I plan on to lower the body of my 71 Chevelle over the frame by raising the floor and trunk pan 2". Anyone try this before??? Im looking for a killer stance, without the ground clearance problems. Whats the lowest you can go on the frame? I guess the engine crossmember is the closest to the ground. I have a custon pan that is 1/2 lower than the crossmember. any sugestions??

I don't know of anyone that has done this to chevelle but the mini truck guys do it alot, the bigest problem with a body drop is loss of head room. Also depending on how much you raise the floor there could be a step up from the door sill. There are easier was to accomplish what you are trying to do, half height body mounts, air ride, to name a couple.

I think this would be pretty tough because of the design and location of the body mounts located at the firewall. There is a lot of critical sheet metal which is structural to the body shell that converges in this this area more or less -- rocker sills, angled part of firewall, door posts, kick panels. The body mount pan is angled in this location so yo shorten it, you probably will have to get into all this structure. Not sure on a 71, but you may run into the same issue at the rear bumper valance -- the rear body mounts are on the very back edge of the frame. There is also not a lot of clearance around the transmission tunnel on these cars.

I thought of air ride, and still my do that too. I figure if I lower the body it would help me with alot of things.- Lower stance,without ground clearance problems. (2" body, 2" suspension) I want it low, even when Im driving it. Not just when Im parked. Also, Im a short guy (5'6") The Chevelle's are made of a taller person. This would give me a "boost", and make it more comfertable for me to drive. Ive done bodywork for years, but never got this involed, so was wondering if anybody tried this before. I'll have to give it alot of thought before doing it. Oh, and yes the still area (floor) would be raised 2", so it would be noticable when the door is open.

for low while driving check out Dennis's elky, I don't think you could go much lower and still be able to drive it. I think half height body mounts will get the pinch weld at the bottom of the rocker even with the bottom of the frame.

You can only go so far down untill the rans and driveshaft will be pressed up inside the tunnel.

Thats why if I lower the body, the floor will stay the same height and clearance.

hey scotty, you would happen to be from Milwakee would you???

Yes, Why?

I know you from LS1TECH.Com. Nice car!!!

After completely tearing my chevelle apart (and becoming intimate with practically every square inch) my concern would be what was stated before...the lower firewall. That area is crucial and supports a ton of stress. Are you talking about raising the entire floorboard or just channels for the frame? In either situation the firewall/tunnel area would need careful attention and reinforcement especially the triangulated area where the body mounts are. Sounds like alot of work but if you're determined, keep us all updated...love to see how it goes.

Yes, I would be raising the whole floor. I thought that area (firewall) would be the trickest part. If I can figure a good way of doing it, I think I will try it. The car needs floor boards and I was planning on smoothing the firewall as well.

No matter how much you lower it, the limiting factor will still be the front wheels and their clearance with the inner-fenders.

Yes, I thought of that too. I was thinking of maybe adding custom made inners fender wells for clearance and also add a "new" style look so my LS1 looks at home.

Why dont you just section the frame? Then you only have to metal work above the rear end area. Alot easyer to do.