Cross Memeber or Z? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

SanitysBane · 07-20-2005, 10:20 PM

Allright guys, I am looking to lay rocker on my 83 1/2 ton truck. Now I have 1 question, Z the frame OR Cross memeber drop. What are the pros and cons to each and pictures are always welcomed!
Thanks

Jaredm82 · 07-20-2005, 11:23 PM

Crossmember drop 1.5" and 3" spindles with the right size bag cups will lay your frame on the ground with apprx 28.3" tire ie. a 265/30/22. Only z if you plan on running a bigger tire.

DM310 · 07-21-2005, 12:00 AM

I did both only b/c w/ the crossmember 1.5" drop I was going to scrape my oil pan on my 292. so I did a 2" Z on top of it

Jaredm82 · 07-21-2005, 12:01 AM

oh ya, and raise your motor and tranny, thats what I did...

a squarecan · 07-26-2005, 12:00 AM

Hey Jared,

If you had to raise your motor and trany up wouldn't it be easy to "notch" the cross member for your frame to slide down in? That was you raise your engine back up the 1.5 inches you dropped it and then all you have to do is raise the tranny member and either add spacers or modify the engine towers. Just an idea it may not work but it sure sounds like an easier solution; correct me if I am wrong.

Keith

DM310 · 07-26-2005, 01:04 AM

You could do that too but most dont need to move the engine and trans up. So far the only engine you need to raise up is the 292 I believe. All v8 and other inlines can get a way w/ a sectioned crossmember if they have stock oil pans

BK · 07-28-2005, 09:20 PM

I z-ed my 65 panel 4" and didnt have any clearance problems. I did move the engine and tranny forward approx. 3" for distributor clearance, and that with my 327 and my 700R4 worked perfect with a buick roadmaster wagon driveshaft... random, i know. I plan on running 20's up front, well, planned on it(look for "my panel burnt down last night) post under 60-66 message board). I also moved my tranny up 4" to match the Z, and it worked great, along with my trailing arm crossmember from ECE.

BK · 08-20-2005, 06:58 PM

hey, by the way, go to loweredd.com or loweredd.org not sure which one, he lays on 20's with a 4" z like me on his 80 i think, check it out.

07-20-2005, 10:20 PM	#1
SanitysBane Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 2,121	Cross Memeber or Z? Allright guys, I am looking to lay rocker on my 83 1/2 ton truck. Now I have 1 question, Z the frame OR Cross memeber drop. What are the pros and cons to each and pictures are always welcomed! Thanks __________________ '96 Nissan Pathfinder '02 Firebird Trans Am. '88 K5 Blazer

07-21-2005, 12:00 AM	#3
DM310 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 256	I did both only b/c w/ the crossmember 1.5" drop I was going to scrape my oil pan on my 292. so I did a 2" Z on top of it __________________ 66 C10 (under construction) 1.5" crossmember drop 2" Z'ed frame 8" rear notch Watts-link Bagged DJM 3" spindles

07-26-2005, 01:04 AM	#6
DM310 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 256	You could do that too but most dont need to move the engine and trans up. So far the only engine you need to raise up is the 292 I believe. All v8 and other inlines can get a way w/ a sectioned crossmember if they have stock oil pans __________________ 66 C10 (under construction) 1.5" crossmember drop 2" Z'ed frame 8" rear notch Watts-link Bagged DJM 3" spindles

07-20-2005, 11:23 PM	#2
Jaredm82 Active Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Ca Posts: 211	Crossmember drop 1.5" and 3" spindles with the right size bag cups will lay your frame on the ground with apprx 28.3" tire ie. a 265/30/22. Only z if you plan on running a bigger tire.

07-21-2005, 12:01 AM	#4
Jaredm82 Active Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Ca Posts: 211	oh ya, and raise your motor and tranny, thats what I did...

07-26-2005, 12:00 AM	#5
a squarecan Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 232	Hey Jared, If you had to raise your motor and trany up wouldn't it be easy to "notch" the cross member for your frame to slide down in? That was you raise your engine back up the 1.5 inches you dropped it and then all you have to do is raise the tranny member and either add spacers or modify the engine towers. Just an idea it may not work but it sure sounds like an easier solution; correct me if I am wrong. Keith

07-28-2005, 09:20 PM	#7
BK BK Built Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Oroville, WA Posts: 478	I z-ed my 65 panel 4" and didnt have any clearance problems. I did move the engine and tranny forward approx. 3" for distributor clearance, and that with my 327 and my 700R4 worked perfect with a buick roadmaster wagon driveshaft... random, i know. I plan on running 20's up front, well, planned on it(look for "my panel burnt down last night) post under 60-66 message board). I also moved my tranny up 4" to match the Z, and it worked great, along with my trailing arm crossmember from ECE.

08-20-2005, 06:58 PM	#8
BK BK Built Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Oroville, WA Posts: 478	hey, by the way, go to loweredd.com or loweredd.org not sure which one, he lays on 20's with a 4" z like me on his 80 i think, check it out.



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.