47-55.1 Not as low IFS

[whitedog76]

So, I finally got around to making some room in the shed so I can work on my 3600. I don't want a super low ride, so I decided to modify my MII crossmember.

I started out with a 3/16 tab of steel.

[whitedog76]

After some welding, grinding, and a dab of zinc paint.

[whitedog76]

Before I trim the hats I want to get everything mocked up so I can get the Anti-dive and castor set right.

[_Ogre]

you should probably add a gusset for added strength at the junction
i didn't like how the fatman mustII x-member just welded to the bottom of my frame
gusset is just a piece of 4 inch channel cut at an angle

what will you do on the top hat?

[whitedog76]

Since I welded 1.25" on the crossmember, I'll need to trim that much off the top hats. That's the sharpie mark you see
I have some 1/4" plate that I'm going to make some gussets out of. I'm also going to make a brace for the lower control arm tube.

[mr48chev]

I could have sold you that "universal" Helix crossmeber that I have tossed out in the weeds that you could have trimmed to fit the way you want real cheap. It needs half a day's welding to repair the welds that they ground through anyhow and could easily be set at any height you wanted when you trimmed it to fit the frame.

[whitedog76]

When I decided to go IFS, I had all kinds of ideas about making it rear steer, keeping the factory height, etc.. After looking at a few builds, reflecting on the matter, I decided to keep it simple. The crossmember is actually a CPP “economy” unit. I’m not for sure what the difference is with it being the “economy” version. The welds look pretty good in my opinion. One of the hats could stand to have some touch ups, but that is about it.

Anyhow, with giving it a little lift, I won’t have to c notch the frame for the rack. I’ll still have a 2-3” drop over the factory ride height, which will add some cool factor.

[mr48chev]

That should work. I'll use the one I have some day after my son and I spend a few hours welding on it to make it right. It is something like 1/4 inch plate and heavy as all get out if they hadn't ground though the welds and done a sloppy job on the rest of them.