47-55.1 Not as low IFS - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

whitedog76 · 11-07-2018, 02:31 PM

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 · 11-07-2018, 02:32 PM

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

whitedog76 · 11-07-2018, 02:34 PM

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

_Ogre · 11-07-2018, 02:44 PM

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 · 11-07-2018, 05:00 PM

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** · 11-07-2018, 08:05 PM

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 · 11-07-2018, 09:53 PM

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** · 11-08-2018, 01:17 AM

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.

11-07-2018, 02:31 PM	#1
whitedog76 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Peoria, IL Posts: 1,450	Not as low IFS 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. Attached Images

11-07-2018, 02:32 PM	#2
whitedog76 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Peoria, IL Posts: 1,450	Re: Not as low IFS After some welding, grinding, and a dab of zinc paint. Attached Images

11-07-2018, 02:34 PM	#3
whitedog76 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Peoria, IL Posts: 1,450	Re: Not as low IFS Before I trim the hats I want to get everything mocked up so I can get the Anti-dive and castor set right. Attached Images

11-07-2018, 02:44 PM	#4
_Ogre Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Motown Posts: 7,680	Re: Not as low IFS 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? Attached Images __________________ cool, an ogre smiley Ogre's 58 Truk build how to put your truck year and build thread into your signature shop air compressor timer

11-07-2018, 05:00 PM	#5
whitedog76 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Peoria, IL Posts: 1,450	Re: Not as low IFS 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.

11-07-2018, 08:05 PM	#6
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,710	Re: Not as low IFS 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. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.

11-07-2018, 09:53 PM	#7
whitedog76 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Peoria, IL Posts: 1,450	Re: Not as low IFS 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.

11-08-2018, 01:17 AM	#8
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,710	Re: Not as low IFS 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. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.



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