3 questions

[Conundrum]

#1. Those of you that have Z'd your frames and made your cuts at an angle to center the front wheels, how did you come up with the degree of angle needed? Does it vary depending on the amount of the Z? Will it vary between doing it to say a 67-72 and a 73-87?
I know i'll have to move the mounts for the radiator support back along with bumper mounting holes.

#2. 73-87 2wd 454 coil springs, how much difference is there between the 1/2 and 3/4 springs?

#3. Can you/has anyone used a 2" drop hanger but not use a drop shackle with it?

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by Conundrum

.....#3. Can you/has anyone used a 2" drop hanger but not use a drop shackle with it?

This could cause pinion angle issues. Is there a reason why you would do one with out the other?

[dv8customs]

Originally Posted by Conundrum

#1. Those of you that have Z'd your frames and made your cuts at an angle to center the front wheels, how did you come up with the degree of angle needed? Does it vary depending on the amount of the Z? Will it vary between doing it to say a 67-72 and a 73-87?
I know i'll have to move the mounts for the radiator support back along with bumper mounting holes.

The angle will depend on the amount of the Z and how far forward you want to move the wheels. Say you want to Z it 3" and move it forward 1". That gives you two sides of your triangle. Draw a line connecting those two and it will give you the angle to cut.

1"
-------
\.......|
.\......|
..\.....|
...\....| 3"
....\...|
.....\..|
......\.|

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by dv8customs

The angle will depend on the amount of the Z and how far forward you want to move the wheels. Say you want to Z it 3" and move it forward 1". That gives you two sides of your triangle. Draw a line connecting those two and it will give you the angle to cut.

1"
-------
\.......|
.\......|
..\.....|
...\....| 3"
....\...|
.....\..|
......\.|

Exactly.

[Conundrum]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

This could cause pinion angle issues. Is there a reason why you would do one with out the other?

I thought about the pinion angle issue, but can't seem to think of why it would be much different using the shackle alone. I was thinkin of running some caltracs traction bars along with a flip kit and would like to raise the front part of the bars to keep them from hitting the ground. And I know i'll end up with a 7-8" rear drop, but i'm planning on it sitting low.

Originally Posted by dv8customs

The angle will depend on the amount of the Z and how far forward you want to move the wheels. Say you want to Z it 3" and move it forward 1". That gives you two sides of your triangle. Draw a line connecting those two and it will give you the angle to cut.

1"
-------
\.......|
.\......|
..\.....|
...\....| 3"
....\...|
.....\..|
......\.|

That makes alot of sense, and is suprisingly simple. Thanks!

[Shane]

trigonometry is your friend.

[texastrendz]

when you z the frame at an angle what do you do with the core support. do you have to z it in the opposite direction to pull everything back so the fenders line up. i always wondered how you pull everything back once you pushed it foward.

[Conundrum]

Originally Posted by texastrendz

when you z the frame at an angle what do you do with the core support. do you have to z it in the opposite direction to pull everything back so the fenders line up. i always wondered how you pull everything back once you pushed it foward.

That's how I am going to do it, don't know if that's how most do it.

[gixxerpymp]

Why not just cut it straight and not have to worry about it

[dv8customs]

Originally Posted by gixxerpymp

Why not just cut it straight and not have to worry about it

He is cutting it an an angle to move the wheels forward in the wheel well.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by gixxerpymp

Why not just cut it straight and not have to worry about it

Are you referring to the frame/suspension Z or the required core support mod?

Cutting the Z @ an angle allows moving the spindle center-line forward to keep the wheels centered in the wheelwell opening.

If it's the core support, there's no need to move it @ an angle. It could be cut straight w/the appropriate amount of material removed to keep the dimensions similar.

[texastrendz]

gotcha, so you just remove the material and move it back. i see. it is kinda funny to me when people z frames and the way they look without the sheet metal. it seems like it works, bunch of them out and about.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by texastrendz

gotcha, so you just remove the material and move it back. i see. it is kinda funny to me when people z frames and the way they look without the sheet metal. it seems like it works, bunch of them out and about.

Agreed.... although some appear much better than others simply due to the planning & skill level of the fabricator.