Finally started my x member chop

[FRENCHBLUE72]

I finally started my chrossmember chop today I am gonna see if I can actually stay on this one project and get it finished by the end of the week as It seem like I always have other stuff come up before I can get things done so I have a bunch of projects that are in a state of limbo here a few pics let me know what you think,or is it better off in the dumpster..

[dennislbrooks]

Do you chop a x-member to be able to lower the body or larger oil pan or why?

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by dennislbrooks

Do you chop a x-member to be able to lower the body or larger oil pan or why?

It raises the front suspension in relation to the frame/body. It's a way to drop it more w/o losing suspension travel & ground clearance on the lower a-arms.

You don't gain much (1.5" max) if you still intend to use the stock steering set-up. But sometimes, that last little bit makes all the difference & the silver lining is it doesn't affect ground clearance as mentioned.

I'm doing one to be able to keep my 74 @ the same ride height it currently is at but gain 1.5" of clearance. My 74 hits the snubbers up front much too soon for my liking.

[dwcsr]

I would reccommend that you not try to fill those gaps with weld. I know its a pain but cut some strips and weld them in. If you try to bridge the gap with weld it will crack. You got a good start send more pics as you go.

[FRENCHBLUE72]

I spent most of the day cutting scrapes of 1/4'' steel to fill in the gaps with I really need to go back out to my buddies shop and finish cutting the rest of the fillers with the plasma cutter..

[dwcsr]

If your doing a rack nows the time to weld up the mounts.

[72MARIO]

Would a notch work vs cutting and sectioning the whole thing ?

[FnLow69]

ya you can notch out for the frame....

[a squarecan]

If you plan on notching the crossmember just for the frame rails make sure you have an idea of what you plan on using for engine perches, cause the stock ones will not fit! I notched my cross member and then decided I did not want to run solid mounts, and lost ambition to build some perches so I am getting my front end back together so I can Z the frame instead.

Keith

[72MARIO]

I am going to use a poly street rod motor mouts. That will allow me to run the headders I want.

[dwcsr]

:hj:

[FRENCHBLUE72]

Hey dwcsr do you have any pics or info on the rack set-up to use I had not really thought about going with a ract style set-up..

[dwcsr]

I do, I am writing up a How to on my setup and when it's done I can send it to you. I just need to take more pictures this week end.

There is a thread here started by fastbagged68 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ad.php?t=60649 that has a lot of good info and pics.

[dwcsr]

This is the semi finished rack install

[dwcsr]

a few more

[dwcsr]

I have some header work to do and finish welding the under side of the mounts.

[FRENCHBLUE72]

What is the rack set-up out of???? Thanks for the link I have not read it yet but will when I get some time .. Thanks Luke.

[dwcsr]

The rack is an 86 Tbird (A1-Cardone # 22-203A) with 96 Tbird ends that are rethreaded to fit the rack. I also had to make some taper spacers to adapt the ford ends to the stock GM spindles. Here is a very rough tech article on it. i need to finish it up with some pics. but between this and the pics on the forum you should be able to get an idea of whats involved.

[XXL]

Originally Posted by FRENCHBLUE72

I finally started my chrossmember chop today

Need any help?

[FRENCHBLUE72]

Thanks ken I have most of your other chop threads saved so that I can reference them at will.. Hows the back of the truck comming along??? Heres a few pics of todays progress I only had abount an hour to work on stuff before I had to close up shop...

[dwcsr]

looking good

[FRENCHBLUE72]

Still here hopefully will be finished this week ran out of wire and gas... Been working out the steering also I think that since I have all new stock parts I am gonna just run those with the borgenson joints ....

[dwcsr]

it will make your life easier with the stock setup. I proably would have been done with mine 2 years ago if I didn't keep changing stuff.

[fastbagged68]

Hey my name was listed in the rack article you wrote!!!!
I drove my suburban this weekend for the first time with the rack. It steered very well. I am very pleased with my rack. I still need to work out some bugs in the whole truck to really get a good feel for the rack....but so far I like it!!!

[dwcsr]

I thought you should at least be mentioned considering you gave me the adjuster idea. I wish I could have mentioned everyone who participated in the thread. If you have any tips to add to it on how you did yours I would be glad to put them in the final revision.