porterbuilt dropmember questions

[edflores]

i have an 86 c10 350/700r4 that i wanted to put a dropmember in. i have several questions.
what headers would i use?
can i also stock floor body drop it?? what issues would arise??
can i keep my A/C and heater?
what would i have to modify??
i want to run 22" wheels. what backspacing/offset would work well??
can i use the crossmember to make a k5 into a 2wd?? anyone done it yet?
the last question..... well i guess i would rather have a 2wd blazer than my c10

[PBFAB.COM]

Originally Posted by edflores

i have an 86 c10 350/700r4 that i wanted to put a dropmember in. i have several questions.
what headers would i use?
can i also stock floor body drop it?? what issues would arise??
can i keep my A/C and heater?
what would i have to modify??
i want to run 22" wheels. what backspacing/offset would work well??
can i use the crossmember to make a k5 into a 2wd?? anyone done it yet?
the last question..... well i guess i would rather have a 2wd blazer than my c10

I will be doing a complete install on a 73-87 (running/driving) truck in the next week or so. I will be posting up pics and make all the 73-87 guys aware of all the mods that go into the Dropmember install on the square body trucks. I am just eagerly awaiting the goods to get back from powder-coat. It's a 78 and will be getting a Dropmember up front and KP six-link/canti-lever out back.

It looks like the stock manifolds will be just fine... if not the 3/4 style chevelle/camaro headers will work... I will dig up a part number for ya'all.

You can body drop it to lay pinch-weld... you will have to mod. the trans tunnel slightly more than normal (the DM moves the motor and trans up about 1.5" higher than stock).

I am pretty sure the A/C and heater are gonners... especially with a 22 up front. I removed the assembly on the 78 we will be working on... If there's room with a 22 it'll be a miracle! If A/C is a necessity... looks like an aftermarket unit (like Vintage Air) under the dash is the only option.

I will answer your wheel offset/backspacing when we do the install.

We've used the Dropmember on a 72 K5 blazer... it fits. The difference is that the K frame isn't as wide as the 2WD frame. I will be developing a Dropmember specifically for the 4WD to 2WD conversions.

Give me a couple of weeks and I will be posting up the pics of the 78... there will probably be many more questions that come up. Here's a pic of the next victim!

[Kontrol Phreaks]

I actually just got done install a PORTERBUILT DROPMEMBER this weekend in a 73-87 C10 pickup. Let me first state that this system is killer. Not only were the pieces extremely well built, but the fit perfect.

I wanted to do the job with a limited amount of tools so that I would be able to experience what most individuals would experience installing the kit themselves. The truck I was working on already had the motor out which made is very easy to access all the areas that needed to be worked on. It also had the complete factory suspension components and steering installed.

The install location was a standard vehicle garage using all hand tools, and a corded drill. No air powered tools. We were able to get the factory front suspension components removed and the complete dropmember installed in 5 hours. That's only 1/2 a day of work for two guys in a garage with basic hand tools and some cold drinks.

The back of the truck already had a KP Components Bolt-on 4 link & Cantilever system installed. The truck originally laid out hard in the back, but because of the factory lower control arms and crossmember up front, it had a serious rake. The front portion of the frame rails under the cab were a good 3 inches off the ground. Once we got the new DROPMEMBER installed and air the truck out, the entire frame was now laying flat on 20" wheels. That was 3 inches lower in 5 hours of medium duty work.

Once I get back from the Drop Zone show in Oregon this weekend I can post images of the truck. The thing looks SICK with the Porterbuilt front end and the KP Components rear suspension. If anyone on the forum is in the Salem Oregon area, please swing by the show this weekend, July 27-29 and check out the truck. I'll be there as well so stop by and say


Late.

[edflores]

20's???? those look good on minis. not full size trucks.
kp, did you install air ride arms too??
porterbuilt, what are you planning to change for the 4wd to 2wd conversion??
did you modify the dropmember for use in the 72 k5???
i know of some 73-91 k5s around here for sale so if the dropmember isn't headaches in a 4wd, i might have to sell my truck.

