Ground Clearance

[exwestracer]

Rather than cutting the entire crossmember out, how about just sectioning it? You can make a simple scribe tool by tack welding a center punch to something that will hold it the correct height relative to the crossmember (say, even with the bottom of the A-arm?). Then just slide it around the crossmember and scribe a line all the way around. Get out the cutoff tool and cut the bottom off, then template it and plate it back in.

IMO, that would be better than replacing the whole thing with a piece of heavy plate...

[ccracin]

Have you tried turning the wheels at that ride height? Also, from this starting point now move your wheel up as if the suspension is in compression and then turn the wheels and see how much steering angle you get. You might be making 22 point turns. Looks killer though. Good luck.

[TMIProducts]

Originally Posted by frojoe

Aside from measuring your bump travel until you hit the bump stops to make sure it's safe to drive at that ride height, I'd look into modifying the angle of the sway bar ends so that they're not at such an extreme angle relative to the somewhat-vertical swaybar end studs. Or better yet, drastically reduce the length of the endlink studs to try and flatten the sway bars out. Other than that, the car looks sick!

The sway bar is an area I need to fix. The stock bar with the stock end links would rub the air bags and cause them to pop. So I made extended ones and they work great. But I'd like to do something custom there to fix that problem.

Originally Posted by exwestracer

Rather than cutting the entire crossmember out, how about just sectioning it? You can make a simple scribe tool by tack welding a center punch to something that will hold it the correct height relative to the crossmember (say, even with the bottom of the A-arm?). Then just slide it around the crossmember and scribe a line all the way around. Get out the cutoff tool and cut the bottom off, then template it and plate it back in.

IMO, that would be better than replacing the whole thing with a piece of heavy plate...

Oh I agree that would be easier/cleaner. I wouldn't really put a piece of thick plate in there. I would do some sort of 1.5" tubing or something similar. But I like your idea.

Originally Posted by ccracin

Have you tried turning the wheels at that ride height? Also, from this starting point now move your wheel up as if the suspension is in compression and then turn the wheels and see how much steering angle you get. You might be making 22 point turns. Looks killer though. Good luck.

I have not...and I don't think I have the clearance either. I think this would ruin my plans. I have a 19" wheel stuffed in there.



Thanks for all the input! Give me more to think about.

[BANKO]

Hey Tim, your car is looking great! Low can be done, be aware of tire to rear wheel well clearance of through suspension travel and over travel.

I'm running the following dimensions on my '65 Chevelle:

2.5" front cross-member to ground
4.25" frame rail to ground (behind front tire)
5.25" frame rail to ground (in front of rear tire)

18" 225/45/R18 - Front, 2" drop spindles + 2" dropped springs
20" 245/35/R20 - Rear, RideTech Triples 225lb springs

[frojoe]

Banko.. 2.5" cross-member to ground.. is that at ride height while driving or dumped in the parking lot??

[BANKO]

yes it's nominal ride height: all spring, dropped spindles, no bags...