How to: Ruin a perfectly good Blazer...

[gringoloco]

Originally Posted by 72BlckButy

A good Busch never hurt anyone...

I've seen my share of bad bush too...

Got her ripped apart in preparation for the Dropmember. Nearly everything is off of the firewall and framerails. I've got some cleaning/painting to do after I weld up all the PO hacks. Someone got a little happy with the flame saw...

No real progress shots- I was on a roll...

[smbrouss70]

Chris,
Are your trailing arms touching the frame in the back? or is there a little more room to go down if your notch was a little taller? I am going to try and attack my blazer frame over the holidays. I'm out on the road working and can't go look at my frame right now, but still trying to get it all straight in my head.

BTW, I'm jealous of the dropmember.

[gringoloco]

Originally Posted by smbrouss70

Chris,
Are your trailing arms touching the frame in the back? or is there a little more room to go down if your notch was a little taller?

They are very close. I'd say within 3/8". A 2wd frame may be slightly different.

[jlaird]

Originally Posted by XXL

Here's what I did- hinges to the firewall, and trimmed up the fender clearance quite a bit. Fender sheetmetal has been worked into a smooth edge that rolls under. 27" tire.

XXL, are those hinges custom or are they purchased from somewhere?

[smbrouss70]

Originally Posted by gringoloco

They are very close. I'd say within 3/8". A 2wd frame may be slightly different.

Thanks! My blazer is a 2wd (body & vin), but I couldn't find a 2wd frame for it so I picked up a 4x4 to hack up. That'll make the purists happy!

[babyblueoval]

Originally Posted by jlaird

XXL, are those hinges custom or are they purchased from somewhere?

They look like the same ones that Kyle4381 has on his truck that Nathan did some work on.
Check 'em out.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=198386

[gringoloco]

Welded up the mess made by the PO on the front framerails tonite. You can see in my previous post where there were huge holes in the sides and a portion just behind the steering box on the driver's side that was missing altogether. They are now fixed and ready for cleanup/paint.

Also got the last of my parts from Nate today for the Dropmember install. He sent me the new style shock mounts and a plate made for the LCAs so I can use them in lieu of ART arms. The bag mount is genius in its simplicity- it aligns using the sway bar mount holes, then drill three more, bolt it down, and- voila! lower bag mount.

[bagged74]

if you dont mind me asking, how much did those shock mounts cost? I need to get some

[PBFAB.COM]

Originally Posted by bagged74

if you dont mind me asking, how much did those shock mounts cost? I need to get some

They cost $1425...you get some other parts along with them!

You should've had a set in your box... looks like I need to send you a pair your way.

[babyblueoval]

Nate,

With all your new boxes and everytihng in it's place, I can't believe you would forget something like that.

[Spray-Bomb]

Not to hijack your thread, but...

I can can see how the lower bag plate would give you more lift & maybe make installation a bit easier, but will it let you go as low at dump ??? Cuz honestly I don't see a need for more lift in a ride that is supposed to ride low, cuz my setup gets it back up plenty high

End of thread jack lol

[BACKYARD88]

Originally Posted by Spray-Bomb

Not to hijack your thread, but...

I can can see how the lower bag plate would give you more lift & maybe make installation a bit easier, but will it let you go as low at dump ??? Cuz honestly I don't see a need for more lift in a ride that is supposed to ride low, cuz my setup gets it back up plenty high

End of thread jack lol

Nathan's Dropmember takes everything you and I know about our set-ups and throws it out the window The geometery is TOTALLY different

[Spray-Bomb]

Originally Posted by BACKYARD88

Nathan's Dropmember takes everything you and I know about our set-ups and throws it out the window The geometery is TOTALLY different

I figured he knew what he was doing, but it just didn't make sense to me

[PBFAB.COM]

Originally Posted by Spray-Bomb

I figured he knew what he was doing, but it just didn't make sense to me

This bag plate is the way it is for a few reasons... the new centerline for the air spring is located outboard 1.25" from stock. This makes it necessary to heavily mod the stock lower arm to fit a bag in the spring pocket. In order to achieve a cost effective way to maintain the stock lower arm I made the plate like you see it. An ART Strong arm will get you more drop than the 73-87 stock lower and PB bag plate... but only 1". In the land of the low slung rides 1" can mean a lot, but in Gringo's case it doesn't. His frame is a 4WD and he already has to use stock spindles to keep it from being burried.

Depending on overall tire diameter, spindle height, and bag selection, it is possible to lay frame with a factory 73-87 lower arm and PB plate. Of course that's when it's combined with a Dropmember.

[Spray-Bomb]

Thanks

Man, the more I learn bout these drop members the more I want one !

[gringoloco]

Mmmm... Not much I like better than freshly powdercoated truck parts in the living room.

The Dropmember looks awesome with some color on it. My powdercoater liked it so much, he is talking about getting one for his '68 SWB that he is finishing up a restore on. Nate- do you offer discounts for referrals?

Only work I got done was to install the motor mount bushings; busy wrapping presents...

[babyblueoval]

Gringo, you rock.

Oh yeah..................Nathan, you rock too.

[bagged74]

Originally Posted by porterbuilt

They cost $1425...you get some other parts along with them!

You should've had a set in your box... looks like I need to send you a pair your way.

pm sent

[PBFAB.COM]

The parts look great! What finish is that? I can't tell if it's a semi-gloss or....????

[gringoloco]

Originally Posted by porterbuilt

The parts look great! What finish is that? I can't tell if it's a semi-gloss or....????

Thanks, I can only take partial credit It's a 'satin' finish. Looks more like a semi-gloss in pics. I wanted a finish I could easily clean since it will be in the engine bay. It also matches my control/trailing arms, crossmembers, etc...

[Spray-Bomb]

Thats one thing I love about powder coat, it's really easy to keep clean

[72BlckButy]

Originally Posted by gringoloco

busy wrapping presents...

Just be sure to have that drop member wrapped in time to get it under my tree......

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by gringoloco

Thanks, I can only take partial credit It's a 'satin' finish. Looks more like a semi-gloss in pics. I wanted a finish I could easily clean since it will be in the engine bay. It also matches my control/trailing arms, crossmembers, etc...

I'm getting the one for my 68 done in satin-black too. Should look nice w/the stainless hardware .

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by Spray-Bomb

Thanks

Man, the more I learn bout these drop members the more I want one !

You'll have to change that quote in your sig then or be guilty of 'hipocrisy' . ......

[Spray-Bomb]

I dunno, they may be very unique but he built more than one so it's not so custom anymore

If every one had something different about it, then it would be custom