Dropmember in a 69 C10

[kyle4381]

Nathan,
I like those C4 a arms I think I need this set up for the 62 with a tubular crossmember and a set of Shock waves. When the blazer gets done the 62 frame is next.. Sweet work...

[Tony@AirRideTech]

I like that with the C-4 arms on there ....... and those pieces polish out nice too........

[PBFAB.COM]

Here are some updated pics of the Dropmember C4. They show the control arm/shockwave mount and some other misc angles to get an idea on tire clearance. This control arm/shockwave mount is for a 6" ride height and will set the frame just over a half inch off the ground with a 27" tall tire.

[leftcoast66]

amazing setup, hopefully one of these days I'll do something like that, I love the idea. Good luck w/ the shop, hopefully I two will have a shop...

[SCOTI]

Nathan,

Is the C4-Dropmember steering rack positioned similarly like the C10-Dropmember rack?

[PBFAB.COM]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

Nathan,

Is the C4-Dropmember steering rack positioned similarly like the C10-Dropmember rack?

It sets in a real similar position, just slightly lower by about an inch.

[smbrouss70]

Originally Posted by porterbuilt

This control arm/shockwave mount is for a 6" ride height and will set the frame just over a half inch off the ground with a 27" tall tire.

With this setup, does the crossmember hit the ground before the frame, or is the suspension just bottomed out when the frame is a half inch from the ground?

Also, are the stock C4 tie rod ends going to be able to be used with this custom rack, or will it have to be the heims again?

Once again Nathan, I'm super impressed with your work. Hopefully I can get one of these in the not-so-distant future.

[PBFAB.COM]

Originally Posted by smbrouss70

With this setup, does the crossmember hit the ground before the frame, or is the suspension just bottomed out when the frame is a half inch from the ground?

Also, are the stock C4 tie rod ends going to be able to be used with this custom rack, or will it have to be the heims again?

Once again Nathan, I'm super impressed with your work. Hopefully I can get one of these in the not-so-distant future.

Just like the original Dropmember, the Dropmember C4 makes the frame-rails the lowest point of the truck. With the 6"ride height the shockwave will hit its bumpstop just before the frame hits the ground.

As for stock tie-rod ends... I am working with my rack and pinion manufacturer to make this happen... it can be done, just a matter of how long it will take. This is the route I intend on taking.

[67Fleet]

Nathan, when you get a chance, can you shoot a pic of the truck from the front end so I can get an idea of how far in the wheels/tires are set? It looks like a lot from the pics I've seen.
You're work is inspiring to say the least. Your welds are amazing, and the fabrication is just stunning. Thank you for sharing with us.
-Bret

[valleycustom]

Nathan,

[watahyahknow]

Originally Posted by porterbuilt

I am pretty confident that the crossmember on the 1-ton is the same, just the spindles and brakes are heavier duty. I do not see it being a problem. What year is it? I will do a little bit of research to find out. If it is pre-73 the lower control arm will need to be slightly clearanced... I was supposed to post up a pic of this, hopefully Monday I can find a little time!

i was considering chainging a one ton 1983 truck (see avatar but think 2 wheel drive ) to ford rack cause it seems to steer tighter (no slack in rods and such )

to bring it a bit lower i was thinking on only using other spindles and a flipkit in the back only want to go 3 to 5 inch lower , bigger wheels will bring it back up again .
for these wheels i've allso been looking intoo http://www.chromewheel.com/ , i realy realy like there 22 inch truckrim and 8 to 11 bolt adapterplate setup they make .
but im need to move back to the subject : the last man i talked to (from flaming river i think it was ) about this type of steering talked me out of it telling me the ford rack setup was too weak a setup for the one ton pickup and the trucktires i was planning to use he told me the setup would wear excesively .
if i order a the ford type steering and suspensionsetup it would be more for better cornering than the the abillity to drop the frame to the deck

what would be the best option for me ?

[PBFAB.COM]

Originally Posted by watahyahknow

i was considering chainging a one ton 1983 truck (see avatar but think 2 wheel drive ) to ford rack cause it seems to steer tighter (no slack in rods and such )

to bring it a bit lower i was thinking on only using other spindles and a flipkit in the back only want to go 3 to 5 inch lower , bigger wheels will bring it back up again .
for these wheels i've allso been looking intoo http://www.chromewheel.com/ , i realy realy like there 22 inch truckrim and 8 to 11 bolt adapterplate setup they make .
but im need to move back to the subject : the last man i talked to (from flaming river i think it was ) about this type of steering talked me out of it telling me the ford rack setup was too weak a setup for the one ton pickup and the trucktires i was planning to use he told me the setup would wear excesively .
if i order a the ford type steering and suspensionsetup it would be more for better cornering than the the abillity to drop the frame to the deck

what would be the best option for me ?

