porterbuilt's dropmember vs. other IFS's
 

I've been following the other thread and been wanting to ask this question. What are the differences and pros and cons between PB's dropmember and other IFS you see in the mags like Fatmans and Jim Meyers?

Re: porterbuilt's dropmember vs. other IFS's
 

Porterbuilts uses your a-arms w/slight mods (or ART arms w/o mods) as well as the truck spindles & brakes. Typically, the Fatman type front ends require you to change these parts to whatever their kit is based on (Fatman uses MII/GM combo & JMeyerRacing uses GM's F/B-body based parts).

From the pics listed in the original 'Dropmember' thread, the dropmember allows the rails to hit the ground...... not so w/Fatmans or JMR's. Does this mean it's only benefit is allowing you to drop it on the frame? No, it means that even @ ride height you will have more clearance when operating on the less than perfect roads around Anycity, USA.

Re: porterbuilt's dropmember vs. other IFS's
 

The characteristics that set it apart from the other products (like SCOTI mentioned) is that it is able to use your existing components, minus stock steering linkage and gear box; and that it will allow the frame to rest on the ground if the purchaser/installer decides to do so. This can be achieved through drop-spindle selection and tire diameter selection. Crossmember to ground clearance is increased dramatically... the framerails become the lowest part of the chassis.

It is designed to be used with tubular arms from Air Ride Technologies, but stock arms can be used (slight mod to lower arm... little trimming for mount clearance) and upgraded later if one would like. By using your stock components money spent on rebuilding bushings, ball joints, and brakes is not wasted.

I wanted to find an alternative to cuttin apart the frame and or crossmember to achieve a low/clearanced ride height, narrow up the track width, convert to rack and pinion steering, and keep larger heavier duty spindle/brakes, without having to spend a bundle... nothing existed, so I designed one, proto-typed it, and now produce it.

Re: porterbuilt's dropmember vs. other IFS's
 

How much is your crossmember?

Re: porterbuilt's dropmember vs. other IFS's
 

So the Dropmember will allow you to "Lay Frame" without a Z? I understand that part of this is determined by what spindles are used as well as tire height.

For clarity purposes, with a 3" spindle, what height tire would allow you to lay frame at full air out?

Re: porterbuilt's dropmember vs. other IFS's
 

3" sindle and 29" tire diameter will allow it to "Lay Frame".

Re: porterbuilt's dropmember vs. other IFS's
 

More info . . ....

Re: porterbuilt's dropmember vs. other IFS's
 

Are there previous threads with pics or maybe an install blow by blow? I've seen your work mentioned before but never any pics or links and I'm interested too.

Re: porterbuilt's dropmember vs. other IFS's
 

There is a thread titled "Dropmember in a 69" here in the suspension forum. It shows an install with pics.

Re: porterbuilt's dropmember vs. other IFS's
 

That sure will save a lot of work versus Z-ing the frame and a sectioned x-member..:cool:

Re: porterbuilt's dropmember vs. other IFS's
 

Nathan installed the Porterbuilt dropmember on my 4wd blazer, And its definitely low now..Great for those who want to convert to 2wd. With the fourwheel drive frame you don't need drop spindles to lay it on the ground.:metal:

Re: porterbuilt's dropmember vs. other IFS's
 

PB - thanx for the thread direction. The pics and your patience with us is appreciated. Your "dropmember" is by far the best deal for a frontend set-up I've seen. Me likes.

Do you have 'em on the shelf or are they each made to order? If you make to order, whats the lead time? How about shipping to 99216. (They have to be heavy as h#ll.)

Do you take "PAYPAL" or card over the phone ?

Mac

Re: porterbuilt's dropmember vs. other IFS's
 

Also keep in mind that except for the C notch for the rack this is a bolt in kit. Most others require alot of welding and fab work. That being said if you do not weld you can install this kit your self and cut for the rack and then take the truck to a local shop and have them weld in just the C notch cups and you are on your way. If I decide to alter my 70 2wd blazer this is the only way I will go.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

Re: porterbuilt's dropmember vs. other IFS's
 

It appears that PB is correcting for the rearward pitch the suspension takes when dropped as a natural effect of the front end's KPI. Is this correct? If yes, how far forward did you move the arms? And did you keep the stock 4° or did you change that as well?

Re: porterbuilt's dropmember vs. other IFS's
 

BTW, the above line is intended to show the spindle-to-fender opening alignment. The actual KPI runs the other direction :)

Re: porterbuilt's dropmember vs. other IFS's
 

mac, you live in my neck of the woods. 99206 here. pm me if you go eith this setup as i would love to lend a hand if you need it.
i am doing an 80 c-10 and have been eyeballing pb's setup.

let me know.
steve

Re: porterbuilt's dropmember vs. other IFS's
 

XXL- I was wondering when you would photoshop one of my pics!:)
You are correct... I wanted to compensate for the rearward pitch the stock geometry produces so I made a couple of changes. I moved the Axle centerline forward one inch and changed the anti-dive angle built into the stock geometry, thus keeping the centerline where I think it should be. It also keeps those large diameter wheel/tire combos out of the firewall at full dump. The KPI or steering axis inclination was slightly increased from the stock 4 degrees.

Re: porterbuilt's dropmember vs. other IFS's
 

Mac- No need to thank me for my "patience"... thank my wife for teaching me!:lol:

I currently don not stock them on my "shelf", but have all materials on hand, and build them as they are ordered. Lead time is about a week and a half. I will have to check on the shipping... It is heavy!

I do not accept PAYPAL but can take a card over the phone (No AMEX).

Re: porterbuilt's dropmember vs. other IFS's
 

Hey, it's not a real pshop until I work in a bottle of http://www.zooscape.com/dataimg/zoo0...150/102180.jpg ;)

Re: porterbuilt's dropmember vs. other IFS's
 

What are the specs when using coil springs instead of bags? At what rate would I need to have moderate drop and no frame lay??

Re: porterbuilt's dropmember vs. other IFS's
 

The Dropmember is designed to be used with an airspring (bag) and not a steel coil spring. At one time I had looked into designing/building a kit that would allow the use of a steel coil spring... but it doesn't look like that will be an alternative. If the idea of an air suspension, and associated cost of such, make it undesireable, I would recommend running the bags with a schrader valve. This will allow the truck to remain at a "static" height, give the benefits of an air suspended ride quality, and allow the option of going with an adjustable system down the road. There really is no drawback to running an air spring instead of a steel coil.

As for ride height... if you're running a 27" tall tire (a typical "20" will be anywhere between 27" and 28" tall) the Dropmember will give you a ride height around 6.5" inches with a stock spindle. The ride height can be adjusted a little by increasing or decreasing the air pressure in the bag.

The airbag is designed and recommended to be used at a specified height and pressure... typically there is an inch or so of lee-way in the bag's recommended ride height. Since the bag is levered on the lower control arm, this inch of leeway becomes 2 or so inches at the spindle height. So there is some adjustment that can be made without sacrificing ride quality or recommended specs of the air bag.