bagged 71 0n 22"s progress pics

[Big Ants71]

just wanted to show some pics of my 71,I been working on this frame for about 4 months off & on. it was a long bed when I got it, but I back half the rear to make a shorty,the rails are a little high,but rollin 22"s they need to be big.up front I did'nt want to z the frame so I channeld the front x member.I still need to cut the hoop for the drive line,plate in the x-member and cap all the pipe, I will post more when it's done

[Big Ants71]

more pics.

[SEVENTY1]

Speechless....

[jlaird]

cool man. Love seeing new projects on here. Got a couple questions/comments:

I would box the frame some where the new frame meets the old.

I also might consider making gussets for under the link that is holding the lower bag bracket. Something like in this pic. (hard to see, but you get the idea.)

Last thing, how much did you section your x-member? Did you run into any clearance problems with the inner tie rods?

[IvelDesigns]

great work man. looks like you've done some really clean work there.

What are your plans for the driveshaft? it looks like your wishbone is gonna cause some troubles unless you do some sort of split shaft setup.

[Big Ants71]

Originally Posted by jlaird

cool man. Love seeing new projects on here. Got a couple questions/comments:

I would box the frame some where the new frame meets the old.

I also might consider making gussets for under the link that is holding the lower bag bracket. Something like in this pic. (hard to see, but you get the idea.)

Last thing, how much did you section your x-member? Did you run into any clearance problems with the inner tie rods?

I sectioned it 1 3/4" were the frame bolts to it, I did have to cut out the front were the center link runs in front, also I had to trim the egdes were the inner t-rods are but other than that = no sweat, if you want I could get some close up pics and post'm for you?

[Big Ants71]

Originally Posted by IvelDesigns

great work man. looks like you've done some really clean work there.

What are your plans for the driveshaft? it looks like your wishbone is gonna cause some troubles unless you do some sort of split shaft setup.

I haven't cut out the pipe that runs through the frame that holds the hoop, but because my wishbone is so long my pinion angle only moves 3/4 of degree aired up should be fine (I hope)
thanks for the comments

[jlaird]

Originally Posted by Big Ants71

I sectioned it 1 3/4" were the frame bolts to it, I did have to cut out the front were the center link runs in front, also I had to trim the egdes were the inner t-rods are but other than that = no sweat, if you want I could get some close up pics and post'm for you?

A pic would be great! Just today I reinstalled my 1.5 sectioned x-member and my driver side inner tie rod is gonna hit the lower control arm u-bolt. So currently, I'm trying to figure out what to do.

So I don't understand how you sectioned yours more than I, yet you didn't have this problem... I guess I just have bad luck!

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by jlaird

A pic would be great! Just today I reinstalled my 1.5 sectioned x-member and my driver side inner tie rod is gonna hit the lower control arm u-bolt. So currently, I'm trying to figure out what to do.

So I don't understand how you sectioned yours more than I, yet you didn't have this problem... I guess I just have bad luck!

XXL didn't have this problem on his 1.5" notched crossmember. I went on the conservative side & only notched mine 1 3/8" & still hit the u-bolts.

[pharcyde05]

LOOKING GOOD
keep us posted on the new progress

[jlaird]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

XXL didn't have this problem on his 1.5" notched crossmember. I went on the conservative side & only notched mine 1 3/8" & still hit the u-bolts.

yea, I know. Thats why I was surprised when mine hit. I think slight differences in everybody's setup make all the difference. If my inner tie rod was forward a quarter inch, i would be free and clear.

[Big Ants71]

Originally Posted by jlaird

A pic would be great! Just today I reinstalled my 1.5 sectioned x-member and my driver side inner tie rod is gonna hit the lower control arm u-bolt. So currently, I'm trying to figure out what to do.

So I don't understand how you sectioned yours more than I, yet you didn't have this problem... I guess I just have bad luck!

