Dropmember in a 69 C10

[jlaird]

Originally Posted by porterbuilt

That is as small as I could make them and still have them work! Maybe the camera has added a few inches? These are MY mounts to be used in conjunction with the new design Strong Arms.

OK, got a couple questions: Do you use the same shocks with yours vs airrides? The reason I ask is because yours look taller than air rides which would lead me to believe you need a shock with a larger compressed and extended height.

Also, can these shock mounts be used with a stock control arm?

[PBFAB.COM]

Originally Posted by jlaird

OK, got a couple questions: Do you use the same shocks with yours vs airrides? The reason I ask is because yours look taller than air rides which would lead me to believe you need a shock with a larger compressed and extended height.

Also, can these shock mounts be used with a stock control arm?

Mine is to be used with the Air Ride supplied shock... and Dropmember, NOT the factory crossmember. The Dropmember moves the suspension up in the frame, so the shock mount would need to be taller. Nice thing is that the NEW Air Ride upper shock mount will work with the Dropmember and the OLD design Strong Arms. MAkes it easy for all the guys who have the old design arms and want to convert to a Dropmember.

[64shortc10]

Nathan,

Your shoch mounts look good! Let me know when their available to order a set. Just wondering if the control arm I ordered come with shocks. Or is that only in a full front kit? Right on!

Tony from Norcal

[Hart_Rod]

Here's a picture of ART's new mount:

[watahyahknow]

that stuff looks beefy

[leftcoast66]

That stuff is incredible, definitely gotta love all of that. Yours is amazingly beefy and still love your dropmember and all your work.

[1963chevyshort]

Nathan,
I recieve my drop member and happy as hell. I will be ordering the strong arm kit shortly and get some pics taken of the installation.

Anthony

[PBFAB.COM]

Originally Posted by 1963chevyshort

Nathan,
I recieve my drop member and happy as hell. I will be ordering the strong arm kit shortly and get some pics taken of the installation.

Anthony

Glad to hear your happy! (That's seems to be the popular response!)

[dan468]

Just wanted to Thank Nathan again for the dropmember, fits great. Also wanted to let everyone know that pictures don't do this justice. I was actually most impressed by the weight of the piece. It's a lot lighter than it looks. If anyone plans on going to Nathan's shop stay off the 60.

[BigTruckDriver]

Originally Posted by dan468

Just wanted to Thank Nathan again for the dropmember, fits great. Also wanted to let everyone know that pictures don't do this justice. I was actually most impressed by the weight of the piece. It's a lot lighter than it looks. If anyone plans on going to Nathan's shop stay off the 60.

How light is it compared to the stock unit?

[PBFAB.COM]

Originally Posted by BigTruckDriver

How light is it compared to the stock unit?

The crossmember itself is a bit heavier than the factory piece... the main beef is in the billet steel lower control arm mounts. The complete crossmember, inner and outer frame plates, trans crossmember, and all hardware is 115lbs. (shipping weight... in a box). I haven't actually weighed the main crossmember and compared it to a factory crossmember... I will weigh the Dropmember only and find out. The main weight savings is in the elimination of the factory steering box and linkage.

[PBFAB.COM]

Originally Posted by dan468

Just wanted to Thank Nathan again for the dropmember, fits great. Also wanted to let everyone know that pictures don't do this justice. I was actually most impressed by the weight of the piece. It's a lot lighter than it looks. If anyone plans on going to Nathan's shop stay off the 60.

Thanks Dan! It was nice to meet you in person.... and yes, the 60 is terrible! Next time take the 202.

[64shortc10]

Nathan,

Shocks and shock mounts, I need them! How much?

Dan468,

I want pics! I wanna see that B!#ch Layed out! Heres mine so far!

Tony from Norcal

[PBFAB.COM]

The Dropmember's main crossmember weighs 75lbs.

[PBFAB.COM]

Here is an updated pricing and options list for the Dropmember. I have included part descriptions and part numbers to aid those who may want to purchase components separately or elsewhere to possibly save a few bucks. I will be adding a sway bar option shortly.

I have gone back and forth with being a middle man on some of the parts/components that I do not build in house. I have decided to move forward and deal with some of the headaches associated with relying on other people/companies to better serve my customers. Please keep in mind I am only the middle man on everything except the fabricated Dropmember components. I rely on others information that I pass on to my customers in regards to shipping times.


Dropmember $1350
Includes the following: Main cross-member; Inner frame support plates; Exterior frame plate/upper control arm/bag mounts; motor mounts; trans cross-member; tie-rod end adapters and heavy duty heim joints (includes misalignment spacers and hardware); grade 8 hardware to install cross-member; rack and pinion mounting bushings; frame c-notch for rack and pinion tie-rod clearance; upper shock mounts and inner frame support (to be used with Air Ride Technologies' newly designed lower control arm and Monroe shock (part#32245) or equivalent.


