54 PB dropmember build

[whiteheadcycle]

Well after selling my 72 for family reasons, I've been itching for a new project! So about 1 1/2 years ago I pickup the 54. While waiting for Nate to release the dropmembers, I've been collecting parts as deals pop up. Now that I have my dropmembers I thought I would start my build. It's going to be a little slow, but it will get completed! Here's a few pictures from the day I brought her home.

[whiteheadcycle]

Better pic

[whiteheadcycle]

I'm kind of a one man show, so I built a gantry lift and started the teardown.

[whiteheadcycle]

Cab coming off

[whiteheadcycle]

Frame completely stripped-

[whiteheadcycle]

Quick cab stand-

[oldman3]

^^^you stoled those parts for that price....Jim

[whiteheadcycle]

Originally Posted by oldman3

^^^you stoled those parts for that price....Jim

Yes I did! The guy was super nice and held the parts for me. He had people offering over $1500 and he still stuck to his word. That's hard to come by anymore!

[whiteheadcycle]

Tonight I ran into yet another small issue with more frame stampings. This is were the rear cab mount bolts to the frame and right were the new trailing arm crossmember mounts need to go. Can you guys look at your frame and see if you have this stamping? I'm guessing is a 54-55 thing once again.

[Advanced Design]

Originally Posted by whiteheadcycle

Tonight I ran into yet another small issue with more frame stampings. This is were the rear cab mount bolts to the frame and right were the new trailing arm crossmember mounts need to go. Can you guys look at your frame and see if you have this stamping? I'm guessing is a 54-55 thing once again.

I don't have that stamping on my 47 - 53 frame.

Cool build and the one on deck looks good too! I am tagging along.

[youngrodder]

Originally Posted by Advanced Design

I don't have that stamping on my 47 - 53 frame.

Cool build and the one on deck looks good too! I am tagging along.

Yes, I meant to tell you that I don't have those stamping on my frame either.

Marc

[84blaze]

Subscribed.

After seeing all this nice porterbuilt AD stuff recently its making me want to trash my S10 frame and go this route.

[whiteheadcycle]

Originally Posted by 84blaze

Subscribed.

After seeing all this nice porterbuilt AD stuff recently its making me want to trash my S10 frame and go this route.

I had a s10 frame done with Michigan metal works arms, little shop no notch steering, the hole nine.... But I really wanted another dropmember truck. So I sold the frame and waited. Even with fitment problems I'm glad I did.

[whiteheadcycle]

I also bought this 49 last year from a old high school buddy for $400. It will be the next build and will be getting a front dropmember also, but I will be building a wishbone setup for the rear.

[youngrodder]

Your PB install looks familiar...Ha ha
Nice progress. Keep at it.

Yes the PB quality and service are both top notch. My painter could not get over how nice all the parts are. I think it's a good value for what you get.

Marc

[Coach529]

Looks like an awesome build. I will be following along.

[whiteheadcycle]

Thanks guys! I scored a 13" cpp big brake kit on eBay for a smoking deal awhile back, and finally got the calipers painted black. Turned out pretty good.

[ptc]

Looks like a cool build - keep on going!!!

[SalvagedSouls]

Subscribed. I've been looking forward to the AD Dropmember and seeing how it looks installed.

[BlueJeep]

Looks like a cool build. Easiest path forward may be to get a different frame (49-53). you're really only using the middle section, and all the important mounting points should be the same. Lots of people can't give their old frames away.

[youngrodder]

Originally Posted by whiteheadcycle

Thanks guys! I scored a 13" cpp big brake kit on eBay for a smoking deal awhile back, and finally got the calipers painted black. Turned out pretty good.

What spindles are you running? I'm assuming McGaughys dropped spindles. I used 71' spindles. If so did you need to make any modifications to the spindle in order to mount the brakes?

What the Ebay seller a store or just an individual selling one kit?

I'm trying to get my brakes sorted out.

Thanks
Marc

[whiteheadcycle]

Originally Posted by youngrodder

What spindles are you running? I'm assuming McGaughys dropped spindles. I used 71' spindles. If so did you need to make any modifications to the spindle in order to mount the brakes?

What the Ebay seller a store or just an individual selling one kit?

I'm trying to get my brakes sorted out.

Thanks
Marc

I got lucking on the brakes and they were from a individual seller. They are cpp modular spindles. I was going to go with Mcgaughys, but no one could give me a straight answer how far they pushed the wheels out (even vendors) So I was dead set on running cpp spindles. There kit is a little more that Mcgaughys, but I would rather spend the money once and have it right. After I bought the brakes I did talk to Dave at Porterbuilt and cpp is what they used for mockup. also.

[69CST-V]

Sub'd...Nice start

[youngrodder]

Brakes look good. I still need to sort that out.

Marc

[NickL]

Looks great. I figured it was only a matter of time before they released a setup for the AD gen. I'll be following to see how things go, will be going this route for the next build. Too deep in my s10 swap at this point.