November is here. Time to fill you in on what I've been up to. I have a few things that are newsworthy:

First, my web site is finally up and running under it's domain name. My thanks go out to a fellow ThirdGenner Colin Opseth who runs GMPerfonmance.org for helping me get it to this point. Most of you are probably unaware that this is actually the second version of my web site. The first one was ready to go (or so we thought) but we discovered bugs in the shopping cart script. Colin attempted to contact the software manufacturer to no avail. It turns out they also had no revisions to the software for quite a while. The software we used originally seems to have been abandoned. In the long-run this is probably for the best. That software was very limited and I would have outgrown it very soon. Back in mid-September we changed horses mid-stream to another software package made by OS Commerce. http://www.oscommerce.com
My goal was to have my web site up by early October. We reached that goal. But when I contacted the company I wanted to use to host the site (Verisign) I discovered that I couldn't transfer my web site onto their servers. They required me to build the site from scratch using their supplied software. This left me with a dilemma, start my web site from scratch for the THIRD time, or find another company to host it. I went with the latter. I also didn't like the thought of being held hostage by the company hosting my site. You see, you can't transfer it off their site either!
I have a lot of things I still want to do to the web site, but this is at least a start. I feel it gets across what products I have available. My old e-mailing a "Price List" wasn't cutting it any more. Especially since my product line has grown so large since my first list in February or March. Feel free to let me know what you like or don't like on the web site.

www.top-downsolutions.com

There are still a couple of minor glitches in some of the php files that prevent you from "logging in". But feel free to browse and see what we have available. Just jot down anything you'd like to purchase and e-mail me with your shopping list. I'll need your name and address if I don't have it on file. Heavier items ship by UPS ground, which requires your telephone number. I'll create an invoice and e-mail it to you showing your order total. On the web site I include the shipping weight of each item, so you'll be able to tell if it ships by UPS or not.
Now for the other exciting development. As of Friday 10/8/02, I am able to accept payment by credit card directly (VISA, MasterCard & Discover). You don't have to become a Member of PayPal any longer to pay by credit card. Of course I still accept cash, checks, MO or PayPal. This just allows a bit more flexibility in how you can pay for your order.
The last project I completed here at TDS (not counting the web site and credit cards) was the F-Body door hinge replacement program. I stock the door hinge replacement kits made by 3rdGenSolutions (aka Andy Z28). I also have developed the tooling and method to offer a door hinge replacement service for local (So Cal) customers. I've created a two-page document that details the steps involved and the cost breakdown. I can e-mail that to you. I'll see about getting a link to it on my web site.
Currently the number one project at TDS is the 106021 TTA Steering Brace. I finally got some other things cleared off the list and can get onto this long waiting project. My thanks to all those that have been patiently awaiting this product.
On related news, I am sad to say that I am out of stock on the popular 105021 F-Body Steering Brace (thanks to all 47 of you that bought the original version). I have re-designed it and improved it in several areas. The brace has been redesigned so it will also fit the 1982 F-Body. My plan is to begin building the new version after I've completed my stocking run of the 106021 braces.
A little history: If you've ever seen a post on a F-Body BBS about someone having a problem fitting a GM Wonder Bar, Kenney Brown or Global West** Steering Brace on their car I can clue you in to what the problem could be. 1982 had a different bolt pattern to mount the front sway bar bushing retainer brackets. It is a straight pattern (this is why I offer two versions of a front greasable sway bar bushing kit). 1983-92 F-Bodies have an offset bolt-mounting pattern with an orientation compatible. The two are not compatible. You would have to grind both mounting pads to get any of the versions of a Steering Brace or Wonder Bar to fit. IMO, if it requires modification to make it fit, it isn't designed to fit that car. That is why my original design of 105021 Steering Brace stated it would only fit the 1983-92 model years.
(Back on topic)
I've redesigned the brace to accommodate the 1982 Model as well. The new version is also better and stronger for a few reasons. First the center bar has been increased in diameter. Second the mounting pads have been revised to mount with three bolts per side instead of just two. This ties in the frame as well as the bracket that is welded to the frame. Every other version, including my original one mounted to just to the two bolt holes on this welded bracket. If that weld holding the bracket to the frame failed, the brace was no longer functional. Just as before, the brace will be available in the powder-coat finish called "Raw Steel". It now will also be available in powder-coated red.
That's the latest news from Top-Down Solutions. Thanks for your patronage.

Thanks,

Lon Salgren

PS: Some of you may have already received this in an e-mail from me. In the future I'll be sending out my TDS Newsletter through the web site. So only people that have visited and registered on the web site will be getting it (IF they chose to). Unfortunately there is still an error in a few php files that prevent you from registering on my web site currently. Let me know what you think of it so far.

 

Site looks good, Lon. I tried to register, but it didn't work as you warned.