? for you guys that lay frame

[rickoner]

For the guys that are bagged and laying frame, how did you do the front crossmember? This is for the guys that didn't go the dropmember route. I've read many build threads and there's a few ways to skin this cat. From Z'ing the frame to sectioning the the crossmember. How high did you have to raise the control arms to be above the bottom of the frame rail? I'm hoping to hear from personal experience what route people have gone and the pros and cons or if they would do it differently now.

[63 & 64 Bowties]

Here's some reading to get you started:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...hlight=xmember
you can do a search for pancake xmember or crossmember to find others.

[tinydb84]

Originally Posted by rickoner

For the guys that are bagged and laying frame, how did you do the front crossmember? This is for the guys that didn't go the dropmember route. I've read many build threads and there's a few ways to skin this cat. From Z'ing the frame to sectioning the the crossmember. How high did you have to raise the control arms to be above the bottom of the frame rail? I'm hoping to hear from personal experience what route people have gone and the pros and cons or if they would do it differently now.

My 66 has a 2 inch sectioned crossmember. The steering was converted to a later model power steering. The body mounts were moved down an inch for a stock floor body drop.

I have a one inch sectioned crossmember for sale in the classified section if you are interested btw.

[Bomp]

Mine is still a work in progress.
I was told, "don't be afraid to cut".

[tinydb84]

I really like this guy's build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=269019

[hotrod66]

my friend channeled his cab 3 inches you can see it in this pic. when its down it lays rockers.

[rickoner]

Well, I've jumped into cutting up a crossmember. Took out 2" and hopefully will have it all welded up this week. Thanks for the replies guys. Lots of different approaches out there, that's for sure.
For the people that have done the pancake, has anybody slid it forward when putting it back under the truck to help recenter the wheel? Is there a problem with moving the steering box forward too? Seems like it shouldn't be to big of a deal since you've got to reposition it up anyways.

[tinydb84]

What are you going to do about your steering?

[rickoner]

Well, in my mind I would like to go with a r&p setup, but my wallet is telling me that I'm going to stick with the p/s box that I have laying around. I have the section of the frame that the p/s box mounts to. I'm thinking that I could graft that piece into my frame so that it lands the box the 2" higher and 1" forward to keep the original geometry. Of course there'd need clearance for the linkage and have to use some heim joints for the column shaft too. This is just a thought that I have in my head right now. I'm thinking that once I have the crossmember up into place I'll be able to see if it's even possible. Sound like it's doable to you? If not, I'm open to suggestions.

[WCHLVR]

2" Pancake
Stock Frame Bridge




Moved the steering up an inch. 75 C10 power box. S10 pitman. Frame notch for the ptiman.




A arm notch and custom linkage

[tinydb84]

^^That is how mine is done on my 66. I got it that way. I'd probably go with a Z had it not already been done

[rickoner]

Originally Posted by WCHLVR

Moved the steering up an inch. 75 C10 power box. S10 pitman. Frame notch for the ptiman.

Looks like a nice setup. Does raising the box only 1" cause any problems? Is there a reason for not raising it the 2" to match the crossmember? What's the deal with the s10 pitman arm? Is there an advantage to using it?

Originally Posted by tinydb84

^^That is how mine is done on my 66. I got it that way. I'd probably go with a Z had it not already been done

Why would you go with the z? Is there something about the way yours is done that you don't like?

[WCHLVR]

Originally Posted by tinydb84

^^That is how mine is done on my 66. I got it that way. I'd probably go with a Z had it not already been done

Z is a solid way to get it laid out. Personally I hate the idea of moving the engine up and messing with floor of the truck. Thats just me though.

Originally Posted by rickoner

Looks like a nice setup. Does raising the box only 1" cause any problems? Is there a reason for not raising it the 2" to match the crossmember? What's the deal with the s10 pitman arm? Is there an advantage to using it?

Thanks. Pretty pleased with how it has turned out. You can't move the box up a full two inches because the harmonic balancer will hit the center link. The S10 pitman is much flatter than the C10 counter part. The profile is a much closer match to the stock idler arm.

[tinydb84]

Originally Posted by rickoner

Looks like a nice setup. Does raising the box only 1" cause any problems? Is there a reason for not raising it the 2" to match the crossmember? What's the deal with the s10 pitman arm? Is there an advantage to using it?



Why would you go with the z? Is there something about the way yours is done that you don't like?

I have sectioned a crossmember:

and doing that plus moving everything up and notching is a lot of work for only 2 inches. Then move the body down to get rid of the frame.....It was already done when I got the truck (I still need to do some finishing work on it) so I'm not complaining.

Originally Posted by WCHLVR

Z is a solid way to get it laid out. Personally I hate the idea of moving the engine up and messing with floor of the truck. Thats just me though.



Thanks. Pretty pleased with how it has turned out. You can't move the box up a full two inches because the harmonic balancer will hit the center link. The S10 pitman is much flatter than the C10 counter part. The profile is a much closer match to the stock idler arm.

This is my first Z (still working on it) and doing a sfbd as well to lay rocker.


(I included a bunch of pics of my work and trucks because everyone loves pics )

[tinydb84]

WCHLVR - Good looking truck btw!

[WCHLVR]

Originally Posted by tinydb84

WCHLVR - Good looking truck btw!

Thanks Tiny! Putting it together for a good friend/customer. Solid work on that Z! I love that its an 8 Lug. Planning to keep it 8?

[tinydb84]

Yeah I am going to keep it 8 lug. Never going to tow anything but I am playing with the idea of a turbo LS (already have the LS) so I figure the 8 lug rearend couldn't hurt.

Back to the original poster. DV8 (a board member here) did his own version of a raised crossmember that he has shared the measurements on before. Shoot him a message if you are interesting, he is usually very helpful.

[-praisethelowered-]

On my '63 I sectioned my '73 crossmember 2" and re-bolted it 1" forward.
There was not room to move the steering box up 2" and forward 1"I - it would be in the middle of the core support bracket - So I figured out how to install a R&P unit and matched where the center link would have been at 2" up and 1" forward.