Dropmember in a 69 C10

[PBFAB.COM]

Originally Posted by 64shortc10

Nathan,

What are my options as far as control arms? Should I order Djm's and have you modify or do you have another solution? The tire I want is a 285-35-22 which I beleive is close to 30"

thanks
Tony from Norcal

Don't buy the DJM's ... I will do some thinking and see what would be best.

That's a pretty wide tire to run up front.

[64shortc10]

Do you think I should just go with a 265-35-22? I still be a 1/2" of the ground? I don't want to spend $300 on new spindles plus close to $700 on Art control arm? But if thats my only option?

Tony fom Norcal

[PBFAB.COM]

Originally Posted by 64shortc10

Do you think I should just go with a 265-35-22? I still be a 1/2" of the ground? I don't want to spend $300 on new spindles plus close to $700 on Art control arm? But if thats my only option?

Tony fom Norcal

I can always send you a different set of upper control arm/bag mount plates with the upper bag mount moved up a bit. I would find an old tire that's the same diameter and fit it up to see where the issues will lie. The 265 35 22 is 29.3" tall.

On the 67 front end the hood ledge (where the lower skin and upper skin form a seam and are spot welded) needs to be trimmed so the truck will lay. It's a BIG tire. A little too big IMO.

[64shortc10]

Thanks Nathan,

I got the package you sent. My new t-shirt became the topic of conversation at work. I've been working alot of overtime and plan on ordering my Art control arms in the next week or two! Ball Metals is great they pay me $30.00 dollars an hour for 12 hours a day to stair at soda cans and pull out any with defects. How easy is that? So hopefully after I get the control arms bolted up I can get that modified upper bag mount from you. Is that something you will exchange or if not how much will the new upper bag mounts cost? Then all I need is the steering linkage and the front is done!
Then I get to start working on the rear, that independent set up is sounding pretty cool. Would there be anyway to put rs72 slam bags on that? And how do you convert the rear axles to 5on5 chevy bolt pattern? Thanks again Nathan.

Tony from Norcal

[jlaird]

Originally Posted by 64shortc10

Thanks Nathan,

And how do you convert the rear axles to 5on5 chevy bolt pattern? Thanks again Nathan.

Tony from Norcal

Send your axles to Moser. They will weld up the holes and redrill and mount new studs. They are real quick about it and it only cost a little over 100 bucks. Just got mine done.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by porterbuilt

The sqeaky wheel gets the grease! BTW, didn't you get me all excited about selling you one of these and then never get back with me?

I just haven't heard back from the Unisteer guy... looks like I need to call him Monday!

Any word from your Unisteer contact?

[SCOTI]

Ttt. . . ....

[PBFAB.COM]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

Any word from your Unisteer contact?

We'd be looking around $350 for the custom width manual rack you would need.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by porterbuilt

We'd be looking around $350 for the custom width manual rack you would need.

I looked up a R&P unit on RockAuto (96 PWR C4) & the price range was $227~$290 for reman power units..... $350 for a custom spec's unit isn't bad in comparison.

Is my pricing on the standard C4 PWR R&P correct?

[PBFAB.COM]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

I looked up a R&P unit on RockAuto (96 PWR C4) & the price range was $227~$290 for reman power units..... $350 for a custom spec's unit isn't bad in comparison.

Is my pricing on the standard C4 PWR R&P correct?

Unisteer sales theirs (C4 power rack) for $350... Rock Auto seems to have some good pricing.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by porterbuilt

Unisteer sales theirs (C4 power rack) for $350... Rock Auto seems to have some good pricing.

That's w/o shipping figured into the price but still competitive. So this 'custom' rack could be swapped to a standard C4 pwr R&P @ a later date if desired?

[PBFAB.COM]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

That's w/o shipping figured into the price but still competitive. So this 'custom' rack could be swapped to a standard C4 pwr R&P @ a later date if desired?

Nope... the manual rack would not be compatible with the power C4 unit. If you wanted to go power later with this set-up we would need to go with a custom width power MII (for all those who are reading this for the first time, Scoti and I are discussing the options to go with a manual rack and pinion on the C4 set-up. There is no manual C4 rack available, so this would be a custom application).

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by porterbuilt

Nope... the manual rack would not be compatible with the power C4 unit. If you wanted to go power later with this set-up we would need to go with a custom width power MII (for all those who are reading this for the first time, Scoti and I are discussing the options to go with a manual rack and pinion on the C4 set-up. There is no manual C4 rack available, so this would be a custom application).

I might be lost here so bear w/me.

I didn't want to 'retro-fit' the rack from manual to power; but instead I wanted to know if the actual mounting of each rack would be similar so that if desired, @ a later date I could swap the manual R&P for another 'correct' C4 style. Or would this require reworking the R&P mounts on the crossmember?

