bring on the n00b comments....first post. I have a custom frame question....

[fabitup]

I am a welder and I need to find some information about full size chevy truck frames. I really need a diagram with measurements. I found a stock frame sketch at chuckschevytruckpages.com but I need something with a little more detail. I am going to attempt to build a custom frame for a friends truck and I am looking for some information about full size frames in general.

Here are my questions.....

Where can I find a detailed diagram of a frame?

If possible where can I find a diagram of a frame that has been customized with airbag/body drop fabrication already done to it?

Any help will be helpful.

this person is wanting a custom frame with airbag, notch, 3-4 link rear setup, and 4 inch body drop. I am new to chevy so I could use some help!!!

Thanks!!!

Josh

[Toolman]

Welcome to the site! I am sure that someone here should be able to help you with your questions. Can't you use the old frame for dimensions?

[Jer]

yeah. just take your measurements off of that. since you'll be building it out of box tubing(i would assume) just measure for the difference in that.

[Jimmy P]

its going to be tough to pry that info out of gms hands. They are pretty tight with that kind of stuff. Your best bet would be to use the existing frame and clamp it to a frame table or jig. Then take yor measurements and mark them down on the table and also on paper sketches. Then go ahead and pull it off the frame table and start your new one. If you cant have that much down time for the truck id buy one from the junkyards and use that then resell it.

Ive can probably get you general measurement off mine (2.5" stock floor bd) when i strip it apart to paint it but i wouldnt use them to start building a new frame off of.

[fabitup]

its going to be tough to pry that info out of gms hands. They are pretty tight with that kind of stuff. Your best bet would be to use the existing frame and clamp it to a frame table or jig. Then take yor measurements and mark them down on the table and also on paper sketches. Then go ahead and pull it off the frame table and start your new one. If you cant have that much down time for the truck id buy one from the junkyards and use that then resell it.

Ive can probably get you general measurement off mine (2.5" stock floor bd) when i strip it apart to paint it but i wouldnt use them to start building a new frame off of.

excuse my ignorance but what does 2.5" stock floor bd mean? I am playing catch up on the chevy terms....I am a vw guy at heart ;)

Thanks for the info guys!!! and the warm welcome....not like most sites where you are tormented....expect to see alot more of me around ;)

about the four inch body drop. I was told that if I am using a 2x4 box tube (which I will most likely be using) that if I just base it off of the stock frame but make the body and bed mounting points 4 inches lower that would be all it would take to body drop the truck....but it doesnt make sense for me.....when I have heard of body dropping before I have always seen the floor boards cut out and moved up in the car....kind of the opposite to this idea....any thoughts about that????

Also I need to get the suspension parts for the front for moch-up....where can I find the parts at the best price? maybe all aftermarket geared towards airbags instead of factory suspension....? I have been to suicidedoors.com and love the site I just dont know what would work on the truck....most stuff is labled s-10....

again, any help would be awesome!!!

Josh

[Toolman]

2.5" is the amount that it was lowered. BD = body drop.

[TribalVision]

If you know someone at a bodyshop, they should have access to frame measurements for the framerack guy... maybe float them a $20????

[Jimmy P]

excuse my ignorance but what does 2.5" stock floor bd mean? I am playing catch up on the chevy terms....I am a vw guy at heart ;)

Thanks for the info guys!!! and the warm welcome....not like most sites where you are tormented....expect to see alot more of me around ;)

about the four inch body drop. I was told that if I am using a 2x4 box tube (which I will most likely be using) that if I just base it off of the stock frame but make the body and bed mounting points 4 inches lower that would be all it would take to body drop the truck....but it doesnt make sense for me.....when I have heard of body dropping before I have always seen the floor boards cut out and moved up in the car....kind of the opposite to this idea....any thoughts about that????

Also I need to get the suspension parts for the front for moch-up....where can I find the parts at the best price? maybe all aftermarket geared towards airbags instead of factory suspension....? I have been to suicidedoors.com and love the site I just dont know what would work on the truck....most stuff is labled s-10....

again, any help would be awesome!!!

Josh

there are traditional bodydrops where you raise the floor or there is stock floor where you essentially lower the body mounts on the frame and trim the top of the frame off(or replace it with a smaller piece of box tube like 2x4")

If you plan to rebuild the whole frame you will need to use a mustang II or similar front end. I believe scotts has a mustang 2 with air bag setup. You could always use the front of the frame and rebuild it from the firewall back. ART makes tubular a-arms for these trucks that would be just as good as a mustang 2.

You do realize that a 2.5" bodydrop is all thats needed to lay rocker right? A 4" drop of the stock front frame horns would be really hard to do and keep it strong.

Since your rebuilding the frame anyways i would just raise the whole back section instead of using step notches. You would need to raise the bed floor still if you went this route.

www.innovativeairsuspension.com
www.suicidedoors.com and
www.sportruck.com is where i get all my stuff from

hope that doesnt confuse you too much!! lemme know if you need some clarification.

[Jimmy P]

If you know someone at a bodyshop, they should have access to frame measurements for the framerack guy... maybe float them a $20????

why didnt i think of that...hmmm

[BigChevMan]

If I'm not mistaken the ones from chucks chevy trucks pages are for a classic body style truck the 73-87 chevy trucks.

There are a few ballpark measurements that you can take. The first would be the height of the front suspension all the way down, I believe the stock frame raises about 4" for the front suspension. So your front frame kick up would have to be at least 4" if using the stock suspension. The rear you will have to measure the height needed to clear the axle over whatever size wheels your running. You know that the middle section under the cab will be on the ground..so it's really just the front and rear kickup that your worried about. Other than building body and bed mounts there isn't that much more to it than that...sounds easy in theory..practice is a whole nother deal!

[BigChevMan]

If you know someone at a bodyshop, they should have access to frame measurements for the framerack guy... maybe float them a $20????

Matty scanned his for me..and it doesn't give a whole lot as far as frame dimensions...it's really just reference points...gaps between cab and bed etc...etc..

[fabitup]

awesome information!!!! thanks guys I have much more to go on now then I did a few days ago...I am starting to formulate a plan in my head. Thanks alot!!! I will have more questions though....

Josh

[lxtoolxl]

What year truck? I can use the computer at my school to get the frame schematics for anything 10 years or newer. I can print it off and try to scan it if that helps.

[BigChevMan]

What year truck? I can use the computer at my school to get the frame schematics for anything 10 years or newer. I can print it off and try to scan it if that helps.

So why haven't you shared these pics before? Come on man! We want frame dimensions of all the chevy trucks!

[lxtoolxl]

Just started this year. I'll see what i can do.

[Mike]

98 is within 10 years, lets get one of those posted

[fabitup]

What year truck? I can use the computer at my school to get the frame schematics for anything 10 years or newer. I can print it off and try to scan it if that helps.

YES THAT WOULD ROCK!!!!! its a 98 Short bed single cab!!! thanks so much....

Josh

[Jimmy P]

YES THAT WOULD ROCK!!!!! its a 98 Short bed single cab!!! thanks so much....

Josh

yup id like a copy too....i would very much appreciate it!

[lxtoolxl]

Ok...gettin won't be a problem, just finding somewhere to scan.

[Toolman]

What type of file is it? Is it in a book or on computer? If it is the latter I might be able to help you out. Let me know.