Front crossmember issues - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

PrerunnerRob · 01-13-2007, 01:39 PM

Hey guys, I'm trying to lay out my 63 longbed, the rear of the frame is done, but I need to take care of the front end issues. I already have 2.5 inch drop spindles, but I am hitting the crossmember/arms on the ground when I lay it out up front. Anyone know of any front end swaps that can be done on a buget of cheap that will allow me to have a higher front crossmember? Any help is greatly appreciated! I will post some pics of how its coming along later.

laidout · 01-13-2007, 01:54 PM

if you have the cash flow you can do the dropmember

or z the frame

PrerunnerRob · 01-13-2007, 05:05 PM

Yea, a dropmember would be awesome, but cash is an issue here. I thought about z-ing the front end, but might not be the best idea. I was just wondering if any other otions were out there.

laidout · 01-13-2007, 07:00 PM

not to sure but maybee tubular control arms and help with the issue

68shortfleet · 01-13-2007, 07:06 PM

What about sectioning the stock crossmember. Saw one done here, i think they sectioned 1 3/4" . It looked great and super cheap if you can cut and weld. I probably saw it in the 67-72 truck section as thats where i spend most of my time.

Jason

poorboy · 01-13-2007, 07:24 PM

here's a link to a sectioned crossmember
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=189894

68shortfleet · 01-13-2007, 08:10 PM

There is also a sectioned crossmember in a thread started by fletch4x4. I cant seem to figure out how to link it but i search for crossmember section.
HTH
Jason

SIR · 01-14-2007, 02:42 PM

.....check the latest issue of "classic-trucks" ...and hope you win the lottery....

thekid54 · 01-15-2007, 04:48 PM

If you are going to go through all that cutting and welding, I would Z your frame instead of sectioning the cross member. IIRC you can only section the cross member about 1-1/8" without running into issues like tie rods hitting and stuff like that. They both have their headaches, but to me Z-ing is less of a headache and you get more drop. I Z'd my '63 frame 3" and I'm running 3" dropped spindles with bags. The frame hits the ground before any part of the front cross member does. Just my 2 cents. Check the suspension forum for more ideas.

01-13-2007, 01:39 PM	#1
PrerunnerRob Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: San Jose Posts: 847	Front crossmember issues Hey guys, I'm trying to lay out my 63 longbed, the rear of the frame is done, but I need to take care of the front end issues. I already have 2.5 inch drop spindles, but I am hitting the crossmember/arms on the ground when I lay it out up front. Anyone know of any front end swaps that can be done on a buget of cheap that will allow me to have a higher front crossmember? Any help is greatly appreciated! I will post some pics of how its coming along later.

01-13-2007, 01:54 PM	#2
laidout Active Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bartlesville,ok Posts: 275	Re: Front crossmember issues if you have the cash flow you can do the dropmember or z the frame Attached Images

01-13-2007, 05:05 PM	#3
PrerunnerRob Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: San Jose Posts: 847	Re: Front crossmember issues Yea, a dropmember would be awesome, but cash is an issue here. I thought about z-ing the front end, but might not be the best idea. I was just wondering if any other otions were out there.

01-13-2007, 07:00 PM	#4
laidout Active Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bartlesville,ok Posts: 275	Re: Front crossmember issues not to sure but maybee tubular control arms and help with the issue

01-13-2007, 07:06 PM	#5
68shortfleet Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Dundee, Oregon Posts: 311	Re: Front crossmember issues What about sectioning the stock crossmember. Saw one done here, i think they sectioned 1 3/4" . It looked great and super cheap if you can cut and weld. I probably saw it in the 67-72 truck section as thats where i spend most of my time. Jason

01-13-2007, 07:24 PM	#6
poorboy Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Oregon City, Or Posts: 758	Re: Front crossmember issues here's a link to a sectioned crossmember http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=189894

01-13-2007, 08:10 PM	#7
68shortfleet Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Dundee, Oregon Posts: 311	Re: Front crossmember issues There is also a sectioned crossmember in a thread started by fletch4x4. I cant seem to figure out how to link it but i search for crossmember section. HTH Jason

01-14-2007, 02:42 PM	#8
SIR SIR Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: grants pass oregon,usa Posts: 658	Re: Front crossmember issues *.....check the latest issue of "classic-trucks" ...and hope you win the lottery....* __________________ 66long low fleet http://community.webshots.com/user/LVNR66

01-15-2007, 04:48 PM	#9
thekid54 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: LA, CA Posts: 296	Re: Front crossmember issues If you are going to go through all that cutting and welding, I would Z your frame instead of sectioning the cross member. IIRC you can only section the cross member about 1-1/8" without running into issues like tie rods hitting and stuff like that. They both have their headaches, but to me Z-ing is less of a headache and you get more drop. I Z'd my '63 frame 3" and I'm running 3" dropped spindles with bags. The frame hits the ground before any part of the front cross member does. Just my 2 cents. Check the suspension forum for more ideas.



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