Dropped crossmember truck handling
 

I've been hearing that these trucks with the dropped crossmembers don't handle well and have allot of bump steer. I'd like to hear from people that actually have one on the road. Thanks in advance.

Re: Dropped crossmember truck handling
 

Are you referring to a replacement cross-member or a factory cross-member that has been sectioned?

Re: Dropped crossmember truck handling
 

Replacement dropped crossmembers.

Re: Dropped crossmember truck handling
 

There are several on the forum that should be able to give you good feedback on the different brands.

As for my personal experience with our product... nothing but good things to say. :)

N2Billett, Delmo, and Dino are only a few that have logged a ton of miles on our front ends. I would suggest sending a PM to ask them if they don't chime in on this thread.

Nate

Re: Dropped crossmember truck handling
 

Where are you hearing this from? It sounds as if your sources are just repeating uninformed opinions.

There are several vendors on here that offer replacement suspension for these trucks. I have read many posts by lots of owners that are very pleased with their product. I have not read a single one that complained of ill handling or bumpsteer after the install.

I am sure that you will get plenty of input from happy owners, but I request that you read through the vast amount of input posted in this forum as well.

Re: Dropped crossmember truck handling
 

I'm not going to mention brands but I was told of 3 that were removed and replaced due to ill-handling. All 3 were the same brand. I also have one of them that has yet to hit the road and am very concerned.

Re: Dropped crossmember truck handling
 

You were "told" this, but have no first hand experience?... Why not just give the brand name?

I can vouch for Porterbuilts DM, handling is vastly improved over stock. Now, remember most of these that have extreme drops aren't necessarily set up for "Auto Cross", if that's how they're gauging the performance of the system...

Re: Dropped crossmember truck handling
 

I would definitely recommend talking to Delmo. He has installed several of our front end kits and will give you honest feedback. N2Billett is another.

I have never heard any feedback close to what you are referring to. I would assume that i would be the first to know if this was truly the case.

Nate
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Re: Dropped crossmember truck handling
 

If you re-read my o.p. I was asking a question. No need to drop names ;)

Re: Dropped crossmember truck handling
 

It isn't hard to look at your build thread and find out what parts you running and are "concerned" about.
;)
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Re: Dropped crossmember truck handling
 

Yes, not hard at all, which is why I wondered why not just state the manufacturer... we're all big boys. :chevy:

Re: Dropped crossmember truck handling
 

What were the "removed crossmembers" replaced with?

Re: Dropped crossmember truck handling
 

What up Bruce Bruce. I drive a body dropped dropmember truck on 20s and 22s. I've put close to 8,000 miles on it last year. Smooth as silk. My wife cruises the truck a couple inches off the ground and loves it (i prefer to be about 1/8" off the ground myself). I've towed with it also and it's sweet. I myself have heard of a front end being removed 3 times but it was not a dropmember and the ones removed were replaced with dropmember (true story that i saw with my own eyes) You'll love that thing on the road and you'll be stoked you went PorterBuilt the first time around!

Hope this helps.
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Re: Dropped crossmember truck handling
 

Show off....
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Re: Dropped crossmember truck handling
 

That is what I was looking for. I didn't say what brand cuz I was looking for this response. Thanks Mason. Makes me feel better.

Re: Dropped crossmember truck handling
 

I see Bruce Bruce. Glad you got what you were looking for!

Re: Dropped crossmember truck handling
 

Hey Bruce, cool lookin truck. I only have good things to say about PB and I know you've heard it all before. All I can say is come by the shop next time your in town and we'll go for a rip in a dropmber truck. Sometimes it's the only way to actually experience it for yourself. You made the right choice man.

As for people talking, that's all it is and I challenge them to step up. I've installed every single front suspension out there and I know the differences in both product quality and service.
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Re: Dropped crossmember truck handling
 

Hey Bruce, I don't know who or where you got your information from but I've had nothing but excellent results with the Porterbuilt Dropmembers. I know there are at least 1000 (probably closer to 2k) on the road which should be a indicator in itself. My last truck had the front and rear kits and it drove great with zero bump steer and I gave a few forum members rides that can attest to this.....I sell and install these products so if you have any questions please feel free to PM and ask me.

Re: Dropped crossmember truck handling
 

Amen!

Re: Dropped crossmember truck handling
 

That's great to hear. Thanks for the input.

Re: Dropped crossmember truck handling
 

Now you're selling it?
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=562378

Re: Dropped crossmember truck handling
 

Yes Sir.

Re: Dropped crossmember truck handling
 

This will make someone a nice piece. Worth every penny in just install time and customer service.

Re: Dropped crossmember truck handling
 

Bruce I hate that you're selling your DM, I just ordered mine today! If you look back through this thread some of the best builders have posted very positive "EXPERIENCES" with Porderbuilt products and especially the front dropmember. I have read all of their builds, and trust me guys like Delmo, Dino, Keith (lolife) and Keith (N2billet) build nothing but the best show/go/tow/drive low trucks. Its because of these guys I chose to go with Porterbuilt! Best of luck with your build sir, you won't have any problems selling your dropmember on this board.

Re: Dropped crossmember truck handling
 

My experience wasn't positive from the begining but I won't go into it on here.

