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

*Stitch* · 02-09-2010, 11:33 PM

will a 1" chopped crossmember done the Captkaos way have clearance issues with the steering...I'm wanting to drop my truck 6/8, but I don't want to run 3" springs up front...so I'm thinking I'm going to need to get the lower control arm mounts up out of the way, but I don't need 1.5" I only need 1"...so why push the limits...the truck won't be bagged and I want to chop the crossmember for the ground clearance...the extra 1" static drop is just added icing...thanks fellas for answering my little question...

Chuck.

**N2TRUX** · 02-10-2010, 12:57 AM

It seems to me that you are putting in a lot of effort to avoid bagging your truck? is there a reason for this?

I don't have any idea why, but if that's what you want, I would probably consider stepping the control arms before raising the crossmember.

*Stitch* · 02-10-2010, 01:24 AM

I don't really know...I think I just don't want the expense of bagging it...I also don't really want to do anything irreversible to the truck...and before anyone says anything about the chopped crossmember being irreversible, I'll be doing the chop to a spare crossmember...if I were to bag it, it would get a dropmember period...I just really want it to be low and not have to worry about alot of stuff like bags and all that...

would stepping the control arms, solve the problem with the mounts being too low and possibly hitting something...with the truck being dropped 6/8, I would imagine it's going to hit alot and I don't want it hanging up on anything ...

jmedero · 02-10-2010, 09:24 AM

IMO I would go with the 3 inch spindle, 3 spring. Seems like this would be easier and less coin and effort. I'd do a simple bag set up but you don't want to and that's understandable. But look at it as an option.

**N2TRUX** · 02-10-2010, 09:35 AM

Are you going to C-notch the rear?

68laydout · 02-10-2010, 01:46 PM

If you just want a static hieght than you can throw in some bag plates and bags up front with schradders on each bag for a few hundred bucks. You dont need an entire air managment system. You also get the added benefit of easily adjusting the ride height if desired.

*Stitch* · 02-10-2010, 07:23 PM

Ken, I will be doing a welded in 6" pipe cut in half like yours is done...I hope that's all I need...the airbags are a good idea, and I'll probably end up with them in the end...it would be nice to raise it up a little for clearance...dunno

**N2TRUX** · 02-10-2010, 09:59 PM

I'm just trying to understand what your objective is and your concerns over how you do it.

Lets start from the beginning. Exactly what vehicle are we talking about? I know you have been talking about buying another one so lets clear that up.

Next thing to discuss is you say "...I also don't really want to do anything irreversible " but you are willing to cut the frame for a C-notch.

I assume that you mean you don't want to cut the fenderlines, or bed floor.

Give us more details and we will try to head you in the best direction to fit your needs.

jlaird · 02-10-2010, 10:54 PM

To answer your original question, you shouldn't have any clearence issues with a 1" chop. Its just a lot of work for an inch.

*Stitch* · 02-11-2010, 01:05 PM

ok so here's the details...I'm wanting to do this to my 84 swb that has the diesel in it...it's the one in my signature...I'm taking the diesel out of it and putting it in my 87 crewcab swb...I'm replacing the diesel in the 84 swb with a TBI 350...I'm going to rebuild the front suspension, ie ball joints, control arm shafts, and the bushings...I fugured while I had the engine out and the suspension apart, I would put the chopped crossmember in to help with clearance...I have a spare crossmember and plan to have it chopped before I start the engine swap...also, this truck is now my DD, but shortly it will be in the garage as my project...thanks for the help guys...I didn't mean to come across wrong, it was not my intention to do so...I should have given all that info in the beginning of the thread...

**N2TRUX** · 02-11-2010, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlaird

To answer your original question, you shouldn't have any clearence issues with a 1" chop. Its just a lot of work for an inch.

Thanks for the answer. I could help with most of it, but could not confirm this.

Chuck don't worry about asking questions. Thats what this forum is about.

*Stitch* · 02-11-2010, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlaird

To answer your original question, you shouldn't have any clearence issues with a 1" chop. Its just a lot of work for an inch.

no clearance issues as in none, ie. steering issues or anything else...it should just bolt up and go...I keep hearing about bump steer...will chopping it an inch affect my bump steer and if so, how do I remedy it...thanks alot for the answers so far guys...

smashingchuck · 02-11-2010, 10:47 PM

yes and the fix is to raise the steering an equal amount.

cajundragger · 02-11-2010, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smashingchuck

yes and the fix is to raise the steering an equal amount.

yup, works awesome. went 1.25 on my brothers truck.