Sorry for so many questions. For the benefit of others.... the current plan for the truck is 'bare' essentials only & the pwr steering isn't making the cut. Maybe someday down the road I'll want to add it. . . .....

[PBFAB.COM]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

I might be lost here so bear w/me.

I didn't want to 'retro-fit' the rack from manual to power; but instead I wanted to know if the actual mounting of each rack would be similar so that if desired, @ a later date I could swap the manual R&P for another 'correct' C4 style. Or would this require reworking the R&P mounts on the crossmember?

Sorry for so many questions. For the benefit of others.... the current plan for the truck is 'bare' essentials only & the pwr steering isn't making the cut. Maybe someday down the road I'll want to add it. . . .....

Didn't mean to "lose" you!

I will be overly vague for everybody's benefit!

The Dropmember C4 is set-up with mounting locations for the C4 Corvette rack and pinion. The C4 rack and pinion only comes in power assist. In order to use a manual steering set-up, a modified MustangII manual rack and pinion would be used. The mounting points are very different between the MII and the C4 racks. The Dropmember C4 would need to be set-up with different mounting points for the modified MII manual rack (something I would do). If there is a possibility of wanting to go power in the future, a modified MII power-assist rack and pinion would be necessary.

Clear as mud?

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by porterbuilt

Clear as mud?

I see said the blind man. . .....

C4 vs. MII R&P..... night & day difference or slightly better?

[PBFAB.COM]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

I see said the blind man. . .....

C4 vs. MII R&P..... night & day difference or slightly better?

C4 is more performance oriented... the manual MII can be had in 'quick ratio'... but still isn't going to be quite as good as the C4 rack. But if it's manual steering you want... there has to be a trade-off somewhere!

[-Greg72]

PB,

Please allow me to ride the coattails of this discussion and ask if either of those vendors (UniSteer or RockAuto) can provide a rack-and-pinion for my '72 Suburban?

At this point, I'm leaning towards a C4 Dropmember with BBC mounts, but due to the weight of the vehicle, the rack and pinion unit is still an unresolved issue......

I don't have accurate corner weights (yet), but I know that the overall weight of the 'Burb is right around 5200Lbs, with probably 60% of that over the front tires.

Ideas?

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by porterbuilt

C4 is more performance oriented... the manual MII can be had in 'quick ratio'... but still isn't going to be quite as good as the C4 rack. But if it's manual steering you want... there has to be a trade-off somewhere!

Understood about the compromise.

[PBFAB.COM]

Originally Posted by -Greg72

PB,

Please allow me to ride the coattails of this discussion and ask if either of those vendors (UniSteer or RockAuto) can provide a rack-and-pinion for my '72 Suburban?

At this point, I'm leaning towards a C4 Dropmember with BBC mounts, but due to the weight of the vehicle, the rack and pinion unit is still an unresolved issue......

I don't have accurate corner weights (yet), but I know that the overall weight of the 'Burb is right around 5200Lbs, with probably 60% of that over the front tires.

Ideas?

The C4 rack would be the solution. It is a beefier unit than the MII and I wouldn't hesitate putting it on your BBC Burb.

I wouldn't worry too much about the MII set-up either... I just have to follow along with the manufacturer's specifications.

[watahyahknow]

<<<<<<< perks up would it work on a dualie too ?

[64shortc10]

Any new pics or updates on the 69? I should be ready for my control arms soon and those new upper bag mounts! Any idea if a 05 C-6 rear end will work with the back half setup you have? My brother in law came up on a disc to disc rear end that a customer was complaining was making noise. After installing a new rear end the corvette still had the noise so there was nothing wrong with the old rear end. So free rear end for me if I want it. Let me now if it will work

Tony from Norcal

[SantanaCustoms]

Looks like I am moving to Chandler, so I think I will bring the ole 67 in for a front and rear suspension!! Can you PM when you get a chance to talk about some prices. thanks

[SantanaCustoms]

any new pictures of the rear sections

[Dizzy]

WOW... I feel like I just read a book! Very good stuff here, I just might have to get me a C4 Dropmember now. I am also looking forward to the finished pics of the back half.

[PBFAB.COM]

Finally have some updated pics of the upper shock mount to be used in conjunction with Air Ride's Strong Arms (new design: shock tab located on top of lower control arm). The inner frame brace for the shock mount is tubular in the pic, but will incorporate plate gussets similar to the inner frame plate of the Dropmember.

On another note: Due to some difficulties in coordinating with outside vendors on steering components, I will no longer be offering the Dropmember with steering components. I will happily assist in providing customers with part numbers and contact information fo the steering components. I will however, be able to provide the Dropmember with Air Ride Technologies components, and Slam Specialties Air springs.