with the frontend stripped down it was time to start on the crossmember. Went with a 1 1/2" pancake on the crossmember, mostly just to see how it would work, how much work it takes etc.
Rusty & crusty -
some wire wheel action & marking out the cuts
Plasma cutting time (after welding on a brace)
Lots of test fitting & grinding to get everything lined up
Back together it goes - nothing fancy, just a 1 1/2" drop now