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#26 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Mesa,Az
Posts: 3,981
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Re: Dropmember in a 69 C10
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#27 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Fresno, Ca
Posts: 26
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Re: Dropmember in a 69 C10
oh thank you for soapboxing! I enjoy people rattling off because I do it too. You completely answered my questions. And I totally understand what you are getting at with a one off peice being not as complicated. I really like the dropmember and if i had a stock frame still, I'd probably save up for one. I think my favorite part of the dropmember is the way the lower c-arms are sandwiched inside of the crossmemeber. Its a hell of a lot stronger than the factory u-bolts! I was thinking of getting impala spindles but I already have 2-inch drops so i think ill stick with what I got and the next time i have 800 bucks laying around ill have a rack modified to have more travel. Theres a company out there that does this but I forget the name of them. A hot rod shop here in town told me the name so i think ill ask them again.
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:mp: Last edited by onehot69stepside; 06-11-2006 at 04:49 PM. |
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#28 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Mesa,Az
Posts: 3,981
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Re: Dropmember in a 69 C10
One company that I know of (and deal with) that will build a custom rack or modify one to your specs is Maval Manufacturing... AKA Unisteer. I highly recommend them!
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#29 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Fresno, Ca
Posts: 26
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Re: Dropmember in a 69 C10
yeah! thats what it is. Maval. I actually googled Marvel. lol. And the only reason why I remembered that much was because I wrote it down in a phonebook around here and i see it all the time in it.
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#30 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Mesa,Az
Posts: 3,981
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Re: Dropmember in a 69 C10
Well, this truck was originally going to have Shockwaves installed on the Dropmember instead of bags... plans changed. The Shockwaves weren't going to fit quite like we had intended, so they went back on the shelf, and the traditional bag and shock combo will be used. Here's some pics of the completed rack mount and the bag mounts starting to take shape. The arms in the pics are DJM drop arms for coil springs, the owner of the truck already had the arms and it was going to cost him less to modify the arms than purchase some from Air Ride. The dropmember is designed to be used with the Strong Arms from Air Ride Tech., but any tubular arms and even stock arms will work... there may need to be a little modifying having to take place on the lower arm though.
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#31 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Winters Ca. 95694
Posts: 4,843
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Re: Dropmember in a 69 C10
Looks good! I have a few questions. What comes with the kit for $1200? Do you get the rack Notches and bag mounts? From the front bumper being on the ground how much lift will a standard bag give? What else do you need to get in order to install this kit on a stock truck? I know these are basic questions but they were not covered completly in the posts. Now one question for my own knowledge how much of a rear notch (no need to address floor and arm mods) would it take to get the rockers level with the full drop of the front?
By th eway sweet PB logo. I am working on an LFD logo for my roll cages and tube chassie's I just have not decided on a method yet. Thanks for your time. Kevin LFD Inc. |
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#32 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Mesa,Az
Posts: 3,981
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Re: Dropmember in a 69 C10
The $1200 bucks gets the whole crossmember, upper control arm plates/bag mounts, inner frame brace, rack and pinion mounts (rack is additional), outer tie rod ends and tie-rod adapters (outer tie-rod ends are 3/4-16 LH heims with a 5/8 hole. The spindle gets drilled out with a 5/8 bit, mis-alignment spacers are included. The tie-rod adapter is currently tubing with a 3/4 LH bung on one end and a 9/16 on the rack side), shock mounts, rack notch, and grade 8 hardware are also included. Things that are left on the "to buy list"... rack and pinion, steering linkage and borgeson joints (the joint on the column end needs to be a double u-joint), bags, and shocks. The stock trans crossmember will need to be modified or replaced. The motor also moves up a little and forward a little to give oil pan to ground clearance and harmonic balancer to rack clearance. The driveshaft and exhaust will have to be modofied to compensate for this. As far as lift... I will measure on Monday. (The panel truck lifts up to where there is almost daylight between the fender lip and the top of the tire). Same answer for the rear notch, oh, what tire diameter do you want me to measure by?
Thanks for the compliment on the PB logo. ![]() |
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#33 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Winters Ca. 95694
Posts: 4,843
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Re: Dropmember in a 69 C10
For the tire size the red blazer on page one would be a good choise. Sounds like your kit is very well equiped. For oil pan clearance does it matter if it is a new SL1 or a stock carb model? With sliding the engine forward how would it be for a Big block (not common any more but thought I would ask)?
Kevin LFD Inc. |
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#34 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Pollock, LA
Posts: 79
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Re: Dropmember in a 69 C10
yeh thanx for askin bout big block rokcrln i was about to, guess i'll be one of those rarities....
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03 s-10: daily driver 94 s-10: late model toy 70 c10: starting frame off resto 80 c10: for sale just collecting dust 94 c1500: hauler to and from 55 chevy: hot rod project jus reborn |
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#35 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Winters Ca. 95694
Posts: 4,843
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Re: Dropmember in a 69 C10
Quote:
![]() So if anyone up in my area wants one of these installed I will do a great install price so I can check it out before buying a few for my own toys ![]() Kevin LFD Inc. |
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#36 |
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![]() Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Hillsboro Oregon
Posts: 6,449
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Re: Dropmember in a 69 C10
If I ever do a "standard build" (i.e. use the truck frame) I'll go with one of these. In fact, when the '61 is done I should get one for the Burb...
