Laying frame.

[kid66]

I am new to this forum and need some help. What do I need to do to the front end of my 66 C-10 to make it lay frame. I have the rear to lay but I am still about 3" high in the front, from laying frame. Thanks for the help.

[Slmd92DIME]

You need to cut your frame in front of the firewall and raise it. I did a 4 inch Z on mine. My bags have a cup on the bottom and a plate on the top. I also have a 3 inch drop spindle from summit. I also had to replace my tranny crossmember for my 3 speed. I now have a 350 turbo so I kept that crossmember above the framerails. The carrier bearing crossmember will also need raised. I also lowered my cab mounts an inch so it will be close to laying rocker. Its a job but its worth it.

[kid66]

I don't want to Z the frame!!!! Both center Crossmembers are home made it's just the front on I don't know what to do with. I don't have a carrier bearing but I did move up the trailing arm crossmember. Is there any other way to get 3" out of teh front with out Zing the frame????

[SCOTI]

Replace your original front crossmember w/a Porterbuilt unit.

[lowrollin70gmc]

Do the control arms almost touch the ground in front? If so, section your front crossmember and it should help without z'ing the frame.

[jimmydean]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

Replace your original front crossmember w/a Porterbuilt unit.

The only way to go IMO.

[lvscott]

[kid66]

the control arms are about 1/2 off the ground so if I remove the front crossmember and cut 2" of it and reinstall it I should not have ot Z the front??I will not spent $1,200 for a Poterbuilt unit, when I can do the work myself. My I i should have just bulit a S-10.

[Chevysdominate]

Originally Posted by kid66

My I i should have just bulit a S-10.

No need to get nasty!

[kid66]

LOL getting nasty?? ON a S-10 I would not have to Z the frame to make it lay frame. Just a set of cups and spindles.

[lowrollin70gmc]

I don't know how far you can section, most say 1.375"-1.5", but here are a few links. I plan on a 2" section, but I will be doing much more fabrication along with that section, such as raising my steering box, moving front end 1" forward, etc.

Anyways, links:

http://www.captkaoscustoms.com/chopcross.html

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=229081

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=196019

There are a few more out there that I don't have links too. Search using terms: crossmember section, crossmember notch, sectioning crossmember, etc. and it should help you out. (Use the forum search just above the announcements, not the google/messageboard search on the top of the page.)

[jimmydean]

Originally Posted by kid66

the control arms are about 1/2 off the ground so if I remove the front crossmember and cut 2" of it and reinstall it I should not have ot Z the front??I will not spent $1,200 for a Poterbuilt unit, when I can do the work myself. My I i should have just bulit a S-10.

If you can built something like a dropmember, then more power to you. There are a few members on here with well sectioned crossmembers, but there is more to it than just cutting and welding.

[PBFAB.COM]

Originally Posted by kid66

I will not spent $1,200 for a Poterbuilt unit, when I can do the work myself.

The price has gone up a little!

I would rather Z a frame than section a crossmember. Of course we all know the way I would do it!

[kid66]

I will call Laughlin Performance in the morning and ask Mike what he thinks. Thanks for all the help guys.

[revn67]

and that is why everyone and their mother "custom fabs" an s-10.....it is the honda civic of the truck world in my opinion! bolt on some things and it can lay, i know around here they're a dime a dozen and c-10's are nowhere to be seen!

[BACKYARD88]

Originally Posted by kid66

I don't want to Z the frame!!!! Both center Crossmembers are home made it's just the front on I don't know what to do with. I don't have a carrier bearing but I did move up the trailing arm crossmember. Is there any other way to get 3" out of teh front with out Zing the frame????

I sectioned my crossmember 1.25" and Zed the frame 3". Can I ask why you're against Zing the frame?

[Shane]

Shoulda built an S-10? now that would be different.

[kid66]

I don't want to Z the frame because I want to have a semi stock frame laying on 22's. Zing is cool but there is always a better way to lay on 22's without Zing. And back to the S-10 thing I have had two S-10's on bags laying frame on 22's and with all fabed parts and no bolt on. I have owned my 66 C-10 for 10 years now and I had it bagged for about that long. When I first bagged it I just replaced the stock spring with the air bags. But now it's time to make it lay frame without Zing.

[Shane]

you won't lay frame on these trucks on a stock frame without a Z, a porterbuilt unit, OR a sectioned cross member.

sorry to be the one to break the bad news to ya.

good luck kid

[BACKYARD88]

Originally Posted by Shane

you won't lay frame on these trucks on a stock frame without a Z, a porterbuilt unit, OR a sectioned cross member.

sorry to be the one to break the bad news to ya.

good luck kid

I have to agree with Shane on this one. I sectioned my crossmember 1.25" and there isn't room to section more than another 1/2" to 3/4" at the very most, granted I don't have drop spindles, but I was about 1" from laying with just the section on 17" wheels. Add 3" spindles and you're 1" from laying with 20" wheels. I'm not going to say it can't be done, but I couldn't find a way to do it. Good luck, and if you figure out a way let us know.

[7deuce]

Sell the 2 S10's and you might have enough for a Porterbuilt. Oh wait.....He did say he raised the price a little.

[kid66]

Lol!!!!

[royo]

come on trucks laying frame

[cajundragger]

my brothers truck has a 1.25 sectioned crossmemeber and a 2.75 inch z and it lays 20's HARD. Frame looks stock as well by the time the core support and cab are on...