My Lowered 74 LONG BED, and Front End Lowering Questions

[74Chevy74]

Okay here is a pic of my truck. I scored it for free a couple weeks ago and since then I did a flip kit, spindles and springs up front. I'm supposed to be getting a sponsored bag job soon so we'll see. I want to get the truck to lay as low as possible, what are the pro's and cons of the crossmember drop? I have seen the 1 1/2" crossmember drop, and I have seen the Z Section of the whole front frame? I'm just trying to figure out the best way, and of course the cheapest. Does anyone know what Fat Man Fab sells? Anyone who has expierience with anyone of these let me know. I know this has been a frequent post but I want to find out all the info I can. I'd like the truck to lay frame/pinch weld if possible. Has anyone modified the stock gas tank by shortening it, or does everyone run the blazer tanks? What's better??? Thanks for any input.

[1974gmc]

thats a really cool looking long box, as for your questions i dont have answers for them, but am also looking into bagging my truck

[bigarmzz]

i've not seen too many long beds dropped ....looks good man

[Captkaos]

I chop and sell dropped crossmembers, ALL of your answers are in the following posts:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ad.php?t=60649
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=137398

Laying frame is fairly easy since it sits about 3" lower than the body.

As for the gas tank, why do you want to shorten it. It has nothing to do with the drop?

[74Chevy74]

When I say I want to lay frame I mean after I raise the front crossmember. I can't really tell if the frame under the cab is lower or level with the body? Can I lay body if the front frame is raised up? I was trying to call Fat Man Fab to see what they had but I'll check your post to see what you sell. What kind of price am I looking at? I might be able to do it myself? I just want to find out as much as I can before I start cutting.

[bigblock73]

I can't help you on your questions...but your truck looks sweet! I can honestly say it is the first lowered lwb I have seen that I really like.

[beaterC10]

Nice truck. That long wheel base looks even longer lowered. Don't see too many early 70s trucks here in the rust belt.

[75stepside]

dang, that thing is a looooooooooooooooooong bed!

just a lil fun w/ photochop!

very smooth tho!

FREE!!!!

[N2TRUX]

My suggestion is you quit where you are at until you get bags. Anything much lower will make driving a long bed drag.

After you get it bagged, do the crossmember drop and Z the frame if you want the cheapest route.

BTW- I think all it needs is some retro looking swap meet wheels. See if you can't locate a set of 18's or 20's for cheap and call it done....

[74Chevy74]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

My suggestion is you quit where you are at until you get bags. Anything much lower will make driving a long bed drag.

After you get it bagged, do the crossmember drop and Z the frame if you want the cheapest route.

BTW- I think all it needs is some retro looking swap meet wheels. See if you can't locate a set of 18's or 20's for cheap and call it done....

Yeah that's what I was thinking as well. So are you saying do the 1.5" crossmember drop, and then do a 1.5" frame Z? That would work right? Then the major thing to address I guess is the steering? I mentioned earlier about my gas tank, what do guys do about that? I don't want one in my bed so I was going to shorten my stock one since that will hit after it's all Z'ed right?
Unless I get a Blazer tank. I just want to do the "Fastest and easiest" hahaha methods.

Yeah I plan on cleaning up the inside, and fixing the body up and re shooting it the same color, but I'm going to "suede it". I thought some Torque Thrust 2's would look cool, or something along that line.