Lowering Project

[BobbyFord]

I started the lowering part of my project today. I'm going to do an axle relocation to the top of the rear leafs.
I got one c-notch done today.

First gotta get the bumpstop out of the way. I cut a + in the rivet head, chop the heads off with my air chisle and the pound the rivets out with a large drift punch


I used one half of a 4" cut-off disc as a template to mark the frame


The rest is just fab, weld and paint (3/16" mild plate steel)

[71highboy]

cool.i wish i could work outside but it is 9 degrees here

[BobbyFord]

cool.i wish i could work outside but it is 9 degrees here

Sounds like it's time to move, to me...

[thorn1968]

Dude! That's fricken sweet. What did the materials run ya? I was looking at a bolt in Fatman kit, but I've got a welder, and a torch...how hard can it be? You have just given me some ideas!

[BobbyFord]

Dude! That's fricken sweet. What did the materials run ya? I was looking at a bolt in Fatman kit, but I've got a welder, and a torch...how hard can it be? You have just given me some ideas!

I bought a hunk of 3/16" mild plate steel from the "rem" bin at the local metal shop for $6. I need to go back Monday and get another piece. I figure I'll have less than $20 worth of material when I'm done, including cut-off discs for the grinder.
I've got an idea for the bumpstops, I"m going to modify the original bumpstop bracket and put it inboard of of the frame rail (I think).

[basketcase0302]

Looking good Bobby!
Man it would be so hard for to take the truck off the road, (once I'd gotten the 460 running like you did)!

You planing on bagging the rear and tubbing the bed for some 50 series tires?

[BobbyFord]

Looking good Bobby!
Man it would be so hard for to take the truck off the road, (once I'd gotten the 460 running like you did)!

You planing on bagging the rear and tubbing the bed for some 50 series tires?

Thanks Jeff. No bags here. I'm going to relocate the diff above the leaf springs. Not sure about the tub Idea yet. It depends on how much clearance I have once the drag radials are on and it is lowered. I have 325/50/15 radials but I have not mounted them yet.

[marz68]

Looking good there!

Can't wait to see your truck at bob's soon.

[BobbyFord]

Looking good there!

Can't wait to see your truck at bob's soon.

Thanks Marcelino

I made up the c-notch for the other side today...



I'll cut the frame tomorrow and weld in the notch.

It's funny how much easier it is the second time around.
I did not make the same mistakes that I made while fabbing the first one.
I did get slowed up a little today though. When I took the bed off yesterday I had to disconnect the taillight harness.
When I backed the truck up I forgot about the harness, ran it over and yanked it in half so I spent the first part of today soldering and shrink tubing my harness back together (what a dummy).

[dantheman71]

Great job!! Looks much better than the ones I paid about $90 for.

Are you going to box in the frame any further? Might need the stiffness with that big block power!!

[BobbyFord]

Great job!! Looks much better than the ones I paid about $90 for.

Are you going to box in the frame any further? Might need the stiffness with that big block power!!

Thanks, Dan.
No, I'm not boxing any farther than what's there. I don't really think it's necessary with the lack of traction that I'm already experiencing. I haven't put the fat drag radials on yet but I don't expect too drastic an increase in traction, just too light in the rear

[BobbyFord]

Finished the left c-notch today. I had to move the tail light harness and steel fuel line to the top of the frame rail. I made a little window for access to the clamp on my steel fuel line.






For the life of me I cannot find part of my axle relocation kit. I took one of the brackets out of the box about a month ago to see if it fit the axle housing and now I can't find it
I guess I'll order another kit (there goes another $100).
So far, I've got $17 into the c-notch and 2 afternoons worth of time.

[thorn1968]

What are you gonna do for shocks?

[BobbyFord]

What are you gonna do for shocks?

KYB's for '73-'87 GM C series front are the correct length and type or I can call Bilstein and give them measurements and they will provide me with a set.

[marz68]

What did you use to cut the window on the side of the notch?