Dropmember C4

[PBFAB.COM]

Here's the latest version of the Dropmember... The DropmemberC4. It utilizes C4 Corvette suspension and steering components. The main advantage of the DropmemberC4 is performance, but other plusses include overall appearance and of course, EGO enhancement. It uses either a coil-over or Shockwave (PN SKW1030). It is offered with a ride height of 5" or 6" with a 27" tall tire. When used with the Shockwave, the 5" ride height will put the frame on the ground (with 27" tall tire), and the 6" ride height leaves the framerails an inch from touchdown.

[PBFAB.COM]

a few more...

[shaneo2112RUSH]

Originally Posted by porterbuilt

a few more...

that is a very fine peice of work!!! looking to slam my 68 p/u soon!!!!

[shaneo2112RUSH]

Originally Posted by porterbuilt

a few more...

Just wanted to know the pro's and con's of your product compare to an IFS system

[PBFAB.COM]

Originally Posted by shaneo2112RUSH

Just wanted to know the pro's and con's of your product compare to an IFS system

Sounds like a loaded question!

The pros are: Bolt-in; C4 components; rack and pinion; improved suspension geometry and thus performance; suspension system designed specifically for the C-10 chassis; decrease in unsprung weight; fabricated crossmember... not stamped; added crossmember to ground clearance; quality product.

Cons: trans tunnel may need to be modified for bell-housing clearance (needs the "large-hump" floor), motor moves up and forward slightly and would necessitate exhaust, drive-shaft, and other hoses/lines/ linkage mods and or changes.

That's all I can think of right now... if I come up with more I will definitely share.

[gregfull]

Nathan,

My Dad's got a 55 Cameo and looking to ditch the straight axle front end. Do you make a bolt-in dropmember for the 55-57 chevy trucks? He's not a big fan of layin frame either, so I guess some type of coil over in place of the shockwaves?

[PBFAB.COM]

Originally Posted by gregfull

Nathan,

My Dad's got a 55 Cameo and looking to ditch the straight axle front end. Do you make a bolt-in dropmember for the 55-57 chevy trucks? He's not a big fan of layin frame either, so I guess some type of coil over in place of the shockwaves?

I am working on a Dropmember for the 55-59 chassis, and the 47-54 chassis as well. They will bolt-in, and will be offered to use either C-10 suspension components, or Corvette C4 components. I anticipate the 55-59 Dropmember to be available in or near the end of March. A coilover will be an option.

[XXL]

Originally Posted by porterbuilt

Sounds like a loaded question!

Yours is an IFS. Other IFS systems are IFS. In that regard, I don't see any difference. I do like the Corvette base over the typical MII stuff... though there are LOTS of parts available for the latter, something about having Ford running gear just doesn't appeal to me. Was that the "loaded" part?

I'm all set for front suspension but I wouldn't hesitate to go with the PB setup if I were putting together a new truck that utilized a stock or stock-ish frame.

[krue]

[AesC10s]

would you be able to make one of those c4members for standard bags?

[PBFAB.COM]

Originally Posted by AesC10s

would you be able to make one of those c4members for standard bags?

The standard bags are difficult enough to make work with the C4 components, but add the width and location of the frame-rails and there is not enough room for the bag and the shock. Also, the control arms are aluminum and that adds to the difficulty of bag/shock/ sway-bar mounts. I set-up a custom chassis a few years ago with C4 and bags up front... ended up changing it over to the Shockwave. There just wasn't enough room for the bag and shock when cycled through its travel.

The effort involved in setting it up this way would cost me more than a Shockwave would.

[67Fleet]

<------drooling Heavily

[67Fleet]

Nathan, I may have missed another thread you've posted, but I think what AesC10s might be getting at (because I was wondering myself) is do you offer a dropmember that doesn't require using all the C4 components and does not need the rack? I'd be interested in going that route and still being able to use my stock arms (could go tubular if necessary), and current front bag setup.

[PBFAB.COM]

Originally Posted by 67Fleet

Nathan, I may have missed another thread you've posted, but I think what AesC10s might be getting at (because I was wondering myself) is do you offer a dropmember that doesn't require using all the C4 components and does not need the rack? I'd be interested in going that route and still being able to use my stock arms (could go tubular if necessary), and current front bag setup.

