Porterbuilt

[Cacti25]

Can I Run A Porterbuilt Cross Member With Chassis Tech A-arms Instead Of The Art A-arms? I Have A Guy In Town That Is Selling A Complete Chassis Tech (scrape) Set Up For 67-72 For 1500$ ?

[lolife99]

As long as they're a-arms to mount an air bag,... I would assume they could be made to work. I personally wouldn't use anything from AIM, (aka Chassis Tech). Those to companies are on opposite ends of the "fabrication spectrum". Save your money and run Air Ride tubular arms or STOCK arms.

[PBFAB.COM]

Originally Posted by Cacti25

Can I Run A Porterbuilt Cross Member With Chassis Tech A-arms Instead Of The Art A-arms? I Have A Guy In Town That Is Selling A Complete Chassis Tech (scrape) Set Up For 67-72 For 1500$ ?

I have never had a set on a Dropmember, but by the way they look I don't think there would be any clearance issues. The bag mounting hole on the lower arm needs to be relocated 1.25" outboard from where it originally is.

[64shortc10]

If I remeber right the ART arms were only $800-900 for upper and lowers why spend $1500 for the AIM garbage? just my $.02 Good luck!

Tony from Norcal

[blazntn]

Man you can buy the front arms with bags from chassis tech for like $600. $1500 seems kinda steep!!

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by Cacti25

... I Have A Guy In Town That Is Selling A Complete Chassis Tech (scrape) Set Up For 67-72 For 1500$ ?

I'm assuming that includes more than just the A arms.

Like everyone here has stated, please reconsider this choice. AIM/Chassis Tech are renowned for building inferior quality products.

[1LoC10]

Porterbuilt and AIM together? Isnt that an oxymoron.. That would be like putting PepBoys wheels on a Z06....If you can afford the dropmember, then you can afford ART arms.

[Cacti25]

Thanks for the input. To answer some of the questions it is a complete front and rear airbag set up with upper and lower a-arms, 4-link rear, compressor, tank, etc..

[PBFAB.COM]

Originally Posted by porterbuilt

I have never had a set on a Dropmember...

This is for a good reason. I would recommend spending your hard-earned $1500 elsewhere.

[nonos64]

how much is the dropmember with everything

[rotgg]

i cant believe someone is talking about saving money and buying the drop member in the same post

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by rotgg

i cant believe someone is talking about saving money and buying the drop member in the same post

A guys gotta' have money to finish the rest of the truck.

I would go DM w/stock arms until I had the $$ for ART's or equal. For the rear do the KP set-up (if/when it comes available), stick w/the trailing arms (67~72) or ART's rear 4-Bar kit.

[Cacti25]

I'm not trying to save money I just have very little knowledge when it comes to airbag suspension and the companies that sell the products. Just looking for good information so I make the right choice when I buy my suspension setup.

[rotgg]

Originally Posted by Cacti25

I'm not trying to save money I just have very little knowledge when it comes to airbag suspension and the companies that sell the products. Just looking for good information so I make the right choice when I buy my suspension setup.

i know you are not trying to save money u said the name porterbuilt lol

[Slmd92DIME]

Everyone has to start somewhere buddy. I have been reading threads on here for quite awhile and you will be amazed on how much you learn.

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by rotgg

i cant believe someone is talking about saving money and buying the drop member in the same post

Everything is expensive when it come to air ride. (In my opinion) So,... when I do have all the money to bag my truck,... I'll get quality stuff,... not AIM. I've always preached QUALITY when it comes to static drops. I'll do the same when I bag one of my trucks. I just don't have $4500 for the front (dropmember plus extras) and rear (KP 6 link) just yet. This isn't including a nice "air management" system. I'm not *****in about the price of the products,... just my lack of funds. (and welding ability).

[Dinos63]

my business is next door to aim no kidding ,I have used both ,wait and save for the Art they worth it...sorry joe

[PBFAB.COM]

Originally Posted by nonos64

how much is the dropmember with everything

This List should help... if you run ART arms and all the goodies you could be pushing $3K... minimum your looking at $2K.

It's funny... some people say how expensive it is, and others can't believe what they got for the price...


Dropmember & Accessory List


I have put this list together to assist my customers in locating and purchasing the necessary components to complete the installation of the Dropmember.

