Dropmember C4

[PBFAB.COM]

Here's the latest version of the Dropmember... The DropmemberC4. It utilizes C4 Corvette suspension and steering components. The main advantage of the DropmemberC4 is performance, but other plusses include overall appearance and of course, EGO enhancement. It uses either a coil-over or Shockwave (PN SKW1030). It is offered with a ride height of 5" or 6" with a 27" tall tire. When used with the Shockwave, the 5" ride height will put the frame on the ground (with 27" tall tire), and the 6" ride height leaves the framerails an inch from touchdown.

[PBFAB.COM]

a few more...

[krue]

[AesC10s]

would you be able to make one of those c4members for standard bags?

[67Fleet]

<------drooling Heavily

[PBFAB.COM]

Originally Posted by AesC10s

would you be able to make one of those c4members for standard bags?

The standard bags are difficult enough to make work with the C4 components, but add the width and location of the frame-rails and there is not enough room for the bag and the shock. Also, the control arms are aluminum and that adds to the difficulty of bag/shock/ sway-bar mounts. I set-up a custom chassis a few years ago with C4 and bags up front... ended up changing it over to the Shockwave. There just wasn't enough room for the bag and shock when cycled through its travel.

The effort involved in setting it up this way would cost me more than a Shockwave would.

[67Fleet]

Nathan, I may have missed another thread you've posted, but I think what AesC10s might be getting at (because I was wondering myself) is do you offer a dropmember that doesn't require using all the C4 components and does not need the rack? I'd be interested in going that route and still being able to use my stock arms (could go tubular if necessary), and current front bag setup.

[PBFAB.COM]

Originally Posted by 67Fleet

Nathan, I may have missed another thread you've posted, but I think what AesC10s might be getting at (because I was wondering myself) is do you offer a dropmember that doesn't require using all the C4 components and does not need the rack? I'd be interested in going that route and still being able to use my stock arms (could go tubular if necessary), and current front bag setup.

All the Dropmember designs, current and future, incorporate a rack and pinion. If you were hoping to keep the stock steering box and linkage, it just won't work. Originally I had thought about doing so, but the advantages of using rack and pinion: ease of design and fabrication w/using rack and pinion, performance gains in steering w/rack, and of course when the frame is notched for tie-rod clearance the box would be in front of the notch and it would just be a matter of time before the frame cracked and broke... not "if". After weighing the pros and cons I figured a $250-$300 cost of purchasing a rack would actually be an investment.

What are the concerns with the rack? I have had a lot of people ask if they could use the stock box. I always assumed it was cost... is that correct?

[panhandler62]

Don't mean to thread-jack this but.. .. could something like this be set up as a static drop with .. oh say about 4 inches of clearance running 16 or 16.5s with a normal size tire or wold that be a completely different animal?

[PBFAB.COM]

Originally Posted by panhandler62

Don't mean to thread-jack this but.. .. could something like this be set up as a static drop with .. oh say about 4 inches of clearance running 16 or 16.5s with a normal size tire or wold that be a completely different animal?

It definitely can be. The deciding factors on where ride height would be are tire diameter and then coil-over selection. With a 26-27" tall tire and the proper coil-over it will set about where you want it. My main purpose in building this piece was performance, I just made it capable of using a Shockwave so it could cover a broader market. Best of both worlds... performance guys get theirs, and the go low guys get theirs.

[AesC10s]

i want everything this has to offer but the only thing that i want is 1 that has standard bags becuz i already have them.

[67Fleet]

Nathan, you would be correct in your assumption of price, at least from my perspective. Not that I don't think it is worth it because it clearly is IMO. I'm just on a tight budget, and right now it isn't in my budget unfortunately. I am building my truck to be a weekend cruiser and my needs are not really performance oriented anymore, (I'm getting older...) though it must perform better than stock, be as safe or safer than stock, and be able to get low. I think my best option would be to section the existing x-member I have, but it sure would be nice to have the money to buy that piece of art that you have developed.

[PBFAB.COM]

Originally Posted by 67Fleet

Nathan, I may have missed another thread you've posted, but I think what AesC10s might be getting at (because I was wondering myself) is do you offer a dropmember that doesn't require using all the C4 components and does not need the rack? I'd be interested in going that route and still being able to use my stock arms (could go tubular if necessary), and current front bag setup.

67Fleet-
Have you seen the original Dropmember? It sounds a lot like what you're referring to. It can use your stock arms and bag set-up you currently have, but the rack is a must... You can find a MII manual rack for $160 rebuilt... who knows what one on E-bay would go for.

As for budget, I know exactly what you mean... that's why I currently drive a 1995 Silverado with 18's and no suspension mods! Turns out that there isn't much left over after the mortgage and expenses for the wife and kids get taken care of! (I've been dumping the majority of revenues back into my business. Tools and equipment aren't cheap in this industry!)
Hopefully I will get my own sick ride done in the next year or two!