Re: Dropped crossmember truck handling
 

?? I'm not sure I understand if you've never driven your truck. Bad service?

Re: Dropped crossmember truck handling
 

Let's just say I hope you have better luck than me.

Re: Dropped crossmember truck handling
 

I'v seen this before, someone is dang near giving away front ends to round up business. You couldn't give me 5 of them. Good luck with the sale man.

Re: Dropped crossmember truck handling
 

5 of what? Who's giving them away? I need a free one or 5 :metal:

Re: Dropped crossmember truck handling
 

Something is off here... The original question was about bump steer and driving issues with a dropmember. But now it seems we've moved on to service and overall experience dealing with the business not the product. This is the very first negative thing I have ever read about Porterbuilt! If you read through this thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=485320 I can clearly see that Nate Porter will do whatever it takes to provide the best customer service!

Re: Dropped crossmember truck handling
 

I had little issues here and there with my Portbuilt parts. However, Nate has bent over backwards to help rectify any issue. Also, if you run into a install issue, you send the guy a text on at 7pm on a sunday and he gets back to you and works out the issue. Been building custom trucks for 20 years and no one has EVER given that level of customer service to me.

Nate has also worked with me on the finance end of things too. Covering shipping here, giving me a few dollars off there.

That being said, we are building custom trucks, so of course there are going to be variables given all the different wheel/tire combo along with motor/trans combo.

But, if someone is providing a cheaper product with the same level quality and customer service, I'd love to know who they are.

Re: Dropped crossmember truck handling
 

Like I said, Hope you have a better experience than I did.

Re: Dropped crossmember truck handling
 

We have always done our best to provide quality service and product... it's what we do. The overwhelming majority have always been pleased with our efforts. Things don't always go 100% as planned, and when they don't we always go the extra mile to resolve or correct any concerns or issues.

Obviously Bruce doesn't feel that our best was sufficient for him. If he would like to explain exactly why he feels this way, then I will be happy to respond to it. If he doesn't feel inclined to do so, then we will leave it at that.

Nate

Re: Dropped crossmember truck handling
 

Let's start from the beginning. When I paid you in full you said 3 weeks. At 1 1/2 months you were dodging my calls and e-mails. When I asked for my money back you instantly called with excuses that involved Church and Cub Scouts. When I went to install the kit the upper control arm bushings were wrong. you sent me another set that were wrong. I asked for some stock to have my Guy make them right, which you did. I think that cost me about 80.00 in machine work. When I installed the engine, it wasn't even close. the back of the valve cover was hitting the firewall and the tail shaft of trans was 6.5 inches off center of chassis. You offered to send me the motor mount plates to have my fabricator remake the motor mounts properly. He was able to use some of the pieces and line up the motor at an expense of 500.00. The lower a-arms were supposed to be drilled for the bags that I already had and they weren't. Another 70.00 in labor. No offer to compensate me was ever made. Is this "bending over backwards" ? Today when I talked to your guy and asked for a "deal" on some hood hinges to remotely try to compensate me for my 650.00 cash outlay to repair your "f" ups, he said no. Your service is by far the worst I have ever encountered in my life. Keep up the "great service" my friend cuz I ain't "feelin' it".

Re: Dropped crossmember truck handling
 

Here's a pic of how far the motor mounts were off.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...-17_154046.jpg

Re: Dropped crossmember truck handling
 

Another.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...-17_154021.jpg

Re: Dropped crossmember truck handling
 

And another.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...-17_154007.jpg

Re: Dropped crossmember truck handling
 

Correct me if I'm wrong Bruce because I have no idea about your truck but it looks like the holes would line up if the engine moved. No?
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Re: Dropped crossmember truck handling
 

If the original motor mount holes were used , the motor valve cover hit the firewall and the trans tailshaft was 6.5 inches off center of the centerline of the chassis. the motor was lined up when the pics were taken by me.

Re: Dropped crossmember truck handling
 

Bruce-

Let's start back at the beginning when you placed your order... over 3 years ago.

1. You were disappointed with the build time. I wish we could build them faster too.

2. You received the incorrect length crush sleeves for the upper control arm bushings. You said you would take care of it. Never once did you get back to me making me aware of any out of pocket expense.

3. Your motor mounts were off. Not sure why yours were so much different than everybody elses, as they came out of the same fixture. But hey, no big deal, you asked me to send you a set unwelded and we did. Never once did you get back to me making me aware of any out of pocket expense.

4. You had to redrill two holes in the lower control arm so you could mount the bags that you were running. Never once did you get back to me making me aware of any out of pocket expense.

5. You called today, 3 years later, and expected us to give you a set of hood hinges for FREE to make up for all this "out of pocket expense" that we were never made aware of. We offered to throw the hinges in the package with the inner truss upgrade (that we don't charge for) and discount the shipping on the hood hinges. That wasn't what you wanted... you had quite the reaction with lots of colorful language and several threats of what you would do to my reputation. At that point the conversation ended.

Maybe I am crazy, but I don't feel that I handeled this situation poorly or in a manner that shows any type of "poor service". You obviously feel otherwise, and you are entitled to your opinion.

Good luck on the sale of the Dropmember, I am sure it will sell quickly.