post pics of your frames plz...

[blaznhot_23]

hey guys...I wanted to ask a favor from those with pics of their frames. If you could post of pics of the custom work you have completed on your frames. Z'd-frames, c-notches, custom IFS, 4 links, airbag setups, etc. I would like to get an idea as what combos there are and how everything looks completed. thanks in advance

[BACKYARD88]

Triangulated four link and step notch


Sectioned crossmember

I don't have any pics of the finished Z yet but here's a fuzzy one of it almost finished.

And here's how it sits aired out with the above mentioned work

[blaznhot_23]

that looks sick backyard88...i don't mean to sound like a noob, but since you have that monster notch in the rear why did you z the frame??

[BACKYARD88]

I Zed the frame in the front to get the lower control arms away from the ground. I sectioned the cross member 1.25 inches so without the Z the control arms were very close to the ground. Now there is a couple inches of clearance. The way I Zed it it also moves the front suspension foreword an inch to center the wheels in the fender openings.

[blaznhot_23]

you only z'd front, no z needed in the rear right??? how come you didn't end up going with like a custom IFS from like Scott's Hot Rods or something similar???

[BACKYARD88]

Correct, front Z only. As far as custom IFS, this front suspension has worked for over 30 years so I don't see a need to change it. I'll be installing a hitch on this truck and driving it every day. If it were a show truck I would have used a PB Dropmember, but it's 100% driver.

[blaznhot_23]

when you get more work done on that front z i want to see some finished pics if you don't mind. I had some questions about the whole z thing...when you z a frame whether it be to the front or rear how do you know what direction you need to move the frame. Say for instance if you z the rear do you measure and move the frame staright up vertical to the desired height or kick it out diagonally to the desired height like you did??? The reason why i'm asking is i was thinking about doing something similar to what fesler did to their truck on the frame with the custom IFS with rack/pinion steering along with a mild c-notch and possible four link set up out back. On the other hand i can stick with stock components z the front like you did and put a good size step notch out back. I'm just letting some different ideas marinate before i do anything....

[Frizzle Fry]

Originally Posted by BACKYARD88

The way I Zed it it also moves the front suspension foreword an inch to center the wheels in the fender openings.

Damn good idea!

[BACKYARD88]

My Z is finished now, I'll try and get some pics of it for you this weekend. On the rear you'd just raise it vertically, otherwise you'd end up with a huge gap between the bed and cab. In front you don't have to move it foreaword like i did, your wheels just sit further back in the opening. If you use a dropmember you don't have to Z the frame or move the suspension foreword, all of that is designed in.

[BACKYARD88]

Thanks Frizzle.

[shifty]

Originally Posted by BACKYARD88

Correct, front Z only. As far as custom IFS, this front suspension has worked for over 30 years so I don't see a need to change it. I'll be installing a hitch on this truck and driving it every day. If it were a show truck I would have used a PB Dropmember, but it's 100% driver.

I got stuck with talent on computers.

I really, really wish I either had the skill to do work like that, or knew someone nearby who could teach me stuff like that. You are a very lucky guy to have the knowledge to do that kind of stuff.

[blaznhot_23]

Originally Posted by BACKYARD88

My Z is finished now, I'll try and get some pics of it for you this weekend. On the rear you'd just raise it vertically, otherwise you'd end up with a huge gap between the bed and cab. In front you don't have to move it foreaword like i did, your wheels just sit further back in the opening. If you use a dropmember you don't have to Z the frame or move the suspension foreword, all of that is designed in.

is porterbuilt the only one who make the dropmember?? looking forward for the pics when you have a chance... btw thanks for your input i appreciate it

[BACKYARD88]

I appreciate the compliment Shifty, I wish I knew more about computers. Nathan Porter invented the Dropmember, he does amazing work. I imagine he has a patent on it.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by BACKYARD88

I Zed the frame in the front to get the lower control arms away from the ground. I sectioned the cross member 1.25 inches so without the Z the control arms were very close to the ground. Now there is a couple inches of clearance. The way I Zed it it also moves the front suspension foreword an inch to center the wheels in the fender openings.

This is how I mocked up the 'Z' for my RestoRod (except my front spindle C/L is 1.25" forward from stock). Then Porter came along w/that C4 Dropmember & I've been in turmoil since then trying to figure which way to go....

[dan468]

Originally Posted by BACKYARD88

Triangulated four link and step notch


Sectioned crossmember

I don't have any pics of the finished Z yet but here's a fuzzy one of it almost finished.

And here's how it sits aired out with the above mentioned work

what kinda bags are you using in the back? they seem pretty tall...

Thanks,
Dan

[BACKYARD88]

Slam RE7's

[BACKYARD88]

Here's a not so good pic of the plate on the outside of the frame. I'm going to try and get it outside this weekend and get some better pics for my build thread so I'll post some of them here too.

[blaznhot_23]

look good backyard88 i can't wait to see the finished product

[BACKYARD88]

Originally Posted by blaznhot_23

look good backyard88 i can't wait to see the finished product

You may be waitin a while

[blaznhot_23]

hey since you're pretty familar with z'ing frames...did you see the work they did on the fesler build???

[BACKYARD88]

No, I have heard of it but haven't seen any of that build.

[blaznhot_23]

well i have a question...maybe you or someone else can answer or chime in. when you z the rear portion of a frame what difference does it make if you just make one cut and move the frame up rather than cutting a small section like a couple of inches and then moving the frame up??? thats what they did in the fesler build. but with your frame build backyard you took the first appraoch i mentioned.

[BACKYARD88]

I'm not sure I follow what you mean about cutting a small section and then moving the frame up. Got a pic for example? Are you talking about something like this where you would remove the black section as opposed to the top where I just cut a straight line?

[blaznhot_23]

here is a better pic of what i'm talking about...its out of the truck builder mag on the fesler build up...the last 4 pics on the bottom explain what i trying to say. he measured a small section diagonally and then cut thta piece out and then moved the frame up...

[71tahoe]

Originally Posted by blaznhot_23

here is a better pic of what i'm talking about...its out of the truck builder mag on the fesler build up...the last 4 pics on the bottom explain what i trying to say. he measured a small section diagonally and then cut thta piece out and then moved the frame up...

My guess is that since he boxed the frame, he wanted the clean look at the z also. This let him plug weld the plates internally and still get the smooth boxed look.