Section frame to raise crossmember?

[Mtrhd329]

I am starting over with a new frame and was wondering if instead of sectioning the crossmember if i could cut off an inch from the bottom of the frame where the crossmember bolts to it to achieve the same thing?

Basically cut off the lower portion and weld it in am inch higher.  Would this cause any issues.  I think i will still be on with the steering since i wont be over an inch.  I have a bare frame now and think this would be easier to accomplish.

I have 2.5" drop spindles and cut springs in the front already and have moved my lcas forward 3/4" via the caster mod already.  Just looking to get the lcas up a little and get another inch out of it.

[Captkaos]

Just Z it.  I personally wouldn't cut the frame down like that.  It will require you to have to build new motor mounts, and there is a lot of weight sitting there.

[Mtrhd329]

Just curious how would cutting the frame in half and welding it back and adding a fish plate be stronger than cutting a small section out and adding bracing and boxing it on the back side?

I have been towing with zing the frame but for a static drop I just don't know if it would be worth it just to raise the arms up for more clearance.  Thoughts?  I have the frame bare and sitting in the garage now waiting for me to swap the current truck onto it.  just wanna do it right this time.

[Captkaos]

Your covering a lot more area on the Z with the plates and welds.  on the section, there is no way short of boxing the whole area (which you technically can't as there is cross bolts from the crossmember) to add strength back into that area unless I am not visualizing what you are talking about correctly.

What are you wanting to ultimately do?  Just get it lower with what you have?

[Mtrhd329]

Yes.  I have drop spindles and i cut my coils 3".  I am going to get some new coils and only take one round off them this time to get a little better ride but i will loose an inch in the process.

I have a blank frame i am starting with so i figured now would be a good time to try and get that extra inch back.  I was also wanting to raise my a arms up a little since they are the lowest point of the truck right now and are 4.5" from the ground.

Plans are to drive occasionally and take it to some autocross events here locally every few weeks.

I was considering plating the back side behing the motor mounts and cutting the stock mounts down some and rewelding them to get the motor an inch lower. 
Ill see if i can find a picture of what im talking about.

[Mtrhd329]

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

Similar to this but not as much cut out of the frame.  I am only wanting maybe an inch off the bottom of the frame.  And plate the back.  I can weld the nuts on the frame for the crossmember bolts and a few of the bolts just thread in anyways.  I just dont wanna z and then have to figure out steering and tunnel for the trans.

[Mtrhd329]

Heres a better picture of what i am thinking of doing.  But of course filled in and plated on the back side

[OneLowOneTon]

i would definitely recommend doing a Z or sectioning the cross member before doing that. In doing the notch in the frame you will still more than likely need an extension piece at the top of frame rails for the upper control arms mounting studs as you would with sectioning the cross member.
If you just section the cross member the 1" you will still gain the same clearance without cutting the frame and without having to modify your engine mounts or trans tunnel

[Captkaos]

If you are just trying to get 1" back I would section the crossmember 1".  Regardless of how you do this, you will have to address the steering.
I assume that you are wanting to do the opposite of that example above as that won't lower anything. (unless the picture is the frame upside down)

If you are planning on autocrossing why not look into a new bolt in crossmember that will give you a rack and pinion setup and raised control arms?

[Mtrhd329]

Sorry should have mentioned that is the frame upside down. 

Im just looking for the cheap way i can do this.  I already have plenty of wire and am not looking to spend for a complete crossmember at this point. 

Didnt want to mess up the crossmember if i ran into too many problems and wanted to go back to stock.  A crossmember here is hard to find.  8 was thinking if i messed up the frame section i could cut it out in the form of a z and splic a new fr9nt frame rail in.  Easy fix. 

[Captkaos]

You can notch the cross member under the rails and drop it that way and it you want to return it back it would be a matter of adding that top back on.

Chris Lucas
73-87chevytrucks.com
square body.biz

[Mtrhd329]

So if i did that it would bring the motor up an inch also right.

[Captkaos]

Yes.  It would be like the way I used to do them here, but ONLY the area under the frame.  You would definitely have to modify the frame mounts though.

http://www.captkaoscustoms.com/chopcross.html

[Mtrhd329]

Went with a z.  I figure with that the drop spindles and some one ton coils cut down a coil i should have a fairly decent ride and good handling without having to worry about my lcas.

So how do you guys mount a sway bar after a z?  Mine went right between the two holes where the sway bar bushing bracket blots to the frame.

[Captkaos]

You need to fab something.