Re: 72 2wd Blazer: Project "Break Me"
 

That is a 63 or 64 ford fairlane dash.

Re: 72 2wd Blazer: Project "Break Me"
 

I like it. Furbird seats should work nicely- they're surprisingly comfy too...

Re: 72 2wd Blazer: Project "Break Me"
 

I think it will look good, people won't be expecting to look in it and see the interior with the stock top. Should still have plenty of leg room also.

Re: 72 2wd Blazer: Project "Break Me"
 

Well it's going to get c4 front suspension, picking up the 94 front parts tomorrow (pics this weekend). I was trying to work out a deal on the c4 dropmember that was going in the blazer that porter was building but I couldn't get a deal so I passed on that. Going to build a crossmember like a Art Morrison or a Jim Meyer out of some 2x4 tubing. It may not look as good as a dropmember but I won't have $3500 in my front suspension either. I think we can acheive the same results though.

Re: 72 2wd Blazer: Project "Break Me"
 

Here are some pics of my c4 front suspension, I am waiting on No Limit to get back with me one of there c4 crossmembers before we start building one. I also have started welding and smoothing all the usless holes in the frame.
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z...pension003.jpg
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z...pension002.jpg
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z...pension001.jpg
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z...pension004.jpg

Re: 72 2wd Blazer: Project "Break Me"
 

Personaly I would spend the $1400 or so on a dropmember. It has be designed for these trucks and works great. I can also build my own and have built several other types for customers but my 2WD Blazer will be running one of Nate's for sure. Just my .02
So what are you doing for rear suspention to try and match the front handling?

Kevin
LFD inc.

Re: 72 2wd Blazer: Project "Break Me"
 

If the dropmember was cheaper I would buy one but I am not going to spend that kind of money on one. I am keeping the trailing arms out back and doing a watts link and a sway bar.

Re: 72 2wd Blazer: Project "Break Me"
 

How are you going to attach the watts link to the back of your 9"?

Re: 72 2wd Blazer: Project "Break Me"
 

Good question, I will burn that bridge when I get there.:lol:

Re: 72 2wd Blazer: Project "Break Me"
 

You and several other competent builders see the advantages of the R&D that Nathan has done.

jkade- Good luck with trying to save money. There are some places that it's just not wise to cut corners. This is one of them.

Re: 72 2wd Blazer: Project "Break Me"
 

One thought on the mounting for the watt's link... there are more advantages mounting the main pivot of the watts link to a crossmember that is fixed to the chassis, and the two end-links mounted to tabs/brackets on the axle tubes. Something to think about.

Re: 72 2wd Blazer: Project "Break Me"
 

!!!... o.k. ,you know, never thought of that.. Have yiu seen it done that way before? Or did you just think of it on your own. (good idea)

Re: 72 2wd Blazer: Project "Break Me"
 

Not my own idea... read about it in several suspension design books. Makes sense though!

Re: 72 2wd Blazer: Project "Break Me"
 

Sorry if I was pushing the DropMember it's just that you were talking about wanting one then it was a no limit set up. I did not know that you had friends that could help you build one. I would go that route as well but I am always that guy helping out his friends so it leaves very little time for my own stuff so I figure why re-invent the wheel. Plus Nates welds look way better than mine:o Make sure to show pics as you go along!

Kevin
LFD inc.

Re: 72 2wd Blazer: Project "Break Me"
 

Here's one on a nova on the pro-touring board.

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e2...r/100_1169.jpg

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e2...r/100_1171.jpg

Re: 72 2wd Blazer: Project "Break Me"
 

I must be a bit slow on this one. Why is one way better then the other?

Kevin
LFD Inc.

Re: 72 2wd Blazer: Project "Break Me"
 

No I am not mad and I do change my mind a lot but I would like to have a dropmember and it would make it so simple. I can't spend the beans on that. I can make one, buy shock waves, and what I paid for my c4 stuff have about the same amount in mine as I would just the dropmember or it will be close. For the guys that can afford it go for it but I would have to save a couple of months to buy one and in that time I could ("we") build something.

Re: 72 2wd Blazer: Project "Break Me"
 

Hey jk, I just want to say, I understand your pain. I also looked at it, and it was too rich for my blood as well. I have no doubt in my mind that it's worth the money, but it's just not reasonable for me, my budget, or my truck - especially with me having a welder on-hand and friends that are much better at plans, construction, engineering and welding than I am.

On one hand I want to say, "hell yeah! that's great people will pay that much for it!" because it's great for the manufacturer. But on the other hand, it hurts because people paying that much sets the price on it, and that price setting is too much for my wallet and the wallet of the majority of us that are mid-level builders (primary buyer segment, IMHO). A $200-300 drop in price would put it closer to the "richness" of my blood so I could possibly justify it. This seems to be the case with a LOT of aftermarket parts for our truck (I have the same issues with a lot of ECE's stuff, especially their steel gas tanks).

I don't complain because I respect the manufacturers. I think it's great they can get top dollar and even more than top dollar on their product. I admit that I do feel a bit slighted or frustrated sometimes over it. I'm not a Boyd Coddington or Chip Foose, so it's not just a drop in the bucket for me to fork out for one. I guess the product *IS* intended for the hardcore customizer, and not the hobbyist (I think most of us here are hobbyists working on our life sized models).

I really wish manufacturers would come out with a cost-effective and/or economy product line for the average joe, you know, the people who make up more than half of the buyer market?

I'm digging your buildup thread, keep up the good work!

Re: 72 2wd Blazer: Project "Break Me"
 

It has to do with the rear roll center. The roll center is located at the center of the watt's link's pivot. If it's attached to the rear diff, the roll center will migrate up and down as the rear dif. goes through its travel. It will be much more consistent if it's attached to the chassis.

Not to hijack... just have to throw in my feelings on the Dropmember's price, which has been addressed in this thread. I base the price on my cost and margin that I need to make to stay profitable. If I could afford to sell it for $1000 I would be more than happy to. I understand that it's not in everybody's budget.

Re: 72 2wd Blazer: Project "Break Me"
 

Ah I see said the slow kid from winters! So when attached to the body/frame the roll center will only move up or down as the body does. But when mounted to the diff it is all over the place with every bump and pot hole you hit. For us Cali boys that is alot of movement:lol:
Cool I have learned somthing for the day and now I can go back to bed and try again in the morning;)

Kevin
LFD inc.

Re: 72 2wd Blazer: Project "Break Me"
 

:agree: I could budget and buy one but what that thing cost is a set of grey spoke 20's the way I look at it. Buying one would throw my project off about three or four months saving money for one. I know you guys may not like the no limit front kit but they are not out of the ball game yet, I am trying to work a deal out with them and to me it is no bid deal if it doesn't bolt in since it souldn't have to come back out anyways.

Re: 72 2wd Blazer: Project "Break Me"
 

[QUOTE=porterbuilt;2456378]It has to do with the rear roll center. The roll center is located at the center of the watt's link's pivot. If it's attached to the rear diff, the roll center will migrate up and down as the rear dif. goes through its travel. It will be much more consistent if it's attached to the chassis.

]

That is some helpful knowledge. :gi:

Re: 72 2wd Blazer: Project "Break Me"
 

I have been "playing" with photoshop, this is crappy and I am not sure if I like it but is the direction I am going.
Attachment 316377

Re: 72 2wd Blazer: Project "Break Me"
 

Works for me! How would it look with a red windshield frame?

Kevin
LFD Inc.

Re: 72 2wd Blazer: Project "Break Me"
 

I may like this look better.
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z...edcopyjpg2.jpg