Options

Rack and Pinion (Mustang II rack and pinion 1979-1993)
Manual Mustang II rack and pinion $230 (Unisteer part#8000440)
Power Mustang II rack and pinion $250 (Unisteer part#8010020)
Chrome Power Mustang II rack $499 (Unisteer part#8010390)

Unisteer Steering Joints and Linkage (these pieces are all polished stainless)

*I have found best results using three single u-joints. It is also necessary to use a steering shaft support/idler with this configuration.

*The u-joint on the column has a couple different options depending on the output shaft. The most common shaft ends are either a 3/4-36 spline or a 3/4 smooth.

Column end joints:
3/4-36 x 3/4DD $69.95 (part#8050240)
or
3/4 smooth x 3/4DD $69.95 (part#8050330)

Center joint:
3/4DD x 3/4DD $69.95 (part#8050330)

Rack joints:
Manual Rack- 9/16-26 x 3/4DD $69.95 (part#8050230)
Power Rack- 3/4-36 x 3/4DD $69.95 (part#8050240)

Steering Shaft:
DD shaft 23" $30.00 (part#8050520)
Idler Support $40.00 (part#8050770)


Shocks:
Monroe part#32245 $99.80 (pair)
Air Ride Billet Adjustable Shock part#SHO2000 $359.00 (pair)


Air Ride Technologies Strong Arms:
*(following prices does not include bags or shocks)

LUCA11800 (1963-1970) $749
LUCA11801 (1971-1972) $749
LUCA11802 (1973-1987) $749



Slam Specialties Air Bags
RE7 $75


Supporting board members will receive a 5% discount on all purchases.

[lolife99]

Nathan,... can I order a dropmember with small block AND big block mounts? Or is the center crossmember section actually different for the BB? I'm not sure if I'll be running a big block or a small block,... so I'd like to have the engine "stands" for both, if that's the only difference. Thanks, lolife99.

[PBFAB.COM]

Originally Posted by lolife99

Nathan,... can I order a dropmember with small block AND big block mounts? Or is the center crossmember section actually different for the BB? I'm not sure if I'll be running a big block or a small block,... so I'd like to have the engine "stands" for both, if that's the only difference. Thanks, lolife99.

The difference between the BBC and SBC mounts are the height of the mounting tabs on the Dropmember. The physical mounts are the same for both. The options would be to have me tack either the SBC or BBC mounting tabs to the Dropmember so you can have a location to go by if you decide to run the other.

The LSx mounts and mounting tabs are completely different.

[itsmike2k]

Arn't small block and big block mounts the same? I know i droped a big block in my 85 monte carlo and used the same mounts, pads and xmember as the small block. I think the big block just sits up higher and a bit more forward. Just wondering what is different in the mounts in our trucks?

[lolife99]

I think the BB has taller mounts on the dropmember to keep the harmonic balancer away from the rack. Maybe Nathan will chime in.

[PBFAB.COM]

Originally Posted by lolife99

I think the BB has taller mounts on the dropmember to keep the harmonic balancer away from the rack. Maybe Nathan will chime in.

Correct... the tabs for the BBC on the Dropmember move the motor up 3/4" higher than the SBC.

[itsmike2k]

Ahh I see, yea i was wondering what all the fuss was about BBC mounts VS SBC mounts..

[royo]

updates please

[64shortc10]

NATHAN,

You must not be feeling well? We haven't seen any progress pics lately!
If you don't keep posting cool new stuff, How am I going to now what to buy from you next? There are a few of us 60-66 guys still looking for ways to mount our hoods now that we have Dropmembers and no inner fenders. I also still need to buy upper shock mounts from you so let me now how much! Hope all is well. Later

Tony from Norcal

[PBFAB.COM]

Originally Posted by 64shortc10

NATHAN,

You must not be feeling well? We haven't seen any progress pics lately!
If you don't keep posting cool new stuff, How am I going to now what to buy from you next? There are a few of us 60-66 guys still looking for ways to mount our hoods now that we have Dropmembers and no inner fenders. I also still need to buy upper shock mounts from you so let me now how much! Hope all is well. Later

Tony from Norcal

Been feeling alright... just spreading myself a little thin these days!

As for progress:

The hinges for the 60's trucks will be finalized within the next two weeks tops. I will be posting up pics and prices as soon as they're ready.

The DropmemberC4 underwent a couple slight changes... I made some adjustments to the rack and pinion mount and upper control arm mount.

I will be doing a couple more installations that I will post up for some step by step tech. One is a DromemberC4 in a 64 SWB truck (it will recieve the C4 backhalf at a later date). The other will be a 78 C-10 with a regular Dropmember and a KP complete rear set-up.

I will also have some pics of the new chassis that I will be making for the 60's/70's trucks. They will incorporate C4 front and rear suspension.

As for pics... it is most likely that you will all be bombarded at once and suffer from fabrication overload!

Tony- give me a buzz and we will make the transaction on the shock mounts.

[DM310]

Originally Posted by porterbuilt

Been feeling alright... just spreading myself a little thin these days!

As for progress:

The hinges for the 60's trucks will be finalized within the next two weeks tops. I will be posting up pics and prices as soon as they're ready.

Any update on the hinges?