All the Dropmember designs, current and future, incorporate a rack and pinion. If you were hoping to keep the stock steering box and linkage, it just won't work. Originally I had thought about doing so, but the advantages of using rack and pinion: ease of design and fabrication w/using rack and pinion, performance gains in steering w/rack, and of course when the frame is notched for tie-rod clearance the box would be in front of the notch and it would just be a matter of time before the frame cracked and broke... not "if". After weighing the pros and cons I figured a $250-$300 cost of purchasing a rack would actually be an investment.

What are the concerns with the rack? I have had a lot of people ask if they could use the stock box. I always assumed it was cost... is that correct?

[PBFAB.COM]

Originally Posted by 67Fleet

Nathan, I may have missed another thread you've posted, but I think what AesC10s might be getting at (because I was wondering myself) is do you offer a dropmember that doesn't require using all the C4 components and does not need the rack? I'd be interested in going that route and still being able to use my stock arms (could go tubular if necessary), and current front bag setup.

67Fleet-
Have you seen the original Dropmember? It sounds a lot like what you're referring to. It can use your stock arms and bag set-up you currently have, but the rack is a must... You can find a MII manual rack for $160 rebuilt... who knows what one on E-bay would go for.

As for budget, I know exactly what you mean... that's why I currently drive a 1995 Silverado with 18's and no suspension mods! Turns out that there isn't much left over after the mortgage and expenses for the wife and kids get taken care of! (I've been dumping the majority of revenues back into my business. Tools and equipment aren't cheap in this industry!)
Hopefully I will get my own sick ride done in the next year or two!

[Rokcrln]

Looking great as always! I sure can't wait to start on the ...OOP's never mind

So when is the C4 back half kit going to be comming out

Kevin
LFD Inc.

[tom71]

[panhandler62]

Don't mean to thread-jack this but.. .. could something like this be set up as a static drop with .. oh say about 4 inches of clearance running 16 or 16.5s with a normal size tire or wold that be a completely different animal?

[PBFAB.COM]

Originally Posted by panhandler62

Don't mean to thread-jack this but.. .. could something like this be set up as a static drop with .. oh say about 4 inches of clearance running 16 or 16.5s with a normal size tire or wold that be a completely different animal?

It definitely can be. The deciding factors on where ride height would be are tire diameter and then coil-over selection. With a 26-27" tall tire and the proper coil-over it will set about where you want it. My main purpose in building this piece was performance, I just made it capable of using a Shockwave so it could cover a broader market. Best of both worlds... performance guys get theirs, and the go low guys get theirs.

[AesC10s]

i want everything this has to offer but the only thing that i want is 1 that has standard bags becuz i already have them.

[67Fleet]

Nathan, you would be correct in your assumption of price, at least from my perspective. Not that I don't think it is worth it because it clearly is IMO. I'm just on a tight budget, and right now it isn't in my budget unfortunately. I am building my truck to be a weekend cruiser and my needs are not really performance oriented anymore, (I'm getting older...) though it must perform better than stock, be as safe or safer than stock, and be able to get low. I think my best option would be to section the existing x-member I have, but it sure would be nice to have the money to buy that piece of art that you have developed.

[valleycustom]

I wish I had that...

[IvelDesigns]

what kind of cost is there for a complete setup? rack, arms, shockwaves, spindles, etc?

Do you see any issues with using larger tires? like in the 29-30" range.

[PBFAB.COM]

Originally Posted by IvelDesigns

what kind of cost is there for a complete setup? rack, arms, shockwaves, spindles, etc?

Do you see any issues with using larger tires? like in the 29-30" range.

DropmemberC4- $1200
Rebuilt C4 Rack and Pinion- $350
DropmemberC4 Basic Kit- $1500 (Includes Dropmember and C4 Rack and Pinion)
Spindles/Brakes/upper and lower control arms (used from salvage yard)- $750-$850 ... I've seen em for less as well. (Keep in mind possible rebuilding of parts/components) Good idea to buy front suspension complete with rack, crossmember, and transverse spring... you can sell off the parts you do not use and recoup a few hundered bucks.
Shockwave's- $849
Tie-rod ends- $150
Steering joints and Linkage- $350

Total $3700 + misc. expenses ~ $4000

As for the tire diameter question... 27" will put the frame on the ground, so a 29" diameter will put the frame 1" off the ground. You can go larger than 27" diameter, clearances just get tighter and tighter.

[chevy_fatman]

Drool!!! I better start saving my pennies