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#37 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Winters Ca. 95694
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Re: Dropmember in a 69 C10
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Kevin LFD Inc. |
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#38 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Mesa,Az
Posts: 3,981
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Re: Dropmember in a 69 C10
OK- What's a big block? and what's a carborator? Just kidding! (I thought big blocks and carborators were forgotten when gas prices reached $3.00 a gallon
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#39 |
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Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: DALLAS,TX
Posts: 21,977
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Re: Dropmember in a 69 C10
Are the outer tie-rod ends adjustable studs w/heims to correct for bumpsteer? How well do heims hold up to daily abuse?
Many states up north apparently frown upon heims used in suspensions. I just learned this recently while researching info about the 'B' spindle swap on GM cars. Guys were using parts similar to Baer Brakes 'bumpsteer eliminator' kits (heim ends) & having inspection issues.
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67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol. |
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#40 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Mesa,Az
Posts: 3,981
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Re: Dropmember in a 69 C10
Quote:
I have not heard of any inspection issues due to spherical bearings (heims) being used in suspension systems. I wouldn't know why it would be an issue. As far as durabilty and strength is concerned, spherical bearings (heims and uni-balls) are the first choice of many performance suspension systems. I have been debating having a tie-rod adapter sleeve made that allows the use of a stock outer tie-rod end, the only draw-back to this is the rack threads and the stock tie-rod threads will need to be trimmed for installation... Which sounds more appealing? |
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#41 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Winters Ca. 95694
Posts: 4,843
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Re: Dropmember in a 69 C10
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#42 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Mesa,Az
Posts: 3,981
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Re: Dropmember in a 69 C10
I have had a few questions about the upper control arm/bag mount. Here's a good pic of what the final mount looks like. It is all one piece and comes with the kit.
Rockrln- I seemed to have misplaced my tape measure... (actually I forgot to measure the lift and size of notch you will need) I will try again tomorrow ![]() |
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#43 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: DALLAS,TX
Posts: 21,977
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Re: Dropmember in a 69 C10
Quote:
Does the dropmember actually use the existing frame holes for locating?
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67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol. |
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#44 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Mesa,Az
Posts: 3,981
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Re: Dropmember in a 69 C10
The "squeaky" heims are an option
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#45 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Fresno, Ca
Posts: 26
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Re: Dropmember in a 69 C10
i was curious where i could get those spacers to prevent the heim joints from binding. The local speed shop here has them but not for 3/4" holes. I used the 3140 steel ,teflon lined heims joints on mine with 3/4" stud and hole and i just made some spacers out of some tubing stock and grinded them down but i need some machined ones for when i build my chassis.
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#46 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Fresno, Ca
Posts: 26
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Re: Dropmember in a 69 C10
ok i know i'm probably trying to pick your brain a little too much but how did you get the front to be narrowed 4 inches over all. I posted some info in Valleycustoms post on his custom chassis and my ideas on my front suspension geometry. If you feel like leaking any info, enlighten me on my plans of using a rack n pinion and how i plan to keep the factory geometry. I dont mind how they drive in stock form. Anything is better than my butt load of bumpsteer I have now.
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#47 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Mesa,Az
Posts: 3,981
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Re: Dropmember in a 69 C10
I sell the rod end spacers (misalignment spacers) for the heims. PM me for more info on the spacers and your suspension geometry questions. As for the dropmember being narrowed, it's not quite four inches. The geometry was designed utilizing stock spindles and arms and a mustangII rack. In order to get the bumpsteer where I wanted, the lower control arm pivot points needed to move inboard, which was fine by me. When these trucks are slammed they need to be narrowed up a bit for additional tire to fender/hood clearances.(Less than .1 degrees of bumpsteer per inch of travel is considered "acceptable" in the world of race car suspension design. Their end goal is to have as little bumpsteer as possible so I too accept their standard as .1 degree per inch of travel as acceptable) The dropmember has much less than .1 degree of bumpsteer per inch of bump (compression), and just under .1 degrees of bumpsteer per inch of droop (extension). For those who have no idea what I am talking about, bumpsteer is an issue common to steering and suspension changes. The location of all the suspension pivot points work together to create the suspension geometry. If not located properly, adverse steering and suspension movements take effect, making the vehicle steer and handle poorly, and often dangerously. Bumpsteer is a term used for the steering of the vehicle. It is apparent when steering linkage pivot points are not located in harmony with the control arm pivot points and as the vehicle's suspension goes through its travel, the steering wants to toe in or out. This condition can cause some strange and sometimes dangerous results.
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#48 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Mesa,Az
Posts: 3,981
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Re: Dropmember in a 69 C10
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#49 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Mesa,Az
Posts: 3,981
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Re: Dropmember in a 69 C10
Rokcrln-
Finally found my tape measure... The front gets just under 8" of travel. I still have not had time to measure how big of a notch you will need in the rear, I will have time on Friday to take those measurements. |
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#50 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Winters Ca. 95694
Posts: 4,843
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Re: Dropmember in a 69 C10
porterbuilt~ Thanks for checking for me. I am not in a big hurry just yet but as I drive to and from work I am always thinking about ideas. With my 70 2wd blazer I want to keep the rear notch as small as I can but still drop it to the ground. I am thinking I might be able to go with a smaller notch if I go with a C4 set up of sorts since the third member would be stationary and just the arms need to travel. I need to crawl under one and check it out some more. If I go this way then it would be a C4 up front as well but I am still thinking about the dropmember for my 71 swb. Only problem is I would need to chop apart my custom Sanderson hot coated headers to fit the steering shaft but I am thinking it would still be worth it.
Kevin LFD Inc. |
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