How did you measure/cut for you Z? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

74Chevy74 · 07-25-2006, 03:11 PM

I just had a few last questions about Z'ing. Since the section where the frame is angled how did you guys make a straight line to cut the frame? I'm sure I could maybe use a level of the floor, and use a square but I don't know how close I will be? I just want it straight!

Here's a couple pics of what I got going.

74Chevy74 · 07-25-2006, 03:23 PM

Here's a few pics I found online of Z's....

valleycustom · 07-25-2006, 05:29 PM

Level the frame out and use a bubble level to make your mark.

smbrouss70 · 07-25-2006, 11:37 PM

Valley, when you say level the frame... you are talking about leveling the portion of the frame under the cab, correct?

FnLow69 · 07-26-2006, 12:18 AM

i would assume so thats the flats spot of the frame but i would check the front frame horns as the same with the rear just to double check...

valleycustom · 07-26-2006, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smbrouss70

Valley, when you say level the frame... you are talking about leveling the portion of the frame under the cab, correct?

Yup.

Draggin79 · 07-27-2006, 06:03 PM

This is my 4" Z. (Sorry pics are so big.)

jlaird · 07-27-2006, 11:44 PM

looks good. How long did that take ya?

Draggin79 · 07-28-2006, 05:41 PM

it took a friend and I about a weekend to do it, most of the time was spent measuring before the cuts

Rydn2L0w · 07-29-2006, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Draggin79

it took a friend and I about a weekend to do it, most of the time was spent measuring before the cuts

DO you guys "Z" the frame in order to avoid sectioning the crossmember? Or are you cutting off the rocker to lay door? From what ive read so far on this forum to lay pinchweld you need to section the engine crossmember to bring the front suspension up above the frame rails and replace the tranny and trailing arm crossmembers.

7deuce · 07-29-2006, 10:15 PM

Thats what I did. Section X-member 1.125 in Z 2 3/4 in and ran 2x4 box tubing in the frame rails and blasted the bottoms off. Right now my X-member is 1 in off the ground and the lower A-arms are safe. Im going to get a 1 in plate and bolt it to the front X-member to DRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAG that pig down the road.

Draggin79 · 07-30-2006, 09:34 AM

At first I did a 2.5" crossmember chop, I ended up having so many steering problems, that I decided not to use it at all. So I found a new crossmember, and decided to "Z" the frame. You "Z" the frame to raise the whole front suspension up and above the frame, therefor your not dragging off your lower control arms you will be dragging the frame section under the cab.

XXL · 07-30-2006, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 7deuce

Im going to get a 1 in plate and bolt it to the front X-member to DRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAG that pig down the road.

Please stay in Ohio.

camaro__thunder · 07-31-2006, 03:39 AM

7deuce · 07-31-2006, 05:36 PM

Why should I stay here?????

Rydn2L0w · 07-31-2006, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 7deuce

Why should I stay here?????

Come on down to Orlando we are all getting together aug 5th sat for a drag thru to remember a couple fallen fellow mintruckers R.I.P - Matthew John Klausing - 3-8-77 / 8-2-05

7deuce · 07-31-2006, 09:25 PM

Thanks.

lownfast · 07-31-2006, 11:13 PM

a bubble level and a sawsall will get the job done quick

camaro__thunder · 08-01-2006, 05:14 AM

XXL's truck wants to drag but he doesn't

and wheres our update pics XXL ??

74Chevy74 · 08-01-2006, 12:26 PM

Here are some updates of what I did this weekend, still have not Z'ed the front. Here are the new notches installed and the KP 6 link, which is the nicest kit I have ever seen, and it was the first time something "Bolt on" actually bolted on! I highly recomend this kit.

XXL · 08-01-2006, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 74Chevy74

and it was the first time something "Bolt on" actually bolted on!

You must have done something wrong

7deuce · 08-01-2006, 09:05 PM

Man, did you drill the holes out for the rear Xmember. That looks good. Keep the pics commin.

74Chevy74 · 08-02-2006, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 7deuce

Man, did you drill the holes out for the rear Xmember. That looks good. Keep the pics commin.

No I didn't drill the holes, the frame is actually an 85. Long story short, the truck was a long bed, we cut the frame to make it a short bed and I made the big mistake of not checking the squareness of the frame before we cut, we after we did the job we couldn't get it square. It turns out the truck was hit before, I ended up finding that out later! So I ended up getting a clean factory shortbed frame and the best part is I got it free!

7deuce · 08-02-2006, 10:58 PM

Nice. Free is the best.

Rydn2L0w · 08-14-2006, 01:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Draggin79

At first I did a 2.5" crossmember chop, I ended up having so many steering problems, that I decided not to use it at all. So I found a new crossmember, and decided to "Z" the frame. You "Z" the frame to raise the whole front suspension up and above the frame, therefor your not dragging off your lower control arms you will be dragging the frame section under the cab.

Thats why im only doing 1.5" section, and a couple universal joints. Dont you still end up with steering problems with the Z plus a whole bunch of other problems?

07-25-2006, 03:11 PM	#1
74Chevy74 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Jose, California Posts: 167	How did you measure/cut for you Z? I just had a few last questions about Z'ing. Since the section where the frame is angled how did you guys make a straight line to cut the frame? I'm sure I could maybe use a level of the floor, and use a square but I don't know how close I will be? I just want it straight! Here's a couple pics of what I got going. Attached Images Last edited by 74Chevy74; 07-25-2006 at 03:32 PM.