Jlaird, here's the pics of my x member, when I took these pictures I remember that I pulled this xmember from an 86 1/2 ton,but I sized it up to the 71 and the only diff was the bolt hole size for the frame rails and the u-bolt holes for the lower arms(the 86 has thicker u-bolts) on my truck I'm running all 86 front suspension except upper & lower arms,I'm also using the 86 gear box,also I noticed the arm that bolts to the idler arm is different than my 71 it drops down about 1/4" more(I used the 86 arm) I just need to plate in where I cut out for the center link (also off the 86) and it's done. hit me up if you need more info

[jlaird]

thanks for the pics. Lots of variables...

[EyeH8the24]

whats the leanght of the wish bone and lower links ? i have a wish bone set up as well i bought off evilbay..

[Big Ants71]

Originally Posted by EyeH8the24

whats the leanght of the wish bone and lower links ? i have a wish bone set up as well i bought off evilbay..

my lower links are 32 3/4" long and made of 1 1/2 -1/4 wall DOM upper Y is 34" made of the same stuff, I made the links and Y myself,got all my adjustable bushings and bungs from suicide doors .com

[67Fleet]

Lookin' sick! Can you post a more detailed pic of the clearancing you did to the upper control arm for the steering shaft? That's a pretty cool little mod that looks like it will eliminate having to use Borgeson joints and a fabbed bracket.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by 67Fleet

Lookin' sick! Can you post a more detailed pic of the clearancing you did to the upper control arm for the steering shaft? That's a pretty cool little mod that looks like it will eliminate having to use Borgeson joints and a fabbed bracket.

Wow... I didn't even notice the notch to the upper a-arm. More pics on that are definitely needed. I was considering doing this but I have the ART arms & hated to cut into them.

I still might just swap back to the stock style arm just for this reason.

[Big Ants71]

Originally Posted by 67Fleet

Lookin' sick! Can you post a more detailed pic of the clearancing you did to the upper control arm for the steering shaft? That's a pretty cool little mod that looks like it will eliminate having to use Borgeson joints and a fabbed bracket.

67fleet,I haven't finnished that arm yet,but what I did was cut out a 2" hole just above the end nut then cut a U shaped 2" piece of pipe, weld that in to the 2" hole then grind it down level. I got this idea from a picture on IF CUSTOMS.COM they did on a 66 suburban.I'll post the pictures when I'm done.

[Big Ants71]

Got a little more work done today.cut out the drive line hoop,installed the 3:89 limited slip 3rd member,pulled a trans x-member from a 87 jeep yj modified that a little(clears perfect!) just need to take it all apart and paint it

[Big Ants71]

look what I found in san francisco,

[dave2953]

You probably know, but in the first pic it looks like the rearend is way off center.

EDIT: I just looked again and realized you hadn't installed a track bar, so that's probably why.

[Jaredm82]

its because its a Ford? rear end. The yoke is not in the center. Our trucks yokes arent in the center either but are closer than that. No need for a track bar, that what hes got a wishbone for...

[64shortc10]

Big Ants 71,


lookin Good, Is the driveshaft going to work? What brand wheels are those? Any new pics with the body on?

Jaredm82,

Any new pics of your progress? Looks good so far!

Tony from Norcal

[67Fleet]

Originally Posted by Big Ants71

67fleet,I haven't finnished that arm yet,but what I did was cut out a 2" hole just above the end nut then cut a U shaped 2" piece of pipe, weld that in to the 2" hole then grind it down level. I got this idea from a picture on IF CUSTOMS.COM they did on a 66 suburban.I'll post the pictures when I'm done.

Cool, I've got my 1.5" sectioned crossmember at my buddy's shop being painted and just trying to look at all my options before installing and having to run down possible issues. Thanks!

[Jaredm82]

Nah, no progress you can "see" I rebuilt my steering box and it still leaks!!! I finished up my steering shaft, wired my motor ad started the thing! Started right up 1st try after sitting for 4 freaking years!!! Cant wait to drive it again. I need to get my brakes hooked back up. Then I will put it on the trailor and take it to my buddy's shop to finish up the welding in the back. Then I could take it for a spin! Its gona be sweet!