Crossmember section questions.

[roofingbloke]

Hi All.

I have a 63 long fleet with power steering,

I want to section my front crossmember 1.5", but i have had a look at my steering setup and the middle linkage is only three quater inches from the lower point of the chassis,

I am trying to gain an inch ore two with out spending mega bucks,

Any help would be much appreciated,

[Scot_Douglas]

You'll have to notch the frame to let the linkage move up the required 1.5" to keep your steering geometry happy.

IMHO, you want an inch or two - order a set of drop spindles. I sectioned my crossmember 2", notched my frame and added a steering rack. I want a 5" drop w/o losing suspension travel, but for the work involved sectioning the crossmember, the spindles are well worth the price.

[roofingbloke]

I allready have 2" drop spindels,

Do you have any pictures,

Thanks.

[broey]

you dont need to cut the frame, you can notch the crossmember up 1.5 inches without disrupting the steering, if you go 2 inches you will have to raise the steering box.

[Scot_Douglas]

Originally Posted by roofingbloke

I allready have 2" drop spindels,

Do you have any pictures,

Thanks.

You can see my inexperience and newbie mistake here: I cut my notches based on where the rack wanted to sit WITHOUT having the engine set in place. Once I put the engine in for mock-up, I found I couldn't go as high with the rack as I wanted, so I drilled and reamed the steering arms from the bottom. This allows much better geometry and way less toe change with suspension movement.

[roofingbloke]

Thanks for the pics, Scot douglas,

How much did you cut out of the crosmember ?

[Scot_Douglas]

Originally Posted by roofingbloke

Thanks for the pics, Scot douglas,

How much did you cut out of the crosmember ?

You're very welcome.

2" total - lots of welding and grinding!

[roofingbloke]

I have been looking at every object when carrying out this crossmember section,

Looking at the middle steering link that runs in front of the crossmember, mine is almost touching & as the front of the crossmember gets wider towards the lower half, so if i am about to take 1.5" out, will the steering arm touch,

Anyone got any pics of this with suspension & steering & engine in place,

[broey]

Originally Posted by roofingbloke

I have been looking at every object when carrying out this crossmember section,

Looking at the middle steering link that runs in front of the crossmember, mine is almost touching & as the front of the crossmember gets wider towards the lower half, so if i am about to take 1.5" out, will the steering arm touch,

Anyone got any pics of this with suspension & steering & engine in place,

it shouldn't touch if you go 1.5.

[Muney]

I sectioned my crossmember 1.5", started to bolt it up....then got a new one, and "z'ed" my frame 3" and sold my sectioned crossmember, too much steering issues for me!!

[broey]

awesome, I almost went the z route. your motor gonna fit under the hood still?

[Muney]

yup, but i have been debating on running a tunnel ram and cutting a hole in the hood!

[roofingbloke]

Originally Posted by Muney

I sectioned my crossmember 1.5", started to bolt it up....then got a new one, and "z'ed" my frame 3" and sold my sectioned crossmember, too much steering issues for me!!

I thought the whole idea of liniting the section to 1.5" was so no steering issues were present,

What issues did you come across, the z frame drop looks like more work to me,

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by roofingbloke

I thought the whole idea of liniting the section to 1.5" was so no steering issues were present,

What issues did you come across, the z frame drop looks like more work to me,

I read it was 1.5" where interference became an issue so I cut less to avoid possible problems.

I allowed myself an extra .125" clearance so mine was a total of 1 3/8" notch. I still had clearance issues when the steering swung through its arc of travel. I ended up having to shim the x-member back up .250" to allow almost .125" clearance from stop to stop (or 1 1/8" total x-member notch).

[Muney]

Originally Posted by roofingbloke

I thought the whole idea of liniting the section to 1.5" was so no steering issues were present,

What issues did you come across, the z frame drop looks like more work to me,

yea, it was almost 6 years ago when I sectioned the xmember, but i believe i had issues with the travel of the bars throughout the turn.