Anyone notched their frame to raise the crossmember?

[tdave00]

I am sorta new here, so I might have missed this. I was wondering if anyone has notched (not Z'd) their frame in the front to raise the crossmember up into the frame? I realize you would have to fabricate something to raise and mount the upper A-Arm as well, but that shouldn't be too hard. Thoughts?

[tdave00]

This is very similar to what I was talking about, but I didn't really want to notch the crossmember.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=273722




I was thinking more along the lines of notching the frame and sliding the crossmember up into the notch. That way it would bolt in vs. weld in.

[slammed1]

Theres more to just notching the frame to move the whole crossmember up and also how far it can go up to keep other items in check. Basically notching the frame can be done,and beefing up the frame with boxing and gussets will keep the strength. Look at the pics you posted though and see he is using a rack and pinion located high on the crossmember. If you are still trying to use the stock steering box,idler arm,and tie rods and such,imagine the problem you will encounter by looking at the pics you posted also. Thats one reason guys just notch the crossmember a few inches if they are still retaining stock steering components. IF your a fabricator anything can be done but if your planning on just bolting stuff up it may be easier to just buy drop components to get the drop needed.

I guess it all depends on how much drop and how much work your willing to do to get your goal accomplished. You can get really close to 6" frt drop with suspension parts in the frt with no crossmember moving but once you do that the crossmember is close to the ground.

If you have a plan your looking to do,lay it out here and Im sure you will have plenty of ideas and variations of ways to accomplish it with some being very clever and cheap OR very expensive. All depending on your wallet and ability to do some of the work yourself will make your decision alot easier to make.

Good Luck.

[tdave00]

Thanks for the detailed reply.

I am really just looking for 4-5 inches of drop. I don't want to lay it on the ground at all. Moving the crossmember up seems like a more correct way to lower the truck vs. cutting/lowered springs. I know I could just buy a dropped crossmember but that kind of money is not an option for me. So, I was thinking of raising the crossmember up into the frame to get all the drop, or raising it up and also using some dropped spindles. Which would be the best way to do it?

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by tdave00

Thanks for the detailed reply.

I am really just looking for 4-5 inches of drop. I don't want to lay it on the ground at all. Moving the crossmember up seems like a more correct way to lower the truck vs. cutting/lowered springs. I know I could just buy a dropped crossmember but that kind of money is not an option for me. So, I was thinking of raising the crossmember up into the frame to get all the drop, or raising it up and also using some dropped spindles. Which would be the best way to do it?

Why would you prefer to move the OE crossmember up in relation to the frame vs. section/notch the crossmember?

[tdave00]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

Why would you prefer to move the OE crossmember up in relation to the frame vs. section/notch the crossmember?

Notching it and welding it to the frame just seems so permanent to me, but I really just want to know what would be the best way short of buying a "dropmember".

[shifty]

i highly recommend checking out the Suspension forum, those guys over there are freaking such pros it's just silly

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by tdave00

Notching it and welding it to the frame just seems so permanent to me, but I really just want to know what would be the best way short of buying a "dropmember".

You notch the crossmember & bolt it back in. It requires some clearancing mods & drilling some new holes in the side of the frame.

[slammed1]

I am still with the mind set that if you only want 4-5 inches of front drop do it the suspension way with coils and spindles and avoid the hassle.

If you have the time and means to do the crossmember mod I say go for it because it is more work than money but coils and spindles arent much anymore if you shop around.

I can weld,fab,and hand build parts like others and my truck is simply a set of coils and a set of spindles so far and I dont see any reason to change anymore at this point. IF I get a clearance issue with the bottom of the crossmember being too low for my taste I will section it or find a way to buy a DROPMEMBER from Porters but for now I am goign to use what I got.

[tdave00]

Originally Posted by shifty

i highly recommend checking out the Suspension forum, those guys over there are freaking such pros it's just silly

I agree. I should have posted it over there.

[slammed1]

I can take a hint.

[tdave00]

Originally Posted by slammed1

I can take a hint.

I wasn't hinting at anything. I appreciate the advice. Exactly the kind of first handle knowledge I was looking for. I was just saying if I posted it over there that I might have gotten more responses from people that hang out specifically on that board .