[itsmike2k]

20's dont look good on fullsize?!?!?! I would say alot of people would disagree, like me...

[PBFAB.COM]

20's???? those look good on minis. not full size trucks.

The fronts are 20's and it has 22's out back... not everybody likes a 22' up front


kp, did you install air ride arms too??

I am pretty sure they kept the factory arms.


porterbuilt, what are you planning to change for the 4wd to 2wd conversion??

I plan on making it narrower so it fits the 4WD chassis PERFECTLY.


did you modify the dropmember for use in the 72 k5???

Didn't modify it... just had to spread the frame a little to get the holes to line-up for the lower crossmember (I drilled them in the center of the frame... should've drilled them closer to the outside edge). It works fine, and 99% of people would wonder why I would even think about making one specific for the 4WD... I just fall into that 1%.

[gringoloco]

PB- the white truck looks great. Will look even better on the ground...

Do you happen to know what the tire sizes are? Looks like Coy's C5 20x8.5 and 22x9 wheels.

Thanks -Chris

[Kontrol Phreaks]

Here are some quick shot of the truck that we're working on. The install took me 5 hours to do with basic hand tools in the garage. Once I get back from my trip this weekend I'll post more images, and tech about the install.


The truck aired out on some sponsored 20" smoothie from Boyd Coddington Wheels. KP Components 6 link rear suspension that's been powdercoated silver.


The forward portion of the trucks frame showing the powdercoated 4 link, air tanks under the cab, and the rear drive line crossmember notch that comes with the bolt-on KP Components 4 link .


Front Porterbuilt Dropmember installed with factory upper and lower control arms, drop spindles, and KP Components front airbag mounts.


Front 3/4 shot of the fender looking down the truck for good measures I guess.

[itsmike2k]

I like that rear x member that your valves are mounted to. I also like hou you mounted the compressor on the inner rail, are you gonna have to use a heat shield for the exhaust? I need to take some measurements on my cab and see if my tanks will work where you have those mounted... Nice work!!

[edflores]

what size tanks are those???

[PBFAB.COM]

Originally Posted by gringoloco

PB- the white truck looks great. Will look even better on the ground...

Do you happen to know what the tire sizes are? Looks like Coy's C5 20x8.5 and 22x9 wheels.

Thanks -Chris

You're correct on the wheels, and the tires are 255/35R20's and 265/35R22's.

I agree... it will look much better on the ground!

[grnddwn]

Clint that truck's sweet. Thats it I going to get my crewcab this weekend, Crewcab shorty here we come, just gotta unload my Tahoe before I order my dropmember.

[edflores]

so kp, wheres the tech install and more pics???

[edflores]

any updates?

[Kontrol Phreaks]

Originally Posted by itsmike2k

I like that rear x member that your valves are mounted to. I also like how you mounted the compressor on the inner rail, are you gonna have to use a heat shield for the exhaust? I need to take some measurements on my cab and see if my tanks will work where you have those mounted... Nice work!!

That driveline crossmember comes as part of our 4 link, sweet isn't it. If you're running a 73-87 C10 and it doesn't have a notch right there, it's not going to get down then.

The compressors and lines should be fine where they are right now. The exhaust will routed in a way so that it's not up close to those items, and it should be cool that far back with the air blowing across it.

Those tanks you're asking about are fat 6 gallons with end mounts that we used to stock. They're good inside the rear frame rails on the early C10's as shown below. You can also mount them under the cab, but the mounts are easy to make

We now offer 5 gallon tanks that have bottom mounts that fit up under the cab, and we can even do a long thin 5 gallon tank that will tuck up under the cabs nicely. You can kind of see it under the passenger side of the cab.

[youngrodder]

What are the wheel and tire specs on the smooth boyds?
The truck look great.

Originally Posted by Kontrol Phreaks

That driveline crossmember comes as part of our 4 link, sweet isn't it. If you're running a 73-87 C10 and it doesn't have a notch right there, it's not going to get down then.

