What kind of trouble am I in?

[Throwback]

Alright, I bought my 84 C20 already bagged. I'm going thru and fixing stuff I don't like such as the 2500 Airlift bags in the front of the truck. Last night I got the truck up on jackstands to find out that the PO had welded the bag plate in place. I don't mind grinding the plate off to get it off but what worries me is when I put my RE8s in, I would have to re-weld that plate in and I don't like the fact of having to weld that close to the bag. Since it was already converted to a 5 lug out of an 82 c-10 and Z'd, How much trouble would I be in if I bought a drop member from any of the companys out there and still be able to run my 24s like planned? Any advice will be appreicated. Thanks

[Throwback]

And just wanted to add, the lip where you would normally bolt the bag plate to was cut off so it could be welded in.

[N2TRUX]

Bag plates are cheap enough that I would just replace them if your going back that route.

As far as lowered crossmembers and running 24's go your going to have to decide if it's worth your trouble. Just how bad do you want 24's up front? Are you willing to do the mods to your firewall, hood hinges, etc that it takes to run that tall of a tire/wheel combo?

As they say on the street, "Go big or go home".

[Throwback]

As it sits right now, it can run 24s no problem. Driver side is the only side i need to clearance for the wiring but it lays rocker on 24s right now.

The bag plates i see you bolt in but the PO cut off the lip you would bolt to and welded in the plate. That is why I am wondering what my solutions are if anyone has had a problem like this before. Everyone tells me to just grind it off and re-weld it in but i keep realizing that if I blow a bag or line, I would have to grind that weld back off to fix it. that is why I want a solution where I wouldn't have to do major fab to fix a problem.

[N2TRUX]

For 35.00 or less you can buy new upper plates. I would buy new ones and be done with it.

[johnboyon20s]

i think what he is tryin to say is they cut the lip off the crossmember so u cant bolt a upper plate to the cross member.

u can always find a stock crossmember from a junk yard, or like u say u can get a aftermarket crossmember

[PBFAB.COM]

Originally Posted by Throwback

As it sits right now, it can run 24s no problem. Driver side is the only side i need to clearance for the wiring but it lays rocker on 24s right now.

The bag plates i see you bolt in but the PO cut off the lip you would bolt to and welded in the plate. That is why I am wondering what my solutions are if anyone has had a problem like this before. Everyone tells me to just grind it off and re-weld it in but i keep realizing that if I blow a bag or line, I would have to grind that weld back off to fix it. that is why I want a solution where I wouldn't have to do major fab to fix a problem.

Have you thought about making a new flange for the crossmember? Get a couple pairs of bag plates, weld one set to the crossmember, then bolt up the other set to it.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by johnboyon20s

i think what he is tryin to say is they cut the lip off the crossmember so u cant bolt a upper plate to the cross member.
.....

Ooooh, now I see it. Yeah, what Porterbuilt said is good.

[smashingchuck]

Originally Posted by porterbuilt

Have you thought about making a new flange for the crossmember? Get a couple pairs of bag plates, weld one set to the crossmember, then bolt up the other set to it.

What Nate said.

[bagged01extcab]

You could also run an upper cup!

[Throwback]

That is an answer I was looking for! I just couldn't think of a way to do it without it turning into a big challenge. I guess I could do what Nate said.