07-25-2006, 03:23 PM	#2
74Chevy74 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Jose, California Posts: 167	Re: How did you measure/cut for you Z? Here's a few pics I found online of Z's.... Attached Images

07-25-2006, 05:29 PM	#3
valleycustom Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Modesto, Ca Posts: 225	Re: How did you measure/cut for you Z? Level the frame out and use a bubble level to make your mark. __________________ Please become a site supporting vendor to advertise a business in your signature. you can do so here

07-25-2006, 11:37 PM	#4
smbrouss70 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Rayne, LA Posts: 2,781	Re: How did you measure/cut for you Z? Valley, when you say level the frame... you are talking about leveling the portion of the frame under the cab, correct? __________________ Steven "If dogs don't go to heaven, when I die I want to go wherever they went." -- Will Rogers R.I.P. Oscar R.I.P. Ratchet 1967 Pontiac GTO - Dad was the Original Owner 1970 Chevy 2wd SWB "Oscar's Truck" 1970 Chevy 2wd Blazer "Ratchet's Blazer" 2013 Chevy 2500HD Crew Cab Duramax/Allison Z71 LTZ "Brown Sugar" 2017 Chevy Suburban "BDB" 2020 Chevy Blazer Premier "Foxy" Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Shop Build

07-26-2006, 12:18 AM	#5
FnLow69 Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Washington Posts: 848	Re: How did you measure/cut for you Z? i would assume so thats the flats spot of the frame but i would check the front frame horns as the same with the rear just to double check... __________________ [PROJECT] FnLow69- 69 C-10 Full frame & layin' doors [PROJECT] Laidout53 - 53' Dodge Pickup, Full Kustom Build [PROJECT] "Hot Rod" 1931 Model A Bonneville style "Dream as if you'll live forever, Live as if you'll die today" ~ James Dean Last edited by FnLow69; 07-26-2006 at 12:18 AM.

07-27-2006, 06:03 PM	#7
Draggin79 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 41	Re: How did you measure/cut for you Z? This is my 4" Z. (Sorry pics are so big.)

07-27-2006, 11:44 PM	#8
jlaird Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: johnstown, NY Posts: 2,393	Re: How did you measure/cut for you Z? looks good. How long did that take ya?

07-28-2006, 05:41 PM	#9
Draggin79 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 41	Re: How did you measure/cut for you Z? it took a friend and I about a weekend to do it, most of the time was spent measuring before the cuts

07-29-2006, 10:15 PM	#11
7deuce Sold! 2 days after finished Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 327	Re: How did you measure/cut for you Z? Thats what I did. Section X-member 1.125 in Z 2 3/4 in and ran 2x4 box tubing in the frame rails and blasted the bottoms off. Right now my X-member is 1 in off the ground and the lower A-arms are safe. Im going to get a 1 in plate and bolt it to the front X-member to DRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAG that pig down the road.

07-30-2006, 09:34 AM	#12
Draggin79 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 41	Re: How did you measure/cut for you Z? At first I did a 2.5" crossmember chop, I ended up having so many steering problems, that I decided not to use it at all. So I found a new crossmember, and decided to "Z" the frame. You "Z" the frame to raise the whole front suspension up and above the frame, therefor your not dragging off your lower control arms you will be dragging the frame section under the cab.

07-31-2006, 03:39 AM	#14
camaro__thunder Epoxy Primer Friendly Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: South of Houston TEXXXAS Posts: 680	Re: How did you measure/cut for you Z? __________________ My Project 69 SWB SHAVED BAGGED DOORED

07-31-2006, 05:36 PM	#15
7deuce Sold! 2 days after finished Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 327	Re: How did you measure/cut for you Z? Why should I stay here?????

07-31-2006, 09:25 PM	#17
7deuce Sold! 2 days after finished Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 327	Re: How did you measure/cut for you Z? Thanks.

07-31-2006, 11:13 PM	#18
lownfast Gettinlow & Goinfast Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: ft. worth, tx Posts: 223	Re: How did you measure/cut for you Z? a bubble level and a sawsall will get the job done quick __________________ Protouring Texas built rides- 78' K5 bodied on 22's, 5.3/ 4L60E- sold-Bdydrptk5- http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=358390 71' Chevelle #Bigbootyjudy 6.0 LSx, LS9 heads, Magnuson, T56 - http://ls1tech.com/forums/conversion...e-ly6-t56.html 70' Chevelle #EvilAnnie Lsx/4L80/S475 turbo- 85' C20 crew, 5.3/6L90/S475 turbo- 68' C10 5.3/4L60/Level 2 coil overs Facebook- Protouringtexasdotcom Instagram- @Protouringtexas

08-01-2006, 05:14 AM	#19
camaro__thunder Epoxy Primer Friendly Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: South of Houston TEXXXAS Posts: 680	Re: How did you measure/cut for you Z? XXL's truck wants to drag but he doesn't and wheres our update pics XXL ?? __________________ My Project 69 SWB SHAVED BAGGED DOORED



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08-01-2006, 12:26 PM	#20
74Chevy74 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Jose, California Posts: 167	Re: How did you measure/cut for you Z? Here are some updates of what I did this weekend, still have not Z'ed the front. Here are the new notches installed and the KP 6 link, which is the nicest kit I have ever seen, and it was the first time something "Bolt on" actually bolted on! I highly recomend this kit. Attached Images

08-01-2006, 09:05 PM	#22
7deuce Sold! 2 days after finished Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 327	Re: How did you measure/cut for you Z? Man, did you drill the holes out for the rear Xmember. That looks good. Keep the pics commin.

08-02-2006, 10:58 PM	#24
7deuce Sold! 2 days after finished Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 327	Re: How did you measure/cut for you Z? Nice. Free is the best.

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