Is my suspension worth saving?

[gottwake]

I'm bringing my truck to a shop to have some mods done and they suggested I get a new frame and said my suspension will ride like total crap as it's old school tech.
I didnt know that when It was done origionally so my question is this; should i just scrap or sell this frame and get a new frame for $8500 with new suspension components? I'm not worried about the costs, I just want to know if the origional frame is worth saving or improving with a dropmember or whatever?
The fab company http://www.chassisbyaaroniha.net/

[PBFAB.COM]

Curious as to what they meant by will "ride like crap". Seems like you should've recieved some more specific responses.

Before I spent the dough, I would get the truck together as is and find out for myslef how "crappy" it is. You will have to pull the truck apart to paint it anyways... you can have the chassis work re-done then if you're not sarisfied.

From what I see, the only thing I would be concerned about would be some bumpsteer in the front, which is inevitible with a severely lowered factory suspension. If the work was done on the front end properly... then it shouldn't be too bad. As for the rear, I am a HUGE advocate of the Sleeved bag. Most people have the misconception that it rides "bad".... I use them every chance I get, and I can tell you they ride GREAT.

[gottwake]

Hey Nathan,
I was looking for anyone who has experience with this type of set up to give me advice as you did. I was planning on bringing it to a shop and have them install a drop member and powder coating the frame etc... and blasting and undersoating the bottom of the tub-basically a done-deal when i pick it up. But thats when it was brought to my attention that the suspension was crap. I'll forward you the estimate.

My origional intensions were to get the motor and tranny mounts installed, channeled, wheel tubs and finisht hte suicide door sheet metal. I was got a price of $21,000 for a new frame, suspension, bags, pumps, fuel cell, lots of metal work...

[wancosc356]

The frame looks good to me. And If you are gonna put a drop member in, it would look even better.

The shop wants to charge you $8500 for a new rolling chassis???? WOW!!! I might would stay far away from that shop. You can pick up a good frame for a few hundred dollars. Bolt on porterbuilt front drop member and a porterbuilt rear kit and still be way under $8500.

But like I said, the frame looks fine. And as Nathan said, the only problem I see is maybe the steering setup on the front....that is if it clears fully. The drop member will cure that issue. If you decide to scrap the frame.....please send it my way.

Good Luck

[smashingchuck]

Your set up will be fine. Someone is trying to take you for a ride.

What makes you guys think there is something wrong with the steering? It looks like he raised it as much as he raised the crossmember; same setup I have and it works fine.

[jjjmm56]

It will ride like a truck! J/K It looks good to me. They say when the bags are behind the axle it rides alittle rougher but I can't prove it.

[N2TRUX]

Sounds to me like a good sales pitch. Aaron has hit the big time lately and he certainly deserves props for his creativity. That doesn't necessarily mean that he is correct about your frame.

I think you are on the right track by getting a "second" opinion.

[Shane]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

Sounds to me like a good sales pitch.

Ding! Ding! Ding! Winna-Winna-Chicken Dinna!

[Spray-Bomb]

Im with the others, they are trying to sell you more than you need

[orange71]

His work is nice but not worth the money, I used a dropmember and backhalfed the frame and was able to acheive my altitude goals

[shifty]

You could buy a new frame and every part that Nate sells for it and walk away under $4,000.

[gottwake]

Thanks guys, I am appreciate your comments. I will consider other options.

[VA72C10]

Originally Posted by shifty

You could buy a new frame and every part that Nate sells for it and walk away under $4,000.

I agree...and you're close enough you could send it to him to do the work or to Rockcrln to do the work with PB parts....

[LMDGUY]

If arron is quoting you $8500. then will be getting a tottally one off frame.

[gottwake]

I suppose, Nathan is working on some prices for me. Hows AZ? Just moved from there to sunny (not so damn hot) cal.

[Primer70]

Everything looks okay up front, looks like they moved the idler arm & steering box a little forward along with moving them up. If they moved the crossmember forward too it should be just fine. I don't care for the rear bag bracket on the rear end housing, too far away from the axle for my liking. I woulda put the bags closer to the housing & in front of the housing to help relieve some of the load on the link bushings.

[FRENCHBLUE72]

Looks like they were wanting some cash from ya....

[ShowSS12]

WOW thats allot of $$$$ for a good frame, I agree with porterbuilt the sleeve bags ride real nice BOA or behind the axle like its currently mounted. SO get it running a take it for a drive to see how YOU like it.

[bdydrp97s10]

its looks to me like the guy is doing top notch work.. andi agree that for 8500 dollars you would be getting a complete one off frame.

but your setup looks fine to me as it is,

what may be going on is he doesnt want to finish somebody elses work and hes telling you that you need a complete frame because he really wants to get creative and build something badass for you.

but hte setup you have now will be just fine