porterbuilt dropmember questions

[boltz_]

It has been many moons,... where are the updates?? We need pics!!

[ZBS 64]

Is that anthony's truck?

[Kontrol Phreaks]

No

[edflores]

more questions for when you get back.
anyone have a dropmember installed in a 73-87 2wd blazer? i just got one. so now i'm selling my c10.
if anyone has, what other issues came up?
do re-8's fit in front?

[rotgg]

what is the difference in the c4 drop member and flat out engineerings cross member

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by rotgg

what is the difference in the c4 drop member and flat out engineerings cross member

The C4 Dropmember bolts in using the existing crossmember holes in the frame (homework is done for you)..... the Flat-Out Engineering stuff is a weld-in 'kit' (after you figure out where it needs to go).

[rotgg]

is that the only diff

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by rotgg

is that the only diff

That's a pretty significant difference. What specifically are you wanting to know?

[rotgg]

dozent seem to bad to weld that in for the price diff

[smbrouss70]

Nathan has also tweaked the geometry to properly suit our trucks. According to Flat Out Engineerings site, it allows for a 4 inch drop, Nathan's version allows you to drag your frame, if you want. I've never seen Flat Out's set-up in person, but I'd have to imagine Nathan's version is set up higher in the framerails for more ground clearance.

[rotgg]

a four in drop with no bags that sould be equal to a four inch frame z correct with bags that should lay out

[smbrouss70]

No, they are saying that it is about a 4 inch drop from having all the factory stuff in there. There's could lay frame with bags, but I would call them and ask first.

[rotgg]

i am trying to talk my self into one of these porterbuilt drop members just cant get over the price verses doing another front end or just zing the frame

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by rotgg

i am trying to talk my self into one of these porterbuilt drop members just cant get over the price verses doing another front end or just zing the frame

If you're that confident in your welding/fab skills, you could prob make anything work.

That being said, my friends can build frame rails from scratch & install any aftermarket crossmember set-up in those rails but they would go the Dropmember route to cut costs (time = money).

[rotgg]

i guess they have more money than time

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by rotgg

i guess they have more money than time

No, they use their time wisely.

[edflores]

yeah. i'm looking into the dropmember because it looks like it saves a bunch of time and fab work compared to bodydropping or z'ing

[rotgg]

how long would it take them to z a frame?

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by rotgg

how long would it take them to z a frame?

I'm not them but I would estimate @ least 4-full 8hr. days of work which would include removing the front sheet-metal, cleaning all the years off crud off the frame & de-greasing, leveling & bracing the frame where required, cutting the frame, shifting the frame sections, verifying measurement & level accuracy, welding the frame in it's new position, cleaning up (de-burring & spot grinding where needed for appearance), & re-installing the front clip.

I've seen more than one guy on this board say if the Dropmember would have been available when they Z'd their frame, they would have chosen that alternative.

4 days @ 8hrs. ea. = 32hrs total @ $50/hr labor rate (low end) = $1600 (or more exspensive than a Dropmember).

Obviously it can be done cheaper. It can also be done incorrectly requiring it to be done over.

[rotgg]

the absolute least i can see it costing is 2274 am i wrong here

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by rotgg

the absolute least i can see it costing is 2274 am i wrong here

Give us a break-down on your numbers....

[PBFAB.COM]

Originally Posted by rotgg

the absolute least i can see it costing is 2274 am i wrong here

Dropmember $1425 (-$71.25 for 5% Supporting Board Member Discount)
Power Rack $250 (seen em for $195)
Steering Linkage $279
Power Steering Lines $40 (rubber from Borgeson)
Bags $150
Shocks $75

Shipping... $200???? (for everything)

I come up with $2347.75 for the regular Dropmember

DropmemberC4 $1425 (-$71.25 for 5% Supporting Board Member Discount)
Power Rack $350
Steering linkage $279
Power Steering Lines $40
Shockwaves $899
C4 Components $900
Shipping $350?????

Grand Total... $4171.75 for the DropmemberC4

On a side note... I have installed a couple of the Flat-Out kits. They are nicely made and are fairly straight-forward to install. If you sat a Flat-Out and a Dropmember next to eachother you can see a significant difference in the way they are made. The Flat-out kit is mainly 2X4 tubing... Dropmember is .188 plate (3/16").

The main advantage of the Dropmember is the ability to Bolt it in. If you are looking to save some money and have the ability to do a weld-in installation there is nothing wrong with the Flat-Out kit. If you are looking for a piece that will save you time, the Dropmember can't be beat. Obviously I am partial to my kit, but I know it isn't for everybody.

[rotgg]

like i said i am trying to make myself buy one of the porterbuilt drop members it is very hard to do when u know how to weld i love the ease of bolting something in but i would doubt if i was selling this drop member mr porter would buy one from me

the flat out kit looks ok to me but i dont know what kind of drop to expect it says four inches under stock with coil overs

as four putting 4gs into front sup only i am not sure i can do that the guys on this site just appraised one of my trucks at 10gs and i have that much in paint so if u go 4000 for front sup 2500 in back 1500 for bag and 3000 rim and 1500 for tires thats 12500 for a roller no way i can throw money away like that

[PBFAB.COM]

Originally Posted by rotgg

like i said i am trying to make myself buy one of the porterbuilt drop members it is very hard to do when u know how to weld i love the ease of bolting something in but i would doubt if i was selling this drop member mr porter would buy one from me

Really quick on the last sentence above.... For me, TIME = MONEY and I attach a dollar sign to every hour. I keep this mentality with ALL purchases. With that said, I buy the KP six-link for these trucks ... $1400 without thinking twice. I can build one just like it, maybe even tweak it a little to personalize it some... but I don't. Why? Because the time it would take me to design, tweak, and then build (probably have to build it twice... that's how it always goes!) wouldn't be worth the trouble, to me. So, believe me, if you were the one selling Dropmembers I would be buying from you!

But, this may brake the sale....the DropmemberC4 for the 73-87 C-10 is not available YET. The frame design of the 73-87 is slightly different. I will be finishing up the DropmemberC4 for the square bodies here in the next couple months. This will either give you more time to "think about it" and make the correct decision ... or go with the other kit and "save some cash".

BTW... that's a nice looking truck. A dropmember would definitely look sexy in there!

[rotgg]

the truck i want to lay out is a 87 swb but not the one in the pic i also have a 72 swb that i am going to do somthing with next the 87 i am leaning towards just z'ing frame with the stock a arms i need to do some more research on the z and every thing that is involved i just want it to be a nice spark thrower and daily driver

i am def thinking about what way to go with the truck and i do believe u have a great product