*Stitch* · 02-12-2010, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smashingchuck

yes and the fix is to raise the steering an equal amount.

and how exactly would I go about doing this...do you or anyone else have pictures to show me what needs to be done or how it needs to be done...thanks fellas...

Chuck.

cajundragger · 02-12-2010, 01:50 AM

cut the frame and move the mounting points straight up the same amount as the crossmember.

**N2TRUX** · 02-12-2010, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cajundragger

cut the frame and move the mounting points straight up the same amount as the crossmember.

Slight problem with that....

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fat Hoe

...I also don't really want to do anything irreversible to the truck.. ...

SCOTI · 02-12-2010, 10:54 AM

It's the same amount of "irreversible" work to cut the frame & raise the steering components slightly (re-aligning them exactly where needed) for the amount of drop offered vs. just cutting the entire front frame as a unit & Z-ing it (thus getting even more drop/clearance).

**kev2809** · 02-12-2010, 01:59 PM

so in conclusion, bag it

smashingchuck · 02-12-2010, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kev2809

so in conclusion, bag it

it's a no-brainer.

**kev2809** · 02-12-2010, 02:04 PM

ive thought about chopping the crossmember for the last 4 months, but i dont know if all that work (and $$) would be worth the 1.25" of clearance. i guess its not as much of a problem if you already half a stock one laying around, at least you can tinker with it knowing if you f it up you still got the stock one in

02-09-2010, 11:33 PM	#1
Stitch Account Suspended Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Where I come from, it's cornbread and chicken... Posts: 3,122	1" crossmember will a 1" chopped crossmember done the Captkaos way have clearance issues with the steering...I'm wanting to drop my truck 6/8, but I don't want to run 3" springs up front...so I'm thinking I'm going to need to get the lower control arm mounts up out of the way, but I don't need 1.5" I only need 1"...so why push the limits...the truck won't be bagged and I want to chop the crossmember for the ground clearance...the extra 1" static drop is just added icing...thanks fellas for answering my little question... Chuck.

02-10-2010, 12:57 AM	#2
N2TRUX Happy to be here Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 39,023	Re: 1" crossmember It seems to me that you are putting in a lot of effort to avoid bagging your truck? is there a reason for this? I don't have any idea why, but if that's what you want, I would probably consider stepping the control arms before raising the crossmember. __________________ Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @N2trux.com Articles- "Jake" the 84 to 74 crewcab "Elwood" the77_Remix 85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett" "Refining Sierra"

02-10-2010, 01:24 AM	#3
Stitch Account Suspended Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Where I come from, it's cornbread and chicken... Posts: 3,122	Re: 1" crossmember I don't really know...I think I just don't want the expense of bagging it...I also don't really want to do anything irreversible to the truck...and before anyone says anything about the chopped crossmember being irreversible, I'll be doing the chop to a spare crossmember...if I were to bag it, it would get a dropmember period...I just really want it to be low and not have to worry about alot of stuff like bags and all that... would stepping the control arms, solve the problem with the mounts being too low and possibly hitting something...with the truck being dropped 6/8, I would imagine it's going to hit alot and I don't want it hanging up on anything ... Last edited by Stitch; 02-10-2010 at 01:26 AM.

02-10-2010, 09:24 AM	#4
jmedero Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: pensacola fl Posts: 3,072	Re: 1" crossmember IMO I would go with the 3 inch spindle, 3 spring. Seems like this would be easier and less coin and effort. I'd do a simple bag set up but you don't want to and that's understandable. But look at it as an option. __________________ 68 BB burb build thread Scott's super slam front/rear http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=378084

02-10-2010, 09:35 AM	#5
N2TRUX Happy to be here Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 39,023	Re: 1" crossmember Are you going to C-notch the rear? __________________ Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @N2trux.com Articles- "Jake" the 84 to 74 crewcab "Elwood" the77_Remix 85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett" "Refining Sierra"

02-10-2010, 01:46 PM	#6
68laydout Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Frisco Tx Posts: 311	Re: 1" crossmember If you just want a static hieght than you can throw in some bag plates and bags up front with schradders on each bag for a few hundred bucks. You dont need an entire air managment system. You also get the added benefit of easily adjusting the ride height if desired.

