Frame questions ???

[Spray-Bomb]

Ok guys

I plan to cut my truck down to SWB & lay the rockers about an inch or two off the ground at dump

My question is: am I better to Z the frame front & back, or build a complete new frame

[camaro__thunder]

I did a 3" Z and murdered my rockers.
I have a 12" notch out back for the 22"s with some room.

[bagged74]

Originally Posted by Spray-Bomb

Ok guys

I plan to cut my truck down to SWB & lay the rockers about an inch or two off the ground at dump

My question is: am I better to Z the frame front & back, or build a complete new frame

you can get that low without a z
my rockers are about 2" off the ground at full dump

[Spray-Bomb]

I guess I should have gone into more detail

I want to ride low, like rockers about 5" off the ground & I want my A-arms as level as possible at ride height
In the rear, I'm not gonna do a big step notch as I'm just gonna raise the frame up (most likely by building a new one) because Ima raise the floor too

I just figured that if Ima be cut'n the frame off front & back and try'n to keep everything aligned, It might not be much harder to build a whole new frame

[bagged74]

might actually be easier

[Spray-Bomb]

Originally Posted by bagged74

might actually be easier

Building a new frame ???

That is what I thought, plus it would make my truck that much nicer

[Shane]

... it's also mega expensive

[Spray-Bomb]

Why ???

[FnLow69]

why not "Z" the front and backhalf the rear?
early stages of design...


with tanks and compressors on.....

[Shane]

Originally Posted by Spray-Bomb

Why ???

Cause steel prices are out of sight ... ESPECIALLY steel tubing - square and round.

[Spray-Bomb]

Originally Posted by FnLow69

why not "Z" the front and backhalf the rear?
early stages of design...


with tanks and compressors on.....

Thats what I plan to do if I don't build a new frame, I just figured if Ima go to that much trouble I might as well build a new frame & it look sweet

[bagged81]

I just Z'd my frame 4.5" in the front and redid my notch in the rear and that was a lot of work, haha. I could not imagine building one from scratch.

[Spray-Bomb]

I agree it won't be easy to the frame

Ok, so what do ya'll think is the best way to go

#1 mod my stock frame (back half & Z)

#2 build a new frame

#3 body drop it

#4 ???

[Shane]

Originally Posted by bagged81

I just Z'd my frame 4.5" in the front and redid my notch in the rear and that was a lot of work, haha. I could not imagine building one from scratch.

You Z'd it 4 1/2" inches? Holy smokes ... never heard of that big of a Z.

[bagged81]

I did what it needed to set the rockers on the ground.

[Shane]

my bad ... i was thinking of the sectioned crossmember ... duh

[bagged81]

Yea, I could see where you'd be a little astonished about a 4.5" crossmember drop, haha.

[BACKYARD88]

Z and back half. Building a whole frame isn't an easy task. Especially when it comes to the front suspension mounting. I have a 1.25" crossmember section, 3" Z and notch in the back with factory body mounts and I can't fit my fingers between the rocker lip and the shop floor. My ride height should be rockers 3-5" off the ground

[7deuce]

Id buy an IFS and build it. I did the 2 3/4 Z and a 1 1/8 cross member section back halfed it and ran 2x4 along the frame rails and cut the bottoms off to lay door and at the end I had the result I wanted but a modified stock frame. If you got the skill and the money to go that route thats what I would do. I looks good and really aint that hard to do as long as you have the stock frame next to the one your building. Ive built 2 custom frame since I did the 72 and it reall aint all that bad.

[abadsvt]

Here is my opinion based on my own experience building a whole frame. There is alot more too it than just slapping it together. I am going to play the devils advocate first. Okay! First off you have to have all the correct tools and setups. For example: You need a chop saw, mig welder at least (preferably a 220v mig), a large perfectly level and flat table helps out ALOT and highly recommended, lots of clamps, grinder, and a few other little tools. Then there is alot of careful measurements to make both sides EXACTLY the same, plus if you change anything you have to think ahead and see if it is going to alter anything down the road and if so what can you do to fix it, no kits fit without modification (4 link reasupension) because everything is designed to fit on the old "C" channel frame, and i haven't even started on the front suspension problems. You have to pre think everything out and it helps to have a friend help take all the measurements off the stock frame. For example. Distance from the front cab mount to the center of the front wheel and so on. I can keep going on and on.

Now no longer playing devils advocate. It is nice building your own frame because if you need to change anything you have the ability to do it. Plus it flows nice being all tube steel instead of have original frame and part tube steel (nothing against those who have backhalved there truck). It isn't too difficult if you take your time and plan things out. I did as much homework as i could prior to starting the frame. If you take careful measurments it and draw out all the angles it isn't too hard. Steel isn't too much i think i spent 400 building the base frame. The only thing that was really difficult was the front suspension but that is why i bought a weld in kit from Nathan with Porterbuilt street rods. If you do go this route i recommend saving your money and buying a kit from Nathan. Then you know that you will have the least amount of bumpsteer possible and all the control arms are in the correct spots for proper suspension. I just went through all this so if you do go this way i will give you as much advice as i can. Just think it through well so that way you don't waste any money and time. If you can fab and have access to the right tools I would say give it a try. If you realize that you can't do it or it gets too dificult you can say that you tried and you will only be out a few hundred dollars for the base frame plus your time. Hopefully i helped you out. Good luck.

Josh

[Spray-Bomb]

Thanks guys

I guess it's just up to me to figure out what I want to do

I have the stuff to build a frame & I'm pretty good when it comes to thinking everything through, I just don't know how nice or how much money I really want to put into my truck

The project is a little ways off, so that'll give me time to research & gather for the build