Advantages of 'Z' over bodydrop

[gringoloco]

OK, so I've searched and pondered this quite a bit, but would like to know why everyone Zs instead of bodydropping.

Seems to me, aired out and 3" BD should get the rockers down. This is assuming 3" spindle and c-notch.

Why cut the frame instead of the floor?

[smbrouss70]

Z-ing raises the bottom of the front crossmember to be level with or higher (depending on how much of a Z you do) than the bottom of the frame rails where they pass under your cab. That way you can set the frame on the ground and not drag your lower controls arms to crap. Also, with a "traditional" body drop, you lose that 3" inside of the cab. I'm 6'1" so I definately wouldn't want to lose that space.

[SCOTI]

Yep, what smbrouss70 said.

A body-drop infringes on your interior space. If done strategically, you could do it w/minimal loss of space (ex: section the seat brackets to utilize the wasted space under the the seats). If not your noggin is alot closer to the headliner than before.

The 'Z' raises the suspension up front in relation to the rest of the body/frame. The main frame rails will now be the lowest part of the truck & it's about .5~.75 lower than the pinch weld of the rockers.

Body-drop
Pros: Does not interfere w/the structural integrity of the original frame (not everyone is a certified/quality welder.
Allows more travel from the front suspension @ a given drop vs. extreme lowering.
Cons: Loss of interior space.
Complexity of cuts vs. sheetmetal appearance (if you want to keep it 'stock appearing').
Rockers (sheetmetal) are now the lowest part of the truck (watch those speedbumps).

Frame 'Z"
Pros: Allows more travel from the front suspension @ a given drop vs extreme lowering.
Does not affect interior space.
Cons: Directly affects the structural integrity of the original frame.

[gringoloco]

Thanks guys.

I am not a certified welder but can lay a decent bead. I am just not comfortable enough with my skills to weld load bearing sections of the frame. Front horns for the BD I'd be OK with.

I'm looking at about a 3" 'cause this will be about the amount of the bedside drop when flipped underneath the bed floor supports. I figured I'd just match that measurement on the cab and clip.

What do you guys think of trimming the top of the frame under the cab?

-Chris

[smbrouss70]

Originally Posted by gringoloco

What do you guys think of trimming the top of the frame under the cab?

That's a viable option, I've seen some guys on here that have welded some 2x4 square tubing inside of the frame rails and then cut the top of the frame rail off.

Here's a pic of what 74Chevy74 did. (I hope he doesn't mind)

He did what I am describing with the exception of cutting the bottom of the frame off, so that he could lay rocker. I know it's not a 67-72 frame but you get the idea. Once again, you would want good penetrating welds for the 2x4 to be effective.

[blt2rail]

body drop and z are 2 different things
you dont lose any interior space with a stock floor body drop

[gringoloco]

Originally Posted by blt2rail

body drop and z are 2 different things
you dont lose any interior space with a stock floor body drop

Right. Two different methods of accomplishing the same thing- getting the body on the ground without sacrificing too much suspension travel.

What do you mean by a 'stock floor bodydrop'? How would you do this without cutting frame rails? Seems to me, somethings got to give.

-Chris

[smbrouss70]

Originally Posted by gringoloco

Right. Two different methods of accomplishing the same thing- getting the body on the ground without sacrificing too much suspension travel.

What do you mean by a 'stock floor bodydrop'? How would you do this without cutting frame rails? Seems to me, somethings got to give.

-Chris

Cutting the frame rails and lowering the body is what is considered a "stock floor body drop."

[67Fleet]

right, and the only interior space you would lose on a SFBD is the tunnel for the tranny if required.

[Draggin79]

http://www.loweredd.com/Frame_Z.html

All you need to know on how to get your rockers planted firmly on the ground.

Only room you loose inside the cab is the tranny tunnel which you have to raise about 3-4"

I did this to my truck, finishing up grinding down the welds on the cab floor tomorrow then I will throw you guys some pics.

[Col Clank]

for a decent example of a stock floor body drop check out www.ifcustom.com

[bodydropped]

Originally Posted by smbrouss70

Cutting the frame rails and lowering the body is what is considered a "stock floor body drop."

tru but if u z the frame u can lower the body mounts atleast 1-2 inchs and lay rocker with out a b/d or st/fl b/d only cuttin that will have to be done is to redo the trans tunnel other than that i think thats it beside clearence for the dist for the amount of z u did but i know were a truck is gettin built that lays tru rocker with out a z and a b/d with the stock frame still intact only cuttin was clearence for the wheels in the fenders

[gringoloco]

Originally Posted by bodydropped

tru but if u z the frame u can lower the body mounts atleast 1-2 inchs and lay rocker with out a b/d or st/fl b/d only cuttin that will have to be done is to redo the trans tunnel other than that i think thats it beside clearence for the dist for the amount of z u did but i know were a truck is gettin built that lays tru rocker with out a z and a b/d with the stock frame still intact only cuttin was clearence for the wheels in the fenders

This is what I'm looking to do. I'd love some pics of the truck if you've got time.

-Chris

[camaro__thunder]

DO THEM BOTH, I did.... lol

[gringoloco]

Originally Posted by camaro__thunder

DO THEM BOTH, I did.... lol

I'm just tryin to lay pinch... for now.

[bodydropped]

to lay pinch z it at least 2 1/5 inchs lower the body mounts and u lay pinch i wish i could get pics but i can take them or post them until its done because im tryin to have it done by next year heatwave or sema depends so far ive got it layed out now its time to start prepin it for clean up i might be lookin for rim sponsors next year but im doin the interior all myself less the seats but im tryin to do the build 100% my self without gettin other ppl involved its a budget build that i wanted to build since i was 16 and this is my first full blown show truck that i will build and will never sell