The problem that I've had the displeasure of see is frame twist and the need
for rack time to put everything back into alignment.
The side supports I'm talking about is nothing difficult it's just a small
angle plate welded from the inside upper corner of the crossmember to the
inside of the frame to added more strength to the frame. Kind of like a
gusset "spelling"?
Notice how all the other crossmembers come up to cradle the frame on the
inside as well as the bottom. They even include boxing plates for this
purpose!
I haven't dealt with Fatman in a while so who knows maybe they added that
brace to the kit?
What would even make matters worse is if you had to add C-notches to the
frame for steering rack clearance.
That's why I like a kit that welds to the frame on the inside and bottom.
Then with the addition of the top hat, the frame is basically welded on all
sides.
Not trying to scare you Ryan, just pointing out what I've seen in the past.
I think Fatman has an excellent crossmember except it needs that additional
support.
Joe
-----Original Message-----
From: BORDER,RYAN (HP-FtCollins,ex1) <ryan_border@hp.com>
To: 'joe' <chevy1@jps.net>
Date: Tuesday, September 12, 2000 9:23 AM
Subject: RE: [oletrucks] IFS brand recommendation
>Hi Joe-
> I haven't ridden in a car with air ride- unless you count some of the
>Bus's I've been in. I'm leaning towards air ride for a few reasons, mostly
>to do with ease of adjustability. For instance, on the back, I'd like the
>truck to sit nice and low- but still be able to haul... say ~1000 lbs (a
big
>motorcycle). I've done trial and error with coil springs (on my Jaguar)
and
>don't want to fight that battle again- the idea of pumping up the air bags
>until they're where you want them *really* appeals to me ;-).
> I'm still shopping right now, and haven't reached a final decision on
what
>I'll buy. Right now, one fo the best deals looks to be from air-ride
>themselves- for $675 you get the front air springs, bracketry, and the
lower
>control arms. I pulled the front end out of a Mustang 2 a month or so
back,
>and so have the uprights, upper control arms, and a steering rack.
>No-Limit has a kit to but big brakes and a chevy bolt pattern rotor onto
the
>mustang 2 spindle, but I think there's a cheaper one offered from Speedway
>(waiting for their catalog).
> On the back, I'll run ladder bars (probably Competition Engineering),
>which I'll buy from Summit or Jegs. I'll use the pro-street bracketry
>offered from air-ride, to get the air springs under the frame. That will
>give me the room to run 15" rims, and BIG tires. My new frame has been
>narrowed 6" each side on the back, and I'll tub the bed accordingly.
>
> Back to my question... as I said, my frame already has a fatman
>crossmember welded in. What problems have you seen with this setup? What
>are these "side supports" you speak of, and what sort of bending do they
>prevent? My truck (at least for now) has a fairly mundane 350/350 combo,
>I'll use a Camaro transmission crossmember, and probably one of the tubular
>engine crossmembers up front.
>
>Thanks-
>Ryan.
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: joe [mailto:chevy1@jps.net]
>Sent: Tuesday, September 12, 2000 9:47 AM
>To: BORDER,RYAN (HP-FtCollins,ex1); oletrucks
>Subject: Re: [oletrucks] IFS brand recommendation
>
>
>That's correct Ryan I meant to say "WITHOUT"!!!
>
>My blower motor's weight is a little more weight then my second set of
>springs can handle so I'm also going to air ride in two months.
>
>Have you had the opportunity to ride in a vehicle with air ride to sample
>the riding characteristics?
>
>I'm using the stock upper and lower a-arms and making my own brackets. I'm
>going to incorporate the bumper to eliminate the bottoming out of the air
>bags on the upper bracket.
>
>Who are you buying the system from?
>
>
>Joe Garcia
>Yuba City, CA
>1950 Chevrolet 3100
>
>http://chevy1.freeservers.com/
>http://50chevy.freeservers.com/
>http://1950Jeepster.freeservers.com/
>-----Original Message-----
>From: BORDER,RYAN (HP-FtCollins,ex1) <ryan_border@hp.com>
>To: 'joe' <chevy1@jps.net>
>Date: Monday, September 11, 2000 2:01 PM
>Subject: RE: [oletrucks] IFS brand recommendation
>
>
>>Hi Joe-
>> Can you elaborate a little bit for me here? I have a frame that I'm
>>getting ready to build up into a chassis... and it has a fatman mustang2
>>cross-member welded in. The plan is to use OEM upper A-arms, and tubular
>>lowers (no strut rods) on air springs. I assume you meant "withOUT adding
>>side supports" below.
>>
>>Thanks-
>>Ryan.
>>
>>-----Original Message-----
>>From: joe [mailto:chevy1@jps.net]
>>Sent: Saturday, September 09, 2000 2:00 PM
>>To: Old GMC Pickup; oletrucks
>>Subject: Re: [oletrucks] IFS brand recommendation
>>
>>
>>I won't touch that one!!!
>>
>>I will say that I have the Mustang II Crossmember from Fat Fendered Street
>>Rods in my 50 and the Heidt's unit in my other project and their both the
>>same.
>>
>>I wouldn't install a Fatman Fabrication unit with adding side supports
from
>>the crossmember to the inside of the frame as I've personnel met people
>>who's frame has bend with that design and needed rack time and the
addition
>>of the above mentioned parts to cure the problem.
>>
>>I like the units that weld or bolt on 3 sides for added frame support.
>>
>>There are other suppliers out there Like the gentleman in Oregon or
>>Washington that I plan to review for future installations as an optional
>>vendor. Everyone has to start somewhere and he seems to have alot of
>Racing
>>"frame design" background and therefore testing to prove his products
>>safety and reliability.
>>
>>Hope I haven't open that can of worms again, It's just my opinion.......
>>
>>
>>Joe Garcia
>>Yuba City, CA
>>1950 Chevrolet 3100
>>
>>http://chevy1.freeservers.com/
>>http://50chevy.freeservers.com/
>>http://1950Jeepster.freeservers.com/
>
>
oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
|