The compressors and lines should be fine where they are right now. The exhaust will routed in a way so that it's not up close to those items, and it should be cool that far back with the air blowing across it.

Those tanks you're asking about are fat 6 gallons with end mounts that we used to stock. They're good inside the rear frame rails on the early C10's as shown below. You can also mount them under the cab, but the mounts are easy to make

We now offer 5 gallon tanks that have bottom mounts that fit up under the cab, and we can even do a long thin 5 gallon tank that will tuck up under the cabs nicely. You can kind of see it under the passenger side of the cab.

[edflores]

ok so i came up with some more questions.
what rack and pinion do you use?? mustang 2??
has anyone ordered their with the manual steering?? did they like it?
what size tires will it lay on with out drop spindles??
do the air ride arms give more travel than the stock ones??

[Kontrol Phreaks]

Originally Posted by edflores

20's???? those look good on minis. not full size trucks..

What size are you going to run ? My wheels and tires were FREE so I wasn't going to complain.

[PBFAB.COM]

Originally Posted by edflores

ok so i came up with some more questions.
what rack and pinion do you use?? mustang 2??
has anyone ordered their with the manual steering?? did they like it?
what size tires will it lay on with out drop spindles??
do the air ride arms give more travel than the stock ones??

Here's the answers...

-The rack is a MII from model years 1979-1993
-We have a couple trucks running around here locally that have manual racks... they also have larger "old school" looking steering wheels. It takes a little strength in parking lots, but it's a guarantee that your wife/girlfriend will NEVER ask or want to drive your truck . The difference in the two while driving is that the manual rack allows you to "feel" the road quite a bit more.
-You can lay a 29" tall tire.
-The Strong Arms do not give more travel than factory arms... just cleaner appearance and some caster advantage. On the square bodies (73-87) I recommend the tubular uppers for clearance purposes.

I am in the middle of the Dropmember install on the white 78. I started at 9:30 my time this morning (I am currently taking my lunch break). I have all the factory components removed from the truck and am ready to start installing the Dropmember itself. I drove the truck into the bay this morning, and should have the front installed within the next few hours. The KP rear six-link with watt's will begin either tomorrow or Monday.

[Kontrol Phreaks]

Originally Posted by edflores

ok so i came up with some more questions.
what rack and pinion do you use?? mustang 2??
has anyone ordered their with the manual steering?? did they like it?
what size tires will it lay on with out drop spindles??
do the air ride arms give more travel than the stock ones??

Yes we used a Mustang Rack.

On a non-power rack the wheels will be fine to turn while you're rolling, but a little tough when their not rollin.

According to you 20's are small, and 22's will get close to the hood hinge, so you wount even be close to laying out without spindles unless you Z that thing 5 inches.

The arms will not give any added lift, however they will correct the ball joint angles for the bagged trucks.

[grnddwn]

[QUOTE=Kontrol Phreaks;2302171]Yes we used a Mustang Rack.

On a non-power rack the wheels will be fine to turn while you're rolling, but a little tough when their not rollin.



You just need a big ol bus sterring wheel and they'll turn just fine maybe a 22" SMOOTHY

[Kontrol Phreaks]

I'll give you the big ol steering wheel, as long as the center of it is a smoothie to match.

The non power one would be a joy to drive inside the fairgrounds, laid out on some big rollers .......

[grnddwn]

Originally Posted by Kontrol Phreaks

I'll give you the big ol steering wheel, as long as the center of it is a smoothie to match.

The non power one would be a joy to drive inside the fairgrounds, laid out on some big rollers .......

Can't see the speedo but who care I'm drivin a sweet ride.

[PBFAB.COM]

Well... the front's done. Here's some teaser pics for ya guys! I will post up plenty more once we get the six-link in!

[lolife99]

THAT,... is so sweet! Keep the pics coming. I may have to have a dropmember before I can really afford one. Let me know when there is a "dropmember / KP" kit available to do the whole truck.