Dropmember: $1425

Includes: Main cross-member; inner frame support plates; upper control arm/bag mounts; motor mounts (specify SBC, BBC, GENIII); transmission cross-member; shock mounts; billet tie-rod ends and chromoly heims w/hardware; billet rack and pinion mounting bushings; rack notches (weld-in frame for tie-rod clearance); shock mounts; all hardware necessary to install the Dropmember; 11 pages of color instructions.

Rack and Pinion Steering:

The Dropmember uses a Rack and Pinion from a 1979-1993 Mustang. Power and Manual racks can be found through Unisteer Performance (www.unisteer.com). Unisteer's part number for the power rack is part# 8010020 and it sells for $279; the manual rack is part#8000270 and sells for $249. Unisteer's prices may change.

The rack and pinion may be found through a local parts store at a savings. A part number that may be referenced, and crossed if needed, is part#22-201F from Parts Master.

The steering linkage is best if purchased through Unisteer Performance. Unisteer carries only polished stainless u-joints for a price that is less than regular steel joints from Borgeson. If you have a 1963-1972 C-10 your steering linkage will run $279. If you have a 73-87 C-10 your steering linkage will run $169.

Steering Linkage 63-72:

You will need three u-joints, a support bearing, and steering shaft to connect your column to your rack and pinion. I recommend Unisteer Performance (www.unisteer.com) to purchase these items. You will need to verify the output shaft on your steering column to ensure you purchase the proper u-joint.

Column end u-joint:

On the 63-66 factory column you will need a 3/4smooth bore by 3/4DD u-joint. (Unisteer's part# for this joint is 8050330).


On the 67-72 factory column you will need a 3/4-36spline by 3/4DD u-joint.
(Unisteer's part# for this joint is 8050880).

Middle U-joint:

The middle joint of the linkage is a 3/4DD by 3/4DD u-joint.
(Unisteer's part# for this joint is 8050300).

Rack and Pinion U-joint:

If using a power rack and pinion, the u-joint for the rack end is a 3/4-36 spline by 3/4DD u-joint. (Unisteer's part# for this u-joint is 8050240).

If using a manual rack and pinion, the u-joint for the rack end is a 9/16-26 spline by 3/4DD. (Unisteer's part# for this u-joint is 8050230).

Shaft Support Bearing:

The Unisteer part# for the shaft support bearing is 8050770.

Steering Shaft:

The Unisteer part# for the 3/4DD steering shaft is 8050520.


Steering Linkage 73-87:

You will need two u-joints and steering shaft to connect your column to your rack and pinion. I recommend Unisteer Performance (www.unisteer.com) to purchase these items. You will need to verify the output shaft on your steering column to ensure you purchase the proper u-joint.

Column end u-joint:

On the 73-87 factory columns there are two possible options:
1"DD by 3/4DD (Unisteer part#8050310)
1"-48spline by 3/4DD (Unisteer part#8050320)

Rack and Pinion U-joint:

If using a power rack and pinion, the u-joint for the rack end is a 3/4-36 spline by 3/4DD u-joint. (Unisteer's part# for this u-joint is 8050240).

If using a manual rack and pinion, the u-joint for the rack end is a 9/16-26 spline by 3/4DD. (Unisteer's part# for this u-joint is 8050230).

Steering Shaft:

The Unisteer part# for the 3/4DD steering shaft is 8050520.


Power Steering Lines:

The best place to purchase the power steering lines is from Borgeson (www.borgeson.com TEL:860.482.8283). They will send you a complete line kit with the necessary fittings! I have had best luck with their rubber line kit.

Shocks:

The shock mounts supplied with the Dropmember are designed to be used with a Monroe 32245 shock (or equivalent).

Bags:

The Dropmember is designed to be used with a Slam Specialties RE7.

Control Arms:

The Dropmember was designed to be used with Air Ride Technologies Strong Arms. It can be used with factory 63-72 arms with slight modifications for clearance; and 73-87 factory arms with no modifications for clearance. Factory lower arms will need to be modified to accept an air bag.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by Cacti25

.....Just looking for good information so I make the right choice when I buy my suspension setup.

Then you have come to the right place. Besides a great group of "average Joe consumers" that frequent this forum, you also have some of the industries finest that spend time here too.

I think you will find that the general consensus by all goes something like this. If you want the best quality air suspension components available then the following brands are endorsed by all.

Porterbuilt
Air Ride Technologies (ART)
KP Components
Suicide Doors

While everyone will tell you that you are playing with fire, and eventually you are going to get burned if you use anything that Joe Morrow sells regardless of the name.

AIM
Chassis Tech
Bagginit.com