porterbuilt dropmember questions

[RunninLo]

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

rotgg maybe my experience can help.
I'm a former shop owner specializing in air ride and chassis modding. I have a college degree specializing in welding engineering and can easily build most of the parts I buy. Since returning to retail work i still try to build a project now and then. I'm by no means made of money and need to balance a mortgage and other "grown up" bills against the needs of my toys.
when it came time to decide on Nathan's product I weighed the pros and cons... most of which have been stated already. For my situation I couldn't afford NOT to get it. It is a very nice piece that pictures just can't do justice. I've used weld in M-II kits from several companies, scotts superide, and the fat-man set-up. All are nice pruducts but the DM seems sturdier ( important for those sticky-up man holes) and it's easy bolt in application just can't be beat. On my burb I had the front clip off already and the motor pulled so I was a few steps ahead but I went from a stock roller to DM installed and bagged in just a few hours( 4 if memory serves). I'm confident that a weld in application would have taken me that long to feel confident that I got it placed correctly before that first bead would be run. at my old shop rate of $50/hr I'm willing to bet Nathan's product SAVED me at least 8 hours or $400 Minimum.

One pro that I haven't seen mentioned yet is that with it being Bolt-In I can put it back to stock in just as little time if that becomes an issue. gotta be worth something right.

Josh B.
^ love my Dropmember <---- sounds dirty???

"I can drag it on the ground thanks to my DropMember"

[edflores]

i have a couple more questions.
will the dropmember withstand hopping?
have you used anyone other bags than the slams? how did they ride with the dropmember?
do you include a manual of some sort to run me through the install or is there somewhere i can find that online?
does the floor need to be cut out for the driveshaft on a 73+ 2wd blazer
anyone else have any other questions?

[bagged74]

lol.....he said hopping

[PBFAB.COM]

Originally Posted by edflores

i have a couple more questions.
will the dropmember withstand hopping?
have you used anyone other bags than the slams? how did they ride with the dropmember?
do you include a manual of some sort to run me through the install or is there somewhere i can find that online?
does the floor need to be cut out for the driveshaft on a 73+ 2wd blazer
anyone else have any other questions?

I have run Firestone bags with good results, and Slam Specialties with good results.

There are instructions included with the kit, along with numerous examples here on the forum, as well as my phone number... I do a good job responding to technical install questions, even on the weekends (except Sunday).

The rear floor will definitely need some trimming if you are laying frame in the rear.

I don't recommend "HOPPING"! The Dropmember is not intended to be abused to that extent. Ask the guys who have them, they are an extremely stout piece... but "hopping"?!

[RunninLo]

Originally Posted by porterbuilt

I have run Firestone bags with good results, and Slam Specialties with good results.

There are instructions included with the kit, along with numerous examples here on the forum, as well as my phone number... I do a good job responding to technical install questions, even on the weekends (except Sunday).

If I may be bold enough to suggest a pic of the upper shock mount and some instructions for that and possibly the trans mount. They are both pretty simple pieces I know, but as you know I had to ask about them.

As far a Nate being accessible and supporting his product: definately A+.
My thanks go out to him for a great product, awesome support, and a wealth of shared knowledge.

Josh

[PBFAB.COM]

The "Instructions" are continually being improved and updated... I apprecite the support and suggestions of all the Dropmember customers.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by edflores

....will the dropmember withstand hopping?

I don't think the factory stuff (crossmember/a-arms) will withstand 'hopping' w/o tearing up something pretty darn quick.

[RunninLo]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

I don't think the factory stuff (crossmember/a-arms) will withstand 'hopping' w/o tearing up something pretty darn quick.

well I hate to admit it but I went through my "hopping on air phase" and using nitrogen and 1/2" valves was able to get my shop truck ( 92 Crew Cab Dually BBC) to get off the ground with out any damage. I can't say if it was a good idea or not or recommend anyone else try it. Other than a popped bag I've never broke anything hopping. Of course, the kick of doing it only lasted part of one summer and I didn't get carried away with power like some of the air hoppers I've seen.
Here's a pic of the truck:

[RunninLo]

the orange truck was the tow rig for this ride. It used a different method to lift the front tires off the ground.

[edflores]

no not hopping but showing off. just snap it off the ground at shows once in a while. i do that on my c10 now with no damage other than my battery tray broke. and as far as my blazer is concerned, the rear floor has already been tubbed and raised, i was just wondering about the driveshaft and trans tunnel.

[PBFAB.COM]

Originally Posted by edflores

no not hopping but showing off. just snap it off the ground at shows once in a while. i do that on my c10 now with no damage other than my battery tray broke. and as far as my blazer is concerned, the rear floor has already been tubbed and raised, i was just wondering about the driveshaft and trans tunnel.