[Rokcrln]

Looking great as always! I sure can't wait to start on the ...OOP's never mind

So when is the C4 back half kit going to be comming out

Kevin
LFD Inc.

[tom71]

[valleycustom]

I wish I had that...

[IvelDesigns]

what kind of cost is there for a complete setup? rack, arms, shockwaves, spindles, etc?

Do you see any issues with using larger tires? like in the 29-30" range.

[PBFAB.COM]

Originally Posted by IvelDesigns

what kind of cost is there for a complete setup? rack, arms, shockwaves, spindles, etc?

Do you see any issues with using larger tires? like in the 29-30" range.

DropmemberC4- $1200
Rebuilt C4 Rack and Pinion- $350
DropmemberC4 Basic Kit- $1500 (Includes Dropmember and C4 Rack and Pinion)
Spindles/Brakes/upper and lower control arms (used from salvage yard)- $750-$850 ... I've seen em for less as well. (Keep in mind possible rebuilding of parts/components) Good idea to buy front suspension complete with rack, crossmember, and transverse spring... you can sell off the parts you do not use and recoup a few hundered bucks.
Shockwave's- $849
Tie-rod ends- $150
Steering joints and Linkage- $350

Total $3700 + misc. expenses ~ $4000

As for the tire diameter question... 27" will put the frame on the ground, so a 29" diameter will put the frame 1" off the ground. You can go larger than 27" diameter, clearances just get tighter and tighter.

[chevy_fatman]

Drool!!! I better start saving my pennies

[CochinoFilipino]

WOW! How'd I miss this? That's an awesome piece or work. Does it maintain the original C4 geometry?

[LUV2XCLR8]

[PBFAB.COM]

Originally Posted by CochinoFilipino

WOW! How'd I miss this? That's an awesome piece or work. Does it maintain the original C4 geometry?

The geometry does vary slightly from the original C4 design... due to the fact that we are dealing with a longer wheel base, a higher center of gravity, and of course a heavier vehicle. The geometry needed a bit of tweaking to make it work as desired on this application. The idea behind this design is true performance. I'm a big fan of the G-machine craze, and there hasn't been much performance suspension systems designed or developed for trucks... nothing that I know of. I think it's a market that is going to start seeing some real growth... trucks that handle like sportscars!

Thanks for the compliments.

[CochinoFilipino]

Sounds like your "tweaking" was done to actually further improve performance and not just to make it fit. That's even more cool.

[GMCGRANDS]

I have been following your threads and have been impressed with your work. I have been through 4 front suspensions in the last four years, and what you now have looks to be what I have looked for over that time. I want my truck lower but I am not interested in draging frame. I want the handling. I settled for a Fatman at the time but this has posed new challenges with my engine/trans combination, headers, engine mounts, and steering shaft . I have limited fabrication skills and prefer a bolt in application. I have a few questions . Does the C4 member include the engine mounts for a Gen 3 (LSX) engine?

I noticed in the dropmember thread you weld the mount on for the steering shaft support, is this done on this kit as well? How about a front swaybar? If draging frame is not a goal what mods are required to the floor hump or cab floor? Can wider front wheels be run to bring the track width closer to stock without negative effects to handling? Do you build a header for this application or have a suggested manufactor that will work? As the truck gets lower the wheels move closer to the firewall, will this kit keep the wheels centered in the wheel wells? I for one am glad to see someone interested in handling. Sorry for the long post. Thks

[PBFAB.COM]

Originally Posted by GMCGRANDS

I have a few questions . Does the C4 member include the engine mounts for a Gen 3 (LSX) engine? I noticed in the dropmember thread you weld the mount on for the steering shaft support, is this done on this kit as well? How about a front swaybar? If draging frame is not a goal what mods are required to the floor hump or cab floor? Can wider front wheels be run to bring the track width closer to stock without negative effects to handling? Do you build a header for this application or have a suggested manufactor that will work? As the truck gets lower the wheels move closer to the firewall, will this kit keep the wheels centered in the wheel wells? I for one am glad to see someone interested in handling. Sorry for the long post. Thks

The Dropmember C4 will be offered with mounts for the increasingly popular LSX engines. The LS engines take up a little more space than the traditional small block and clearances are at a premium. The LS motors will fit without firewall clearance problems. The steering shaft is tricky, and I can mock it up for you in my shop truck before shipping (if you are using a stock or stock replacement column) I will have a better idea of header to steering clearances in the next few weeks (we are installing this same combo in a 71 blazer... full C4 and an LS motor). All the floor needs is the large hump tranny tunnel. The rear of the cab should not require any mods if you do not intend to do extreme lowering. The wheel offset will have an effect on the scrub radius (let me know what backspacing you intend to run and I can tell you how much of an effect). Sway bar is a must... I can offer some better input as we move forward on the Blazer project. The wheels do move towards the cab in compression. I set it up to have the center-line slightly forward of the wheel opening center-line and at full compression it is pretty close to center (see pics).

Hopefully I answered all the questions. If you have more, don't hesitate to ask.