The determining factor, in deciding if a MII rack and pinion will be appropriate for any application, is the front axle weight of the vehicle. The information I have been given from "the engineers" at Maval Manufacturing a.k.a. Unisteer in regard to this issue is the following: 'If the front axle weight exceeds 1800lbs. the MII rack and pinion will be operating at its limits. At or near the 1800lbs. front axle weight it is recommended that a manual MII rack be used, not a power unit (the manual rack is a beefier unit, and has a larger pinion). Ratcheting effects have been experienced on the power unit when operated beyond this perameter' (that's paraphrased).

My recommendation would be to keep your one ton steering set-up. If the steering feels 'loose' or 'sloppy' it may be time for some components to be replaced. With the big wheels, the one-ton components... and if equipped with a Big Block, your front axle weight could be getting close to a MII's limits. Flaming River, or whomever it was you spoke to was offering good advice! It may be sufficient, but it definitely would not be recommended on such a heavy vehicle.

I would make sure the steering linkage and gear box is nice and tight, and throw a beefy sway bar on it. It might not be as 'tight' as a rack and pinion, but it will definitely do the job.

[Rokcrln]

Well Nate that is one way to loose a sale

Kevin
LFD Inc.

[67Fleet]

Originally Posted by Rokcrln

Well Nate that is one way to loose a sale

Kevin
LFD Inc.

hehehe, better to lose a sale than to provoke a lawsuit.....

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by Rokcrln

Well Nate that is one way to loose a sale

Kevin
LFD Inc.

1st: I realize it was a joke . . ....

But..... He might have lost 1-sale, but because of his honesty in assessing the guys goal, gained 3-more who were 'on the fence' looking for a honest place to work with.

[watahyahknow]

i apreciate his honesty too , sure is better than having both wheels turn out in the middle of a 55 mph turn .
guys like that can hardly be found here where i live , we dont do a lot of lawsuits here (dutch law doesnt have a lot of possibilities for that ) so they kindah do wat they want ripping off people left and right aspecially in the autobranch and houseconstruction .
guess i stick to the stock type steering .

[Rokcrln]

Just so everyone knows that was a total joke! Nate is as honest as the day is long. And yes he would rather loose 10 sales than make a buck if it was not the right thing to do.
I wish the US was the same way with law suits! Seams here is you look at someone the wronge way they try and think of a way to sue. My Ex wife is a D.A. and tells me all kinds of horror stories that should have never made it to a court room.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

[PBFAB.COM]

Sorry I haven't responded to the thread for a couple of days... my wife had a baby boy this past weekend, so I was pretty occupied! He's a helathy 9.5 pounder!

Bret- I will get some pics of the front end on Friday. It sets in from the lip on the fender about three inches (I think). Again, Friday we'll have some pics and I will get an exact measurement.

Kevin- it's OK if I lost a sell... I'll make it up on your parts!!!!

[Rokcrln]

Yeh and then some

[watahyahknow]

on the new member of the family

[PBFAB.COM]

Bret- Here's the pics you requested. The tape measure indicates how far inboard the wheel and tire are set. There are pics of it all full compression and ride height.

The Dropmember C4 has undergone a couple of small changes... The first being the rack and pinion: The rack and pinion used will be a factory C4 rack. Turns out that my custom rack ended up being a more expensive version of the C4 rack... only benefit was the ease of fabricating the mounts. The C4 rack will be a better route due to the fact that is in an on the shelf item and readily available. The second change is that upper control arm/shockwave mount has undergone some minor changes.

[SCOTI]

Please post up any pics you might have of the rack once it's installed w/the C4 set-up. I really like what I'm seeing.

[PBFAB.COM]

For those wondering about shipping costs on a Dropmember... it weighs in at 115lbs. that's anywhere from $120 (Southern CA) to $160 (NY). The DropmemberC4 should weigh-in at a bit less... we'll find out here real quick!

[1987 Shortwide]

Does the C4 suspension make for a wider track at all than the AirRide A-arms?

If I were to go with this setup (I love it by the way), I would more than likely end up running coilover front suspension instead of bags. Reguardless, I will still be running a 15" front wheel (15X5) and I know that these trucks already have a bit of an issue with the front wheels being inward an awful lot (mine is an 87).

I find interest in this setup mainly because I am a simplicity freak, and if I could eliminate that huge crossmember, stock A-arms, and steering box, for all of this clean cut and simple stuff, it would really clean up my under hood appearance.

I'd guess that it'd also perform alot better at high speed than stock stuff too, and as of right now I'll be looking at 130+ in the 1/4 mile on stock junk.

This is what I'm faced with currently...

[layedoutnoma]

if u want to run the c4 stuff with 15's u may have an issue if you use all the spindles and brakes from th c4.. just a guess but something to look into