87 R10 Suspension crossmember

[redsled87]

I'm sure this has been asked before. Has anyone modified their stock front suspension crossmember for weight savings. This is in a drag truck that sees a lot of track use and some street use. It doesn't haul anything any more. I know they are heavy and I would like to lighten it up. I was thinking of cutting the middle out and putting some tubing to replace it. I don't need a drop member for it. I want to keep the stock a arms since I just rebuilt everything recently. I know there are some places that make all new stuff but, for $4,000 I can build a lot of horsepower.

Thanks!

[regan wilson]

There really isn't much weight to save in the crossmember. My old one was cut up for oil pan clearance. There is more weight savings to be had in steering, control arms, brakes and spindles.

[regan wilson]

My old setup I adapted a rack and pinion to. I also sent my spindles to Strange and they built brakes for it. If I remember correctly one spindle, with rotor and caliper weighed 70 lbs. When they came back from Strange the whole box weighed 69 lbs.

[71Dragtruck]

Another thing to think about, yes for $4000 you can build power, but you still have all that weight on the nose and it won't transfer weight and hook up as good at shaving 175lbs off the front, and adding power will only make lack of traction worse.

Unless you are launching soft and then gradually bringing on a ****load of power, and that can be a dangerous game losing traction on the big end.

[regan wilson]

Redsled you should look at 71Dragtruck's front suspension. It would be money well spent.

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

I have modified a few cross members for a drop, but what it you set it up in a jig. Cut the portion out between the frame rails, and weld in a 2x4 1/8 wall piece of steel. Then gingerly finish plating in the new section. This may save around 20 pounds. As when I sectioned the crossmember I had about 5 pounds of metal cut out.

[redsled87]

Thanks for the replies. I was starting to think that also. I was looking at the wilwood modular spindles and brakes too. I don't know how much weight that would drop.

[redsled87]

71Dragtruck what front enddo you have?

[71Dragtruck]

I have a Scott's in mine, since I got mine others have come onto the market, I might have went different if doing it now, if pretty much a strip truck, things you will want no matter the brand, coil overs, no sway bar, manual rack and pinion, mustang 2 spindles and brakes, lot's of light options to be had.

Be for warned that no matter the brand a BBC with off the shelf headers the steering rod to the rack is a real treat to route, do yourself a favor off the hop and if not running motor plates do it, even then be ready to scratch your head LOL.

Here is a thread with most details of my truck, look through for the scott's install, hopefully this is a week where PB actually works.


http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=783776

[tinydb84]

If you don't mind running ford stuff there was a guy on the ls1tech forums who sectioned a Crown Vic IFS to fit his truck. You can probably find it under his name "truckdoug" but he also has a few pictures on his instragram "littlevictoryfabco"

[77c10bowtie]

ive seen alot of aftermarket stuff like control arms, spindles and brakes are heavier than factory stuff, mostly due to being bigger to increase performance and strength and provide rigidity. what kinda stuff is out there with the drag racer in mind.

are there any decent off the shelf manual rack kits or is it a diy only, my issue with a diy racks is it usually adds in bumpsteer.

with budget in mind what are some decent control arms that dont add weight, from what ive seen most tubular are heavier than stock.

same with brakes, decent brakes that are lighter that don't break the bank, don't need ridiculous stopping power just enough to be safe and effective.

[PGSigns]

Look at Nolimit.net for a rack and the front cross member that they have. Give Rob a call and see what they have that will get you where you want to go.
Jimmy