Crossmember sectioning????

[noteron]

Would someone kindly post a "How-To" on sectioning the front crossmember. I have a spare truck that Id like to practice on... errr... hack to death... before I cut into my keeper 67 swb stepper. My goal is to lay it out & get my scrape on

[Captkaos]

It is the old way I used to do it, but it still is applicable:
http://www.captkaoscustoms.com/chopcross.html

[noteron]

Thanks Capt.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by Captkaos

It is the old way I used to do it, but it still is applicable:
http://www.captkaoscustoms.com/chopcross.html

Old way? Used to?
Did you change your methods or is the bolt-in crossmember frenzy slowing the demand?

[Captkaos]

Both, I changed the process of how I was chopping them. And yes Porterbuilts bolt-in has slowed demand a LOT, I only built 2 this year.

[noteron]

Can you explain in further detail what you did....
http://www.captkaoscustoms.com/images/crossalign2.jpg
What are your measurements on the verticle lines?
http://www.captkaoscustoms.com/images/crossalign3.jpg
And the horizontal lines?
What were your reference points?

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by Captkaos

Both, I changed the process of how I was chopping them. And yes Porterbuilts bolt-in has slowed demand a LOT, I only built 2 this year.

I'm curious about the changes if you'd care to discuss.

[Captkaos]

Originally Posted by noteron

Can you explain in further detail what you did....
http://www.captkaoscustoms.com/images/crossalign2.jpg
What are your measurements on the verticle lines?
http://www.captkaoscustoms.com/images/crossalign3.jpg
And the horizontal lines?
What were your reference points?

Keep in mind this was the first documented chop I put on the internet so I wanted to show how I was keeping the alignment of the top portion the same in relation to the bottom when I welded it.
The vertical lines have no measurements, they were laid out for reference marks ONLY. They are laid out across the outer portion of the mounting points for the frame on the left and right, and the middle was laid out across the center using the hole in the middle as a reference. Lines were punched into the the metal across these lines and then scribbed so when we started cutting the alignment could be reestablished.

The horizontal lines were masked from the top of the crossmember and the lower portion was set 1.5" below that point (this is the max you can go and not have steering issues) These were punched and scribed and then sections cut out at a time to reduce the heat.

I can expand on the 1.5" chop.
The way I lay the cut marks out now for a 1.5" is I mark the upper control arm line for an undercut, mask across that line with 1" tape and run it vertically down the front/back of both sides. Then using 1.5" wide tape I mask the area to cut horizontally at a upper section and lower section and then run a 1" wide tape mask 45 degrees across to make the 1.5" chop. With the 45 degrees it eliminates the need for alignment reference and the pieces will just drop straight down and align themselves.

I still sell these for $550 + the core.

[SCOTI]

I'm going to print that off, sit down looking @ a c.member, & see if I can figure out what you mean (it's not coming to me just reading it).

I have the original one I did using your original method & two other stock ones that I was thinking about modifying & selling @ a swap meet vs. chunking them for scrap.

[Captkaos]

hmmm,
think of it this way. You have 3 pieces of 1.5" tape (6 for both sides)
you place 2 of those under the frame mount left and right, and you place another long one across the front. They are spaced to where the 1" tape will intersect both "corners" at a 45D angle (1" wide at 45D measured vertically = 1.5") If you got my number, just call me or email me. I don't have any pics of this method.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by Captkaos

hmmm,
think of it this way. You have 3 pieces of 1.5" tape (6 for both sides)
you place 2 of those under the frame mount left and right, and you place another long one across the front. They are spaced to where the 1" tape will intersect both "corners" at a 45D angle (1" wide at 45D measured vertically = 1.5") If you got my number, just call me or email me. I don't have any pics of this method.

I have your number somewhere from the bumper exchange. I'll buzz ya' cause this seems interesting.

[glock35ipsc]

Chris - Did you ever notice that the top of your chopped crossmember how to is titled:

How To's:
Blazer tank How-To:

, had to ask! I remember printing this off long ago, but I think I am going to give it a try for my 68. I have a couple extras that I can "practice" on.

[Captkaos]

hahahaha, nope. I created a template for all of those and forgot to change the title. I haven't updated that site in over 4 years.