember

06-26-2009, 09:02 AM	#6
daverod SSN 706 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Pocatello Idaho Posts: 3,821	Re: Xmember Fab Question I'd go work on it today but I don't have a way to cut it. It seems like a grinder would'nt work very good. I might take it down to the local blacksmith and see what he'd charge. What a new drop member cost?

06-26-2009, 10:04 AM	#7
joe231 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Palmer, Alaska Posts: 13,821	Re: Xmember Fab Question a grinder and a thin cut off wheel should work well..... never-mind I see the issue now....a torch or a plasma would be the best way to cut it __________________ *CHEVY ONLY* Last edited by joe231; 06-26-2009 at 10:07 AM.

06-26-2009, 11:04 AM	#8
Frizzle Fry Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Hillsboro Oregon Posts: 6,449	Re: Xmember Fab Question Plasma would be ideal, but it could be done with a 4.5" cut-off wheel and sawzall.

06-26-2009, 11:09 AM	#9
joe231 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Palmer, Alaska Posts: 13,821	Re: Xmember Fab Question the sawzall is your friend I also have a pneumatic 90* die grinder with a cut off wheel attachment, the wheels are 2 or 3 inches in diameter and will get in tighter spots than the 4.5" grinder. there is always more than one way to do it As Frizzle says..."It is only metal" bend it to your will, young Jedi if only we had light sabers, it would "cut" down on fab time __________________ *CHEVY ONLY*

06-26-2009, 01:03 PM	#10
daverod SSN 706 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Pocatello Idaho Posts: 3,821	Re: Xmember Fab Question Any idea what Portbuilt charges for a drop?

06-26-2009, 01:14 PM	#11
joe231 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Palmer, Alaska Posts: 13,821	Re: Xmember Fab Question think the front drop-member is $1000-$1200 __________________ *CHEVY ONLY*

06-26-2009, 01:15 PM	#12
daverod SSN 706 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Pocatello Idaho Posts: 3,821	Re: Xmember Fab Question Do you need that to lay frame?

06-26-2009, 01:19 PM	#13
Genuine GM Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Unincorporated County, TX Posts: 172	Re: Xmember Fab Question Um.. I like the opposite sex better than frame, but it is just me. Sorry, couldn't resist. I don't THINK, you could modify the factory frame enough to lay the frame on the ground, but I could be wrong. I was wrong before, but it was in a land far, far away. __________________ Don't let my username fool you, I have become brand blind. Cool is cool, period. 1965 C-10 - "Whipping Post" 1958 Biscayne - "Ruby" 1961 IH Scout 80 - "Gaucho" (My wife's new project) 1938 Chevy - unstarted project.

06-26-2009, 01:25 PM	#14
daverod SSN 706 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Pocatello Idaho Posts: 3,821	Re: Xmember Fab Question I must be getting old because i seem to care more about laying frame then getting layed. I still need to know if I need a drop to lay frame.ya ya lay frame ya.

06-26-2009, 02:27 PM	#15
ruffrida2005 Member of the longbed union. Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Killeen, Tx Posts: 2,158	Re: Xmember Fab Question you could either get the PB crossmember, or the ***************** Crossmember. I personally have the SD crossmember and I like it better then the PB, because it use's less welded peices together. But they are build the same. Check out the SD one on their webiste. Both are priced $1200. I know the SD one also comes with shocks, mounts, engine mount, trans crossmember, heim joints for steering, rack notch. It's a really good kit. __________________ Paul 88 GMC Crew Cab dually, 454/T400 64 LWB 400 HP 350/350T Bagged, under construction! Sold most of it! 92 S10 Iron Duke 5 speed, 5/7 drop for now. soon to be bagged. Sold http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...59#post4637759



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06-26-2009, 02:29 PM	#16
daverod SSN 706 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Pocatello Idaho Posts: 3,821	Re: Xmember Fab Question Sweet. Now all I need is a extra $1200. I'll check out the site.

06-26-2009, 02:46 PM	#17
daverod SSN 706 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Pocatello Idaho Posts: 3,821	Re: Xmember Fab Question Damn, I could really get in trouble there. Where's my wifes credit card anyways. Thanks for the info.

06-26-2009, 05:32 PM	#18
Frizzle Fry Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Hillsboro Oregon Posts: 6,449	Re: Xmember Fab Question You can lay frame with a chopped xmember too. And/or Z'ed frame. All depends on how tall your tires will be. You just don't get r/p steering. Also, the PB dropmember comes with all the parts mentioned. Except I don't think either comes with shocks. Last edited by Frizzle Fry; 06-26-2009 at 05:34 PM.

06-26-2009, 05:49 PM	#20
joe231 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Palmer, Alaska Posts: 13,821	Re: Xmember Fab Question bent doesn't necessarily mean it is stronger than welded either...... Porter was the originator, and the latest version of the dropmember has a very slick way to mount the lower arms..... __________________ *CHEVY ONLY*

06-26-2009, 05:55 PM	#21
protrash64 Resistance is Futile Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Mesa,Arizona Posts: 3,520	Re: Xmember Fab Question Couldnt edit.......its FRENCHBLUE72...missed the 'H' up above. __________________ 64 CHEVY PICK-UP > http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...otrash+re-hash 64 CARRYALL >http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1964+suburban 66 LB >http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=427852 STRENGTH/DETERMINATION/MERCILESS/FOREVER .......posted via stationary device

06-26-2009, 06:03 PM	#22
joe231 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Palmer, Alaska Posts: 13,821	Re: Xmember Fab Question found this thread for ya......his newest version is bent and welded... http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=323437 __________________ *CHEVY ONLY*

06-26-2009, 06:11 PM	#23
daverod SSN 706 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Pocatello Idaho Posts: 3,821	Re: Xmember Fab Question Nice pics on the french build. I have a 66 crossmember and a 71 crossmember. The 71 stuff will fit one the 66 right. I'm thinking chop,chop.

06-26-2009, 06:27 PM	#25
Frizzle Fry Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Hillsboro Oregon Posts: 6,449	Re: Xmember Fab Question Yes, please inspire me to chop my spare

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