Front crossmember - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

PrerunnerRob · 01-21-2007, 10:18 PM

Hey guys, I'm trying to fully lay out my 63 chevy, and have run into front crossmember issues. I heard from another shop the other day that you could bolt in later model chevy truck crossmembers, arms, etc, and it would lay down the frame all the way. Anyone else heard of this? I would like the hear anyone's ideas on this, and I cant afford a Porterbuilt dropmember right now. Thanks in advance!

poorboy · 01-21-2007, 10:49 PM

A later model brossmeber will do the samething. You can cut and drop your crossmember,or do another one and swap them out. Here's a linkto one.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=189894

PrerunnerRob · 01-22-2007, 12:26 AM

I see I can use the later crossmember, but do I have to cut it down to get me truck to lay out the frame on the ground? What I am really asking, is if I use the later crossmember without cutting it, will I be able to lay out all the way or will I still run into the same issue of the crossmember/control arms contacting the ground before the body or frame does/ Thanks again!

poorboy · 01-22-2007, 12:31 AM

You will run into the same issues.

PrerunnerRob · 01-22-2007, 11:21 AM

ok, thanks for the heads up before I started swapping parts!

thekid54 · 01-22-2007, 11:53 AM

As poorboy mentioned, the newer crossmember will hit the ground just like the original. In order to lay completely you will need to Z your frame. The main advantage to the newer crossmember is that parts (ball jounts, bushings, etc.) are easier to find and much cheaper. I swapped in a '73+ front end and Z'd my '63 frame 3" and it lays frame on 26.5" tire. If you have any more questions let me know. If I can't help, there are plenty of knowlegdable people here on the board.

71chevylowrider · 01-22-2007, 12:11 PM

Maybe this is what you need?

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=224297

SIR · 01-22-2007, 01:41 PM

check out the current issue of "classic trucks" this is something new....

PrerunnerRob · 01-23-2007, 08:02 PM

I'm not seeing anything on their website about front end stuff..anyone know of anything in that magazine that might pertain to this?

kyle4381 · 01-23-2007, 08:08 PM

Here is a link to the dropmember on Nathan's sitehttp://www.porterbuiltstreetrods.com/products.php

01-21-2007, 10:18 PM	#1
PrerunnerRob Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: San Jose Posts: 847	Front crossmember Hey guys, I'm trying to fully lay out my 63 chevy, and have run into front crossmember issues. I heard from another shop the other day that you could bolt in later model chevy truck crossmembers, arms, etc, and it would lay down the frame all the way. Anyone else heard of this? I would like the hear anyone's ideas on this, and I cant afford a Porterbuilt dropmember right now. Thanks in advance!

01-21-2007, 10:49 PM	#2
poorboy Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Oregon City, Or Posts: 758	Re: Front crossmember A later model brossmeber will do the samething. You can cut and drop your crossmember,or do another one and swap them out. Here's a linkto one. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=189894

01-22-2007, 12:26 AM	#3
PrerunnerRob Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: San Jose Posts: 847	Re: Front crossmember I see I can use the later crossmember, but do I have to cut it down to get me truck to lay out the frame on the ground? What I am really asking, is if I use the later crossmember without cutting it, will I be able to lay out all the way or will I still run into the same issue of the crossmember/control arms contacting the ground before the body or frame does/ Thanks again!

01-22-2007, 12:31 AM	#4
poorboy Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Oregon City, Or Posts: 758	Re: Front crossmember You will run into the same issues.

01-22-2007, 11:21 AM	#5
PrerunnerRob Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: San Jose Posts: 847	Re: Front crossmember ok, thanks for the heads up before I started swapping parts!

01-22-2007, 11:53 AM	#6
thekid54 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: LA, CA Posts: 296	Re: Front crossmember As poorboy mentioned, the newer crossmember will hit the ground just like the original. In order to lay completely you will need to Z your frame. The main advantage to the newer crossmember is that parts (ball jounts, bushings, etc.) are easier to find and much cheaper. I swapped in a '73+ front end and Z'd my '63 frame 3" and it lays frame on 26.5" tire. If you have any more questions let me know. If I can't help, there are plenty of knowlegdable people here on the board. Last edited by thekid54; 01-22-2007 at 11:55 AM.

01-22-2007, 12:11 PM	#7
71chevylowrider Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Vancouver, WA Posts: 1,015	Re: Front crossmember Maybe this is what you need? http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=224297

01-22-2007, 01:41 PM	#8
SIR SIR Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: grants pass oregon,usa Posts: 658	Re: Front crossmember *check out the current issue of "classic trucks" this is something new....* __________________ 66long low fleet http://community.webshots.com/user/LVNR66

01-23-2007, 08:02 PM	#9
PrerunnerRob Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: San Jose Posts: 847	Re: Front crossmember I'm not seeing anything on their website about front end stuff..anyone know of anything in that magazine that might pertain to this?

01-23-2007, 08:08 PM	#10
kyle4381 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: AZ Posts: 416	Re: Front crossmember Here is a link to the dropmember on Nathan's sitehttp://www.porterbuiltstreetrods.com/products.php



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