** can anyone help with a Z'd frame question**

[LAIDOUT7]

I'm about to Z the frame on my 73, and like allways try go gather as much information as possable on here, but I have noticed some guys cut a straight line down then weld it up, and some cut at an angle & move it forward 1"... whats the reason for that ??..... Thanks

[kieth]

I have never z'd a small truck frame but the reason we always cut a frame on a angle is so the weld never sees all of the load on the frame at the same time. A 90 degree cut and weld is much weaker, if the frame was loaded heavily in this spot all of the twist (torque, down force) would be at the welded joint (weakest spot) and that is where it will break.......If it is cut on a 45 degree angle and then rewelded together only one spot on the repaired area sees the load....the load is distributed evenly to the web of the frame instead of to one point on the frame..........Kieth

ps I think the reason for moving the frame forward is to center the axle in the front wheel well opening (I think) and to allow more clearance for the engine and the crossmember.....??

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by LAIDOUT7

I'm about to Z the frame on my 73, and like allways try go gather as much information as possable on here, but I have noticed some guys cut a straight line down then weld it up, and some cut at an angle & move it forward 1"... whats the reason for that ??..... Thanks

The reason for the angled cut is to shift the spindle centerline forward to re-center the wheel in the fender opening. This also has to be adjusted for when cutting the front core support. Whatever the amount the wheelbase is moved, it has to be removed here to allow all the body bushings to aligh back up.

[BACKYARD88]

I Zed mine this way and when you take the inch out of the frame by the core support(to make up for what you added with the angled cut) on a 67-72 frame it makes things VERY tight. I'm not sure about your 73-up frame. If this is the route you take measure carefully.