I see no issues with your definition of "hopping". Also, there are no necessary "cab floor"/trans tunnel mods needed on the 73-87s. Not sure about the "driveshaft tunnel" without seing how the floor's mods have been done.

[XXL]

Originally Posted by RunninLo

As far a Nate being accessible and supporting his product: definately A+. My thanks go out to him for a great product, awesome support, and a wealth of shared knowledge.

PB gets thumbs' up from me as well... I've never spent a dime with him (squeak squeak), but he still stepped in to help resolve an ART issue I was having. Waaaaay beyond the call of duty.

[68burb]

hey porterbuilt. whats the issues with a dropped or chopped meber going into a 4x4 chassis? how far off we talking?

[RunninLo]

Originally Posted by 68burb

hey porterbuilt. whats the issues with a dropped or chopped meber going into a 4x4 chassis? how far off we talking?

My understanding is it's "close enough" that the c-10 or c4 DM will work but Nate strikes me as a real stickler for "designed perfection" so he's prototyping the K2C conv. DM. I'm sure he'll let us known when it's production ready.
Josh

[PBFAB.COM]

Originally Posted by 68burb

hey porterbuilt. whats the issues with a dropped or chopped meber going into a 4x4 chassis? how far off we talking?

The Dropmember will bolt-in to the 4WD chassis as is... we have already converted a 72 blazer in house, and others have purchased the Dropmember to do the same. The blazer we did had already been converted with factory components... making the install straight-forward. I can get pretty wierd about the way things fit and look... the 4WD chassis is slightly different up front and the Dropmember doesn't fit quite as "perfectly" as I would like. I am currently searching for a clean 4WD chassis to use for the new design. I can then modify the design where necessary, and supply accurate measurements for the install (assuming that the frame has not already been converted). I have a 74 4WD blazer awaiting some of my "free time", but haven't found a 4WD chassis for the 67-72 yet .

[babyblueoval]

I'll have my 4wd chassis available here in AR after the 2wd is shortened.
Might take an hour or two to come get it though.

[PBFAB.COM]

Originally Posted by babyblueoval

I'll have my 4wd chassis available here in AR after the 2wd is shortened.
Might take an hour or two to come get it though.

Driving to Texas ONCE A YEAR is enough for me! Arkansas... not a chance!

[babyblueoval]

Oh come on!!!!

I come to see you and take lots of pics and you can't even come out to pick up a chassis?

I can't believe that. That hurts.





I'm gonna try to sell it as a rolling chassis anyway so no matter. I knew it was WAY too far but wanted to offer in case you got a wild hair and wanted to try for a ticket in another state.

[68burb]

Originally Posted by porterbuilt

The Dropmember will bolt-in to the 4WD chassis as is... we have already converted a 72 blazer in house, and others have purchased the Dropmember to do the same. The blazer we did had already been converted with factory components... making the install straight-forward. I can get pretty wierd about the way things fit and look... the 4WD chassis is slightly different up front and the Dropmember doesn't fit quite as "perfectly" as I would like. I am currently searching for a clean 4WD chassis to use for the new design. I can then modify the design where necessary, and supply accurate measurements for the install (assuming that the frame has not already been converted). I have a 74 4WD blazer awaiting some of my "free time", but haven't found a 4WD chassis for the 67-72 yet .

okay i was just checking as I have a stock crossmember i was going to install in mine with bags and from what I have found online is the 4wd frame is stepped more in the front so it sits lower to start with, is this true?

[gringoloco]

Originally Posted by 68burb

okay i was just checking as I have a stock crossmember i was going to install in mine with bags and from what I have found online is the 4wd frame is stepped more in the front so it sits lower to start with, is this true?

'Tis true. ~1"...

[edflores]

any chance that you are coming out to cali any time soon?

[PBFAB.COM]

Originally Posted by edflores

any chance that you are coming out to cali any time soon?

I was just at Disneyland a couple weeks ago!

[edflores]

damn. did you have fun?? that place is lame. ha.
if you ever come down this way again, i'm sure some cali people would love o save on shipping.

[PBFAB.COM]

Originally Posted by edflores

damn. did you have fun?? that place is lame. ha.
if you ever come down this way again, i'm sure some cali people would love o save on shipping.

Lame? Tell that to my 2 and 4 year old daughters! I had the pleasurable experience of going on the "It's a Small World" ride SEVERAL times!

I will be at the Del Mar Goodguy's show this next April.

[grnddwn]

Originally Posted by porterbuilt

I was just at Disneyland a couple weeks ago!

I'n there everyday