update on my 359 project.

there is a higth difference inner dimention is pretty much the same. theres some variance along the rails, most of the higth difference is that the new frame section measured more like 5/16 thick and the old frame is 1/4 so i lined up the rails on the inside so there is a very slight hump both top and bottom on the outside. main reason for the straight cut is because frames are heat treated spring steel that are constantly twisting. i think that the smaller heat affected area of a straight cut is better the frame is also not really under that much of a sheer force so i don't really feel there is much if any advantage to a z cut. with a 5/16 inner liner bolted in as well as a cross member that has a 1/4" cast end peice all bolted together it is stronger than it ever was from the factory.

 

Probably pretty darn close to equal it's on a 8'6" group. I kept it a little tighter than I did on my other truck because it's only a extra 500lbs on 9' and sometimes I have trouble with clearance between the landing gear and rear frame to keep my steers maxed out. This truck will probably be heavyer on the steers anyway but eaither way the difference between 42 and 42500 on the drive group isn't much anyway and I thought it looked better and gives me more room to get under the truck between the tanks and the pusher