02-10-2010, 07:23 PM	#7
Stitch Account Suspended Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Where I come from, it's cornbread and chicken... Posts: 3,122	Re: 1" crossmember Ken, I will be doing a welded in 6" pipe cut in half like yours is done...I hope that's all I need...the airbags are a good idea, and I'll probably end up with them in the end...it would be nice to raise it up a little for clearance...dunno

02-10-2010, 09:59 PM	#8
N2TRUX Happy to be here Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 39,023	Re: 1" crossmember I'm just trying to understand what your objective is and your concerns over how you do it. Lets start from the beginning. Exactly what vehicle are we talking about? I know you have been talking about buying another one so lets clear that up. Next thing to discuss is you say "...I also don't really want to do anything irreversible " but you are willing to cut the frame for a C-notch. I assume that you mean you don't want to cut the fenderlines, or bed floor. Give us more details and we will try to head you in the best direction to fit your needs. __________________ Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @N2trux.com Articles- "Jake" the 84 to 74 crewcab "Elwood" the77_Remix 85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett" "Refining Sierra"

02-10-2010, 10:54 PM	#9
jlaird Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: johnstown, NY Posts: 2,393	Re: 1" crossmember To answer your original question, you shouldn't have any clearence issues with a 1" chop. Its just a lot of work for an inch.

02-11-2010, 01:05 PM	#10
Stitch Account Suspended Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Where I come from, it's cornbread and chicken... Posts: 3,122	Re: 1" crossmember ok so here's the details...I'm wanting to do this to my 84 swb that has the diesel in it...it's the one in my signature...I'm taking the diesel out of it and putting it in my 87 crewcab swb...I'm replacing the diesel in the 84 swb with a TBI 350...I'm going to rebuild the front suspension, ie ball joints, control arm shafts, and the bushings...I fugured while I had the engine out and the suspension apart, I would put the chopped crossmember in to help with clearance...I have a spare crossmember and plan to have it chopped before I start the engine swap...also, this truck is now my DD, but shortly it will be in the garage as my project...thanks for the help guys...I didn't mean to come across wrong, it was not my intention to do so...I should have given all that info in the beginning of the thread... Last edited by Stitch; 02-11-2010 at 10:06 PM.

02-11-2010, 10:47 PM	#13
smashingchuck It'd be alot cooler if you did Join Date: May 2003 Location: Three Rivers, MI Posts: 2,345	Re: 1" crossmember yes and the fix is to raise the steering an equal amount. __________________ 78 Build Thread 4Runner Build

02-12-2010, 01:50 AM	#16
cajundragger Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: louisiana Posts: 1,008	Re: 1" crossmember cut the frame and move the mounting points straight up the same amount as the crossmember.

02-12-2010, 10:54 AM	#18
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 21,932	Re: 1" crossmember It's the same amount of "irreversible" work to cut the frame & raise the steering components slightly (re-aligning them exactly where needed) for the amount of drop offered vs. just cutting the entire front frame as a unit & Z-ing it (thus getting even more drop/clearance). __________________ 67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... *Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol.*

02-12-2010, 01:59 PM	#19
kev2809 low n' slo Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: rosenberg, texas Posts: 5,143	Re: 1" crossmember so in conclusion, bag it __________________ 67 1/2 ton Suburban - Project DRGNWGN. Build thread -_--_--_ _________ _--_-_ -/____\|__\|__\__ ,.,,,.,.,,.,\|_O _______ O_]

02-12-2010, 02:04 PM	#21
kev2809 low n' slo Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: rosenberg, texas Posts: 5,143	Re: 1" crossmember ive thought about chopping the crossmember for the last 4 months, but i dont know if all that work (and $$) would be worth the 1.25" of clearance. i guess its not as much of a problem if you already half a stock one laying around, at least you can tinker with it knowing if you f it up you still got the stock one in __________________ 67 1/2 ton Suburban - Project DRGNWGN. Build thread -_--_--_ _________ _--_-_ -/____\|__\|__\__ ,.,,,.,.,,.,\|_O _______ O_]



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